MISSOURI

YEAR VISITED: 2005, 2018, and 2025.

FAVORITE CITIES AND EXPERIENCES: Jill and I have been to Missouri twice. The first time came in 2005 when we were visiting our friends, Becky & Sean, in Lawrence, Kansas. While in Kansas we decided to make the forty-five minute drive across the border to Independence. Our first stop was the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum. Highlights were seeing the oval office and multiple exhibits debating his decision to use nuclear weapons to end WWII.

Still on the grounds of the presidential library, is the grave site of President Truman and his wife, Bess.

Once we finished exploring the presidential museum we headed across the parking lot to the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site & Home. This is where Harry and Bess lived from the time of their marriage until the President died in 1972, and serves as the site of one of our families funniest travel stories. We bought our tickets and the next tour didn’t leave for roughly another hour. The combination of us four spending an entire morning quietly perusing a museum, and now being forced to sit and wait made us goofy. Before the tour even started we were laughing and cracking each other up with old ‘remember when’ stories. By the time the Ranger arrived to lead our group of approximately fifteen people, we were struggling to stay composed. Making matters worse our tour guide, whom we lovingly nicknamed Ranger Rick, made the house sound like we were entering the Palace of Versailles as he was barking out orders, instructions, and “you will not do…” prior to our entry. Naturally, goofy Sean and I acting as if we were twelve began doing exactly what Ranger Rick instructed us not to do. When he said “stay on the red carpet and do not deviate from the carpet” we jokingly tip toed off the red carpet. When he instructed us to “do not touch ANYTHING” we decided to lightly touch as many items as possible. When in the kitchen, we reached out to touch the oven… in the living room we touched the kitchen table… in the hallway the wall. While it was all harmless fun, we were all feeling so goofy that each time one of us touched something it cracked up the rest of the group. Jill, who was now regularly laughing hysterically, evidently decided to join in on Sean’s and my game. As we were walking through a hallway, Ranger Rick stopped the tour to point out the Presidential wedding plate on the wall – it had a picture, location, and date of their big day emblazoned on the plate. As each person took turns moving up to take a peak at the plate Jill, who got caught up in the fun and definitely didn’t know her own strength, reached out to (I presume) lightly touch the president’s wedding plate. Unfortunately, she miscalculated the depth and struck the plate hard causing it to slam back and fourth against the wall. The commotion caused the Ranger to twirl around hard asking who did it and demanding we all be more careful. Nothing was damaged and no one was disciplined but I still joke that Jill got us kicked out of a presidential home tour.

Our second time traveling to Missouri came in 2018 and revolved around St. Louis. We stayed a couple nights downtown at the Red Lion that may or may not still be open (while investigating at the time of writing this blog it appeared closed). Nevertheless it was a eclectic old building that we considered one of our favorite stops. Plus it was within walking distance to Busch Stadium (home of MLB’s Cardinals), as well as the Archway Park.

We rolled into town in the late afternoon. After enjoying a little down time in the hotel, we walked about a half mile up to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. As previously mentioned, I always enjoy making a point to visit a HRC in the various cities we travel to. I always 1) enjoy seeking out the subtle differences and 2) enjoy the fun atmosphere that every location provides. Although the area all around the restaurant was under construction and as a result this was not one of our favorite Hard Rock Cafe stops.

The next day, our first full day in the city, we headed directly to the Gateway Arch National Park. We walked around the beautiful grounds and the girls had a blast taking photos from various angles with the arch in the background. We were also able to walk down to the shores of the mighty Mississippi River.

Our tickets to ride the elevator to the top of the Arch were for mid morning. Therefore, once we finished exploring the grounds we headed to the museum and shopping center that was located under ground. We wasted time in the gift shop and completed the relatively short museum tour. The museum is definitely worth a look as it walked you through how engineers were able to construct this unique and massive structure. We learned the Arch is 630 feet tall, which earns it the honor of being the 3rd tallest observation tower in the United States (Stratosphere in Las Vegas is #1 and the Tower of the America’s in San Antonio is #2). It took two years to build and was completed in 1965.

As we were lining up to enter the super small elevator that would take us to the top of the observation deck, we all decided to go to the bathroom. As I was leaving the bathroom I ran into a colleague of mine from Prairie, Mr. Schultz. Considering we were both over 1,500 miles away from home, we both got quite the kick out of what a coincidence it was to unknowingly meet up in a bathroom in St Louis. After we exchanged pleasantries and met each other’s families we climbed aboard the elevator (if you are claustrophobic, I would not recommend this) and we started for the top. The elevator was small, hot, and we felt as if we were traveling sideways. However, while not overly comfortable once we arrived to the observation deck we were blown away from the amazing views through the small slanted windows.

What took the longest time to adjust to wasn’t the small elevator but rather walking up and down the slope of the arch. However, once we got adjusted to the feeling of walking up and down a hill over 600 feet off the ground, we greatly enjoyed our time and fell in love with the views of the city. The Mississippi River was beautiful, the view of Busch Stadium was second to none, and the court house in the shadow of the arch was breathtaking..

In the shadow of the Gateway Arch is the Old St Louis County Courthouse. The courthouse gained national fame following the Dred Scott ruling that came in 1857 in the halls of this very courthouse. Southern pro-slavery states rejoiced in the courts decision while Northern anti-slavery states were outraged. Historians point to this court case as one of the main reasons that ultimately led to Civil War. At the conclusion of our Arch tour, we walked across the grounds to this historic courthouse.

Being a former high school history teacher, touring the inside of this historic building was a unique thrill. I loved standing in the rotunda and starring up at the huge American flag hung from the ceiling. I loved standing in the same court room that Dred Scott stood all those years ago and I especially loved the feeling that came over me that I had somehow been transported back in time. The old furniture combined with the old musty smell of the building gave me the distinct feeling as if I had been here before. While I really can’t describe it, it is a feeling I will never forget, and made the entire experience extremely surreal.

ADVENTURES: Also in 2005 with our friends the Weavers, we ventured into downtown Kansas City for an afternoon. We ate at George Brett’s – a legendary Kansas City Royal. Following retirement from his hall of fame MLB career he opened up a steak house and decorated it floor to ceiling with sports memorabilia. We loved the food, I loved the memorabilia, but most of all we enjoyed a great night with great friends. Following dinner we walked a couple blocks to a downtown mall.

Hands down the best barbecue I’ve ever had came from Sugarfire in downtown St Louis. We stumbled upon this location following our Arch tour – although when we arrived the line was out the door and for a brief moment we discussed eating somewhere else. We couldn’t be happier that we decided to stick with it. The line moved fairly quick and once we made it inside I couldn’t help feeling like I was a part of the Seinfeld episode, The Soup Nazi… order, give your money, move left, your food will be handed to you, find a seat. I can’t recommend this place enough. Whether you are looking for brisket, steak, chicken, or ribs, Sugarfire is worth a stop.

STADIUMS AND/OR SPORTING EVENTS: Also in 2005, following our President Truman excursion in Independence, we ventured to Kaufman Stadium for a Kansas City Royals game. The Royals played the Chicago White Sox, first pitch was at 7:00, and I remember in horror that the temperature was hovering just below 100 and the humidity was still in the 90’s. While we were all sweaty, we enjoyed our night at the ballpark – although we did contemplate jumping into the center field fountains.

Prior to the game I was able to walk around the outside of the stadium as well as from foul pole to foul pole inside the stadium. Below are the George Brett and Frank White statues.

I have also seen multiple St. Louis Cardinal games at Busch Stadium.

My dad and I saw a game there when I was in 9th grade and my friend Jerry and I visited in 2025. What I have learned is there have been three Busch Stadiums. In 1953 Anheuser-Busch purchased the team and renamed the existing Sportsmen Park to Busch Stadium. Busch Stadium #2 opened in 1966, and the current Busch Stadium (#3) opened in 2006. I have seen games in the second and third stadium. St Louis is a tremendous baseball town and the stadium is first class. Outside they have done a fantastic job of commemorating their storied history. There are statues honoring former Cardinals, banners commemorating the years they have won the World Series, and plaques and signs showing where Busch Stadium #2 used to stand.

When Jerry and I were there a massive storm front rolled in which delayed the game two hours. As a result first pitch wasn’t until 9:00 pm and as a result the crowd was extremely small.

Inside the stadium they have also done a great job of commemorating the past. The old scoreboard, as well as stadium sign is prominently displayed in the concourse behind home plate.

I consider this one of the top ballparks in the Major Leagues. Prior to attending the game in 2025 we purchased tickets to the “Official Pre-Game Party.” Your ticket entitles you to all you can eat food and drink inside the building that houses the Cardinals Hall of Fame. It is directly across the street from the stadium and overlooks the left field fence.

When in St. Louis I can’t recommend this place enough.

NOTABLE DESTINATIONS & STOPS: In 2018 we planned Branson as a major stop on our road trip.

The best way to describe this tourist destination is “indescribable”. While there is a ton to do and we greatly enjoyed ourselves, I did not enjoy the traffic. The two lane road was packed every time I drove it. It was slow, stop and go, driving… if it said 5 minute trip it would take you 15. While this probably didn’t affect the rest of the family that wasn’t driving, it greatly stressed me out. Therefore, (only because of the traffic) I did not love Branson. However, once we arrived at our various destinations I would definitely say we enjoyed each experience. First, we bought tickets to the “Dolly Parton Stampede” show.

The dinner show came with dinner and great seats around a horse arena to take in the old west style show. The girls were very entertained and we all came away feeling like this was a positive experience.

Second, we bought tickets to the Celebrity Car Museum. The museum had famous original and replicas from movies, TV shows, and celebrities personal collections. While I remember feeling that our admission tickets were on the expensive side, I had a blast wondering around and seeing all the cars we had seen on TV growing up. I would definitely recommend bringing your camera as we easily took fifty pictures at this location alone.

We completed our handful of excursions in Branson by eating out at Pasghetti’s where each of us ordered our favorite Italian dishes. While we were admittedly drawn in by the massive meatball outside, the food was fantastic and we would recommend it to all.

Our last notable destination in Missouri was the Anheuser-Busch facility… sort of. I say “sort of” because we did not have enough time to take the Budweiser Factory tour. However, I was able to walk around the the inside, the gift shop, and around the outside the massive buildings. It is definitely on the list to return to and explore fully.