Missouri’s Top 10 Family Attractions

Missouri is known as “The Show Me State” for a reason. They have some of the most amazing landmarks and things that you can visit! Well, maybe that’s not the reason Missouri calls itself “The Show Me” state, but there is still plenty that they like to show visitors about their state.

Missouri was added as a state in 1821 as part of the Missouri Compromise. It was considered an important hub of transportation and commerce in the early days of America.

One landmark that many enjoy seeing is the famous Gateway Arch which stands in the middle of St. Louis, which stands close to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.

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What makes this area great for families?

One thing that makes Missouri a great place for families is the friendly atmosphere of the state. While people vary anywhere you go regarding their friendly attitude, most people you meet in Missouri are friendly and sociable and always happy to greet visitors and tourists.

There are many places you can go and plenty to do that will entertain kids for hours and provide them with an exciting and educational vacation experience.

Missouri is known for its family attractions. You just have to do a little research to figure out where you want to go first. We’ve made that easier for you by compiling a list of ten of the best family attractions in the state of Missouri.

Top 10 Family Attractions in Missouri

We hope you enjoy going through this list and that you find something of interest when planning your next family vacation.

We have chosen the following locations due to either their family-friendly themes, educational value, or entertainment properties. You’ll find something for everyone from the animal lover to the jazz lover in the collection below.

#1 – Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City provides all of the family excitement you can put into one full day!

With roller coaster rides and 40 other rides for kids of all ages plus all of the musical concerts and shows, you won’t be scrambling to find something entertaining to do. There is the Silver Dollar City Water Park nearby as well for kids of all ages who like to splash all day.

Adults will enjoy the chance to see the traditional aspects of Missouri through glass-blowing and crafts activities as well as visit the Marvel Cave area and other attractions on the site. There’s plenty to do and see when you visit this excellent family attraction located in Branson, Missouri.

#2 – The Butterfly House

The Butterfly House is a beautiful place to visit if you want to get away from the activity of the city or shopping for awhile and just take in nature.

Filled with hundreds of species of butterflies as well as a few birds with an attitude, The Butterfly House will delight kids and adults alike.

It was created as a sanctuary and nature study for birds and butterflies that stand as a reminder of the importance of nature and ecology.

Established in 1995, it is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Let a butterfly land on you and experience the beauty of butterflies in their natural habitat. It is a great place for families or school groups too. Admission is $8 per person and $5 for seniors.

#3 – Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park

Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park was built in memory of the famous Mark Twain classic, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”

It is located in Hannibal, Missouri, home of the classic Southern literary icon, Mark Twain and the cafe on the property is the only business located on the river in Hannibal.

The fun park features activities such as:

• 18-hole miniature golf course
• Bumper boats
• Water wars
• Fish feeding

Admission prices vary, but most activities are around $4-$9 for admission.There is no admission fee to the park itself, and it is possible to enjoy and take in the park with no cost. People there are friendly and welcome tourists during their business hours.

#4 – National Frontier Trails Museum

The National Frontier Trails Museum is located in Independence, Missouri and offers a museum and interpretive center, as well as a dedicated research library that is focused on telling the history of the early American western trails.

They focus primarily on the Oregon Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, and the California Trail, all which led early settlers to a new land that they settled in during the early days of the American Frontier. Admission is only $6 for adults and $5 for seniors (62 and older). Kids get in for $3.

#5 – Arabia Steamboat Museum

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a unique experience. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, it features tours of the Arabia Steamboat that captures much of the early American Frontier during the mid-nineteenth century.

You will see many of the everyday items that the early pioneers had in their possession in the 1800s. It holds the largest single collection of artifacts from the pre-Civil War era in the entire world.

The Arabia Steamboat met disaster in 1856 with around 130 passengers aboard and was not discovered until 1987, 45 feet underground and not far from the mouth of the Missouri River. Admission to the Arabia Steamboat Museum is $14.50 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, and $5.50 for children.

#6 – White Water

White Water is a huge Branson water park that combines 2 million gallons of water with lots of other fun and attractions. Enjoy the famous “Surf’s Up Wave Pool” or the gentle flow of the Aloha River, for starters.

There is a new kids’ area in Coconut Cove that features all sorts of water slide fun. You can enjoy rides, private cabanas, and relaxation among the beautiful scenery at White Water Park.

Admission is $42 for adults for a one-day pass. Children get in for $20. Seniors for $32. Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day packed with water!

#7 – Kansas City Zoo

The Kansas City Zoo is an adventure for the entire family. If you love animals, you will love all that this zoo has to offer. You can stroll the entire zoo and take in the exhibits including the monkeys, llamas, and seals.

You can attend a special show like the “Wings of Wonder” bird show, or go on a boat ride and tour the area from the water in the “Mombasa Crystal,” a small tour boat that will take you through the zoo area in a unique way.

The sky tram is known as the “African Sky Safari,” and it lets you view the cheetahs, giraffes, and other animals from a sky view. Admission to the Kansas City Zoo is $14.50 for adults and $11.50 for children ages 3-11.

#8 – Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat is a unique experience that takes place on the Hannibal riverfront and offers visitors a chance to experience the “Mighty Mississippi” via a tour boat. You’ll see life as Mark Twain must have lived it on the riverfront and enjoy delicious food and accommodations, as well as culture and music.

One hour cruises are available for $18 for adults and $11 for children. There are also dinner cruises available at night for $40.95 for adults and $21.95 for children.

#9 – American Jazz Museum

The American Jazz Museum is a great place to unwind and appreciate the jazz music culture that influenced the St. Louis and Kansas City area and other areas of Missouri.

It is located in the historic area of the 18th and Vine Jazz District in Kansas City and illustrates the history and beauty of jazz through exhibits and films as well as visual arts.

The Gem Theater Performing Arts Center features many different guest performers, and they showcase some of the best jazz artists of the past while preparing for the new artists of the future.

#10 – Paradise Park

Paradise Park is a Premier Family Destination in Kansas City that features all types of rides and children’s educational experiences for the whole family.

Kids can explore and take part in interactive play and cooking activities as well as 19 different areas of interesting play and educational experiences.

The Paradise Park is backed by the CEdC (Children’s Edutainment Center) whose goal it is to provide fun but educational experiences for children.

There is also a 24-foot rock climbing wall that is developmental-friendly and adjusts for any age or developmental stage and bumper cars that older kids like to drive with their friends. If that’s not enough, check out the go karts on the 1,000-ft. course that looks like a race track.

Admission to the Paradise Park in Lee’s Summit in Kansas City, Missouri is $27.99 for a 3-day advance purchase price. It includes all of the rides and activities that you could want to do. You can also purchase limited activities for a lower price such as the Children’s Edutainment Center for $5.99 and the Flex Pass Child pass for $13.99.

Safety for Families while Traveling

Now that you know some of the great activities that you can enjoy when traveling in Missouri, you’ll want to plan ahead for your adventure. Practicing family safety when traveling is one of the most important things you should do to protect yourself and your family from unforeseen circumstances.

Below are some of the tips that you should follow when planning your next trip.

• Get a tune-up ahead of time – It’s a good idea to get a tune-up before you leave with a trusted mechanic. This will ensure that your vehicle is in the best shape possible before going on your journey. The last thing you want to happen when traveling is for you to have a breakdown during your trip.
• Check all car seats and booster seats – If you are traveling with infants or young children, you should check the booster and child safety seats to make sure they are fitting correctly and won’t come loose during your journey. This can cause an increased risk of injury for children in an accident.
• Carry an emergency kit – Carrying an emergency kit is important when you are traveling in Missouri, or anywhere. Your emergency kit should just be things that you might need if you were to become stranded on the roadways during your trip.
• Remember sunscreen – When traveling in the sun, be sure to take plenty of sunscreen for your journey. Even if the weather is not expected to be hot, the sun’s rays can bear down on you when driving for long distances. Sunscreen will protect you from burning and from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• Check the backseat – Make sure and check the backseat to make sure it is free of any objects that could fly around and hit children who are riding in the back and make sure all safety seats are secure.

Compare Car Insurance for the Best Rates

Do you have enough car insurance for your trip? Sure, you may think that your insurance is sufficient. Perhaps you have the minimum required insurance coverage required by law. But do you have enough insurance to protect your car and your family with those unforeseen circumstances?

What about comprehensive insurance? Do you have comprehensive coverage that will keep you safe in the event of theft or vandalism?

The most common time that people get their car vandalized or stolen is when they are on vacation. While Missouri is a relatively safe state, there are places in St. Louis and other locations that may not be as safe as you think.

Leaving your car unattended even for a short time while enjoying one of the many activity parks in Missouri may be just the opportunity for a thief to make his move.

Finding adequate comprehensive coverage will protect you from vandalism and theft and other acts of nature that might occur such as weather damage from hail or storms.

Other Tips Before You Go

One thing is for sure: vacations are unpredictable. Here are some tips to consider before you leave for your family vacation:

• Prepare for the unexpected by shopping and comparing rates on our site and seeing if there is an added coverage that you could add that would make you feel more secure while traveling the highways as well as once you arrive at your destination.
• You should always compare multiple companies, even if you are happy with the insurance you currently have. A representative can answer your questions about how much coverage you need for various situations to protect you.
• Don’t consider just the cost. Always think about the risk involved and how much it would cost to have to replace your car from theft or other situations if you had to pay it from your pocket.
• Carrying insurance is like that umbrella you always have with you but hope you never have to use. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

We hope you enjoy your next vacation in Missouri and that you will use our site as an excellent resource to keep you safe while traveling, no matter where you choose to go.

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