Misouri. The Show Me state. Home to delicious bbq, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Arch, and so much more. Admitted as the 24th state on August 10, 1821, Missouri is now the 18th most populated state in the country.
Speaking from experience, I never thought about traveling to Missouri, unless it was to see the Phillies take on the Cardinals. However, I did make it out to Kansas City when one of my best friends graduated from medical school. I must say, that trip has to be one of my favorite getaways. I want to go back in the worst way and experience even more. Between the bbq, the Royals game, and seeing my best friend fulfill a life long dream, Kansas City was a blast!
Missouri Compromise
Before we get into the fun stuff, let’s take a look at Missouri’s history. Before becoming a state, the Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820. Written by Henry Clay, and passed over 40 years before the Civil War, the Compromise was an important piece of groundwork which forbade slavery in Louisiana and any territory that was once part of it in the Louisiana Purchase. Slavery was also forbidden anywhere north of the 36/30 parallel, except within the territory of Missouri.
Repealed in 1854 by the Kansas-Nebraska Act, allowing slavery in both the Kansas and Nebraska territories, this new act allowed future states of the union to allow the population of that territory to decide themselves through voting whether they would allow slavery or not. The Kansas-Nebraska Act did away with the prohibition on slavery in the areas established by the Missouri Compromise.
Famous Missourians
Lots of famous individuals call Missouri home, including the following:
- Maya Angelou
- T.S. Eliot
- Kimora Lee Simmons
- Mark Twain
- Carl Edwards
- Chrissy Wallace
- Kenny Wallace
- Mike Wallace
- Rusty Wallace
- Jake Arietta
- Yogi Berra
- Ryan Howard
- Stan Musial
- Bill Bradley
- Jeremy Maclin
- Tom Watson
- Payne Stewart
- Randy Orton
- Ed Asner
- Don Cheadle
- Walt Disney
Missouri Hot Spots
Kansas City
For the sports fan, make sure to visit Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, or Kaufman Stadium home to MLB’s Kansas City Royals. If you are looking to through back a beer, visit Kelly’s Westport Inn. For those craving some Kansas City bbq, visit Q39.
St. Louis
Who doesn’t love baseball? It’s America’s past time. In St. Louis, throw a cold Bud back while watching a Cardinals game or take a brewery tour. If you’re not afraid of heights, head up the Gateway Arch for views overlooking the city. For those looking for something more relaxing, take a trip down the Mississippi River on a replica paddlewheeler.
Branson
Located in the Ozark Mountains, Branson is known for its lively entertainment. It’s here you can visit Silver Dollar City, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, Branson’s Hollywood Wax Musem, along with several wineries another oddity museums.
Springfield
Another hot spot located in the Ozark Mountains, Springfield has a much haunted past, as it played host to several Civil War battles and the legendary shootout between Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt.
These are just a few of the hot spots in Missouri. There are so many more I found while researching the state, that I would like to visit and then write about, mainly the Ozark region.
Fun Facts
- Auguste Chouteau founded Saint Louis in 1764.
- The ‘Show Me State’ expression may have began in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, “I’m from Missouri and you’ve got to show me.”
- In 1865 Missouri became the first slave state to free its slaves.
- Hermann, Missouri is a storybook German village with a rich wine-making and riverboat history that is proudly displayed in area museums. Built in 1836 as the “New Fatherland” for German settlers, the town has achieved national recognition because of its quality wines and distinctive heritage.
- Missouri Day is the third Wednesday in October.
- At the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, Richard Blechyden, served tea with ice and invented iced tea. Additionally, the ice cream cone was invented when an ice cream vendor ran out of cups and asked a waffle vendor to help by rolling up waffles to hold ice cream.
- Missouri ties with Tennessee as the most neighborly state in the union, bordered by 8 states.
- St. Louis; is also called, “The Gateway to the West” and “Home of the Blues”.
Have you been to Missouri? What are your recommendations? I’m itching to go back and explore more of the state, but am open to going back and reliving the Kansas City nightlife.
