There are some magical, tucked away places in Missouri. A few places are so peaceful and so beautiful, they have the ability to lift your spirits. Transport yourself, at least in your mind, to Narnia without having to walk through any magical wardrobes.
The gardens are an oasis in a bustling college town. With five acres of vibrant trees, shrubs, and flowers garden visitors often feel like they have just uncovered a beautiful secret.
This magical garden is open year round but the best times to visit are during blooming season. Find the Shelter Gardens at 1817 W. Broadway, Columbia.
Have you visited Missouri's "Narnia" yet? What other magical Missouri places help transport you to another world? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below.
There's so much to love about the Missouri outdoors. From the gorgeous rushing rivers to the gently rolling hills and mountains, our state is a treasure trove of natural wonders just waiting to be discovered. With that in mind, we've put together the ultimate bucket list for anyone in Missouri who loves the outdoors. Ready to get started? Adventure awaits!
Just off Missouri Highway 19 lies the trailhead for Greer Springs. The hike is only 0.9 miles, but you can also kayak or float through via the Eleven Point River.
No list of things to do outside in Missouri is complete without a mention of the iconic Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Explore the castle ruins or hike to the top for a beautiful view of the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. Experience the surreal beauty of Ha Ha Tonka State Park when you watch the brief drone video below:
You'll not only get to see Missouri's tallest waterfall, but you'll also get to stand atop the state's high point by hiking this trail. Learn more about what makes Mina Sauk Falls such a bucket-list-worthy attraction.
What's cooler than kayaking on a river? Kayaking through caves of course. This 150-acre spring-fed lake is completely underground. Learn more about visiting the unforgettable Crystal City Underground in Missouri.
The Braille Trail not only takes you to the Elephant Rocks but it's also designed for people with visual and physical disabilities. Learn more about why Elephant Rocks State Park might just be the best state park in Missouri.
Located in Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Devil's Icebox is a favorite amongst visitors. Hike the Devil's Icebox trail to view and explore its cave and underground stream. It's truly the most unique hidden park in Missouri.
A lot of tragic history is attached to this state park. It was here that 9 out of the 13 Cherokee Indian groups crossed the Mississippi River when they were being relocated to Oklahoma. Today, it's been created into a state park with trails and a visitor center to educate visitors on the land's history. Have you ever visited Trail of Tears State Park?
Tucked away in the Mark Twain National Forest, Marble Creek offers creekside campsites at a low cost for visitors. The Ozark Trail also runs through this park, so there are plenty of opportunities to go for a jog or a hike.
Known to many as the "Little Grand Canyon", this state park features 130-foot walls that resulted from a collapsed cave system. Learn more about planning your visit to the impressive Grand Gulf State Park in Missouri.
Hike a short trail to enjoy the beauty of Blue Spring, a 310-foot-deep spring on the Current River. It's so beautiful, that Native Americans called it the "Spring of the Summer Sky."
Trappers Camp is a crag in the little town of Osceola that rock climbers retreat to for a challenging climb. Its 70-foot wall rises up where the Osage and Sac rivers meet.
Once a rock quarry, now a rural oasis for swimmers and sunbathers. Check out this little beach outside of St. Louis for a fun day in the sun. You'll quickly discover why it's the perfect hidden beach in Missouri to get away from it all.
With a mixture of waterfalls, box canyons, and 250 vascular plant species, Pickle Springs is undoubtedly one of the most diverse, if not the most diverse, natural areas in Missouri.
Whether you like to bike, run, hike, kayak, horseback ride, boat or swim, Lake of the Ozarks has something for every and any outdoor enthusiast. It's the largest state park in Missouri, and it's absolutely brimming with outdoor adventures.
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We hope this list of Missouri outdoor adventures has inspired your next great outing. What are some of your favorite natural spaces in Missouri? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! And, before embarking on your next great outdoor adventure, don't forget to check out our hiking essentials packing list.
Bored when we live in Missouri? Pfft. The only way we can truly be bored is if we want to be; after all, there is so much to do that we often struggle with deciding what to do next. While we all need those days where we indulge in doing absolutely nothing, sometimes we want to get out and explore. That's when we pull out our bucket list, and choose one of these unique experiences in Missouri for our next adventure.
We don't have to have a ton of time for an adventure, and Copperhead Mountain Coaster in Branson proves that. Zip along the track that features heart-thumping twists and turns and boasts some gorgeous views of the Ozark Mountains. Learn more and reserve your tickets for this one-of-a-kind attraction at Shepherd's Adventure Park on Viator.
If you're not a diehard baseball fan yet, you likely will become one with a behind-the-scenes tour of Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The 90-minute tour will take you to all of the normally off-limits parts of the stadium, including the dugout, press box, interview room, Diamond Club, and outfield plaza. You'll even have time to check out the Royals Hall of Fame. The experience price also includes a collector pin of Kauffman's Stadium.
Meander through the St. Louis neighborhood of Soulard on a walking tour that offers a fascinating glimpse of its history, including some of its most infamous
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true crimes. A seasoned tour guide will share tales of long-ago armed robberies, riots, and duels during the era of Prohibition in St. Louis.
Go on an hourlong tour of the National Tiger Sanctuary, where you'll have the unique opportunity to watch some of its residents at mealtime. While you watch the tigers eating, playing, and relaxing, your tour guide will provide insight into the care and needs of these "big cats."
Up for some good, old-fashioned fun? How about an action-packed round of paintball? Adventure Valley Paintball Park has eight paintball fields, where you can show off your skills. You'll receive 500 rounds of paintballs. You can also soar across the sky on the park's two ziplines that will take you 1.5 miles at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
How many of these unique experiences in Missouri will you add to your bucket list? Have you tried any of them yet? Let us know in the comments! For more unique adventures, set off on one of the many road trips in Missouri, or follow one of the best hiking trails in Missouri.
