The Midwest state of Missouri is a captivating place to visit. Despite being relatively unnoticed, the landmarks in Missouri are the perfect destination spots to visit any time of the year.
The state boasts wonderful sites and monuments, ranging from captivating natural surroundings with scenic views to rich historical sites and museums that enhance the beautiful landscape. There are many things that Missouri is known for and are fascinating to check out.
If you want to explore the Show-me state, here are some of the famous monuments and landmarks in Missouri you shouldn’t miss out on.
Most Famous Landmark In Missouri
The state is renowned for its rich history, beautiful geographical features, and eccentric culture.
Missouri landmarks are indisputably remarkable, but the Gateway Arch is probably the most famous. Here is what you should know about the incredible landmark in Missouri.
The Gateway Arch National Park
The Gateway Arch National park is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St Louis. The notable feature of the park is the Gateway Arch, the tallest arch in the World with an impressive height of 630-foot tall.
It is considered the tallest artificial monument in the United States, and a trip to Missouri is incomplete without visiting one of the most famous monuments in Missouri.
This Missouri landmark is well-known for good reasons. Apart from the striking visual of the arch, the park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West. There are also regularly scheduled events you don’t want to miss out on, including ranger-narrated riverboat cruises, museum tours, and a tram ride to the top of the fascinating landmark of Missouri.
Famous St Louis, Missouri Landmarks
Cathedral Basilica Of Saint Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of St Louis is undoubtedly among the iconic landmarks of Missouri. The historic building is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church. Its origins date as far back as 1794.
This historic Missouri landmark is as stunning as it is meaningful. A visit to the Basilica will surpass your expectations.
The architecture of the Basilica is rich and inspiring. It boasts a magnificent display of over 41 million mosaic tiles; it is one of the largest mosaic collections in the United States. Lovers of art and architecture will find the Basilica exciting and fulfilling.
Forest Park
Forest park is a worthy mention among the famous landmarks in Missouri. Considered the heart of St. Louis, Forest Park is the third-largest city park in the United States and home to top cultural institutions in St. Louis.
The park spans over 1,300 acres of land and is an amazing place to visit. It features lots of attractions, including a zoo, an art museum, and a promise of exciting outdoor activities.
The zoo in Forest Park is also considered one of the best in the states. It houses more than 20,000 animals and many other attractions you don’t want to miss.
Furthermore, the park hosts annual events, free concerts, a hot air balloon race, and outdoor Shakespeare during the summers. Forest Park is one of the best Missouri Landmarks to visit for a mix of nature and fun activities.
You can even pack some delicious St. Louis food and just relax with a picnic on the lush greenery.
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the most visited landmarks in the City of St. Louis. It is also one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the country, and a National Historic Landmark.
Henry Shaw founded the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1859. It occupies nearly 80 acres of picturesque landscaping and horticultural display, attracting thousands of people each year.
The Botanical Garden encompasses a 14-acre Japanese strolling Garden and boasts one of the World’s largest collections of rare and endangered plants. Nature and history lovers will find this site enjoyable and educational.
Famous Kansas City, Missouri Landmarks
National World War I Museum And Memorial
The National World War I is one of the most iconic monuments in Missouri. It was opened in 1926 as the Liberty memorial and was later designated in 2004 by the US Congress to be the official war memorial and Museum of world war I.
This historical structure is distinct from other Missouri monuments because it is the Nation’s leading institution dedicated to preserving a vast collection of World War I items, objects, and documents.
The National World War I Museum and memorial is suitable for visitors of all ages, and you can browse through a selection of WWI-themed treasures. This is one famous Missouri landmark that inspires learning and deep reflection. A trip to the National World War I museum and memorial is truly worth the time and effort.
Nelson-Atkins Museum Of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of art is recognized as one of the finest art museums in the United States. This museum is a frequently visited landmark in Missouri because of its comprehensive collection of art from nearly every continent.
In the Nelson-Atkins Museum of art, you’ll find over 35,000 art pieces, ceramic objects of ancient Chinese art, and many more interesting objects. The museum store offers vast selections of arts, gift items, and an exhibition catalog if you’re looking to buy a gift for yourself or a loved one.
Whether exploring the Museum for the first time or visiting, you will always find something new in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Each visit will be a novel experience, making it one of the most exciting landmarks of Missouri to visit for art lovers.
Mill Creek Park Fountain
Built in 1960, the mill creek park fountain, formerly the J.C Nichols memorial fountain, is a must-see destination.
This Missouri landmark is infamous for having four heroic-sized equestrian statues. Each of these represents one of four majestic rivers in the World; the Rhine, the Mississippi, the Volga, and the Seine.
These impressive masterpieces are credited to the craftsmanship of Henri Greber. They were sculpted in 1910 and installed in 1951 by the Nichols family. The fountain is an amazing and fun place to visit, and the locals love the place.
Mill creek park has a casual ambiance and makes for great outdoor activities. This historic structure lures locals and tourists alike, making it among the exceptional Missouri landmarks.
LANDMARKS IN USA |
The American Jazz Museum
The American Jazz Museum, originally known as the Kansas City Jazz Museum, was built in 1997. Located in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, this historic monument was built to celebrate and preserve the history of American Jazz music.
It is one of the most famous landmarks in Missouri because of its history. The American Jazz Museum showcases the sounds and sights of jazz through exhibits and short films, and it exhibits Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and many others.
A visit to the American Jazz Museum allows you to learn about Jazz legends and enjoy the sounds of modern American Jazz.
Famous Springfield, Missouri Landmarks
John Morris’ Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum And Aquarium
John Morris Wonders of wildlife national museum and aquarium, also known as wonders of wildlife is an amazing destination for people of all ages to visit.
This interesting landmark in Missouri is a 350,000-square-foot attraction that showcases the largest fish and wildlife attraction in the World.
The Museum and aquarium include two distinct areas. The first area is the 15-million-gallon aquarium, home to over 35,000 live fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds. The second area is an immersive wildlife museum showcasing a large collection of game animals.
The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium are both absolutely astonishing. Its sophisticated quality makes it among the fun and educational Missouri landmarks to visit, particularly for curious kids.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Among the renowned landmarks of Missouri is Wilson’s creek national battlefield. The Wilson’s creek national battlefield park preserves an outstanding collection of civil war artifacts.
Here, you’ll see the site of a major civil war battle, a visitor center museum, and a five-mile self-guided tour road leading to various battle sites. The museum features a range of changing exhibits, including a 27-minute film, that will cover plenty of interesting facts about Missouri and past events.
The Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is a famous landmark in Missouri because of its rich history. It is well-preserved and is a perfect destination for an educational experience.
Nathanael Green /Close Memorial park
Nathanael Green/Close Memorial Park is a serene and peaceful place to visit. This park is home to Springfield Botanical Gardens, with beautiful scenery and a cool ambiance.
The park features many amazing attractions, including the Roston Butterfly House, outdoor gardens, Lake Drummond, Muzimoto Japanese stroll garden, themed Gardens, Gray-Campbell farmstead, and more.
Explore the 113-acre picturesque scenery and enjoy a wonderful day at one of the famous landmarks in Missouri.
Sequiota Park
Sequiota park is smaller than several other parks in Springfield, and although the park is miles from Springfield, the locals love the place. Its attractive, scenic green space makes it among well-known Missouri landmarks.
The park is suitable for hiking, rock climbing, and many other outdoor activities. It features a playground, pond, picnic pavilion, waterfall, iconic rocks, Galloway creek, and a cave for endangered bat species.
What makes Sequiota Park among the renowned landmarks of Missouri is the famous Sequiota cave, home to a colony of endangered gray bat species. The caves are closed to the general public except during scheduled tours.
There’s a lot to do at Sequiota Park. You can feed the ducks, take a walk, picnic, or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Great spot for couples, groups, and families.
Other Famous Landmarks In Missouri
Titanic Museum Attraction
Considered the World’s Largest Museum Attraction, the titanic museum attraction boasts over 400 original artifacts from the Titanic.
Among the famous monuments in Missouri, the Titanic Museum is a tribute to the Titanic ship and its passengers. You should rewatch the classic movie before visiting, it is a simple way to give you a better appreciation of the museum.
The museum features the infamous $1-million Grand staircase, re-created cabins, and parlors, alongside children’s exhibits, which attract thousands of people every year. There is always a reason to visit this place.
Additionally, this iconic landmark of Missouri is a great spot for family time as well.
Saint Louis Zoological Park
The Saint Louis zoological park, popularly known as STL zoo, attracts millions of people yearly. Widely known for its beautiful park setting, the STL zoo is worthy of mention among the famous landmarks in Missouri.
This 90-acres beautiful scenery is home to over 600 species of animals and is absolutely free! The Saint Louis Zoo is a great way to spend a full day, as there are plenty of things to see and activities to engage in.
The zoo has several amenities for visitors, including free Wi-Fi and dining areas where you can refresh with some local Missouri foods.
Be sure to explore the beautiful forest Park to see lots of rare endangered animal species.
Saint Louis Art Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the famous landmarks of Missouri because of its art and rich history. Located in Forest Park, St. Louis, the art museum is one of the principal art museums in the United States.
The World Renowned Saint Louis Art Museum was built in 1904, and admission into the Museum is free. At this site, you’ll see artistic pieces from all over the World, paintings, cultural objects, contemporary art, and even ancient masterpieces.
The Saint Louis Art Museum is known for its comprehensive art collections and is suitable for people of all ages to visit and experience. Visiting the Museum will be a novel experience for art and history lovers. The experience is what makes it stand out among other famous museums and landmarks in Missouri.
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium was opened in April 2006. It is a must-see location for sports lovers, as it is known to the locals as a baseball heaven. The stadium is among the popular landmarks of Missouri as it is home to the City’s baseball champions, the St. Louis Cardinals.
The stadium is a 46,000- seat retro-style haven where baseball fans can watch and support their favorite baseball teams during baseball season. It is one of the best stadiums in the United States and a symbol of the City’s success.
Visitors are allowed to bring non-alcoholic beverages and food, but are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages into the stadium. There is no better place to watch Baseball than Busch Stadium.
Natural Landmarks In Missouri
Rocky Falls
Rocky falls is among the most beautiful natural landmarks in Missouri. This spectacular waterfall is the Gem of Missouri. Rocky falls is a stunning 40ft cascading waterfall, pouring into a large pool of water and a swimming area.
Undoubtedly, the most popular activity in Rocky falls is swimming. But, the park has provisions for a picnic, walking trails, and many other amenities to make your visit a unique experience. That said, you can enjoy outdoor recreational activities, such as walking or having a picnic.
The Rocky Falls attract local and international visitors alike. It can be visited all year round, making it among the frequently visited landmarks of Missouri.
Elephant Rocks State Park
The Elephant rocks state park, located in Iron, Missouri is inarguably among the famous Missouri landmarks. The park was established in 1967, and this state-owned recreation area’s notable feature is the Elephant-shaped boulders.
With an elevation of 1,273ft., these giant rock boulders are said to have formed billions of years ago. The park is scenic, with many interesting geographical features, including a lake, other rock formations, and many others.
Admission into the Elephant Rocks State Park is free. The park is dog-friendly, so you and your furry friend can enjoy the day outdoors. Here, you can engage in outdoor recreational activities like walking or rock climbing. There are also facilities for an outdoor picnic.
Being one of the most exceptional Missouri landmarks, the Elephant Rocks State Park attracts thousands of people annually.
Grand Falls
As a popular tourist attraction, Grand Falls is among the beautiful natural Missouri landmarks. It is the largest continually flowing waterfall in Missouri. The impressive waterfall cascades 12ft down over a 163-ft wide ledge.
Grand falls is a beautiful location with lovely waters and attractive scenery. It is an interesting place to visit. Although there are no facilities in this location, Grand Falls has creek pools where visitors can engage in activities like swimming and fishing.
A trip to grand falls will leave you excited and amazed at one of the fascinating natural landmarks of Missouri.
Meramec Caverns
Meramec caverns are a world of wonder. Located in Ozark, Missouri, Meramec caverns is the collective name for the 4.6-mile cavern system. It is the biggest commercial cave in the State Thousands of people visit this cavern annually, making it one of the magnificent Missouri landmarks.
The caverns were formed from the erosion of limestone deposits millions of years ago. They are a breathtaking colored mineral formation and a magnificent sight.
The cavern offers a variety of fun activities and makes provisions for amenities such as riverboat rides, cave tours, a restaurant, a gift shop, and many others. You can hardly get bored at Meramec Caverns.
Discovering Famous Landmarks In Missouri
The landmarks of Missouri are a spectacular sight to see. Aside from being the Show-me State, Missouri also has some of the most beautiful caves in the country. It is ideal and fitting for another name it’s been given, The Cave State.
There are many famous Missouri landmarks, from exceptional historic monuments to iconic museums and beautiful natural landscapes. Missouri is a gem. With its gorgeous scenery and amazing places to visit, the state offers a novel experience and is certainly worth exploring.
