Missouri is a Midwestern state, in the middle of the country, with an interesting history and an unusually diverse geography. Agriculture is the traditional mainstay of Missouri economy, with cattle, hogs, corn, and soybeans leading the way. But the state has also become a major manufacturing center, with several sizable cities. Jefferson City is the capital of the state.
This state was a major jumping-off point for westward travel during pioneer days, when wagon trains heading for Oregon or California would load up their supplies in St. Joseph and Independence. Missouri became a state in 1821, giving its name to a law (the Missouri Compromise) that divided the United States into Northern free states and Southern slave states, where slavery remained legal until after the Civil War. In the 20th century, Kansas City became a major city. The song “Kansas City” from the musical Oklahoma says “everything is up to date in Kansas City; they’ve gone about as far as they can go.”
Kansas City continues to be a fine Midwestern city.
The Plaza has grand, tall buildings and lots of mosaics and statues.
There’s a wide range of architectural styles.
There are also many opportunities to enjoy the performing arts as well as sports and museums, a wonderful zoo, and terrific restaurants.
Kansas City has an excellent aquarium, but they are not the only exciting aquarium in landlocked Missouri.
Branson’s Aquarium on the Boardwalk is one of the best for visiting with kids. Join us for a virtual tour when FreshPlans Visits the Aquarium on the Boardwalk.
In addition to denizens of the deep, they also have lots of play spaces, like this exceptionally cool climbing structure.
Springfield’s Wonders of Wildlife National Museum also contains an aquarium.
However, you will also find there lots of intriguing exhibits about other animals.
This exhibit combines an emphasis on conservation with hunting.
There are exhibits of hunting-related art.
They include not only many paintings showing hunting scenes, but also beautiful hunting gear like this traditional parfleche. Indigenous people from the groups known as the Plains Indians made these beautiful cases for arrows (or, in French, “par fleches’ ) from deerskin.Â
We liked the reproduction of President Teddy Roosevelt’s cabin.
Taxidermy takes center stage. This seemed odd to us at first, but these exhibits do allow visitors to get up close and personal with animals we usually wouldn’t have that opportunity to see so closely. Check out our Bison Lesson Plans.
Speaking of visitors, we were amazed by Branson’s surrealistic buildings. Branson is a town built entirely around tourism. It’s on the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks and has an impressive array of attractions. Check out FreshPlans Visits the Titanic Museum to see one.
This is our favorite hotel in Branson, and this elevator is one of the reasons.
It takes you down to a sort of nature preserve in the middle of the lobby.
Some of the famous people who came from Missouri include scientist George Washington Carver, President Harry Truman, Â dancer Josephine Baker, writer Mark Twain, Â and painter Thomas Hart Benton.
Here’s a look at the state symbols:
