With its verdant forests, teetering mountains and sparkling cities, this state is a bewitching pocket of the US. Car rental in Missouri means you can carve out your own dream vacation. Discover world-class jazz, meander along the mighty Missouri River or simply tuck into southern comfort food.
Meet me in St. Louis
Immortalized in the classic Vincente Minnelli musical, starring Judy Garland, St. Louis is perched on the Mississippi River’s western banks. The state’s largest city, it’s one with a real buzz.
Crowning it all is the Gateway Arch, opened in 1965 and towering some 630 feet high – a truly majestic sight that tells the world that St. Louis is the gateway to the west. You can take a tram ride to the very top – just be sure to get tickets in advance as it’s hugely popular.
Music runs through the city’s veins too – famous musicians from here include jazz legend Miles Davis and Ragtime king Scott Joplin, plus the likes of Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, T-Bone Burnett and Nelly.
Some of these local legends are celebrated at the National Blues Museum, full of modern and interactive elements that tell the story of this important genre.
Before leaving, check out works from masters Van Gogh and Picasso that hang in St. Louis Art Museum and join the fans in the bleachers at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.
Kansas cruising
A city of surprises, Kansas City has more than enough attractions for a handful of visits. For music, it has a jazz counterpart to St. Louis’ blues museum – the American Jazz Museum, which takes much of its inspiration from KC’s own Charlie Parker.
The city is also studded with superb jazz clubs. There are museums dedicated to art, World War I, steamboats and toys – take your pick.
After a day of exploring, whet your appetite with Kansas City-style barbecue, a cooking tradition that uses a wider range of meats than most other styles – St. Louis focuses on pork, for example – as well as relying on a sauce based on molasses and tomatoes.
Ask locals for their recommendations – they’ll probably point you in the direction of Gates, which has several locations in the city. It’s so much of an institution it has its own range of sauces and clothing.
Those in the know also head for Mudhole BBQ in the suburb of Liberty – the people behind it started out as a competition BBQ team before graduating to a food truck. The platters are sublime, while the Mudhole Philly is their take on a Philly cheesesteak using their own brisket.
Ogle the Ozarks
Take a trip to the Ozarks and find peace among the limestone peaks and dense forest. This dramatic mountain region spans four states, with the Missouri section found in the far south of the state. There are plenty of places to park up and find a room, while the riverways make for brilliant boating and canoeing locations.
Stay in Eminence, Van Buren or Echo Bluff state park. In the latter, the Betty Lea Lodge overlooks the Sinking Creek, while there are cabins close by. Embrace the fresh mountain air and go hiking, mountain biking, fishing or just lazily float along the river.
Whichever direction you head, adventure beckons in this wildly varied state. Car rental in Missouri will help you make the most of every moment.
