Whether you pronounce it “Missour ee” or “Missour uh,” you’ll agree that this

state is rich in Southern Charm. Kansas City has more fountains than anywhere in the world

except for Rome. But if you’re looking for good eats, you should go to...Kansas City.

KC is famous for barbecue, and hosts championship cookoffs. You might listen to a little Kansas

City Blues to set the mood. Branson, Missouri is another hotspot for musical entertainment.

Nestled in the Ozarks, Branson is home to dozens of theatres hosting live performances,

including Country AND Western. If you’d prefer something a bit more “Old World,”

you might try the town of Hermann, which preserves German heritage and is known for its vineyards

and sausages.

Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821. Its nickname is the “Show Me”

state. Legend has it, the nickname dates back to 1899, from an impromptu speech by Missouri

congressman Willard Vandiver, who stated, “frothy eloquence neither convinces nor

satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”

Missouri showed the world a vision of the future when it hosted the 1904 World’s

Fair in St. Louis. This is where the electric plug and wall outlet made their debut. Folks

got their very first ice cream cone at the World’s Fair when an ice cream vendor ran

out of cups and got help from a nearby waffle maker. Years later, St. Louis made another

mark on the map with the construction of the St. Louis Arch, also known as “The Gateway

Arch” and “The Gateway to the West.” This impressive structure stands 630 feet

tall - almost 200 m. You can take an elevator to the top for an impressive view. The Gateway

Arch holds the record as the tallest memorial in the United States, and the tallest stainless

steel monument in the world.

“Go West, Young Man!” In the 1800s, countless Americans took this advice, fleeing

the crowded cities in the eastern United States. They set off from Missouri to start a new

life out west. Independence, Missouri was the start of the Oregon Trail, which led to

the Northwest; and Franklin, Missouri marked the start of the Santa Fe Trail, which led

to the Southwest. This western expansion changed the face of the United States forever.