Missouri has more to Offer than the Arch
Did you know that the town of Fulton is home to a piece of the Berlin Wall and a Winston Churchill Memorial?
In Missouri you will find a presidential library, the place where Jesse James died, and Mark Twains boyhood home.
This and many other interesting facts about Missouri will be uncovered as you browse through my ten interesting places to visit in Missouri.
Discovering Missouri
great small town attractions
I was lucky to have a career that allowed me to travel throughout the state. At one point I was a franchise director for a major retailer and traveled to many of the small towns within the state.
In my traveling I was able to discover the rich history and interesting places that Missouri has to offer.
Here are ten of the places that I found the most interesting.
Wine Country Gardens
Great Day Trip from St. Louis
Wine Country Gardens is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the country.Located just 45 minutes from downtown St. Louis in Defiance, MO, it features 42 acres of beautiful flowers, a view of the Missouri river valley, great wine tasting, and a wonderful patio cafe.
You can view menus, get directions and view more photos at their web site Wine Country Gardens
For a wonderfully unique experience spend an afternoon at Wine Country Gardens

Wine Country Gardens- Peaceful and Serene
Pink Hydrangea Photo from Wine Country Gardens
Here is a design from my photo
Wine Country Gardens
a wonderful cafe
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Wine Country Gardens in Defiance, MO
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Wine Country Gardens is only 45 minutes from downtown St. Louis, but the country living atmosphere makes you feel as if you were a world away. Set on a hill in Missouri wine country, Wine Counry Gardens has a large nursery, a great wine tasting bar,...
Winston Churchill Memorial

Winston Churchill Memorial- Fulton
A Piece of the Berlin Wall
Fulton has a piece of Berlin
The Winston Churchill Memorial in Fulton, Mo was founded in 1969 to honor the life and legacy of Winston Churchill.On May 5, 1946 Winston Churchill gave the famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College in Fulton. Forty-five years later on May 6, 1992 Mikhail Gorbachev came to the Churchill memorial in Fulton and gave a speech announcing the end of the Cold War
When the Berlin Wall came down, the granddaughter of Winston Churchill acquired a piece to have a sculpture made to honor the "Iron Curtain" speech. The sculpture entitled "Break Through" can be seen on the campus of Westminister College in Fulton.
this photo and the previous photo by pictophile from Creative Commons
Hermann, MO

Hermann Missouri Winery
Hermann, MO- Missouri's Rhine Valley
built along the banks of the Missouri river
Visit Hermann and enjoy their Bed and Breakfasts, stroll the old time streets, browse their shops or enjoy the many wineries serving Missouri wines.
I have found it a great way to pass a weekend afternoon.
For more information go to their website at hermann.
Hermann winery photo by pcsmoroute66 through Creative Commons
Books on Missouri
small town traveling
If you would like to read more here are some books that looked interesting..
Missouri Off the Beaten Path, 9th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)
I have used the "Off the Beaten Path" series in the past. These books are always a great way to find interesting, out of the way, places to visit.
Backroads & Byways of Missouri: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions
There are so many interesting small town and out of the way places in Missouri. This book gives you a great guide to finding interesting places to spend a day!
The Butterfly House
The Butterfly House
Chesterfield, MO
Banded Purple Wing butterfly is native to Costa Rica.
Butterfly House
Chesterfield,MO
The inside hall features a "Butterflies of the World" exhibit along with exhibits of many other types of insects. At the present time there is a great exhibit that children can walk under that is full of orange headed roaches. It is quite intriquing.
The outdoor garden is host to many of the local species of butterflies.
More information is available at the web site Butterfly House
Photo taken at Butterfly House
design from my photograph
Harry Truman Library
Statue of Harry Truman outside the Library
Harry Truman Library -Independence, MO
There is a library for research and an ongoing educational program in addition to the museum exhibits.

Buy at AllPosters.com
St. Joseph, Missouri
Pony Express, St. Joseph, MO
first rider leaves St. Joseph in 1860
St. Joseph has 13 distinctive museums and over 50 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Come to St. Jo and see where the Pony Express started and Jesse James ended.

Buy at AllPosters.com
Alley Springs, MO
Alley Mill at Alley Springs
Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Ozark National Park
The old red mill makes Alley Springs a very picturesque site. For more information or directions you can visit their website at Stateparks

Buy at AllPosters.com
Hannibal, MO
Hannibal, Missouri
home of Mark Twain
For more information go to the website VisitHannibal

Buy at AllPosters.com
Hannibal and Mark Twain
inspiration for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Writing under the pen name of Mark Twain he wrote many popular novels. Two of the most famous are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .
These novels have become the favorites of children. I can remember my son reading and rereading Twains novels and being so excited when we were able to visit Hannibal and see the setting for the books.
The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain: A Book of Quotations (Dover Thrift Editions)
Along with his novels, Mark Twain was also known for his quotations. I am sure you will enjoy this book full of his wonderful wit.
Precious Moments Park, Carthage, MO
Precious Moments Park
studio, chapel and much more
From looking at their website Precious Moments today it has even more to offer. Along with the welcome center, chapel, and studio, it now offers several different shows and a nice little shuttle bus takes you between the various attractions.

Buy at AllPosters.com
Here are some special Precious Moments figurines.
Precious Moments I Love You This Much!
This figurine would make a great gift for a mom or grandma.
Precious Moments Grandma & Me
What Grandma wouldn't love to recieve this special figurine.
Precious Moments Beautiful And Blushing, My Baby's Now A Bride
This would make a great shower gift for the new bride.
Precious Moments A Whole Year Filled With Special Moments
A wonderful gift for a first anniversary.
Precious Moments Wishing You A Birthday Fit For A Princess 108534
Just the right gift for your little princess.
Historic Clarksville, MO
Clarksville, MO
Mississippi River Town

Clarksville is a wonderful small town on the banks of the Mississippi. It was founded in 1817 and today you can wonder the streets and find many small shops full of antiques and artisans.
This photo was taken on a visit last fall. For more information visit Clarksvillemo
Baseball is Popular in Missouri
Albert Pujols- hero on and off the field
Cardinal baseball is popular throughout the state of Missouri. Take a few minutes and stop by my lens on one of the great men of baseball.-
Albert Pujols
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Albert Pujols exemplifies a true baseball hero both on and off the field. St. Louis is a town that loves it's baseball. From the beginning of spring training till the end of the season, the St. Louis fans love to talk baseball. In Albert Pujols, th...
I spent a day in the Missouri countryside
beautiful hummingbirds are photographed here
Missouri has some beautiful countryside.-
Relaxing in Mid-Missouri Country
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There is something quite relaxing about spending a day in the country. It is great to get away from the hustle and bustle of life in the suburbs or city and spend a quiet day enjoying the sights and sounds of the country. On Sunday, my husband and I...
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Have you visited Missouri?
stop by and drop me a line
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Reply
- partybuzz partybuzz Dec 24, 2009 @ 7:42 am
- My step-brother lives in Missouri, but I've never been there. My favorite place would be the Butterfly Garden! Thanks for the tour.
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Reply
- momto4 momto4 Nov 18, 2009 @ 9:47 am
- So many places that I haven't visited yet. And all within driving distance! A friend of mine went to the Butterfly House this summer and said it was really neat. I visited Mark Twain's cave a few times when I was a child. I'd really like to take my children someday. Great lens!
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Reply
- whitemoss whitemoss Oct 21, 2009 @ 8:52 am
- Sounds as if there is more to Missouri than Mark Twain lets on!
Looks great on your lens.
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Reply
- crosscreations crosscreations Oct 18, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
- Excellent lens about Missouri! A brand new one that's similar...Best Day Trips from the St. Louis Area
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Reply
- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Oct 16, 2009 @ 9:54 am
- Thanks for putting this together, I think Squidoo was lacking on lenses on midwestern states. Missouri is one state I haven't visited yet, though I'd love to see it. Congratulations on your new Angel wings! Squid Angel blessed.
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Find out a little more about Me
Lensmaster mbgphoto has been a member since October 9 2008, has rated 2,149 lenses, favorited 76, and has created 80 lenses from scratch. Mary Beth Granger donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Visiting a Covered Bridge". See all my lenses
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