Missouri Division of Tourism

SCIENCE CENTER ANNOUNCES LARGEST DINOSAUR EXHIBITION EVER TO HIT ST. LOUIS

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

St. Louis, MO. Dinosaurs Unearthed Exhibition Arrives Nov. 7, Bringing With It Rare, Feathered Fossils and More Than 20 Life-Sized Dinosaurs Depicted in a Realistic Habitat“.

Walking into Dinosaurs Unearthed is like stepping back in time,” said Brad Nuccio, Senior Vice President of the Science Center. “The impressive, life-like replicas of the dinosaurs in their environment paired with the most current scientific theories and information make it an incredible entertainment and educational experience.”

The exhibition highlights the latest theories in paleontology. Though dinosaurs are usually portrayed with scaled, reptile-like skin, most scientists now accept the theory that many were covered with feathers. Dinosaurs Unearthed explores this theory and presents some of the first life-sized models of feathered dinosaurs ever created. Each model has been hand-carved, with thousands of down-like feathers also placed by hand.

Visitors can also take control of several animatronic dinosaurs such as a baby Stegosaurus, Baryonyx, Parasaurolophus and an Allosaurus. Featuring new technology using electronics instead of hydraulics, these models demonstrate some of the most life-like motions possible with animatronics.“We know how intrigued our visitors of all ages are with dinosaurs,” said Nuccio. “This exhibition has the sense of mystery and excitement that always surrounds dinosaurs, grounded in the latest science, which makes it completely new and unique.”

Not only are dinosaurs taking over the Science Center’s EXPLORADOME, but passers-by will also be greeted by a 57-foot long Apatosaurus on the front lawn of the museum, providing...

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Great Gals Getaways in Missouri

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.,--- The kids are back in school and the fall routine is in full swing, so it’s the perfect time to grab your gal pals and head out for a weekend of good food, shopping, gossip, a little pampering and a lot of fun.

So pack your bag, hook up with your pals and get ready to have a blast. You deserve it.

If you live near Branson, check out the Emory Creek Victorian Bed & Breakfast www.emorycreekbnb.com where you can have a movie night with complimentary films and snacks. If a spa sounds more luxurious, Chateau on the Lake www.chateauonthelake.com offers a package just for girlfriends that includes fruit, cheese and wine when you arrive, along with special spa services and shopping discounts.

Maybe you’re looking for more activity, try The Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest www.katytrailbb.com near Rocheport, a cozy 1880s historic home. Rent bikes to explore the Katy Trail, poke around the historic district, take in gorgeous river views and tour the bluff-top winery Les Bourgeois www.missouriwine.com, a family-owned operation that has a tasting room.

Just a 20-minute drive away in Columbia, The Market Place www.marketplaceonline.biz is a 38,000-square-foot mall that was voted “Best Place to Buy Antiques” by Inside Columbia Magazine. You’re sure to find something special to remember your getaway.

You and your pals can meet in St. Louis, where the 1920 colonial Eastlake Inn Bed and Breakfast...

A Toast to Missouri’s Breweries: Local Beers, Ales and Lagers Produced Across the State

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- Benjamin Franklin once said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” When a deceptively simple list of ingredients—grain, malt, water and yeast—is combined with skill and precision, liquid magic happens. And that magic is created every day in microbreweries and brew pubs across Missouri. A large variety of beers and ales are produced in the Show-Me State, sure to please even the most discriminating palette.

Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City. www.BlvdBeer.com Founded in 1989, Boulevard offers six beers year-round, along with seasonal beers such as Nutcracker Ale, offered at the holidays, and Irish Ale, which is brewed in early spring. Free tours of the brewery are offered Wednesday through Sunday, but they’re popular, so a reservation is required. Three areas are available for private parties, including the Muehlebach Suite, which accommodates up to 225 guests and offers terrific views of downtown Kansas City.

McCoy’s Public House & Brew in Kansas City. www.McCoysPublicHouse.com Located in the heart of the historic Westport District, McCoy’s has won awards for its suds. Brewmaster Keith Thompson handcrafts more than a dozen styles of ales and lagers every day, and they can be served up with lunch, dinner, and Happy Hour snacks. Brewery tours are available and parties of up to 50 can be accommodated.

Buckner Brewing Company in Cape Girardeau. www.BucknerBrewing.com This brewhouse turns out 441 gallons of beer at a time, including crisp Clyde’s Ale, robust...

Fall is a Grape Time in Missouri

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Autumn is the perfect time to explore Missouri wine country. At last count, Missouri was home to 92 wineries, and the number keeps growing. In addition to producing great wine and juice to drink, wineries provide wonderful vacation opportunities.

The easiest way to begin exploring Missouri wine country is by visiting the state’s official wine Web site, www.MissouriWine.org, or contacting the Missouri Wine and Grape Board at 800-392-9463 and asking for a copy of their current brochure.

The opportunity to interact with winery owners, such as Robert and Lois Mueller of Robller Winery in New Haven, is one of the benefits of visiting Missouri wine country.

Many wineries plan Oktoberfest celebrations. The leaves reach their peak of color, making the country drives even more scenic than usual, and the cooler temperatures make it more pleasant to sit around a picnic table overlooking a vineyard. Some wineries allow visitors to help with the grape harvest — a real hands-on experience.

One of the pleasures of wine country is sitting at a picnic table, sipping wine and savoring the view of the vineyards.

Wine trails are a popular way to visit wine country. The trails link regional wineries and offer tips on things to see and...

Cyclists Gear Up for 10 Missouri Voyages — All on Two Wheels

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — With Labor Day approaching, bicyclists all across the Show-Me State are jumping on their saddles, strapping on their helmets and taking to some of the nation’s finest scenic bike rides. Whether racing for charity, mountain biking in the Ozarks, or just taking a brisk morning ride through an historic neighborhood, Missouri offers a path to suit every rider.

Both on-road and off-road, Missouri cyclists have a variety of options. Missouri plays host to many organized rides for cyclists of all skill levels in the next few months. Here are 10 bike rides for enthusiasts and families alike:

1) Hit the streets from Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau as you Ride the Route two days before the professional cyclists take to the road for the Tour of Missouri. (Sept. 6) www.velogirardeau.com

2) Climb as many hills as your legs can muster as you take part in the St. Joseph Hill Challenge. This charity ride raises money for the SJBC Bikes for Kids at Christmas Fund. (Sept. 19th) www.stjoebikeclub.org

3) Immerse yourself in the challenge of racing down a double-track street, then drop down into a single-track off-road adventure and finally end with a quick run back to the top as you tour the KC Cup Mountain Bike Race. (Sept. 19th-20th) www.heartlandrace.com

4) Listed in Bicycling Magazine as a "Reader's Choice" ride in October, the Missouri Tour de Cape hosts a variety of ride...

Fall Into Missouri's Festival Scene 2009

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Jefferson City, Mo. – Not only does food taste better outside, but autumn air enhances any activity found at one of Missouri’s wide range of festivals. Peruse classic cars, see cartoonists in action and listen to jazz while partaking in festival fare like candied apples, pumpkin pie and brats.

Eat

Mail in your best homemade bread or hand carry it to Chillicothe’s Bread Fest competition, held in conjunction with the annual Chautauqua in the Park, Sept. 12-13, featuring arts and crafts, live music and a variety of food. The Tour of Missouri, a professional cycling event, will host its Saturday start of the race from downtown. www.ChillicotheMo.com/chautauqua.htm

Vendors from around the country converge in the hamlet of Hartsburg for the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 10-11, featuring pumpkin carving and pumpkin pie eating competitions. www.HartsburgPumpkinfest.com

Drink

Raise your glass and toast the celebration marking the 2000th anniversary of the Battle of Teutoburg Forest at the Hermann Victory Celebration, Sept. 23-27, in Hermann, combined with the 5th Annual BarBQ and Brats Festival. In this battle, the city’s namesake defeated three Roman legions to change the course of history. You will have many wine choices for your toast from the selection of vineyards in the area. www.VisitHermann.com

Beer tasting and a commemorative glass, along with live music, highlight the 7th Annual Augusta Bottoms Beer Festival, Oct. 3, held near the Katy Trailhead in Augusta featuring several made-in-Missouri beers.

'Going Down Under' Gets New Meaning in Missouri Where Mining's Historical Veins Run Deep

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Jefferson City, Mo. – “If it can’t be grown, it has to be mined,” reads the bumper sticker on the back of many Missouri vehicles. Missourians take mining so seriously that the Show-Me State grows its own miners and trains them along with other students from all over the world at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.

At the Experimental Mine, http://mining.mst.edu/research/depexpmine.html, located in Rolla, students, staff and faculty of Missouri University of Science and Technology work underground in a mine founded in 1921, one of the only working mines on a university campus in the world. Students also compete in international events for mine rescue http://news.mst.edu/2009/05/mining_engineering_students_te.html
and mucking http://mining.mst.edu/activitiesandseminars/mucking.html teams.

In October, the Mining Department hosts the Haunted Mine event to raise money for local food pantries and for student competitions and conferences. Tours of this mine are available, but require a two-week request period beforehand.

An annual intercollegiate mucking competition honors all miners who died in the line of duty. It includes mining techniques from the 19th and 20th centuries such as gold panning, surveying, hand mucking, hand steeling, track standing, Swede sawing and jackleg drilling. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see male and female student mucking teams practicing during your tour.

On Rolla’s main campus, look for the world’s largest university mineral collection (approximately 3,500 specimens) at McNutt Hall in the Minerals Museum www.Mst.edu. Many of the...

Missouri State Fair Features Food, Music, Science and a Singing Toucan

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT

SEDALIA, Mo. – American storyteller Garrison Keillor recently opined that, “the joys of a state fair are pleasures that Google and Facebook and a computer in a cubicle cannot provide, and that’s why something deep in us still wants and needs a state fair.” Keillor describes the ritual of a state fair as a festival of the senses, a feast of foods on a stick and a plunge into self-indulgence.

Missouri’s festival of the senses, the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, www.MoStateFair.com, begins Aug. 13 and continues for 10 days combining all of the joyful traditions of Missouri’s best event with a number of new and exciting features that make Missouri’s state fair a destination for all interests and ages.

New this year are cooking demonstrations featuring some of Missouri’s most talented chefs using locally grown foods and products sold at the state’s many farmers’ markets www.MoStateFair.com/masterchef.html. Daily cooking events take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Agriculture Building. A State Fair farmers’ market allows fairgoers the opportunity to purchase fresh produce on the spot. Master gardeners will also be on hand to answer home gardening questions.

The cooking demonstrations are a part of the Rural Lifestyles Showcase in the Home Economics Building. The showcase includes classes covering Sensible Living Tips, Ultimate Couponing, Living a Frugal Lifestyle and Online Shopping. Additional topics cover pottery, photography and sculpture. Best of all, the classes are free with a general...

Missouri Floating Offers Scenery, Solitude and Sunshine

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – When the dog days of August arrive, a great way to beat the heat is a float trip on one of Missouri’s scenic rivers. But don’t put away those canoes and kayaks after Labor Day – some of the best floating comes in the autumn, when the trees put on their fall foliage show. Meanwhile, some paddlers insist winter floating is the best of all – you just have to be prepared with the appropriate gear for a safe and comfortable journey.

Missouri is blessed with an abundance of rivers, many of which offer excellent floating. One of the top destinations is the Ozark National Scenic Riverways www.Nps.Gov/ozar, the country’s first national scenic riverway, which encompasses 134 miles on sections of the spring-fed Jacks Fork and Current Rivers. Beginning and experienced paddlers alike will find plenty to enjoy, from an easy eight-mile float to a multiple-day 100-mile journey. The riverway features crystal-clear water, towering limestone bluffs, numerous caves, densely forested shoreline and good opportunities to see wildlife, including a herd of wild horses.

The Jacks Fork is considered the wildest and most scenic of all the state’s Ozark streams. The stretch above Alley Spring is usually only floatable in the spring when the water is high; the section from Alley Spring...

Branson’s Baldknobbers Jamboree Celebrates 50 Years

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

BRANSON, Mo. – Branson, Missouri’s Baldknobbers Jamboree this year celebrates their Golden Anniversary, and continues to wow audiences with its variety of country music and hilarious comedy. Begun in 1959 by the four Mabe brothers, the Baldknobbers Jamboree is the longest continuously running show in Branson.

Named after an Ozarks vigilante group, the Mabe brothers began performing for visitors with a washtub bass, banjo and dobro, plus an old washboard. Today’s Baldknobbers Show features a talented cast of dynamic singers, musicians, comedians and entertainers that perform country classics, new country hits, gospel and comedy.

"Family comedy has been a central part of the show. My dad and uncles framed good clean comedy around great country music and the formula they started still exists today, not only in our show, but in many of the Branson shows,” said Tim Mabe, comedian and show producer. “Granted, the costumes are brighter, our cast is bigger and our song selection is more varied, but we still give people coming to Branson what they want to see, hilarious comedy and wonderful music!"

"My earliest memories go way back,” said Brent Mabe, who started playing the guitar at the young age of 10 and joined the show in 1985. “I grew up around the show and that was all I knew. When I was a baby my mom and dad would put me in a guitar case to sleep during the show. There is nothing better than playing great music...

Budget-friendly Missouri Vacations

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – School’s out and summer family vacations are on your mind. No matter what your budget, Missouri is a great travel destination offering many free and inexpensive attractions from outdoor recreation to museums. Listed below are just a few ideas and money-saving tips on how to have an amazing family vacation that is close to home, but far from ordinary.

Forest Park in St. Louis is full of free attractions that the entire family will enjoy including the Saint Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the Saint Louis Science Center. The Jewel Box has a nominal $1 admission fee, and is free from 9a.m. to noon on Monday and Tuesday. For more free attractions in the St. Louis area, visit www.ExploreStLouis.com.

Southwest Missouri has many outdoor attractions, including parks, trails and gardens that are free to enjoy. Stop by Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield to see the fish-filled aquariums and to pick up your last-minute outdoor gear. Take a driving tour of the Battle of Springfield, visit the Railroad Historical Museum, or walk through the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. Visit www.SpringfieldMo.org for additional ideas in the Springfield area.

Looking for adventure within your budget? Aker’s Ferry in southeast Missouri can provide canoes for you and your family to float the Jacks Fork or Current Rivers, which comprise the Ozark...

Missouri Welcome Centers are Turning Orange

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Division of Tourism’s seven Welcome Centers will be turning orange April 6-10, 2009, in recognition of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Operation Orange initiative, which supports National Work Zone Safety Week by turning landmarks around the state orange. Operation Orange was launched in 2007, with more than 70 buildings and landmarks throughout the state turning orange in 2008.

During Operation Orange, Missouri Welcome Centers will not only be participating, but will be competing with the other Missouri Welcome Centers to see who can be best in show. Missouri Welcome Center staff will be designing displays to showcase to visitors the importance of work zone safety. The displays will remain at the Welcome Centers through the month of April.

Missouri roads were safer last year with injuries in construction zones down 24 percent. Approximately 600 people were injured in 2008 compared with 792 in 2007. With the spring and summer seasons comes highway construction, and with highway construction comes the need to remind motorists to drive safely.

This year, the Missouri Department of Transportation will continue with road and bridge improvements with at least 32 projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; more than 800 bridges as part of Missouri’s Safe & Sound bridge program; and improvements on 5,600 miles of roadway by the end of 2011. These improvements will bring 85 percent of Missouri’s roadways up to good condition and will translate into many work zones across the state this construction season. For...

100th Anniversary of the Kansas City Zoo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

2009 marks the centennial anniversary of the Kansas City Zoo, which has grown into the nation's 10th largest zoo and one of "America's Best Zoos in 2008" according to The Intrepid Traveler magazine. In celebration of the centennial, the zoo is opening a new exhibit in the original 1909 building entitled "Tropics, an indoor rainforest featuring primates, mammals and birds from Asia, Africa and South America."

www.kansascityzoo.org

20th Anniversary of Boulevard Brewing Co.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

The Midwest's largest specialty brewer celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2009. Weekly tours are available, www.blvdbeer.com...

30th Anniversary of the American Royal Barbeque

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

30th anniversary of the American Royal Barbeque, one of the largest barbeque competitions in the world that occurs the first weekend in October.

www.americanroyal.com

Branson Celebrates 50 Years of Live Music Shows!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

In 2009, Branson is celebrating 50 years of live music shows! From the first show, the Baldknobbers’ opening in 1959 to today’s more than 100 shows, Branson continues to offer world-class productions packed full of singing, dancing, comedy, magic, acrobats and all types of musical genres.

www.explorebrason.com

Heartland Harvest Garden at Powell Gardens

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

Opening Spring 2009

This spring, Powell Gardens will open the first garden of its kind in the country. The 100-percent edible, 12-acre Heartland Harvest Garden will celebrate our region's agricultural heritage by showcasing orchards, field crops, vegetables and other food plants grown around the world. The new area will include a new youth garden and education building; a barn that will house a satellite café, gift shop and demonstration kitchen; and a 45-foot silo with an observation deck where you can view the intricate “quilt” gardens below.

www.powellgardens.org

Missouri Botanical Garden Celebrates 150th Birthday

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

It's birthday time at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the sesquicentennial celebration will include a year-full of festivities scheduled to take place. Plan a daytime visit in the spring to see the 150,000 bulbs planted by horticulture staff and volunteers to commemorate this historic anniversary.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Garden stays open late on Thursdays for "Sesquicentennial Summer Nights." From 5 - 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy live entertainment and a scenic stroll through blooming display gardens.

The birthday celebration continues at the Missouri History Museum with an exhibit of archival Garden images and artifacts from February - November 2009.

www.mobot.org

Six Flags St. Louis Adds Two Attractions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

Six Flags St. Louis continues its tradition of bringing new thrills to the popular theme park. In 2009, Hurricane Harbor will expand, adding the exciting Wahoo Racer attraction. Riders will race head-first on sled-type mats down 262-feet of steep drops and rolls reaching speeds of 35-mph. Yikes!

In addition to the wet ‘n' wild world of Wahoo Racer, Six Flags is adding a spectacular nighttime parade, appropriately named "Glow in the Park." The festivities will feature six custom-designed floats, two additional mobile units and 65 "lighted" performers. The vibrant, multicolored lights will illuminate the streets, and scores of Drummers, puppeteers, singers, dancers and kinetic stilt walkers will surround the floats.

www.sixflags.com

St. Charles Celebrates Bicentennial Anniversary

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

The Expedition Continues in St. Charles as the city celebrates the 200th anniversary of its 1809 incorporation as a village. Visitors to St. Charles will experience 200 events in 200 days, as the Bicentennial serves as the underlying theme for every event taking place in town this year.

Starting in March and running through the end of the year, visitors to St. Charles will be able to experience and celebrate the city's rich heritage and history. Whether it's a visit to the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center, the Foundry Art Centre or a shopping spree on historic Main Street, you'll get the full flavor of the second oldest city west of the Mississippi River.

The city's actual anniversary date -- October 13 -- will be preceded by a Cultural Heritage Festival based on a series of family-friendly parties, parades and concerts held in local area parks.

Additional updates can be found via the city's website at www.stcharlescitymo.gov or the tourism website at www.historicstcharles.com.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's 75th Anniversary

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 06:00:00 GMT

One of America's most comprehensive general art museums will celebrate its 75th anniversary throughout the 2009 with special events and exhibit openings.

Originally opened on Dec. 11, 1933, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s year of celebration will include the unveiling of the new American galleries in the spring of 2009 and the opening of the American Indian galleries in the fall of 2009, which will move the Nelson-Atkins to the forefront among preeminent museums in this field.

www.nelson-atkins.org