Shannon O'Brien Travel Itineraries

The best destinations

Evening view of the St Louis Skyline with The Gateway Arch at Missouri
Evening view of the St Louis Skyline with The Gateway Arch at Missouri

The Best of Missouri

#64 best destination in the world

Map view

The Haygoods, Branson

Photo of The Haygoods

Best time to visit: Jan, March-May, Sept-Dec

  • The Haygoods are a musical group based in Branson, known for their entertaining live performances
  • The group consists of six siblings—five brothers and one sister—who have been performing together for over 30 years
  • They are known for their unique blend of music, dance, and showmanship, and their show a staple in Branson's entertainment scene
  • Their performances include a variety of musical styles, stunning visual effects, and high-energy choreography

Silver Dollar City, Branson

Photo of Silver Dollar City

Best time to visit: Jan, March-May, Sept-Dec

  • Silver Dollar City is a renowned theme park located in Branson, in the scenic Ozark Mountains
  • The park showcases the culture and lifestyle of the Ozarks during the late 19th century, featuring over 100 craftsmen demonstrating traditional skills such as glass blowing, blacksmithing, and pottery
  • Silver Dollar City boasts more than 40 rides and attractions, including several world-class roller coasters
  • The park features around 40 live shows daily, showcasing music, comedy, and other performances that reflect the area's heritage

Titanic Museum, Branson

Missouri, OCT 29 2022 - Interior view of the TITANIC Museum Attraction

Best time to visit: Jan, March-May, Sept-Dec

  • The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, is a museum dedicated to the history of the RMS Titanic
  • The museum houses over 400 artifacts directly related to the Titanic and its passengers
  • Visitors can experience life aboard the Titanic by walking through replicas of its hallways, parlors, cabins, and the Grand Staircase
  • Guests can touch a frigid iceberg and experience what it felt like on the night of the sinking, with temperatures simulated to be around 28 degrees Fahrenheit
  • The museum was founded by John Joslyn, who co-led an expedition to the Titanic wreck site in 1987

Marvel Cave, Branson

Inside Marvel Cave. Silver dollar city, Branson, Missouri

Best time to visit: Jan, March-May, Sept-Dec

  • Marvel Cave is a limestone cave located just west of Branson
  • It is one of the main attractions of Silver Dollar City, a theme park built over the cave
  • Marvel Cave is recognized as the deepest cave in Missouri, with tours that take visitors approximately 300 feet below the surface
  • Tours guide visitors through rooms and passageways, including a notable Cathedral Room and a 40-foot waterfall

Ha Ha Tonka, Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins
  • Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a public recreation area on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks
  • The park is renowned for its geological features, including sinkholes, caves, a large natural bridge, and sheer bluffs, as well as being home to Missouri's 12th-largest spring
  • One of the park's most notable attractions is the ruins of a stone mansion, which was built in the early 20th century by businessman Robert McClure Snyder Sr.
  • The mansion was modeled after European castles and burned down in 1942, but its ruins remain accessible to visitors

National World War I Museum and Memorial, Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, KA - MARCH 22: Interior of Kansas City Liberty Memorial World War One Museum on March 22, 2018
  • The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, is the only museum in the United States dedicated solely to preserving the history and artifacts of World War I
  • Opened in 2006, the museum houses the most extensive collection of World War I artifacts and documents globally, providing insights into the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the war
  • Visitors can access the Liberty Memorial Tower, which offers a panoramic view of Kansas City from its observation deck

Kansas City Union Station

Kansas City, MO / United States of America - February 18th, 2020: View of the interior of Union Station in downtown KC from upper mezzanine, looking down main hallway, with chandeliers and warm light.
  • Kansas City Union Station is a historic train station located in Kansas City, which opened in 1914
  • It serves as a major transportation hub for the area and is notable for its architectural beauty, featuring elements of the Gothic Revival and Second Empire styles
  • It houses various attractions including a model train exhibit and the City Theatre, which hosts a variety of performances including dramas and musicals

White Tail and Old Kate Loop, Parkville Nature Sanctuary

Shots Taken at Parkville Nature Sanctuary Missouri

Walk difficulty: easy

  • White Tail and Old Kate Loop is a hiking trail located in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary
  • Hikers can enjoy a variety of natural features, including a waterfall, forested areas, and views of wildlife, particularly deer

City Museum, St. Louis

Photo of City Museum St Louis

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct

  • The City Museum in St. Louis, is an architectural playground designed for all ages, located in the former International Shoe building
  • It features a blend of repurposed architectural and industrial objects, that combines elements of a children's playground, fun house, and art installation
  • Features of the museum include: a vast network of tunnels and caves for exploration, over 30 slides and various rides, large areas for climbing, and art installations from found objects

Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis

Sunset view of beautiful Japanese garden in Midwestern botanical garden in fall; traditional Japanese bridge in the background

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct

  • The Missouri Botanical Garden, located in St. Louis, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States, founded in 1859
  • The garden features a diverse array of plant collections, including the Climatron, a geodesic dome greenhouse that simulates a rainforest environment with around 1,200 species of plants
  • Additionally, it houses the largest traditional Japanese garden in North America

Pulitzer Arts Foundation, St. Louis

Photo of Pulitzer Arts Foundation

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct

  • The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is an art museum located in St. Louis, founded in 2001 by Emily Rauh Pulitzer and Joseph Pulitzer Jr.
  • The foundation emphasizes the importance of direct experiences with art, presenting both contemporary and historic artworks
  • The museum's campus includes distinct outdoor spaces, such as a garden with native plants

Gateway Arch, St. Louis

Evening view of the St Louis Skyline with The Gateway Arch at Missouri

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct

  • The Gateway Arch is a monumental structure located in St. Louis, along the Mississippi River
  • Standing at 630 feet, it is the tallest arch in the world and the tallest monument in the United States
  • The Gateway Arch commemorates President Thomas Jefferson's vision of a continental nation and marks St. Louis' role in the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century
  • It is part of the Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the arch itself, a museum located underneath it, and the historic Old Courthouse

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 27: Corridor in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on Lindell Boulevard on May 27, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct

  • The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as the Saint Louis Cathedral, is a prominent Roman Catholic cathedral located in St. Louis
  • The cathedral is renowned for its Byzantine-style architecture and features soaring domes and intricate mosaics