9 Places In Missouri Way Out In The Boonies But So Worth The Drive

The National World War II Museum in Kansas City and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis are just a couple of the attractions that draw small-town folk into the big city. But I think it’s about time we give some credit to the lesser known areas of Missouri that are to home of the most interesting attractions and places.

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre/Facebook

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre/Facebook

Catch a show at Missouri's oldest professional regional theatre. Don't let its age and size fool you, Lyceum puts on some of the biggest and most current touring shows in the country such as "Million Dollar Quartet" and "Funny Girl."

Address:
114 High St.
Arrow Rock, MO 65320

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Old Towne Antiques-Doolittle/Facebook

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Old Townes Antiques-Doolittle/Facebook

Peruse through aisles and aisles of rare antiques from a variety of vendors at this expansive antique mall. When you're hungry, grab a bite to eat at Old Man's BBQ next door.

Address:
401 Schofer St.
Rolla, Missouri 65401

Dwain C./Yelp

Becky's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Emporium/Facebook

Go back in time at this old fashioned ice cream parlor in Hannibal. Fun fact, it was actually named after the girl who inspired one of the characters in Mark Twain's book "The Adventures of Huckeberry Finn."

Address:
318 N Main St.
Hannibal, MO 63401

Brad Kebodeaux/flickr

Vanessa Righeimer/Only In Your State

Camp, hike or swim at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park. This little oasis offers a crystal clear swimming hole tucked away in Middle Brooke.

Address:
148 Taum Sauk Trail
Middle Brook, MO 63656

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Yelp/Joe K.

Though the town's population was recorded as 158 in 2013, they still know how to throw a great festival. Enjoy apple butter, apple pie and other apple delicacies at their annual Apple Butter Festival that runs from October 29th-30th.

Address:
314 Market St.
Kimmswick, MO 63053

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Karen G./Yelp

Frank/flickr

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, artist Edwina Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill, introduced her "Breakthrough" sculpture to a crowd of 7,000 people. The mural still stands today, right next to the National Winston Churchill Museum which is open to the public.

Address:
501 Westminster Ave.
Fulton, MO 65251

Odyssey Scuba/Facebook

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Odyssey Scuba/Facebook

Scuba diving in Cuba? Yep, that's a thing! Odyssey provides dive classes and also organizes dive trips if you're interested in breaking out of Missouri.

Address:
227 Historic 66 E, I-44BUS
Waynesville, MO 65583

Kalie H./Yelp

Katie W./Yelp

St. James Winery has been in the business of wine-making for 40 years. If that's not reason enough to make a trip to St. James, the town also has a second winery called Meramec Vineyards.

Address:
540 State Rte B.
St James, MO 65559

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum/Facebook

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum/Facebook

It's pretty impressive to say that our home state produced two of America's greatest authors. In addition to Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder was also from the Show-Me State. Today, her childhood home has been preserved and the town even hosts "Wilder Days" annually to celebrate her life and works.

Address:
3068 State Hwy A
Mansfield, MO 65704

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Katie W./Yelp

Lindsey F./Yelp

The best way to enjoy the Huzzah River is by floating on it. The weather is still nice to get out and enjoy a float trip with friends. As a bonus, the Huzzah Valley Resort also has cabins and campsites for you to stay the night and make it a weekend trip in Steelville.

Address:
970 MO-8
Steelville, MO 65565

What attraction out in the boonies do you think is worth making a trip to? Let us know!