These 15 Unique Attractions in Missouri Are an Absolute Must-Visit

When thinking of unique places to visit in Missouri, take a turn off the more traveled road and discover some places you just won’t see anywhere else.  Some creepy, some historical, some just plain odd, cross each one of these unique places in Missouri off your must-see checklist and you won’t be disappointed.

1. World's Largest Rocking Chair, Cuba

This rocking chair is over 42 feet tall and was built in 2008 for the sole purpose of breaking the Guinness World Record for such a thing. It used to sit on a rock but that was considered dangerous and scary to the tourists, so it is now strongly secured to the ground. You can only sit in it one day per year, on "Picture on Rocker Day." It is located near, and was commissioned by, the Route 66 Fanning Outpost.

2. Jesse James Home, St. Joseph

Now known as the Jesse James Home, this unassuming little home became famous when Robert Ford shot and killed Jesse James within its walls. You can even see the hole where the bullet hit the wall.

3. Bonne Terre Mines, Bonne Terre

Once a lead mine, and now one of the largest fresh water dive locations in the world, the Bonne Terre Mines are also referred to as the "Billion Gallon Lake." It's not just for divers, however; there are also walking and boat tours.

4. Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins, Camdenton

Located in Ha Ha Tonka State Park, this once grand castle began construction in 1905 by a wealthy businessman from Kansas City named Robert Snyder. The project was passed on to Robert's sons after his death in a car accident in 1906. The castle was finally completed in 1920 and one of the sons moved in only to eventually lose all his money due to lawsuits over land rights. Later, the castle was opened as a hotel and lodge, but sadly, in 1942, it was completely destroyed by fire. Now the park maintains the Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins as one of its attractions and people come from all over to wander the once grand castle.

5. Giant Book Shelf, Kansas City Library, Kansas City

Located in downtown Missouri, this facade in front of the parking garage near the Kansas City Library appears to be a giant shelf filled with books. When the structure was created, locals were asked to vote on which titles would be included. Each book stands 25 feet high and nine eet wide.

6. Devil's Icebox, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Columbia

Editor's Note: Please note that tours of Devil's Icebox are currently not being offered.

What a great place to visit during the hot days of summer! This cave is called the Devil's Icebox because it stays a cool 56 degrees all year. For the brave or adventurous, tours are available during select months throughout the year. A word of warning if considering touring this unique site: be prepared to get dirty and use your muscles. For more information, check out the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park website.

7. World’s Largest Shuttlecocks, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City

A total of four 18-foot shuttlecocks (three on one side and one on the other) adorn the grounds of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Created in 1994 by husband and wife Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, the structures are made of aluminum and fiberglass.

8. Glore Psychiatric Museum, St. Joseph

Ever wondered about the history of psychiatric hospitals and their methods? Glore Psychiatric Museum is just the place to find out. It has replicas of equipment from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Creepy.

9. Leila's Hair Museum, Independence

Please note, Leila's Hair Museum has permanently closed.

The displays at Leila's Hair Museum are wreaths and pieces of jewelry made from actual human hair, some dating back to the 17th century!

10. City Museum, St. Louis

The City Museum in St. Louis is difficult to describe. It's not much like a museum at all, really, but rather some crazy 600,000 square feet funhouse, complete with a 10-story spiral slide, caves, theme rooms, and exhibits, climbing structures inside and out, and oh, a bus hanging off the roof. You really have to see it to believe such a place exists. You definitely won't be bored. Find out more at www.citymuseum.org.

11. World's Largest Ball of Twine, Branson

Housed at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Branson, you will find the World's Largest Ball of Twine. The building was actually built around the ball of twine, which Ripley's bought and moved there in 1993.

12. The Awakening - The Buried Giant, Chesterfield

The Awakening is utterly unique. Seriously, where else but Chesterfield can you see a 70-foot giant clawing its way out of the ground?!

13. World's Largest Fork, Springfield

Thirty-five feet tall!

14. Jim the Wonder Dog, Memorial Park, Marshall

There was once a dog named Jim who had magical powers. Whether you believe that or not, there is a park memorializing him in Marshall.

15. Wax Museum of St. Louis

Madame Tussaud's this is not. Also known as Laclede's Landing Wax Museum, this museum is like nothing you have seen before. Taking up the entire three-story building with even more to see in the basement and sub-basement (the creepy stuff is down there), there is plenty to see and experience.

Ever been to any of the cool places in Missouri mentioned above? If so, which ones and what’d you think?  What are some other unique places to visit in Missouri that you have heard of or seen? Share them with us, and they might make our next list.