Published Dec 24, 2015

The 40 Most Jaw Dropping Photos Taken In Missouri In 2015

A collection of reader-submitted photos showcasing beautiful scenes from Missouri in 2015.

Published Dec 24, 2015

Written by

Stephanie Butler

State Pride

Updated Aug 7, 2024

Here Are 8 Things You Can Only Find In Missouri

Missouri offers unique local specialties and attractions that highlight its distinct culture and heritage.

Updated Aug 7, 2024

Written by

Vanessa

Missouri wouldn't quite be Missouri without having these staple items. Here are a few of my favorites that you'll only find in the Show-Me State. Do you know about all of these unique Missouri things?

1. Provel cheese

Provel is a tri-blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses and is said to have originated in Missouri. In fact, it's what makes our St. Louis-style pizza so unique and delicious.

2. Shut-ins

To the rest of the world, a shut-in is a reclusive person who stays in. To those of us living in Missouri, our shut-ins are the reasons we get out of the house in the summer. This Ozark term refers to a river that is naturally confined within a deep, narrow channel. Johnson Shut-ins and Castor Shut-ins are our most popular ones.

3. The greatest BBQ

Keyword: greatest. When it comes to BBQ ribs, pulled pork, and burnt ends, Missouri tops the list. Chicago, you're okay. Memphis, you're good. But Missouri? We're the greatest.

4. Strange Donuts

You'll only find this donut franchise in Columbia, Kirkwood, and Maplewood. Not going to lie, their donuts can get pretty, well, strange...but that's why we love them so much.

5. Hair museum

For those special days that you find yourself wanting to spend your afternoon at a hair museum, there's Leila's Hair Museum in Independence. As strange as it sounds, Leila's may be the only hair museum in the United States, which is pretty cool. Or just plain weird. Either way, it's one of the most unique places to visit in Missouri.

6. The Gateway Arch

Most Americans are familiar with the Golden Arches, also known as, McDonald's. However, St. Louis just needs one arch to draw in millions of visitors each year, and we call that the Gateway Arch. This is among the most famous Missouri attractions.

7. Picturesque water mills

We may not be the only state with water mills, but we do have the most picturesque ones thanks to our crystal clear rivers and springs.

8. Askinosie Chocolate

Askinosie Chocolates are another sweet treat that can only be found in Missouri. You can order online, but nothing beats drinking a cup of delicious hot cocoa at their Springfield shop.

What's your favorite thing that can only be found in Missouri? Share with us in the comments.

Show off your Show Me State pride with apparel and accessories from our friends at Wear Your Roots!

State Pride

Updated Apr 5, 2024

The Best Sight In The World Is Actually A Road Sign That Says Welcome To Missouri

Missouri offers a warm welcome with its natural beauty, fun attractions, and friendly people.

Updated Apr 5, 2024

Written by

Beth Price-Williams

Dorothy had it right when she said, "There’s no place like home." No matter where in the world we travel, there’s just something about coming back home to our beautiful Missouri. We can all probably remember that moment when we saw the Welcome to Missouri sign that simply states "Missouri Welcomes You," and the warm feeling that rushes over us. After all, we know all of the amazingness that awaits in our home state, something that visitors are just about to discover.

Welcome to Missouri! We know we’ve arrived back home when we see that simple but oh-so-sweet bright blue Missouri sign that welcomes us back to Missouri – the state is known for so many things, including its more than 6,000 caves.

Those caves sit near and in some of Missouri’s charming small towns, adorable tiny villages, and sprawling big cities. No matter what our personality, we’ll find the perfect destination to settle down right here in Missouri.

Missouri’s brimming with natural beauty, too, giving us more than 90 state parks to explore, countless hiking trails, and lakes that beckon us to explore.

Getting bored in Missouri? Impossible. There’s far too much to do in our beautiful state that’s dotted with fun attractions – from the admission-free St. Louis Zoo to the one-of-a-kind Silver Dollar City in Branson, and everywhere in between.

A taste of the good old days is never difficult to find either. Missouri is home to several drive-in movie theaters, like 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage and Starlite Theatre in Cadet.

Speaking of tasting, Missouri’s all about good food. After all, we’ve invented some of the best – toasted ravioli, St. Louis-style pizza, gooey butter cake, and ice cream cones, to name just a delicious few.

Missouri’s special in so many ways, but nothing compares to the people. Missourians are known for being down-to-earth, friendly, and welcoming – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

That Missouri welcome sign is so much more than a welcome; it’s a glimpse into the wonder, the fun, and the memories that await in this most beautiful of states.

Where is your favorite Welcome to Missouri sign located? Let us know in the comments! We all know that Missouri is downright amazing, and here’s more proof: 10 Changes And Inventions Missouri Contributed To The History Of The World.

Want to show off your Show-Me State pride? Check out the awesome Missouri apparel from Wear Your Roots!

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The 40 Most Jaw Dropping Photos Taken In Missouri In 2015

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Here Are 8 Things You Can Only Find In Missouri

1. Provel cheese

2. Shut-ins

3. The greatest BBQ

4. Strange Donuts

5. Hair museum

6. The Gateway Arch

7. Picturesque water mills

8. Askinosie Chocolate

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

The Best Sight In The World Is Actually A Road Sign That Says Welcome To Missouri

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Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

The Small Town in New Jersey That Will Make You Feel Like a Cast Member in Jersey Shore

Sleep In A Vineyard Bungalow When You Book A Stay In This Small-Town Airbnb In Arizona

The Panoramic-View Restaurant Redrock Canyon Grill in Oklahoma Is a Must-Visit

The Must-Visit Panoramic-View Restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama

The Stunning Top-Secret Natural Spring in Florida Nobody’s Ever Heard Of