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State Pride

9 Things That Will Always Make Missourians Think Of Home

Published Sep 12, 2022

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

We all love Missouri. That’s why we live here. However, sometimes we travel away from home, and still others we move away. No matter how far we go or for how long we’re gone, Missouri’s never too far from our thoughts. Here are just a few things that always make Missourians think of home.

1. Good, old-fashioned barbecue

A plate of barbecue sandwich with pickles, fries, and a beer, alongside a bottle of barbecue sauce on a table.
Flickr/Adam Kuban

We’ve got some of the BEST barbecue in the entire country, and BBQ lovers owe Missouri a debt of gratitude, too. Can you say burnt ends? Mmm..mmm…

2. St. Louis-style pizza

A close-up of a pizza with pepperoni and melted cheese, cut into square slices on a metal tray.
Flickr/Bill Walsh

We can find pretty good pizza just about anywhere we go across the country. However, nothing compares to the pizza from home. St. Louis-style pizza just tastes better, doesn’t it?

3. The biggest…just about everything

A large fork sculpture stands in front of a modern brick building with glass windows and green landscaping.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM

Other places might claim to have the biggest this or the biggest that, but the fact is Missouri stands above the rest when it comes to big things. The world’s largest fork, fiberglass goose, and roll of toilet paper...and that's just a sampling.

4. The water…

Lush green trees line a calm river, reflecting the vibrant foliage in the tranquil water.
Flickr/Mizzoui CAFNR

If we live in Missouri, chances are we love spending time on, near, and in the water. What would summer be, after all, without whiling our days away on leisurely floats? Catching sight of the water when we’re traveling is sure to have us longing for those summer days in Missouri.

5. Budweiser...

Signage of Budweiser on a brick building with green windows against a clear blue sky.
Flickr/serolynne

We love our beer here in Missouri, and that means we drink Budweiser. Anytime we see our favorite beer on the menu, we’re sure to think of home sweet Missouri.

6. Sports rivalries

A mascot in a Royals uniform walks through a crowd of fans at a baseball game, engaging with the audience.
Flickr/Mike Kalasnik

Missourians are loyal, especially when it comes to our favorite sports teams. Are you a diehard Royals or Cards fan?

7. Custard

A small, retro-style food stand with "Ted Drewes" sign, people lined up outside on a sunny day.
Flickr/Thomas Duesing

Sure, we can find custard just about anywhere we travel in the United States. However, we can only find the best right here in Missouri.

8. The four seasons

A collage of four seasonal views: blooming trees, lush green foliage, vibrant autumn colors, and a snowy landscape.
Flickr/Sundar M.

From sweltering summer days to snowy winter nights, we have all four seasons in Missouri – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

9. The natural beauty

Sunset over a calm river, with golden reflections on the water and silhouettes of trees along the shore.
Flickr/Vincent Parsons

Have you ever been out of state and a street or a park reminded you of home? Nothing compares to Missouri’s natural beauty – from the thousands of caves to the sunsets behind one of our breathtaking rivers.

What would you add to this list of things that always make Missourians think of home? Let us know in the comments! Then when you’re up for an adventure, how about making it a multi-day one at the largest state park in Missouri?

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