4 Missouri Tourist Spots I Tried To Hate (But Ended up Loving)

One of my favorite weekend trips is to hop on the Amtrak in downtown Chicago and pop over to nearby Missouri. Missouri, I've learned through the years, is a vastly underrated state. Although it has its fair share of tourist grabbers, like Gateway Arch and the overcooked Branson, there are quite a few other places you should visit instead. Whether these were on your radar or not, they are all places I would happily return to time and time again.

1. Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis

Since I was a kid watching arguably too much Meerkat Manor, zoos have been a special place to visit. I love going to them in other cities and comparing their approach to animal care, which is why I was so smitten with the Saint Louis Zoo. Its slogan is "Animals Always," and the zoo really lives up to that. This historic, free zoo is one of only a handful remaining in the country, and it has a significant footprint in the history of zookeeping. The Saint Louis Zoo was one of the first to implement moats instead of cages or bars in animal enclosures. Beyond that, it is just an incredibly gorgeous campus and makes for a lovely day out, especially in the fall.

2. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House - Chesterfield

As a fan of butterflies and cute bugs in general, butterfly houses often make me sad. The ones I've been to before have felt claustrophobic, crowded, and noisy. I can't imagine that makes for peaceful living for these gentle little creatures. Yet that is not the case for the magnificent Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. In its lovely cloud-like shape, this conservatory and butterfly house is enormous, filled with a multitude of beautiful foliage and butterflies. It really is a magical place. Plus, you won't be constantly running into folks or butterflies with that extra space.

3. Lambert's Cafe - Sikeston

Lambert's Cafe is a down-home, comfort food paradise in Sikeston, Missouri, where you might need to duck from time to time. That's because, at this restaurant, the servers literally throw the rolls to (or at) you. That's why this is known as the home of the "throwed rolls." In many ways, including playing catch while dining, Lambert's Cafe really surprised me. It is filled with Americana decor and tourists, but it also offers some incredible home-cooked goodness.

4. Comet Coffee - St. Louis

Finding a local coffee shop is always on the agenda when I visit anywhere. So when I discovered Comet, which serves up (among others) a Chicago-based Intelligentsia coffee, I knew I had found the spot. What makes this place truly special, especially for travelers, is the array of beans from around the world. This is a coffee nerd's nerdvana.

When you're ready to plan your next adventure, check out the Only In Your State AI Travel Planner. This handy tool will help you discover unique places to visit that suit the occasion, from family weekend fun to romantic getaways.