Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Missouri is packed with fun activities the whole family - particularly the kids - will enjoy! Whether your family prefers indoor activities or outdoor activities, Missouri has plenty to offer.
Zoos
Missouri has three zoos for your family to explore - located in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield. Each zoo offers many different animal exhibits, from jungle animals to desert animals and everything in between. The Kansas City zoo has daily programs for children and families, in addition to the regularly-schedule animal shows. It also features an IMAX theater with a revolving schedule of shows. The St. Louis zoo features several animal shows and provides many opportunities for youngsters to observe the feeding and care of the animals. Dickerson Park Zoo, in Springfield, is known for its successful breeding programs, which help to preserve endangered species such as the cheetah. Each zoo is an excellent destination for families.
To make your visit to the zoo complete, plan to dine in one of the zoos restaurants - both zoos offer several opportunities for lunching at the zoo.
Your family has a few other opportunities to view animals. Grant's Farm, south of St. Louis, is a 281 acre wildlife preserve that is home to hundreds of exotic animals from around the world. Admission is free, but there is a charge for parking. Grants Farm is not open every day, so call ahead for a schedule. The Butterfly House, located in Chesterfield, is a butterfly conservatory - its carefully controlled environment is home to more than a thousand tropical butterflies in free flight. The Butterfly House is open most days, but call ahead for hours.
Amusement Parks
Missouri offers plenty of amusement parks for your family to enjoy. Silver Dollar City, in Branson, is a historical theme park where visitors experience America in the 1880s. Silver Dollar City has 17 rides, over 50 daily shows, and lots of shopping and dining opportunities. Six Flags St Louis features more than 30 rides and several daily shows. Worlds of Fun, in Kansas City, is a traditional amusement park offering more than 50 rides and attractions. Its sister park, Oceans of Fun, is the largest water park in the Midwest. Missouris other water park, White Water, is located in Branson.
Amusement Parks are generally open only during the warmer months, so call ahead to confirm.
Sports
Missouri is home to many sports teams. In addition to the many college teams playing throughout the state, you can take in a game of one of the following professional or semi-professional teams during your stay.
Baseball - Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, River City Rascals (Frontier League)
Soccer - Kansas City Wizards (major league), St. Louis Steamers (indoor)
Tennis - Kansas City Explorers, St. Louis Aces
Hockey - St. Louis Blues (NHL), St. Louis River Otters (United Hockey League)
Football - St. Louis Rams
NASCAR - Racing at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, KS
Outdoor activities
For families who prefer to spend time in the great outdoors, Missouri offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping, and biking.
Other activities
Missouri has many more destinations created with families in mind. Theres the Arch in St. Louis, the Childrens Museum in St. Louis, and Science City in Kansas City. Check with the Missouri Tourism Department at http://www.missouritourism.org to obtain a copy of the official Missouri Travel Guide and to find out more about family-friendly destinations in Missouri.
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