
Summer Travel Series: Missouri on a Budget
Missouri, the “Show Me” state, entered into statehood on
August 10, 1821 as the 24th state in the Union. The state is rich in
cultural, natural, and historical attractions that will make any weekend away,
staycation, or vacation a memorable experience. Even if you’re on a shoestring
budget, you can enjoy all that Missouri has to offer for nothing or next to
nothing. You’ll never run out of
affordable things to do with our complete guide to Missouri on a budget!
St. Louis, Missouri
Take in the St. Louis
Arch
You can’t think of St. Louis, Missouri without thinking of
the St. Louis Gateway Arch. Completed in 1965, the Gateway Arch was built to
memorialize the United States’ westward expansion and to celebrate the
accomplishments of the pioneers. You can see the Arch from almost anywhere in
St. Louis, and there are tons of free spots to go to take in and photograph the
giant, stainless steel monument. If you want to get closer, you can enter the
arch park for just $3/person. To go to the top of the St. Louis Arch on the
tram or to take the riverboat to get a unique view from the Mississippi River
costs $13/person – a value for the expansive views at the top. Even if you’re
on a budget trip, visiting the St. Louis Gateway Arch will leave you with
priceless memories for years to come.
Watch the Cardinals
from the Cheap Seats
No trip to St. Louis, Missouri, is complete without seeing
the Cardinals play at the iconic Busch Stadium. You can purchase a single game
ticket for seats in the Right Field Terrace for as little as $5. Eating prior
to going to the game will save you big bucks on baseball stadium food markups. Being
on a budget doesn’t mean missing out, it just means getting creative to fully
experience your destination.
Spend the Day at
Forest Park
Forest Park was dedicated in 1876 and has since become one
of the most popular, most culturally rich attractions in St. Louis and all of
Missouri. The Park attracts 13 million visitors every year and boasts 1,293
acres full of history, art, tours, nature lessons, and other activities for
children and adults. Forest Park hosted the 1904 World’s Fair and three
buildings from the fair still exist in the surrounding community. In 1986, Forest
Park Forever - a private, non-profit conservancy - was founded and works in
partnership with the City of St. Louis to maintain and improve the park.
Get Creative at
Laumeier Park
St. Louis’s Laumeier Sculpture Park was founded in 1976, and
since has become one of the largest, most well-known sculpture parks in the
United States. Laumeier Park takes its name from Matilda Laumeir and her
husband, Henry Laumeier. In 1968, Mrs. Laumeier dedicated the first 72 acres of
the park to St. Louis in memory of her late husband. In 1976, a local sculptor
and artist named Ernest Trova gifted 40 artworks to the park. The park’s
collection has grown to hold over 60 large-scale works and functions as
non-profit. The park is free and open to the public, which means you can spend
the day taking in the art without spending a dime.
Kansas City, Missouri
Go on a Self-Guided
Walking Tour
Referred to as “The Paris of the Plains” because of its
abundance of boulevards (second only to – you guessed it – Paris), Kansas City,
Missouri is chock full of architectural wonders built by the likes of Frank
Lloyd Wright and Skidmore Owings and Merrill. There’s no better way to see
these beautiful buildings than to take yourself on a walking tour. If you do a
little bit of research ahead of time, you’ll be able to spot and learn about structures
like One Park Place and Community Christian Church as you go. When you take
this route, you’ll get to spend a culturally enriching day in Kansas City
without spending much, if any, money.
Loose Park Rose Garden
Want to spend a little time with Mother Nature on your trip
to Kansas City, Missouri? The city has you covered with its vast network of
parks. If you’re visiting Loose Park, don’t miss the Laura Conyers Smith
Municipal Rose Garden. Founded in 1931 with 120 rose plants, the garden has
grown to contain over 3,000 roses of 150 varieties. The garden sits on just 1.5
acres, so it won’t take much time to explore, but the multitude of beautiful flowers
will take time to observe. The rose garden is supported by donations, and
visiting is completely free. This Kansas
City landmark is the perfect activity for photographers, gardeners, or anyone
who appreciates the beauty of nature.
Ride the KC Street Car
If you want to take in the entirety of Kansas City without
walking, the KC Street Car is the perfect solution. The city prides itself on
having this form of free public transit, and its open-air cars allow riders to
take in the architecture, restaurants, and history of the city while traveling
from point A to point B. The streetcar takes riders from River Market to Crown
Center and passes through Downtown along the way. Hopping on and off at several
different stops makes for a perfect day sightseeing in Kansas City, Missouri. Make
sure you hop off at one of the many spots serving up Kansas City’s famous BBQ!
Visit the City Market
Visiting the River Market Neighborhood, the oldest
neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, is an all-day affair. The neighborhood hosts
the City Market, a large, open-air market with more than 30 full-time vendors
that stay open year-round, selling everything from flowers to home goods to
farm-fresh foods. The market hosts events, concerts, and festivals, and has
many opportunities to hear live music as you peruse the merchants’ booths. Kansas
City’s City Market has been in operation for over 150 years and has always been
an attraction for tourists and locals alike. It costs nothing to visit the
market, but you may want to save up to bring home some of Kansas City’s finest
local goods.
Springfield, Missouri
Enjoy Nathanael Greene
Park
When you’re in Springfield, Missouri, you can’t miss
Nathanael Greene Park. The park contains numerous different types of gardens
and a butterfly house, all free to enter and enjoy. This destination is great
for families or photographers, as you can get up close with flora and fauna you
may not get to see otherwise.
Take in the Mizumoto
Japanese Stroll Garden
The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is the oldest attraction
at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. In its 7.5 acres, it includes a koi lake,
moon bridge, meditation garden, tea house, and lots of traditional Japanese
garden landscaping. Spending the day at this Springfield attraction is a steal
at just $3 admission for adults. Kids under 12 years can enter for free.
Go Underground at Fantastic Caverns
If you’re looking to beat the heat while you’re in
Springfield, Missouri, don’t head to the pool. Instead, go on a unique
adventure at Fantastic Caverns, an elaborate cave system discovered by an Ozark
farmer in 1862. In 1867, 12 brave women from Springfield answered a newspaper
ad to explore the Caverns, and their strange beauty remains much as it was
then, untouched thanks to the jeep-led tram service that allows visitors to
tour the caves, while preserving them for generations to come. The caverns
remain a cool 60 degrees all year round. Admission is $24 for an adult and $17
for a child.
Columbia, Missouri
Relax at Finger Lakes
State Park
Are you an ATV or off-road motorcycle enthusiast? Or do you
just enjoy being in nature – hiking, fishing, and swimming? Finger Lakes State
Park in Columbia, Missouri, offers lots of activities to satisfy everyone in
your family or friend group. The park is mostly man-made and caters heavily to
those looking to ride their ATV or motorcycle on tracks that range from
beginner to expert level riding ability. There are beaches, fishing spots, and
woods for those who are not riders. It’s free to enter and use the park, but
riding and camping carry small fees ($5 and $13). If you’re going to ride, make
sure you have the proper permits and equipment before entering Finger Lakes
State Park.
Visit Shelter Gardens
When you’re thinking of ways to relax and enjoy your time in
Columbia, Missouri, visiting an insurance company’s corporate headquarters
probably doesn’t come to mind. However, Shelter Insurance has built a five acre
garden behind their offices that has become a beloved spot to Columbia
residents. The garden contains over 300 varieties of trees and shrubs and an
astounding 15,000 annuals and perennials. Each of these species of plants has
educational information listed next to it.
In addition to the natural wonders, Shelter Gardens has 14
different non-plant features, including a waterfall, rock garden, Vietnam
veterans’ memorial, replica of a 19th century one-room school house,
and a garden for the blind. Shelter Gardens is free to enjoy, and if you plan
it right, you can attend Concerts in the Garden on Sunday evenings in June and
July to hear local bands play live music.
Learn at Eagle Bluffs
Conservation Area
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, located in Columbia,
Missouri, is home to a managed wetland habitat and is fun for every type of
nature enthusiast with activities like hiking, hunting, fishing, and bird
watching. The Conservation Area is free, but you will need the correct permits
for hunting and fishing.
Joplin, Missouri
Wonder at Grand Falls
If you’re visiting Joplin, Missouri, or just passing
through, it’s worth it to stop and wonder at Grand Falls. Grand Falls is the
largest, continually flowing natural waterfall in Missouri and is hailed as one
of the most beautiful sites in the Ozarks. Its 163 feet wide and plunges 12
feet into a craggy pool before flowing peacefully on. The Falls are free to
visit, but getting there early is advised, as parking is unpaved and
limited.
See the Wildcat Glades
Conservation and Audubon Center
The Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center in
Joplin, Missouri was established in 2007 with the mission of appreciating,
conserving, and understanding the natural world. The Center is perfect for
nature enthusiasts and families alike, and is home to the extremely rare Chert
Glades. Wildcat Glades Conservation Center contains 27 of the 60 acres of Chert
Glades found worldwide, in which rare tree and flower species flourish. The
Center in Joplin is even home to rare species that don’t exist anywhere else in
the world. With free admission, don’t pass up this unique opportunity while
you’re in Joplin, Missouri.
Jefferson City,
Missouri
Visit the Missouri
State Capitol
Jefferson City, Missouri is the seat of the Missouri State
Government. The domed capitol building dominates the Jefferson City skyline and
contains more than 500,000 square feet of floor space that showcases the public
art of the people of Missouri. All four floors of the building are open to the
public, and tours are free, though they fill quickly and walk-ins are added on
a first-come, first-served basis. You can make a reservation on the Capitol’s
website or by calling 573-751-2854. Tours leave on the hour beginning at 9:00
a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. and last approximately 45 minutes.
Tour the Missouri
State Penitentiary
If you’re looking for something unique to do in Jefferson
City, look no further! Taking a tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary will
give you tons of unique stories to bring back to family and friends. The
Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Missouri, functioned as the
state’s maximum security prison between 1836 and 2004. It was once the largest
prison in the United States and housed 5200 inmates at its peak. Its colored
history includes riots, famous (or should we say notorious?) inmates, and
paranormal activity. Tours start at 2 hours and $25 and go all the way up to 8
hours and over $100, so you can pick what fits your budget and interests.
Branson, Missouri
Walk Through the
College of the Ozarks
You may be thinking, “Why on earth would I visit a college
on my vacation?” The answer – because it’s beautiful and peaceful to walk
through, and free to visit for as long as you’d like. The College of the Ozarks
is known for its tuition-free, work for education model, but its campus holds
many buildings that were built at the turn of the century and retain their
old-world charm. If you’re looking to stay in Branson, the Keeter Center at
College of the Ozarks received the 2017 TripAdvisor’s Readers’ Choice Award, as
well as a Top Small Hotel in the U.S.
Take in the Table Rock
Lake Dam
The Table Rock Lake Dam in Branson, Missouri, is a feat of
human engineering. It was completed in 1959 to dam the unpredictable waters of
the White River, and since has fostered a change in the landscape, creating a
massive, warm-water recreation area - Lake Taneycomo - that draws tens of
thousands of visitors every year. The dam is 6,423 feet in length and rises 252
feet above the riverbed. It’s free to enter the area and drive across the dam.
This destination is a perfect fit if you’re a fan of water recreation like
boating, water-skiing, swimming, and parasailing. You can even dive to see the
remains of a village overtaken by the dammed waters.
Missouri has a plethora of free and next-to-free activities
to fit any vacation budget, but if you still need financial help, CreditBox has
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