Birthplace of Jesse James. One of the largest collections of James family artifacts; Jesse’s original gravesite; the family home; and a slave cabin. Tour includes: an interpretive video about the life of Jesse and Frank James; galleries of artifacts and memorabilia; a guided tour of the James Family homestead. Books, gifts and Civil War souvenirs sold at the museum store.

The museum has two galleries on the main floor of the Capitol. The displays cover Missouri’s history, natural resources, veterans, and the Civil War in Missouri. The public is free to roam the museum at their own pace. Free, guided tours of the Capitol are available.

The Truman Library offers theaters, a museum store and dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits designed to engage all ages. Step into a replica of President Truman’s Oval Office; test your presidential courage in Decision Theaters; and experience some of the most dramatic moments in American history. Truman's grave is on-site. See our Website for schedules of special exhibits and activities. Admission: $8; Ages 65+, $7; Ages 6-15, $3.

Exhibits reflect the culture of this ever-changing river town, from the Mississippian Indian period through the great earthquakes of 1811 and 1812; from New Madrid's role in the Civil War through the early 20th century. Displays cover pre-historic Indians; French explorers; riverboat traders; earthquakes; and Civil War battles. Located in the circa 1886 Kendal Saloon building. Admission: $2.50; ages 6-12, $1.

Explore the life and times of one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century: Sir Winston Churchill. Experience the sights and sounds of life in a trench on the Western Front during WWI; see and hear the effects of a London air raid at the height of The Blitz; in the stirring film Churchill's Finest Hour, narrated by Walter Cronkite, watch Churchill lead Britain through WWII; touch Churchill artifacts and facsimiles of his personal correspondence; become a spy, deciphering WWII secret codes or finding clues from the secrets locked in a briefcase; sit in an overstuffed chair surrounded by the ambiance of an English Gentleman's Club and laugh while listening to Churchill's wit and wisdom.

The Memorial, located on the campus of Westminster Collage, site of Churchill's famous Iron Curtain speech, is housed within the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a 12th century church relocated from London to Fulton. The undercroft of the church is a museum filled with a priceless treasury of artifacts and information relating to the life and times of Sir Winston Churchill. Sections of the actual Berlin Wall are adjacent. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1. Admission: $6; age 62+, $5; ages 12-18, $4; college students, $4; ages 6-11, $3.

Downing House was built in 1858. It is a 14-room mansion that denotes a Greek revival style, with a three-story tower, which conveys an Italianate character. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places. Slaves quarters were built behind Downing Mansion. The adjoining Boyer House was a part of the Downing Mansion and at one time, served as a hotel. Inside Downing House, guests will find Scotland County memorabilia and artifacts relating to the history of the county. Another exhibit has a room devoted to Ella Ewing, who stood 8-feet, 4-inches tall. During her adult life (she died in 1913) she was the tallest woman in the world. The room contains many personal items, including her nine-foot long iron bed, a size 24 shoe, a piano stool, gloves, jewelry and clothes, along with eight-foot tall screen doors.

More than 50 life-size dinosaurs are displayed, from the very smallest creature (a one-foot micro-raptor) to a towering 42-foot Tyrannosaurus rex. The models were created by paleo-artists who copied from actual dinosaur skeletons. There is a learning center with video, a fossil exhibit, birthday party area and a gift shop. Branson's Dinosaur Museum shares a lobby with the Haunted House & Monster Asylum. There is a combo ticket price available.

Admission: $10; ages 4-12, $8.

This 1916 depot houses historical exhibits of southeast Missouri and national significance. It is the site of monthly art and cultural events. Admission is free.

Complex includes an 1886 Anheuser-Busch facility, a circa 1900 indoor village, an original 1856 dogtrot log home and farmstead, an art gallery and an 1887 bank that's now a performing arts center. April-December. Admission: $3; younger than 12, free.

The permanent exhibits focus on American Indian cultures from across North America, and on Missouri history from 9,200 B.C. to the present. On the campus of the University of Missouri. Free admission.

The museum contains displays, documents and artifacts significant to the history of East Prairie and Missouri. Open during community events and by appointment.

This museum features a private collection of railroad memorabilia, mostly of the Santa Fe line, on display inside Santa Fe Caboose #999456 and Jersey Central Passenger Car #1053. Visit our Web site for a sneak peek at some of the items on display here.

Located in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum showcases the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form through interactive exhibits and films, the Changing Gallery, the Blue Room jazz club and the Gem Theater, a 500-seat performing arts center. We offer education and community-based programs, traveling exhibits, live musical performances and other special events. Admission: $8; younger than 12, $3.

This museum includes a remodeled school house, a log cabin, a 1950s fire engine,  and a bookstore offering local authors and artists. Fields' Photo Archives offers thousands of negatives for sale.

County museum in a restored circa 1910 railroad hotel. Each room in the museum features a different facet of Gasconade County History: military, business, religion, medical, and et cetera. Special annual and seasonal exhibits are offered.

This museum preserves the history of St. Joseph from prehistoric times to today; it is most noted for its extensive collection of American Indian artifacts. Other exhibits include Lewis and Clark in Missouri, and the renowned Mett Shippee archaelogical collection. Admission: $5; Ages 62+, $4; Ages 7-18, $3.

This museum, dedicated to veterinary medicine, offers interesting and unusual artifacts. It includes a hands-on learning center for kids.

Concordia was settled by German immigrants in the 1800s. The museum preserves those roots and encourages the creation, collection, preservation and promotion of the area's heritage.

This 1870s cabin contains photographs, relics, memorabilia, rustic furniture, plus items from the old Wabash Railroad depot. Open May through September.

The Saint Louis University Museum of Art features modern and contemporary art by Serge Poliakoff, Richard Serra, Ernest Trova and many others. The Collection of the Western Jesuit Missions showcases religious art and artifacts from the 13th to the 20th centuries. The John and Ann MacLennan Collection of Asian Decorative Art is one of the largest collections of its kind in the United States: Whimsical netsuke figures carved from jade, amber and rosewood, household shrines of ivory, Japanese woodcuts and Chinese porcelain. To learn about visiting exhibitions and more, visit the Web site.

Within the walls of this museum, the history of Missouri unfolds. The building holds treasures of historical significance dating from the era of the Louisiana Territory. Spacious rooms are appointed with antique chandeliers, rosewood and mahogany chests and settees, French mirrors and fine paintings.

Museum showcases a collection of telephone memorabilia, including pieces dating to the days before direct-dial systems. Open April-Thanksgiving and by appointment.

Built in 1906, this renovated and remodeled Missouri-Pacific Depot is now owned by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. It houses the Aurora Historical Society Museum, filled with memories of yesteryear of Aurora and surrounding communities.

This interfaith museum of contemporary art seeks to be a forum for ongoing dialogue between contemporary artists and various religious traditions, as well as a place for greater understanding among the world's religions. The museum is housed in a spacious former chapel on the campus of Saint Louis University.

Doll house museum and store located in rural Millersburg, west of Fulton. I-70, exit 137; south on J.

The Pleasant Hill Museum has a collection of artifacts, photographs, historical and genealogical information. We have more than 8,000 indexed photographs dating from the late 1800s and a collection of family history files dating from the 1930s. There is a collection of African artifacts from James Allen, a missionary in the 1930s and 1940s. We have railroad memorabilia from the time Pleasant Hill was a busy railroad town. The front of the museum, two windows and the door were built from the stones that were used in the construction of the 1866 Gamble Mansion; Hamilton R. Gamble was Missouri’s pro-Union Civil War governor.

The Museum interprets the 1838-39 Saxon Lutheran immigration and the history of the seven original colonies in East Perry County, the origins of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and the regional German-American culture. Historic structures include the 1845 1st Church Building, and the 1839 Log College Seminary. Guided and self-guided tours of the main gallery and original church are offered. The complex includes a state-of-the-art exhibit hall, reception area, and gift shop. Bus tours welcome.

Mineral displays from the 1904 World's Fair and donated minerals from alumni and the general public.

A restored railroad depot housing historical artifacts reflecting Cameron's history as a transportation hub. there are two cabooses on display. Open May through August.

One-of-a-kind museum that pays tribute to the Victorian-era art of hair jewelry and hair wreaths. The museum has more than 300 framed hair wreaths and 2,000 pieces of jewelry made of hair. Admission: $5; age 65+ and younger than 12, $2.50

The museum depicts the church body's history, beginning with its roots in the Lutheran Reformation of the 16th century. The 3,500-square-foot museum highlights the origins of the synod in 19th-century immigration movements, the founding of the church body, its worldwide mission activities and its growth and development through the 20th century. Located within the International Center headquarters of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

A three-story, circa 1895 Victorian home containing original light fixtures and wall treatments, beautiful woodwork and 10 fireplaces. The Phelps House is available for events. Tours are offered on Wednesdays.

Built in 1808, this is one of the the oldest brick homes in St. Louis County. It contains early 19th century American furnishings, a library of Americana, a gift shop and a restaurant. The grounds are a perfect setting for a wedding or special events. Admission $3; younger than 16, $1.

Two museum galleries contain a collection of military-related objects of both local and national historical significance, such as photographs, posters and printed materials, uniforms, flags, medals, firearms, edged weapons, and a range of war-time memorabilia from both the battlefront and the homefront. Watch for special military programs and events, as well as the regularly-changing exhibits. To schedule a group tour, call (314) 622-4550.

This is a 1930s village, including: Bo's Conoco, a fully functional service station; the feed and hardware store; Big Boy’s barbecue and jerky; gift shop; post office; barber shop; hoosegow; outhouse; and the Lost Cause Mine. Walk through the village at your on pace. Ride in a Model A Ford; see a ram pump in action; pump water from the well; see a working windmill; shell and grind corn; feed the chickens. In the restoration barn, see the memorabilia room and watch a Model A being restored. Reservations needed for restoration barn. Big Boy will pack your lunch; Bones will put it in the back of the Model A and drive you to Ashley Creek to eat lunch; then he’ll pick you up and continue your ride. There is a fee for rides and restoration barn. Bo’s is two miles south of Montauk State Park on County Road 6630-6633.

A three-story Victorian residence, built in 1885, renovated in 1994 to showcase demonstrations of energy efficient systems, recycled products and waste reduction practices. Visitors experience hands-on applications of sustainable lifestyle choices. Most features of the center are available for use in general construction and renovation. Group tours available by appointment. Not wheelchair accessible. See website for details. EarthWays Center is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Open the third Saturday and Sunday monthly. Admission: $3; Younger than 13, free.

This history museum features changing exhibits and special programs from post-Civil War to late 20th century. A small reference library is available. Archives by appointment. Tourist info, gift shop and Jasper County Route 66 guides are available. See Web site for exhibit and program schedule. The national traveling exhibit Lee and Grant will be on-site from Sept.1-Oct. 20, 2010. Open April-October.

Enjoy a free, self-guided tour of an extensive collection of memorabilia related to Amtrak and the history of passenger railroading. Housed in an old boxcar, the exhibition contains a variety of posters, artifacts, and souvenirs. In a sister boxcar next door, you will see a custom-crafted Lionel model railroad layout depicting Amtrak trains at work; grab the throttle and make the trains come to life. The museum is located next to the Depot Inn Hotel. Tell the hotel staff you wish to tour the Exhibition of Amtrak History; they will be happy to open the museum for your convenience.

The Exhibition of Amtrak History is not affiliated with Amtrak or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

The museum houses artifacts from 1821 to 1960, tracing the history of the area. Eight themed rooms show how people lived and worked: American Indian artifacts; Harmony Mission; Civil War; coal mining; pioneer memorabilia and other items. The Time Line Room is devoted to the sequence of historical events from 1821 forward. The Nyhart one-room school is on the grounds. Open April-October. Closed holidays.

The Dexter Welcome Center Depot/Museum was built in 1933. It has recently been restored. Inside, you'll find information on the history of the railroad and displays pertaining to Dexter and its people.

A fine arts museum devoted to man's best friend; home to one of the largest collections of dog art in the country. Permanent exhibits include paintings, drawings and sculptures by well known 19th- and 20th-century artists. Gift shop; All-Star Dogs Hall of Fame; and Hope A. Levy Memorial Library. Special events are held throughout the year.

Headquarters, archive and library of the American Truck Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of the history of trucks and the trucking industry. The archives, housed in the Zoe James Library, include more than 100,000 photographs, 30,000 pieces of sales literature, operator and repair manuals and a large display of die cast, tin, and wooden truck models.

Visit the Corn Cob Pipe Museum in "The Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World," Washington, Mo. This unique museum provides an insight into the history and manufacturing of corn cob pipes. Learn about famous corn cob pipe smokers, such as Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Mark Twain, and fictional corn cob pipe smokers such as Popeye. Corn cob pipes and other corn cob souvenirs are available for purchase.

Hands-on, interactive museum of agricultural history. The American Royal, is Kansas City's famed barbecue, rodeo, horse and livestock show venue. Open during most American Royal events and by appointment. Tours available.

Springfield Art Museum, founded in 1928, is one of Springfield's oldest cultural institutions. It houses twelve galleries of fine art, including more than 10,000 art objects, representing thousands of years of culture. Special collections include 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century American paintings; watercolors; sculptures and prints. There is a 392-seat auditorium. See our Web site for schedules.

Overlooking the Missouri River, this center caters to history and nature buffs alike. Peer into a 7,000-gallon freshwater aquarium; explore the history of the St. Joseph area; stand trunk to nose with a woolly mammoth replica. See our Web site for a complete listing of activities, sights and adventures.

Located in a police/fire station dating to 1908. The museum is designed to show what life was like along the banks of the Mississippi River. Features rotating exhibits and educational programs. Open April-December. Admission, $2.

The museum offers visitors several rooms of exhibits and information related to the Civil War, The Battle of Fredericktown, and other events of local historic significance. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States. The complex includes: a four-story OMNIMAX Theater; the air-supported Exploradome; and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Our mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.

Children's Peace Pavilion will re-open Aug. 17, 2010. This is a hands-on museum designed for children ages 6 to 11 and it encourages them to explore the four concepts of peace. As the children complete the exhibits in each area (Peace For Me, Peace For Us, Peace for Everyone, and Peace for the Planet) they will explore traits and characteristics that lead to the life of a peacemaker. The pavilion is open Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tours. You need to arrange a tour: call 816-833-1000 and ask for extension 3033.

The Center commemorates the life of community founder Louis Lorimier and the early Cape Girardeau District as well as the 1803 visit of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. A rendering of Lorimier's trading post displays 19th century items listed in Lorimier's actual warehouse inventory list. Special tours scheduled upon request.

A hands-on museum for all ages. Take an imaginary flight in a Cobra helicopter, celebrate your next birthday party at the museum and have a personalized dog tag made.

The St. Joseph Fire Museum contains a collection of historical firefighting equipment that has been used to protect the residents in St. Joseph for more than 140 years. Much of the collection is restored to original condition, including fire trucks.

Walk through the Golden Age of Aviation. The collection of photographs, artifacts, printed materials and displays includes uniforms, galley items, instrumentation, logbooks, personal mementos other memorabilia. The timeline, beginning with the Wright's first flight through the propeller-driven era of general and commercial aviation, comes to life with special emphasis on TWA, Kansas City's home airline. In the hangar, our aircraft collection includes Star of America, a fully restored Lockheed L1049 Super G Constellation in TWA livery; a rare Martin 404; a rare 8/24 configuration Douglas DC-3 undergoing restoration; an American Eaglet; and the original Moonliner II, formerly on the TWA headquarters. The Airline History Museum is located at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport; north across the Broadway Bridge from downtown Kansas City. Closed major holidays.

Admission: $8; age 65+ and military, $7; ages 6-12, $4; younger than 6, free.

The doll museum is housed in a building that is more than 100 years old. It was first used as a church, but has been remodeled to display more than 1,000 antique dolls, toys, and doll furniture. The items are shown in an array of interesting scenes. The museum was established in 1968 with some items from the Orrell Andrews Collection. Tours year-round by appointment.

Permanent displays cover 400 years of psychiatric history. Exhibits include: the Bath of Surprise; O'Halloran's Swing; the Tranquilizer Chair; and the Hollow Wheel. Some exhibits display memorabilia from the hospital's history, including hospital furnishings, farming equipment (the psychiatric hospital use to have a working farm), surgical equipment, treatment equipment, a collection of patient art, and information on some unusual phobias. Admission: $5; Ages 62+, $4; Ages 7-18, $3.

This museum features more than 300 pieces, including steam, diesel and electric locomotives, passenger and freight cars, automobiles, streetcars, buses and aircraft. The Creation Station is designed to teach kids ages 5 and younger about different modes of transportation. A special collection also features Route 66. Admission: $6; Ages 5-12, and ages 65 and older, $4.

Come and experience our stories, including how Chillicothe became the Home of Sliced Bread. The museum also features military memorabilia, guns, tools and railroad artifacts and many other displays.

Take a mansion tour. Rockcliffe is a 13,500-square-foot American castle built to overlook the mighty Mississppi River in 1898. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Bed and breakfast stays, wedding packages, private parties and more are offered, as are guided tours.

The Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society archives the history of Callaway County. The extensive exhibits at the museum are based on the timeline of Callaway County history. There is a history and genealogy library which holds most regular reference material and additionally, original probate court records, microfilmed local newspapers, photographs and digital access to records and indexes. Staff members are familiar with all of the assets and will provide guidance in your museum visit and genealogical research. Publications and memorabilia are available in the gift shop.

Walnut Springs Farm, a 420 acre beef cattle and hay farm was originally part of the 850 acre Hosmer Dairy Farm established in the late 1880s by Edmund J. and Eliza J. Hosmer. This dairy farm was the beginning of the dairy industry in Southwest Missouri. Edmund Hosmer was a pioneer in good farm management. He turned poor Ozarks farmland into one of the richest farms in Southwest Missouri. Mr. Hosmer brought to this part of the state the first cream separator, manure spreader, gasoline engine and silo. The farm's success was evident by the two large barns built around 1900. These barns have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1916, the Hosmer Dairy Farm was the largest butter dairy farm in the state. The farm is located on the historic Old Wire Road, a major passage for Indians, settlers and later a stagecoach line. This road was also the northern route of the Trail of Tears and was extensively used by both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War. In 1842, the government established Old Wire Road as the main route between St. Louis, Missouri and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Hosmer Dairy Farm was sold in 1948. In 1991, the farm was purchased by Mike and Cathy Brown who have restored the original farm's buildings. It is the Browns' intent to preserve the history of by-gone days on the farm and to share those memories with others.

The Kansas City Toy and Miniature Museum is devoted to the art of play. For more than 25 years, the museum has delighted visitors with the world’s largest collection of miniatures, antique toys and marbles. With 38 rooms to explore and year-round programming, the museum experience is a reconnection with the beauty and craft of play. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, collector or curious child, there is something for all ages and interests. For more information, call 816-333-9328 or visit our website. Admission: $7; Ages 65+ and 13-18, $6; Ages 5-12, $5.

The 28-room Martin Hotel and Stage Shop Museum is operated by the Morgan County Historical Society. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel was opened in 1853 in a log cabin. Notable hotel guests included Jesse and Frank James, P.T. Barnum, Grover Cleveland, and Harry and Bess Truman. The hotel served soldiers from both sides during the Civil War.

Open April through the first Saturday in October; closed Memorial Day, 4 July, and Labor Day. Admission: $3; younger than 18, $1.

This museum is located inside the Historic Saint George Hotel. Silk tapestry is the art form of weaving silk textiles on a punch card mechanical loom, producing pictures and images. This process was the major means of reproduction prior to photography. Silk tapestries have remained popular because of their three-dimensional characteristics and intricate weaving. More than 200 framed French silk tapestries are on display. Each one is a masterwork based upon artworks by major artists, primarily of the 19th and 20th centuries. This collection is the largest in the world. No smoking is allowed. Small changes in temperature and humidity in a room can cause the tapestries to shrink or expand from hour to hour, from minute to minute. It is as if the tapestries appear to breathe, expanding, contracting and shifting. The threads twist and rotate restlessly. When the warp threads relax, the loops move and change. There is a luminosity and depth of field on them.

One of the best preserved 19th century townhouses in America. Home of renowned fur trader Robert Campbell and his family from 1854 until 1938. Restored to its 1880s Victorian opulence. The museum features original family furnishings.

This museum is constructed from reclaimed and recycled materials. Expect the unexpected. An eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion and architectural marvel made using unique and found objects. Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company. City Museum offers the World Aquarium; the above-ground MonstroCity; the ten and five-story spiral slides of the shoe shafts; enchanted caves; the everyday circus; and Cabin Inn the City, where friends gather on the brick patio.

Butler is the birthplace of science fiction writer Robert Heinlein. The library addition houses memorabilia and original books, including "Starship Troopers" and "Puppet Master." Heinlein is most famous for "Stranger In a Strange Land."

The Bolduc House was built in around 1792 by Louis Bolduc. The vertical log structure allows visitors to step through the stockade fence into the eighteenth century French Colonial community of Ste. Genevieve. In addition to the unique architecture, the museum has a large collection of 18th century French colonial furnishings and artifacts. The garden is planted with the herbs, fruits, and vegetables that would have been planted by Mme. Bolduc. Next door, the LeMeilleur House contains an art gallery (exhibits change monthly in time for the fourth-Friday Ste. Genevieve Art Walk). A room in the LeMeilleur House is decorated as an 1830s period room. Purchase admission tickets across the street at the Linden House where you can shop for unusual French-themed items, visit the Colonial Dames Parlor, and the Rozier Library of rare books. The Linden House yard is a great place to relax and enjoy the colorful blooms. That is where we host children's games and relays and where the Lewis and Clark Garden is located.

This is a spacious historical museum preserving artifacts, documents and culture of the Ozark Mountains centered around Taney County. Traveling and original exhibits change every six to eight weeks. There's a research library, and we host occasional special events. Our book store features local authors and topics; the gift shop offers unique and hand-made items.

Sharing a building with the Joplin Public Library is the independently endowed and administered Post Memorial Art Reference Library. Visitors may browse the collection of reference materials devoted to art history. The reading room is designed to resemble a Renaissance-era English great hall, and it is furnished with European art and antiques from the Winfred and Elizabeth Post collection. The library also features monthly exhibits by area artists and collectors and other special events. Check the library's website for more details.

Four giant badminton shuttlecocks on the lawn welcome travelers to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, considered one of the top art museums in the United States. The Nelson-Atkins features one of America’s finest collections of Asian art, as well as extensive collections of American, American Indian, Egyptian, and European art. The Steven Holl-designed Bloch Building contains galleries of contemporary and African are, photography, and special exhibits. Enjoy art outdoors at the Kansas City Sculpture Park, a collection of sculptures by many of the 20th century’s finest artists.

Did Bob Ford really gun down Jesse James in 1882 or did Jesse live until 1951? You be the judge. You will be astonished as you view live film footage of Jesse James; examine the photographs; study the fascinating displays; observe the wax figures; and gaze at the $100,000 collection of vintage firearms and personal belongings of Jesse and his gang. Located on old Route 66 (I-44, exit 230).

Admission: $6; ages 5-11, $2.50.

This is the only American museum dedicated solely to preserving the objects, history and personal experiences of a war whose impact still echoes today: World War I. Housing more than 55,000 objects, the museum uses interactive technology, along with its world-class collection, to tell the story of the war through the eyes of those who lived it. Connect with soldiers through their personal items – from flying goggles to pocket diaries. The museum, built under the iconic Liberty Memorial Tower, was designed by Ralph Appelbaum, whose credits include the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The Museum is located at the corner of W. Pershing Road and Main Street.

At Patee House Museum, you can climb aboard an 1860 train, ride a vintage carousel and stroll along the streets of 1860s St. Joseph...all indoors. This building was built in 1858 as a luxury hotel. It has been a hotel three times; a girls college twice; the Union Army Provost Marshal's office during the Civil War; the headquarters for the Pony Express; and a shirt factory.

Admission: $5; age 60+, $4; age 6-17, $3.

Exhibits within this museum cover the musicians who made an impact on the music industry, desegregation, education and other aspects of African-American history in St. Joseph. The museum includes the area's African-American Hall of Fame. Admission: $5; Ages 62+, $4; Ages 7-18, $3.

Tour this 1879 Victorian Gothic sandstone mansion, which illustrates the cultural and economic history of 19th century St. Joseph. Interior features include oil-on-canvas ceilings and walnut woodwork. Exhibits include natural history and personal belongings of Jesse James. Admission: $4; Ages 7-18, $2.

This 1840s Cumberland Presbyterian Church contains exhibits exploring the story of the city. An interactive exhibit on the Osage Indians, the Pony Express, the story of the Saluda steamboat disaster, and the Civil War "Battle of the Hemp Bales" are featured.

One of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums, containing more than 30,000 works of art. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes, and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th century German painting. The Museum offers a full range of featured exhibitions, a research library, four conservation labs, a varied annual schedule of special events, and community and school programs. The Museum is the only permanent building remaining from the 1904 World’s Fair. Located in Forest Park. Closed Thanksgiving and 25 December.

Exhibits include agricultural, toys, textiles, medical, war and music. Search genealogical records, family histories, photographs and historical records. Open March-December.

The Albrecht-Kemper houses one of the Midwest's finest collections of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century art. It includes more than 3,000 pieces. Art classes are offered. Cafe lunch is available Wed.-Thu., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Meeting and dining facilities available. Admission: $5; Ages 60+, $2; younger than 19, $1.

St. Joseph history entwines with this 1859 building, which now is a museum. Steamboat captains, overland freighters, Pony Express riders, fur traders, gold miners, and Jesse James all conducted business here. Ornately carved oak woodwork, cast-iron pillars, stained glass, and a vault reinforced with railroad rails are a few of the features of the building. Guided tours available on request. Admission, $4; ages 7-18 $2.

The Money Museum, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, is a unique experience offering a free, up-close look of the nation's financial system in action. Learn about the Fed through interactive exhibits that explore banking, how people pay for things and how monetary policy decisions impact your family's bottom line. Peek into one of the region's largest cash vaults; give the nation's currency your own redesign; view the famous Truman Coin Collection, including coins from each U.S. presidential administration.

The Money Museum is located next to the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. Walk-ins welcome; however, reservations suggested for guided tours, groups, workshop or special presentation. Free parking. A photo ID is required for visitors age 18 and older. Closed holidays.

Exhibits dating from 1808 cover the Missouri National Guard and Missouri's involvement in the Civil War, the World War I and II, and other conflicts. Closed major holidays.

Educational facility has exhibits on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Missouri River ecosystem. Something for all ages. Full-size replicas of the keelboat and pirogues used by Lewis and Clark. There is a bookstore and gift shop. School field trips and bus tours are welcome.

Admission: $4; ages 3-16, $2.

More than 2,000 exhibits honor those who served in all branches of the U.S. military. Sculptures, murals, historic artifacts, art and 1000s of memorabilia covering WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and other 20th Century conflicts. The walls of the museum are lined with more than 500,000 names of those killed in action from WWII and forward. The museum hosts one of the the world's largest war memorial bronze sculptures: 50 life-size soldiers storming a beach, each statue was modeled after an actual combat soldier from each of the 50 states. Many of the exhibits contain unique artifacts and recount personal stories from our veterans. This is an educational as well as emotional experience for many.

Admission: $15; ages 13-17, $10; ages 6-12, $5; family pass for mom, dad, and all the children 17 and under is $37.

The greatest memories in Missouri sports history come alive with more than 4,000 sports archives elegantly displayed in our two-story, 32,000 square foot museum: interactive displays; face a major league pitch; join the race in the NASCAR simulator; call the action from the announcer's booth; shoot baskets; throw passes. Whether you are a sports fanatic or casual fan, you'll experience Missouri sports at their best, up close and personal. Have a Ball at the Hall.

Museum featuring the Battle of Carthage and the Civil War in Missouri.

An unusual complex of military museums: A World War II camp replica with barracks, chapel and mess hall; Army Engineer Museum with maps and tools dating to the Revolutionary War; exhibits at the Military Police Museum cover the times from U.S. frontier army-post life to the Iraq wars; the Chemical Corps Museum documents the effects of chemical warfare covering the last nine centuries. Photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of insurance required to enter the post. Closed major holidays.

The museum has a permanent exhibit showcasing the history of the Springfield and Greene County from the ice age to the 1950s. There are two hands-on children’s displays in the permanent exhibit. There are three to four temporary exhibits each year showcasing one particular aspect of local history. Visit our Web site for schedules.

The 1891 Calaboose (jail) is the oldest existing structure owned by the City of Springfield. Restored in 1999, it is used as a police substation. There is a police museum on the first floor. Tours of the building and the police museum are offered on weekdays by appointment only; minimum of two days notice required.

Take a self-guided tour of this 3,500-square-foot museum, which features recreations of a 1950s gas station and a classic diner, along with a rotating display of antique cars, a collection of Route 66 books, magazines and videos. The museum and research center are inside the Lebanon-Laclede County Library.

Exhibits depict life in Platte County from prehistoric days through World War II. Founded in 1960. New exhibits recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Open from mid-March through mid-December. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call Jean Hartley at 816-640-2202 for Group Tour information. An antebellum home may also be included with a Group Tour as well as a guided driving tour of Weston.

One of the most unusual examples of architecture you will see in Branson. What's inside is even more peculiar. For the past 15 years the Branson Odditorium has been dedicated to offering our guests a unique and unusual entertainment experience they won't find anywhere else in Branson.

DinoSpace Adventure offers interactive science and natural history exhibits, featuring a unique museum experience with indoor and outdoor hands-on science activities. Learn about evolution, creation, and intelligent design through space exhibits; the Clifford Wilson Biblical Archaeology Collection; the Science Lab and fossil room; and other displays. See our Mercury space capsule and a life-size cast of the head of Stan, the T-Rex. Join the dinosaurs in the DinoSpace Adventure Fun Park. See the Web site for details. Group rates and off-hour reservations available. Open March-October.

The exhibit, A Rural Way of Life, interprets the rich heritage of Andrew County from 1841 into the 21st century. The exhibit follows two tracks, exploring the history of farming and small towns. Learn how men, women and their children pulled together to make family farms a success. View how kitchens in farmhouses changed over time, and take home recipes for fried chicken from 1900 and Swiss steak from 1950. Enjoy a segment of a silent movie projected on the side of a brick building just like in the early 1900s. Visit a general store. Learn about the cycle of life in rural places from childhood through family life and death. Hear old-time radio programs from the 1930s.

The Museum is located in the circa 1860s Martin Hotel. An addition was built on to the log structure in 1877. The adjoining two-story brick building was built in 1884, after the original log structure was moved off the property. The hotel guest registers includes signatures of Civil War soldiers who stopped for room and board, many with an I.O.U. following their name.

The museum includes: the barbershop; weaving and quilt room; Civil War relic; an early rural school room; an old Seth Thomas clock, the original hotel desk holds, with the keys to the guest rooms; bound volumes of the Morgan County newspapers dating from 1877; some hotel guest registers; an Emerson square grand piano, demonstrated at the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904; a carbide chandelier; two folding covered-wagon rockers; several pieces of period furniture; and miscellaneous items pertinent to the history of Morgan County. Open May through October.

Collections of genealogical material and historic manuscripts, including journals, diaries and photographs, as well as referance and newspaper libraries. Thomas Hart Benton and George Caleb Bingham paintings on permanent display.

This museum houses a wide variety of automobiles in historic settings. The oldest vehicle in the collection is a 1903 Humbrette and the newest is a 1997 UMC solar race car. The unique settings include huge prints of historic scenes and nearly full scale building facades. Kiosks give audio-visual information about the cars and their place in history. Two mechanical music machines were added to the collection in 2010.Groups: please call ahead.

More than 100 vehicles including brass, pre/post war classics, celebrity, muscle, race and special interest. Memorabilia lines the walls. Most of the vehicles and memorabilia are for sale. The automotive gift shop features collectables, books, magazines, apparel, and die-cast cars. Time Out Sports Bar, with live music and sports on big screens, is on-site. Closed Christmas.

The Griot (pronounced "Gree-oh")uses life-size wax figures, art, artifacts and memorabilia to interpret the stories of African Americans with a regional connection who have contributed to our country's development. The Griot features an authentic slave cabin. Visitors can solve puzzles, view documentary videos, and board a scale model section of a ship used to transport Africans to America during the slave trade. The museum’s gift shop offers clothing, jewelry, figurines, sculptures, books, videos and greeting cards. The Griot operates a youth training program that focuses on heritage preservation, museum management and career preparation. Admission: $5; age 65+, $3.50; ages 13-17, $4; younger than 13, $2.50.

The museum occupies a Federal Empire Victorian brick mini-mansion. Every piece of furnishing in the home, dating from 1840 to 1900, has a Platte County history. The first level includes: a parlor; sitting room with bronze marble fireplace; dining room with large double sliding wood-on-wood German hand-grained doors; kitchen with a German tongue and grove wood ceiling; and latticed back porches. A curved staircase made of walnut and mahogany leads you to the second floor where there are four bedrooms. Another staircase connects the second floor and the kitchen. The basement, which once contained a cooking area, dining area, wine cellar, cistern room, wash area, and workroom, houses the Platte County Historical Society's genealogical library, archives and display rooms. The museum has a rare Civil War collection of Col. Charles E. Sinnet, a Union soldier. Open April 15-Oct. 15. Admission: $3; younger than 12, free.

The museum is housed in the first church Harold Bell Wright pastored in the 1890s. His books and memorabilia are featured, along with items of Pierce City history. The museum houses Harold Bell Wright memorabilia and items relating to local history, including notable ragtime composer Theron Bennett, and artist Grace Tinker.

A Victorian home built in 1899. Displays include Civil War memorabilia, a collection of period dresses and many original furnishings. Tours by appointment and during the annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival.

This museum features a collection of telephone memorabilia, including pieces dating to the days before direct-dial systems. Open March-December.

This museum serves as a tribute to all branches of the armed forces, along with those serving the homefront, and their contributions to our country. Exhibits include military vehicles, uniforms, gear, tools and equipment. The 1890 brick building, designed by architect Harvey Ellis, was St. Joseph's first police station. Admission: $2; younger than 18, 50 cents.

The McClure Archives houses documents concerning the history of the University of Central Missouri; information about alumni; and a broad collection of ethnographic, historical, and biological materials. Located on the first floor of the James C. Kirkpatrick Library.

The Moark Regional Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving the railroad history of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. It is housed in the historic 1928 Frisco Depot across Fifth Street from the Black River Coliseum. It contains the history of seven railroads, has a 30-foot model train lawyout, a Train Shop, two cabooses and a baggage/mail car.

This museum, which began in 1875 and is located in Hodge Park, is a gathering of historic buildings of 19th century Missouri and is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Missouri's early history and architecture. The facility is open to the public each day for self-guided walking tours. Picnic tables are available. The area features 20 historic structures, including clapboard houses, a school, a church, and log cabins. Walking tour maps are available at the front gate, the kiosk, or the porch of the Mercantile. During the summer, weather permitting, the buildings are open so visitors may view the interiors through closed gates. Private tours are available by reservation only. The buildings and grounds are maintained by an all volunteer not-for-profit group, Shoal Creek Association. The Harvest Festival is held annually on the second Saturday in October, and runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It is an old time country fair with entertainment for the whole family, inluding gun fights, wagon rides, and musicians. The first Saturday in December features the annual Visit With St. Nicholas, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A 19th century Christmas is depicted in each building according to their time period and ends with a visit with St. Nicholas at the Thornton Mansion. In 2010 a new festival has been added. On Sept. 18, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Back to Basics, features demonstrations regarding canning, preservation, pickling, gardening and much more. There is a $5 fee to attend festivals for those ages 6 and older. There are several walking trails on the property.

The museum holds exhibits on local history and local people. We are your information desk for all things in Doniphan. We provide maps, brochures and information about local events. Closed holidays.

Explore the region's history by viewing our exhibit galleries, attending programs, or researching your family history. This state-of-the-art facility houses more than 60 million pages of historical records dating to 1815. These records provide unique evidence of the impact of Federal policies and programs in the Midwestern states. Our changing exhibit galleries are free. Closed on federal holidays.

This museum in southeast Missouri featues 22,000 feet of hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages. Your visit begins with a trip through the BYM Children’s Village; you visit a farm store and milk Daisy the cow, climb through the obstacle course or stand inside a giant bubble. Follow in the footsteps of some of America’s greatest explorers in Making Tracks on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Ride the keel boat up the Missouri River, look for bats in Tavern Cave, visit the home of Sacagawea, climb the Rocky Mountains, and spend the winter with Captains Lewis and Clark at Fort Clatsop.

Exhibits include: 200 sketches and paintings by L.L. Broadfoot; memorabilia of Jan Howard, Porter Wagoner and Preacher Roe; American Indian artifacts dating to 5,000 B.C.; antique farm implements; an Ozark still; World War I and World War II military items; and vintage clothing.

The museum is housed in the restored 1941 Ironton-Arcadia Depot. It contains an extensive collection of Arcadia Valley and Iron County artifacts, genealogy records, and photographs. The collection includes a Union battle flag from the Civil War battle of Pilot Knob.

Housed in an 1846 Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the museum features exhibits on the Osage Indians, Pony Express, steamboats, Civil War, coal mining, and Wentworth Military Academy. There is a memorial to the victims of the Saluda steamboat disaster.

Open May - October.

Admission: $2; ages 6-18, $1.

Explore the world's only Precious Moment's Chapel. The Chapel contains paintings and stained glass windows by artist Sam Butcher, depicting stories from the Bible. Visit the world's largest Precious Moments gift shop and year round Christmas Shop. Enjoy the collections in the Samuel J. Butcher Museum and experience the beauty of the gardens.

Exhibits bring Sedalia's rich railroad history to life. Guided tours, visitor information and a gift shop are available. The Katy Trail State Park, Missouri's 225-mile hiking and biking trail, passes beside the depot.

Built in 1812, this was the home of Daniel Bissell, military commander of the Upper Louisiana Territory. It now displays family artifacts, art and furnishing from the 1800s. Meeting space is available, indoors and outdoors, for 80 people. Tours by appointment only.

Hands-on environment for all ages. On display is a Cobra helicopter, a T-33 jet aircraft, Army Jeeps, trucks and other restored military equipment. Take an imaginary flight in a real Cobra helicopter. Type a message on a teletype machine. Have a personalized dog tag made. We host birthday parties. Admission: $5; ages 6-11, $3; ages 5 and younger, free.

This museum, in a former school, documents the history of Agency, from the 1836 Platte Purchase to the present.  After the Platte Purchase, Agency Ford was a thriving community, but, slowly, flooding caused the town to nearly vanish. Open by appointment.

The Ralph Foster Museum collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits items relating to the Ozarks region. One of the more famous exhibits is the original vehicle used in the television series "The Beverly Hillbillies." In addition, visitors find antiques, weapons, dolls, natural history and other items from around the world. The museum is located on the campus of College of the Ozarks; two miles south of Branson. Open February-Dec. 15. Admission: $6, age 65+, $5; younger than 19, free.

The Greek revival style house, constructed by Martin F. Hanley in 1855, is the oldest surviving structure in the City of Clayton and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This style of house was common on southern farmsteads in the early 19th century. The house is a window into the past, holding many of the Hanley family’s original furniture and artifacts. The museum tells a story depicting the reality of rural life in St. Louis County during the antebellum and post-Civil War years. Admission: $3; younger than 13, free.

Built in 1910 as the clubhouse for employees of the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway Company, this museum now houses Webb City history. Tours by appointment.

Visit the first dairy farm in southwest Missouri. Tour five farm buildings, including two century-old barns listed on the National Historic Register, which now house a large collection of horse-drawn farm machinery, wagons, and other tools. Open April-October.

The Railway Museum holds mementos designed to entertain train fans of all ages. Outside of the museum, there is a caboose that is available for tours. After touring the museum, visit The Magic City Line Miniature Railroad, in Moberly's Rothwell Park. The Magic City Line transports passengers of all ages on a great adventure.

On April 3, 1860, a lone Pony Express rider, the first of his kind, left Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph. Brave riders, carrying saddlebags filled with our nation's hopes and dreams, traveled more than 2,000 miles west to California. Today, the stables are a modern, interactive and educational tribute to the history and legend of the Pony Express. A 60-foot diorama depicts the diverse terrain of the route. Admission: $5; Ages 60+, $4; Ages 7-18, $3.

Our museum, in a restored depot, tells the history of the railroad and the area surrounding Higginsville. We have genealogical items including plat books and school histories. We have items made by Orphan Train Children who grew up here. Open to the public May-September.

Collections span seven millennia, covering six continents. Galleries include ancient European, American art, modern art and special exhibitions. Closed Christmas Day through New Years Day, and all University holidays. Located in Pickard Hall.

This museum is in one of several blocks listed on the National Register of Historic Places in downtown Louisiana. The Louisiana Area Historical Museum is a store-front museum and houses a variety of artifacts relative to the area, from an oil portrait of the Queen of Romania holding a Stark Bros. Golden Delicious Apple and an explanation as to why she allowed the portrait to be painted, to a Knights of Columbus uniform complete with a sword.

Did you know Molly Brown was on her way to Hannibal when the Titanic sank? Learn more about this "Unsinkable" heroine of the Titanic. Visit the place where America's most fascinating rags to riches story began on July 18, 1867. Just a few short blocks from downtown, Margaret (Molly) Tobin Brown's original Irish immigrant's cottage has been restored. See photo displays on her life in Hannibal, Denver and the world, plus a room dedicated to the Titanic voyage. Purchase tickets to tour the museum at the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau, 505 N. Third St.

The oldest church in Morgan County, founded in 1868 by Irish immigrants, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 140-year history of the church was celebrated in 2008. The Museum houses historic documents and vestments. Open Sundays only, June-August, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Take a look into the history of Webster County. The building was constructed in 1911 through a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. This made Marshfield the smallest community in the U.S. to receive such a grant. You will see photographs, machinery, tools and housewares that were used by the early settlers. Special exhibits are held throughout the year. Visit the gift store for T-shirts, hats, Christmas ornaments and cemetery books to help those who are tracing family roots. The annex next door houses the Geneology Department with public records and newpapers to help search for family history. The "Walk of Fame" begins on the sidewalk in front of the Webster County History Museum. Six famous Missourians are honored on the walk of fame each year during the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held in April.

The old historic A.L. Webb School has been transformed into a museum housing artifacts, pictures, art collection, military and school memorabilia. The museum is not wheelchair accessible. In front of the museum stands the Veteran's Memorial, honoring all military men and women. The memorial is wheelchair accessible.

The Kemp Auto Museum is the only Mercedes Museum in the United States and the largest private collection of Mercedes automobiles in one location. We offer more than thirty historically-significant automobiles, in addition to a variety of visiting collections and special exhibitions throughout the year. Our 23,000-square-foot gallery allows guests to get up-close and personal with each of our automobiles. The Museum is located at the Chesterfield Commons retail and commerce complex, off of I-40.

Two buildings display historic artifacts and memorabilia: the museum and genealogy library occupy a circa 1898 building, originally constructed as railroad division headquarters; the depot building contains railroad items and a Conestoga wagon body used by pioneers. Open May thru October; closed holidays.

The museum features the Crossroads Gallery, which includes exhibits and interactive kiosks highlighting the history of southeast Missouri, including: The Land and Waters; First Voices; First Peoples; Frontiers and Empires; River and Rail; North and South; Subsistence to Agribusiness; Expressions of Faith; and Change through Education.

Exhibitions in the museum's 1,900 square-foot gallery feature works by local, regional, national and international artists. The museum offers educational classes related to the museum’s mission, collections, permanent and changing exhibitions.

The circa 1838 courthouse was the site of the 1870 Old Drum trial, famous for George Graham Vest's closing argument, known as Tribute to a Dog. The oratory is said to be the origin of the phrase "a dog is a man's best friend." Tours offered. A one-room school and the Mary Miller Smiser Heritage Library and Johnson County Museum are adjacent. Admission: $3.

This is the world's first Vacuum Cleaner Museum, which is located on the uniquely American "Mother Road," Route 66. This destination is devoted to a great American invention, the vacuum cleaner. Stop to see more than 500 vacuums from the last 100 years. You'll travel through time decade by decade and leave with a new appreciation of this household appliance. And while you're there, you'll have a chance to check out the latest in vacuum cleaners, too. Upstairs from the Vacuum Cleaner Museum, they're busy making Simplicity and Riccar vacuums in one of the only factories still producing vacuums in the USA.

Novinger was a coal-mining town for several generations. It retains some of its Croation and Italian history. The coal mining museum holds many artifacts.

Robidoux Row Museum is made up of several living units, which were rented by early settlers as they passed through St. Joseph. Built in the 1840s by Joseph Robidoux, the city's founder, the units met the needs for temporary housing during the pioneer era of the Westward Expansion. The St. Joseph Historical Society restored the building. Robidoux Row includes exhibits featuring the Robidoux family history, early St. Joseph history, as well as several rooms restored to illustrate their original purpose. Many rooms are furnished with Robidoux family possesions. Admission: $2.50; Ages 62+, $2; Ages 6-18, $1.

The museums focus on the history of Joplin, the heritage of southwest Missouri and the story of lead and zinc mining in the region. See Victorian rooms, textiles, minerals, models and other subjects. Admission: $2, family pass, $5; free admission on Tuesdays.

Nowhere else in Missouri is there such a comprehensive display of information concerning traffic safety, law enforcement, drug abuse and items relating to the history of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. There are exhibits focusing on the services and responsibilities of the Highway Patrol on and off the highways. Call the center to schedule a tour. To schedule the 1959 Dodge Patrol Car for exhibit or a parade, please contact your nearest Missouri State Highway Patrol troop headquarters.

In September, 1856, the steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City with 200 tons of cargo bound for towns in the west. In 1988 the Arabia excavation began, resultting in the astonishing discovery of pre-Civil War artifacts which are now on display. This unique museum has been featured in national television programs and magazines, and in numerous newspapers.

Closed: 1 January; Easter; Thanksgiving; 24 and 25 December.

Towering 100 feet above street-level, this ship-shaped family adventure holds more than 400 artifacts and historic treasures. It allows each visitor to encounter the personal, heroic and tragic stories of Titanic’s passengers. Walk the Grand Staircase to experience the beauty of the Edwardian era; see a first-class stateroom; touch an iceberg; and view history through the Father Browne photographic collection. Discounted tickets available on our Web site. Closed Dec. 25.

Family homestead of Rose O'Neill, artist, writer and creator of the Kewpies. Tours of museum, gallery and reconstructed Victorian home are offered. Reduced rates for groups of 10 or more. Children are welcome. Gift shop and parking for 50+ vehicles at visitor center. Free admission every day for walking trails, picnic area, outdoor sculpture, and historic cemetery. From Branson, eight miles north on Route 65, turn right onto Rose O’Neill Road; from Springfield, 25 miles south on Route 65, turn left onto Rose O’Neill Road. On the National Register of Historic Places. Admission: $7; younger than 13, free.

Union Station is the second-largest railroad station in the United States. This renovated historic building features family friendly entertainment including traveling exhibitions, the largest movie screen in Kansas City featuring 3-D movies, the region's largest 360-degree Planetarium, live stage shows on the City Stage, the KC Rail Experience, the Model Railroad Experience and Science City. Part of Kansas City's historic Union Station, Science City features more than 50 interactive areas, providing some real hands-on fun, all in the name of science. From digging for fossils to landing a space shuttle in a NASA-style simulator, Science City serves up so much fun kids (of all ages) won't realize just how much they're learning.

Built on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1867; purchased in 1916 by the Anheuser family, founders of what became the Anheuser-Busch Co. The museum is steeped in St Louis history and brewery artifacts. Original furnishings, clothing and collections are on display. Admission: $5

The St. Louis Mercantile Library has been preserving the art, history and culture of St. Louis and the state of Missouri for more than 160 years. Our archive, rare book, manuscript and fine art collections encompass all aspects of Midwestern living from the city's founding to the present day. These collections are complimented by two specialty libraries: the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library documents the vital role of our nation's rivers as both natural resources and a driving force in America's economic development; the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library documents the development of the railroads throughout American history through archives, business records, art and artifacts. The Mercantile Library features frequent special exhibitions, lectures and artist events that are open to the public, including our annual Fine Print, Rare Book and Paper Arts Fair. Free public tours Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Located at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Closed Dec. 25-Jan. 1.

This 1903 courthouse features historical exhibits: Civil War history; war room; local history; medical equipment displays; domestic displays; farm equipment; and the original courtroom. A piece of the World Trade Center is on-site. Museum tours are offered April through September. Group tours year-round, by appointment.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her beloved Little House books while living at Rocky Ridge Farm, near Mansfield. There are two homes to tour: the farmhouse, which Laura and Almanzo built upon moving to Missouri in 1894; and the Rock House, which their daughter Rose had built for them in 1928. The museum contains artifacts including Pa's fiddle, handwritten manuscripts of some Little House books, keepsakes of the Ingalls and Wilder families, and many other items familiar to readers. Open March 1-Nov. 15. 

This museum is one of the leading voices in the world of contemporary art. The Contemporary Art Museum is dedicated to exhibiting the visual arts and artists of our time and to producing nationally recognized education programs. As a non-collecting institution, the Contemporary focuses its efforts on featuring local, national and international, well-known and newly established artists from diverse backgrounds, working in all types of media. The Contemporary was founded on the Mississippi riverfront in 1980. In 2003, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis moved into new permanent space in midtown St. Louis, an area known as the Grand Center Creative and Cultural District. As St. Louis’s forum for interpreting culture through contemporary visual art, we connect our visitors to the dynamic art and ideas of our times.

Site of a daring daylight bank robbery, allegedly committed by the notorious Jesse James gang. Original vault, period furnishings, photos and a museum store are on-site. Guided tours are available Monday-Saturday. Admission: $5.50; Ages 62+, $5; Ages 8-15, $3.50 (with parent/guardian); Ages 7 and younger, free.

This home is filled with Ozark History. The home was built in 1895 and has all the original woodwork. The first two floors are furnished as they would have been when the house was built. The third floor houses special collections. Several original outbuildings are on the grounds, including a smokehouse/cellar and an open carriage shed. On the back porch, there is an exact reproduction, although smaller, of the Liberty Bell. It is one of a limited number cast in honor of our nation's Bicentennial celebration in 1976.

The museum offers exhibitions and interactive galleries plus lectures, theater, special programs and concerts. From Lewis and Clark to Lindbergh, Scott Joplin to Miles Davis, breweries to baseball, the Civil War to the World's Fair, the museum invites you to participate in the past, present and future. Restaurant and museum shop. Located in Forest Park.

The Daum collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits modern and contemporary works of art. It houses nine exhibition galleries on three levels, with a combined area of 9,300 square feet. The Daum sheds light on the stimulating complexity of contemporary art. The museum offers a temporary-exhibition series that changes three times a year. Exhibitions range from monographic surveys of nationally recognized artists, to group shows that explore a shared theme, to regional artists who merit wider appreciation. The museum’s permanent collection includes diverse paintings, drawings, prints, works in clay, and sculpture created since the mid-20th century. It features works by Andy Warhol, Dale Chihuly, Helen Frankenthaler, Robert Motherwell, Peter Voulkos, Louise Bourgeois, and Betty Woodman. Located on the campus of State Fair Community College.

This museum features rotating displays of Saline County's history.

The museum, including two circa 1800 log cabins, holds more than 6,000 pieces of antique farm equipment, and a 5,000-square-foot antique store. Admission: $6.

Circa 1800s village with a pioneer post office, hardware store, general store, dry goods store. The toy museum includes more than 20,000 toys. Also on site is a recreated 1950s car repair show with car tools and memorabilia, plus 20 antique cars from the 1950s. There is a fully operational, old fashioned country school from the early 1900s with a current enrollment of 10 children; an authentic old fashioned malt shop from the 1950s with jukebox and an old fashioned pop machine. Admission: $5.; group rates available.

This beautiful 1858 house has been fully restored. We take a unique, hands-on approach to tours and events. Regular events include living history, candlelight tours and ghost tours.

This museum is a collection that includes more than 8,000 pieces. The collection is unique in that every piece is relevant to the Civil War in the West, also referred to as the Trans-Mississippi Theater. The museum is closed November-February.

The museum offers historical artifacts; museum displays; quilting and weaving; historical programs for schools and civic organizations; tours of the museum and surrounding sites; and casual browsing. Gallery 105 displays the works of local artists. Assistance is available for research on the community and genealogy. Admission is free; donations accepted.

The museum features permanent and rotating exhibits of  dolls, furniture and accessories...all in miniature. Also doll houses, vignettes and room boxes depicting all eras. There is a gift shop and a library devoted to miniatures. Admission: $5; age 62+, $4; ages 13-18, $2; ages 2-12, $2.

A collection of outstanding photographs by Missouri's top photojournalists. Exhibits recognize visual reporting pioneers and current photojournalists.

Aviation museum featuring interactive exhibits, some designed especially with young people in mind; videotaped personal stories; restored aircraft; and memorabilia. School field trips are encouraged and can be arranged by contacting the museum in advance.

Admission: $6; Group discounts available.

Stars and Stripes, the newspaper for men and women in the U.S. military, started here in 1861. Museum exhibits focus on the people who have produced this legendary publication over the years. The Stars and Stripes Museum/Library, with climate-controlled storage, handicapped accessibility, display and meeting rooms, is invaluable for research. The facility serves historians, students, writers, and the general public.

Museum spotlights early settlement of the area. Many artifacts are on display.

Discover how a young boy growing up in the small village of Hannibal became one of the world's most beloved authors. A self-guided tour of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum properties gives you the chance to explore the Hannibal of Samuel Clemens' youth and experience the amazing stories he created through the power of his imagination. The museum properties include six historically significant buildings and two interactive museums whose collections include 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings and a wealth of Twain artifacts. The Boyhood Home is designated a National Historic Landmark.

Built in 1852, the Old Stagecoach Stop is a 10-room museum. Each room has been restored to a different use or era in the building's history. The facility has been a stage stop and tavern on the Wire Road between St. Louis and Springfield; a hospital during the Civil War; a hotel; a dentist’s office; and a boarding house for workers building Fort Leonard Wood in 1941. Tour guides reveal the history of the building, which tells much of the story of the growth and development of Pulaski County. Open April-September; other times by appointment only. The museum is hosting the Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibition "Journey Stories" from Oct. 2-Nov. 13, 2010. Special events each Saturday during the exhibition.

The museum holds 3,000 artifacts from the Disney family. Pre-visit activity packets are available for school groups. Located in the Santa Fe Depot. Admission: $5; ages 6-10, $2.50; younger than 6, free.

The library exhibits county artifacts. There is a research facility for local history, genealogy, and local records archives. The grounds include: a restored one-room school; the original 1838 Johnson County courthouse; and a collection of agricultural implements and locally manufactured lawn mowers. One of the few historical societies in Missouri to have pre-Civil War records; be sure to ask about how the records were stolen to keep them safe.

The Bushwhacker Museum and Jail is a regional history study center that serves as a repository of more than 150 years of Vernon County History. Visitors experience for themselves the cell room of medieval malevolence in the circa 1860 stone jail and the restored sheriff's home. The Bushwhacker Museum, housed in a renovatd 1920s garage and Ford agency, offers exhibits on the history and heritage of the region. Learn why the first inhabitants welcomed the first white settlers and eventually left the region. Discover why Nevada was called The Bushwhacker Capital by Federal troops during the Civil War and how the community survived and eventually thrived. Find out what life was like for the POWs at Camp Clark during WWII. Open May-October; Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5; Ages 12-17, $2; Younger than 12, $1.

Home of the life-sized Missouri dinosaur. See dinosaur artifacts from the local dinosaur dig; American Indian artifacts; Will Mayfield College artifacts; and alternating regional exhibits of historical significance. Admission: $2; Ages 18 and younger, $1.

The German School, built in 1871, was used as the elementary school until 1955. Today, the entire building is a museum. The clock tower has been the recognizable symbol of Hermann since the school was built. This German built clock has been running continuously since 1890. The Kinder (children's) Room houses antique toys, books, old school desks, German writings, blackboards, slates, and doll houses. The River Room holds a replica of an early pilot house, models of riverboats, river photos, instruments, and data about river boats. Open April-October.

This 105-acre outdoor sculpture park holds a collection of more than 70 contemporary sculptures by artists of international acclaim. Indoor galleries present exhibitions of contemporary sculpture as well as drawing, painting, ceramics, glass and other media. Many or these works represent current and unique approaches to art in a natural environment. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.