MISSOURITour Guide Great Discoveries Await Group Travelers

GENIUS TRAIL Following Highway 36 Special Supplement LEISURE MID- ROUTE 66 GROUP TRAVEL August 2016 Culture and Cuisine Slice of Americana Mark Twain, the creator of characters like Tom Sawyer, is remembered at attractions in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. MO Highway 36 Heritage Alliance Cover Photo by Linday Moser 2 I >> LeisureGroupTravel.com alt Disney, Mark Twain, J.C. Penney. Name-dropping comes naturally when planning Wa road trip across northern Missouri, an incubator of creativity that has gifted our country with a few pretty influential people, small-town folks who made a big impact on American life. It doesn’t take a genius to realize the collection of towns along Highway 36 —a straight line stretching between Hannibal on the Mississippi River and St. Joseph on the Missouri—is custom-made for themed itineraries. Museums, historical sites, fun shopping in charming downtowns—it’s all there. In the mid-1800s, St. Joseph, as a wagon train staging area and supply depot, was one of the most important towns on the western frontier. In 1860-1861 it served as the eastern terminus of the Pony Express, an experiment in cross-country postal delivery that to this day conjures up visions of the Old West. Lore of the short-lived operation captivates groups browsing the Pony Express National Museum, which occupies the stables where young riders left on the first leg of the 1,966-mile, 10-day journey to Sacramento. In the Patee House Museum, a former hotel StrokeA where the Pony Express had its office, you can prowl the Streets of Old St. Jo and see all kinds of of Genius

A FOUR-LANE ROAD, DUBBED THE WAY OF AMERICAN GENIUS, STITCHES TOGETHER HISTORIC MISSOURI COMMUNITIES THAT GAVE US GREAT INNOVATORS AND INNOVATIONS

antiques, including a locomotive, carousel, horse-drawn hearse, automobiles and fire trucks. On the museum grounds is the Home, where the notorious outlaw was shot and killed in 1882. A St. Joseph native who became a giant in television news is remembered at the Memorial at Missouri Western State University. A 48-mile trip east leads to Hamilton, the hometown of . The J.C. Penney Memorial Library and Museum honors the department store pioneer who was born in 1875 on a nearby farm. He often came back to visit Hamilton, contributed to community causes and opened his 500th store there. Everyone knows the phrase “greatest invention since sliced bread,” but few know the Chillicothe Baking Company in 1928 was the first to use the bread-slicing machine, an innovation against which all innovations since have been compared. A series of beautiful downtown murals depicting town history includes one that recognizes Chillicothe as the “Home of Sliced Bread.” (The slicer was invented by an Iowan, Otto Rohwedder.)

LeisureGroupTravel.com << I 3 MO Highway 36 Heritage Alliance 36 Heritage MO Highway The bread-slicing machine was first used in 1928 at a bakery in Chillicothe, Missouri.

The town of Laclede, 23 miles east of Chillicothe, salutes a native son who became one of America’s greatest military leaders. The General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home is a state historic site that includes a museum inside a one-room school- house where the leader of U.S. forces in World War I taught until he left for West Point. Next to the home is a statue of the General of the Armies, whose nickname was “Black Jack.” The next stop on The Way of American Genius is Marceline, where Walt Disney spent his formative childhood years. The creator of Mickey Mouse and St. Joseph served as the other beloved characters patterned Disneyland’s eastern terminus of the Pony Express, the legendary Main Street USA after Main Street in Marceline. mail-relay system. The Walt Disney Hometown Museum, housed in a restored railroad depot, has exhibits on his early life and those who influenced him. The Walt Disney Barn, a reconstruction on the site of the family’s farm, was where he put on his first show. In Kirksville, a short drive north of Highway 36, visitors can explore the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine and learn about Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who in 1892 founded the first osteopathic medical school, today known as ATSU/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. In the atrium adjacent to the museum are the school’s original classroom building and the birthplace log cabin of the man who questioned medical traditions by focusing on prevention and a holistic approach to treatment.

Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Missouri

Missouri Division of 4 I >> LeisureGroupTravel.com MO Highway 36 Heritage Alliance 36 Heritage MO Highway Itineraries in northern Missouri might include the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville and a memorial to General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, the World War I commander who taught school in Laclede, his hometown.

Samuel Clemens, better known to the world as author and impersonator dishing out wit and wisdom. You can even eat and humorist Mark Twain, grew up in Hannibal, the town on the mighty drink with a literary twist. Mark Twain Brewing Company has Mississippi that inspired classics such as Adventures of Huckleberry beers with names like King Arthur’s Court Imperial IPA and Jumping Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The Mark Twain Boyhood Frog India Pale Ale. Cave Hollow West Winery offers a Mark Twain Home and Museum comprises five historically significant buildings Reserve, The Gilded Age (a term coined by Twain) Port and a cheese and two interactive museums, including the home where Clemens that is aged in Mark Twain Cave. Downtown Hannibal abounds with lived between ages 8 and 17, and a gallery with 15 Norman shops that purvey everything from art and antiques to chocolates Rockwell paintings used to illustrate special editions of the Tom and quilts. and Huck books. Whether you start in St. Joseph or Hannibal, following The Way Groups in Hannibal also can enjoy a cruise on the Mark Twain of American Genius from river to river will spark your imagination Riverboat, tour Mark Twain Cave (where Tom Sawyer and Becky and shed light on great Missourians who changed the world and Thatcher got lost) and attend a live performance of a Mark Twain gave us lasting memories.

LeisureGroupTravel.com << I 5 Touring

Caption here on these lines here the of Caption here on these lines here Caption here on these lines here Heart MissCaption here on these lines here 6 I >> LeisureGroupTravel.com traddling an area where Ozark highlands meet the western one of the most photographed landmarks in Missouri. A few blocks plains, the central Missouri region combines heartland away is The District, where your group can sample dozens of Shospitality and cosmopolitan variety. Outdoor-lovers and city restaurants and boutiques for an afternoon on the town. Local favorites types both will find attractions to love in small riverside hamlets and include Shakespeare’s Pizza and Booches Billiard Hall, where you growing cities, while foodies will enjoy some of the best eats in the can taste burgers consistently ranked among the best in the U.S. (it’s Midwest. Here is a small sampling of what mid-Missouri has to offer. cash only, so plan accordingly). Nearby on historic 9th Street is the Home to the and a thriving arts community, Missouri Theatre, designed after the Paris Opera House and Columbia is the cultural hub of mid-Missouri. Your group will want to completely restored in 2008 to its former glory. Bands, speakers and spend time touring the university campus, whose highlight is historic traveling Broadway shows take the stage nearly every night. Francis Quadrangle. Based on a Thomas Jefferson design and the site About 30 minutes south of Columbia is Jefferson City, Missouri’s of his original tombstone, the “Quad” encompasses the university’s state capital and a city with many historic sights. The Missouri State most famous academic buildings, including the towering Jesse Hall Penitentiary, decommissioned in 2004, now allows tours in what was and Switzler Hall, the school’s oldest surviving structure at 144 once called “the bloodiest 47 acres in America” for its many riots and years old. executions. Your group can pass by the cells of famous heavyweight Pause to admire the famous Columns, once the supports for the Sonny Liston, who learned to box during his time behind bars, and James original Academic Hall before it was destroyed in a fire and is now Earl Ray, the gunman in the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination.

Stone Hill Winery in Hermann features 182 acres of American and French grape varietals used in award-winning blends. Missouri Division of Tourism

CENTRAL MISSOURI OFFERS CAPITOL TOURS, HISTORIC ouri CAMPUSES AND TEMPTING CUISINE LeisureGroupTravel.com << I 7 Missouri Division of Tourism Photos

The famous University of Missouri columns survived a fire in 1892 and are the centerpiece of Francis Quadrangle. Overlooking the Missouri River in Jefferson City, the offers tours and historical exhibits.

With views of the Missouri River and priceless artwork inside, the Missouri State Capitol is worth a tour. Inside, you can study the murals of famed artist Thomas Hart Benton, see bronze statues of Lewis and Clark and even watch state government representatives in session. Your group will also want to explore the Capitol grounds and nearby downtown, home to High Street’s welcoming diners and specialty shops. North of the Missouri River is Fulton, an ideal destination for a day trip. The National Churchill Museum, where the British prime minister delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946, houses exhibits about his military and political career on the Westminster College campus. Rooms include a simulation of the London Blitz and interactive displays of the European theater during World War II, and your group will want to admire the 17th century church the museum is housed in. Moved stone-by-stone from London, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury features many preserved walls and the original cupola. Also worth exploring is the nearby Auto World Museum, which displays vintage cars, Route 66 memorabilia and exhibits depicting the history of the automobile. The quaint town of Hermann is nestled among the rolling hills along the Missouri River in countryside reminiscent of Germany’s Rhine Valley. Your group can wander through the charming downtown and enjoy lunch or wine tastings at Stone Hill Winery. Housed in the beautifully restored carriage house and horse barn, Vintage Restaurant is an excellent culinary complement to Stone Hill’s selection of wines, serving hearty German cuisine along- side traditional American fare. If your group has additional time, there are

many more towns, attractions and historic sites Tourism Division of Missouri in mid-Missouri to experience and treasure. Modeled after the Paris Opera House, Columbia’s Missouri Theatre welcomes bands, speakers and touring Broadway shows.

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Branson Hallmark Presents Maxine’s Christmas Carol: IN The Andy Williams Performing Arts Center will host a live-musical version of A Christmas Carol starring one of Hallmark’s most popular characters, Maxine. You can be assured the self-appointed “Queen of Crabbiness” will put a new twist on the Dickens classic. (10 a.m. Monday-Saturday, Nov. 1-Dec. 10.) Runaway Branson Mountain Coaster: This ride at the new Branson Mountain Adventure Park features a track winding more than 5,000 feet through the Ozark Mountains. Branson Ferris Wheel: With a new electronic lighting system and completely refurbished, the Branson Ferris Wheel is the latest addition to the town’s entertainment corridor. The National Blues Museum in downtown Hermann St. Louis celebrates Hermann Living History Farm and Museum: More the genre as the foundation of all modern than 160 years of farming experiences are on display at this American music. 160-acre living history farm. Tours feature the restored Husmann home and outbuildings, trading post, distillery log house and office, sweet springs, tinsmith shop and gardens. The livestock farm will exhibit a variety of animals, including Shire draft horses and Missouri mules.

The Hallmark character Maxine will amuse Christmastime audiences in Branson.

10 I >> LeisureGroupTravel.com MISSOURI I A collection of classic cars dazzles visitors at the new Route 66 Car Museum, located on “The Mother Road” in Springfield, Missouri, the “Birthplace of Route 66.”

St. Louis National Blues Museum: Located downtown, the 23,000-square-foot museum is dedicated to the history of the blues and its impact on music and culture throughout the world. It features interactive technology and a 150- seat performance venue. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial: The Gateway Arch continues renovations as part of the CityArchRiver project. The Arch has reopened and offers Journey to the Top tram rides and screenings of the documentary film Monument to the Dream. The Museum of Westward Expansion exhibits can be seen at the Old Courthouse. The project will connect the Gateway Arch to the central business district hotels and attractions and is scheduled for completion in 2017.

Springfield Route 66 Car Museum: The 90th anniversary of the birth of Route 66 in 2016 seems the appropriate time and place to open the museum. For the first time the public will have an opportunity to see the 67 vehicles in the Guy Mace collection. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium: It’s one of the largest and most thorough conservation and education attractions in the world, with more than 225 live animal species in 160 displays. Wonders of Wildlife is adjacent to the flagship Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield offers visitors an immersive wildlife experience.

LeisureGroupTravel.com << I 11 issouri’s acclaimed cultural celebrations Must-see Mdraw visitors from around the world, and the American Bus Association has recognized four exceptional events for its Missouri annual “Top 100 Events” list. These note- worthy productions will make a sparkling 4Events addition to your next Missouri itinerary. Garden Glow, St. Louis Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis While the Missouri Botanical Garden is beautiful any time of year, Running through July 16, 2017, this exhibit at the Missouri History the annual Garden Glow event during the holidays brings a festive Museum in St. Louis features memorabilia and artifacts from the atmosphere to the 79 acres of outdoor and indoor greenspace. Iconic world’s most famous highway, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in structures such as the Climatron and Tower Grove House are decked 2016. Learn about the , tourist traps and diners that flourished out in half a million lights in addition to 20 new twinkling structures as America became a car country and take an interactive trip along in the shape of Christmas trees and snowmen. Walkways are trans- Missouri's portion of Route 66. Vintage road signs and gas pumps are formed into sensory light tunnels and the Kaeser Memorial Maze must-sees for fans of mid-century pop culture, while history buffs can becomes a glowing labyrinth perfect to explore with friends and learn about the Mother Road’s decline and revival in the late 20th family. Winter-themed concessions, Reindeer Ring Toss for children century. and Glowmen Glen photo-ops make this a merry evening out.

Garden Glow Missouri History Museum

See the World in Branson Music Fest Ozark Mountain Christmas, Branson Branson’s largest springtime event, held each April, features Take a Clydesdale-pulled carriage or walk along a “magical mile acrobats from China, tenors from Ireland and country artists from and a half” in the heart of the . This annual Christmas Village Nashville all on one stage and with no passport necessary. The festival features attractions such as a 6,000-square-foot holiday shopping tent, grounds include a Vintage Marketplace with crafts from local artisans the North Pole Express and the magical mile itself, a road filled with and Savor the Flavors of the World, a culinary center with dozens illuminated pine trees and Nativity scenes. Sip on cider or hot chocolate of vendors offering a taste of international cuisines and cooking while your group enjoys the many new festival additions, such as selfies demonstrations by local and celebrity chefs. Your group can take with Santa and holiday sing-a-longs, in this traditional celebration photos with Branson entertainers in the Welk Resort lobby throughout that runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. the festivities.

Branson Music Fest

Ozark Mountain Christmas

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ROUTE 66 Missouri Division of Tourism CELEBRATES Missouri Division of Tourism Its 90th BIRTHDAY

Missouri Division of Tourism

Missouri Division of Tourism Following World War II, Route 66 became a popular vacation route for those seeking adventure. Stretching from the Midwest to the West Coast, the highway known as “The Mother Road” featured motor courts, popular eateries and quirky roadside attractions. Today, tourists in Missouri are still tapping into Route 66 experiences for a slice of Americana.

lthough you will ST. LOUIS Ano longer find the The best place to begin your Route 66 journey is the Missouri History Museum. 310-mile highway featured Continuing through July 16, 2017, the on a Missouri map, there exhibit Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis will share the important role the are still many things to highway played in 20th century America. STANTON discover on and around old While in St. Louis, stop by Ted Drewes It’s rumored that outlaw Jesse James U.S. Route 66. Frozen Custard, just 15 minutes from the used Meramec Caverns to hide out and Gateway Arch. They've been serving their stash his loot. If he did hide anything, it famous concretes for more than 60 years. hasn’t been discovered…yet.

14 I >> LeisureGroupTravel.com CUBA & ST. JAMES From signs to gas pumps, the vast collection of roadside memorabilia at Bob’s Gasoline Alley is sure to impress. The fully restored and charming Wagon Wheel has been welcoming Route 66 travelers for more than 80 years. The nearby Fanning U.S. 66 Outpost & General Store is the shopping spot for Route 66 souvenirs—look for the giant rocking chair. A visit to St. James Winery will not disappoint. You can sample 30 different varieties of wines and juices.

ROLLA & ST. ROBERT Visit the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus for the opportunity to see a half- scale replica of Stonehenge. It was created using water jet technology. The Mahaffey Museum Complex at Fort Leonard Wood provides escorted tours. The museum focuses on three U.S. Army divisions: Engineer, Chemical and Military Police.

LEBANON Route 66 Museum and Research Center, inside the Lebanon-Laclede County Library, has re-creations of a 1950s gas station and diner, books and memorabilia. The “mom & pop” Munger Moss Motel features a few Route 66-themed rooms.

SPRINGFIELD Following a meeting at the Colonial Hotel in Springfield, highway officials sent a telegram to , D.C., on April 30, 1926, proposing the new highway be designated U.S. Highway 66. The Route 66 Visitor Center, Steak 'n Shake Drive-In and Gary’s Gay Parita in nearby Ash Grove are icons attesting to Springfield being the birthplace of Route 66. The Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven celebrates the nostalgia with vintage signage and gas pumps. Inside Fantastic Caverns it’s always a comfortable 60 degrees. Sitting in comfort, you’re driven through this underground attraction on a bright red tram.

CARTHAGE & WEBB CITY Precious Moments Chapel and Gardens in Carthage is devoted to artist Sam Butcher’s virtuous figures. Check out historic Boots Court Motel with its 1949 Art Deco-Streamline Moderne design. The Webb City Route 66 Center is a good stop before visiting the 32-foot-tall Praying Hands statue and the Kneeling Miner, a tribute to area mining history.

JOPLIN An old rock tavern was converted into the Candy House Chocolate Factory. Sample before you buy. At Sandstone Gardens plan to be immersed in beauty and tranquility. There are photo ops galore at the nearby Route 66 mural.

LeisureGroupTravel.com << I 15 Branson- Route 66 Side Trip Just 35 minutes from Springfield, Branson offers so much to experience that even five days is not enough. Regardless of how long you choose to stay, Branson will fill your cup with excitement.

ranson’s reputation as “The Live Entertain- A visit to College of the Ozarks campus, known Marvel Cave. It’s about 300 feet below ground ment Capital of the World” is well deserved. as “Hard Work U,” offers the opportunity for fine to the cave’s Cathedral Room. More than 100 BThe Highway 76 strip alone has dozens of dining and sightseeing. A tram tour of Dogwood craftsmen demonstrate a variety of disciplines as performance venues and a mind-boggling diversity Canyon Nature Park is a must. If you remember they preserve the 1800s culture of the Ozark of entertainment, from every music genre to “Kewpie” dolls a visit to designer/illustrator Rose Mountains. comedy, magic and acrobats. O’Neill’s home and studio at Bonniebrook is an Although there are plenty of shops at Silver You can certainly fill your mornings and after- option worth exploring. Don’t miss the new Ferris Dollar City, you may want to save a few dollars for noons with shows, but Branson offers much more. wheel (once a fixture at Chicago’s Navy Pier) at Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10 in the historic downtown area; The Branson Scenic Railway’s Ozark Zephyr takes one of the four locations of Track Family Fun Parks. you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for passengers in vintage train cars through the scenic Area zip lines provide aerial fun and adventure. among the 50,000 items in this relic of yesteryear. Ozark Mountains. The famous Ride the Ducks tour Silver Dollar City is well worth a day on any For more traditional shopping, the waterfront offers visitors a fun-filled land and water ride while itinerary. The theme park has thrill rides, shows Branson Landing features more than 100 stores, plus sharing insight and humorous Branson stories. and the original attraction around which it grew, dining and a spectacular fire and water spectacle.

Endless Possibilities with Missouri Itineraries Need ideas to start your Missouri adventure? One of these tours is sure to please.

HANNIBAL HUB AND SPOKE MISSOURI EAST TO WEST 2 days / 2 nights 4 days / 4 nights Hannibal, La Grange, Newark, Kirksville, Macon St. Louis, St. Charles, Boonville, Kansas City

Day 1 Arrive in Hannibal Day 1-2 St. Louis Arrive in Hannibal and tour the town aboard an old-fashioned Arrive in St. Louis for a Skyline Dinner Cruise with Gateway Arch trolley. Take a stroll down historic Main Street where specialty Riverboats. Day 2 begins with a visit to the Gateway Arch, where shops abound. It’s Hannibal tradition to lunch at Mark Twain Dinette. guests can ride a tram to the top, watch a documentary film and Bring out your inner explorer with a lantern-lit cave tour of Cameron browse the museum (opening in 2017). For the rest of the day, take Cave, the third largest maze cave in the Northern Hemisphere time to visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Missouri Botanical (flashlights available). For those who dare, take an afternoon Garden, National Blues Museum and Anheuser-Busch Brewery. A Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour. A guide will regale you with tales delicious dinner out on the town rounds out a fun-filled day. of the departed and guide you through your own paranormal investigation at a local cemetery. Cap off the day with a delicious Day 3 Touring St. Charles and Boonville meal at Rustic Oak Grill & Pub, Mark Twain Brewing Company or a Start your day with a short drive to St. Charles for a guided tour of dinner cruise on Mark Twain Riverboat. For those with a sweet tooth, the historic district and a stop at the Lewis & Clark Boat House and check out Ole Planters Restaurant’s famous homemade pies. Then Nature Center. Enjoy lunch downtown at Lewis and Clark’s Restaurant, return to your hotel or join in on the fun at Mark Twain Casino in Hendricks BBQ, Mother-in-Law House Restaurant or Ameristar Casino. nearby La Grange. Continue to Boonville for a tour of Warm Springs Ranch, breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Next stop is Kansas City. Day 2 Touring Northeast Missouri Kick off your day with a tour of Rockcliffe Mansion. Built in 1900, Day 4 Touring Kansas City this site graces you with majestic views of the Mississippi and an The day begins with a driving tour of the “City of Fountains.” impeccably restored interior. It’s a short drive to Newark where a Then it’s on to the Arabia Steamboat Museum, where you’ll learn the step-on guide leads you through Heartland Dairy, which produces history of the sunken ship and see the largest collection of pre-Civil 24,000 gallons of milk per day. Lunch is sure to be a hit at Solid Rock War artifacts in the world. The Hallmark Visitors Center awaits your Café. Browse through the attached Heartland Ford Museum, which group and shares the story of Hallmark’s humble beginnings in 1910 displays vehicles dating back to 1906. Stretch your legs in Kirksville to today’s empire. Lunch and shopping at Crown Center precedes a at the Adair County Historical Society Museum. Proceed to Macon visit to the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Factory for dinner at Ashley’s Apple Basket Cafe or My Uncle Thad’s BBQ tours of Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations is an before catching a performance at the acclaimed Maples Repertory option. Your day concludes with dinner followed by a live performance Theatre. Return to Hannibal for a well-deserved rest. at one of Kansas City’s theaters.

18 I >> LeisureGroupTravel.com ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI 4 days / 3 nights Imperial, Kimmswick, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, New Madrid

Day 1 Arrive in Imperial Arrive in Imperial for a museum tour at Mastodon State Historic Site, home to one of the largest Ice Age fossil deposits in North America. Lunch is in Kimmswick at The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery. Make sure you try their Levee High Apple Pie. A tour of Anheuser Museum and Estate, affectionately known as Fredmar Farms, tells the story of the family behind the brewery fortune. Browse the art galleries and shops in Ste. Genevieve’s historic district before settling in to your hotel. Dine at Sirros or Audubon’s by Chaumette.

Day 2 Touring St. Genevieve Begin your day with a stop at the Ste. Genevieve Museum. After learning about the city’s French Colonial heritage it’s time to tour the historic homes. Felix Valle House State Historic Site, Bolduc House Museum and Jacques Guibourd Historic House are a few favorites. For lunch try the buffet at The Anvil Restaurant & Saloon or have a meal in the oldest brick building west of the Mississippi River, Old Brick House. Take a step into the wild side with a walking tour of Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary before the drive to Cape Girardeau. Day 3 Touring Cape Girardeau Visit the Red House Interpretive Center where you’ll discover what life was like for settlers in the 1800s. A guided city tour of Cape Girardeau will entice you with sights of the Mississippi River Tales Mural, Mural, Common Pleas Courthouse and historic Fort D Civil War Site. Break for lunch at Bella Italia Ristorante, Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Lounge or Dexter Bar-B-Que before heading to My Daddy’s Cheesecake for dessert. The Victorian era greets you at The Glenn House, established in 1883. The Crisp Museum reveals southeast Missouri’s rich history, displaying one of the largest collections of Native American artifacts in North America. Continue to the Trail of Tears State Park Visitor Center to discover where nine Cherokee Indian tribes crossed the Mississippi River in the 1830s during their forced relocation. Day 4 Touring Sikeston A Historic Homes Driving Tour in Sikeston features more than 24 properties constructed during the region’s cotton boom, when millionaires flourished. Find great deals at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores before lunch at Lambert’s Café, home of “Throwed Rolls.” Learn about local art and culture at Sikeston Depot Museum. Finish your tour at the New Madrid Historical Museum to learn about the famous earthquakes that made the Mississippi River appear to flow backward.

For more sample itineraries, visit Industry.VisitMO.com/grouptours/groupitineraries