Summer is hands-down the greatest time to get out and have a blast. And boy, does Missouri offer a lot of unforgettable things to do. Explore some of the season’s best below.
1. Get your thrills.
Visit Six Flags in St. Louis, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City or Silver Dollar City in Branson for scream-worthy roller coasters.
2. Eat concrete.
No, not that kind! Ted Drewe's in St. Louis has been a local hotspot for decades, thanks to its thick concretes, creamy custard and rich chocolate sauce.
3. Visit Meramec Caverns.
Missouri is the Cave State, so get underground at Meramec Caverns. Make sure to visit its 'Wine Room,' which features the world's largest cave formation.
4. Take a blues cruise down the Mississippi.
Susan Smith/Flickr.com
Listen to live local blues, take in the St. Louis skyline and have a drink (or two).
5. Go on a float trip.
Summer float trips are practically a requirement of growing up in Missouri. There are tons of rivers to choose from, so grab some pals, pack some beers and get ready to relax.
6. Catch a game.
Whether you root for the Royals or the Cardinals, baseball is a hallowed Missouri summertime tradition.
7. Sip some suds at Boulevardia.
Put on by Boulevard Brewery, this is one of Kansas City's best annual festivals. Come thirsty (and hungry!), the weekend combines beer, food and music.
8. Go on a zipline adventure.
Soar above the trees at thrilling speeds. Eco Zipline Tours in Hannibal, Eagle Falls Ranch in Eminence and Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours are a few great options for adventurous speed-junkies.
9. See a Shakespeare play.
Each summer, St. Louis' Shakespeare Festival puts on a world-class Shakespeare play in Forest Park. Bring a picnic (and don't forget the wine).
10. Spend a weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.
Whether you're into speed boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, partying or lazing in the sun, there's something for everyone to enjoy at Lake of the Ozarks.
11. Celebrate Mark Twain.
In honor of one of our state's most beloved authors, Hannibal puts on Tom Sawyer Days every summer, complete with a parade, a fence-painting contest and fireworks.
12. Catch an outdoor flick.
Bring the bugspray and arrive early, because movie nights on Art Hill, sponsored by Saint Louis Art Museum, are some of the most popular summer events in town. If you're closer to Kansas City, check out the Off the Wall film series hosted by the Kansas City Public Library.
13. Attend the Missouri State Fair.
There's everything from tractor pulls, deep-fried deliciousness, carnival rides and live entertainment at the fair in Sedalia.
14. Camp out at Johnson's Shut-Ins.
This state park offers hiking, horseback riding, swimming and camping.
15. Sample the world at Festival of Nations.
Held at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis every August, Festival of Nations offers food from all around the globe, live music and more.
16. Get crafty at Jour de Fete.
Ste. Genevieve hosts Jour de Fete, the largest outdoor crafts fair in the state.
These are just some of the fun activities you can do in the summer in Missouri. Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.