All the United States Missouri

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Missouri

192 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Missouri

Updated July 17, 2026
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Cities

State not visited
VISITED THIS STATE
Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Bonne Terre
  2. Cape Girardeau
  3. Carthage
  4. Chesterfield
  5. Columbia
  6. Eureka
  7. Gallatin
  8. Hamilton
  9. Independence
  10. Jefferson City
  11. Joplin
  12. Kansas City
  13. Kearney
  14. Kirksville
  15. Liberty
  16. Marshall
  17. Springfield
  18. Ste. Genevieve
  19. St. Joseph
  20. St. Louis
  21. University City
  22. Weston
  23. Winona

Unusual Attractions in Missouri

Places

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Missouri

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Explorer's Guide to Highway 36: The Way of American Genius

Sponsored by Visit Missouri

Spanning the state of Missouri, from St. Joseph to Hannibal, Highway 36 is full of intriguing stops packed with incredible stories of innovation. Known as “The Way of American Genius,” the route highlights inventions and individuals who left a lasting mark. From the starting point of the Pony Express and the bakery that introduced sliced bread to magical towns that sparked inspiration for creative geniuses Walt Disney and Mark Twain, these spots along Missouri’s Highway 36 will leave any traveler dreaming of the next big thing.

View Itinerary

Explore Missouri

Museums 33
Route 66 20
Architecture 19
Water 14
Nature 14
Collections 12
History & Culture 12
History 11

Missouri Leaderboard

Recent Missouri Activity

Stories About Missouri

I’m ready!

Broke Girl Summer

No resorts. Cheap rentals. Just me, my sidekick, a water bottle, and questionable life choices.
by Kasey Rhone, Community Contributor
The Missouri State Penitentiary once housed infamous inmates like James Earl Ray.

The Bloody (and Haunted) History of the Missouri State Penitentiary

Time Magazine called the prison “the bloodiest 47 acres in America.”
Sponsored By Visit Missouri

Podcast: Endangered Wolf Center

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura

Podcast: Floating Freedom School

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura
A crowd of swimmers and sunbathers on Lincoln Beach in the 1920s.

The Hidden History of a Missouri State Park

Century-old traces of a bygone resort are starting to surface at Castlewood.
by Evan Nicole Brown, Atlas Obscura
The mysterious, infamous Missouri highway pickle jar.

A Highway Pickle Mystery Is Preserved in Missouri

The jar of cukes has survived time, construction, and foul weather. But can it survive fame?
by Cara Giaimo, Atlas Obscura
The Route 66 record holder was bested by a bigger rocking chair in Illinois.

How the U.S. Lost the Title for the World's Largest Chair

After a century of states battling it out for the honor, the current record holder is in... Austria.
by Kavya Ram Mohan, Atlas Obscura
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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