Feeling nostalgic? These country stores—which can carry anything from seeds and tools to artisanal groceries and handicrafts—might have what you’re looking for. Stock up on supplies and sundries and get to know the communities these shops serve. An old-time country store providing food, tools, and other farm supplies to a rural community was part of its heart, along with a school and a church. Many have disappeared, but there are stores today still serving as country gathering places, still capturing a bit of the nostalgia of those original ones. Here are a few to visit, where you will still f ..read more

Half the fun of driving somewhere is finding a new, unexplored route. This scenic ride takes motorists on a tour of mid-Missouri that includes barn quilts, Clydesdales, and some mighty fine wine. Short on time? We factored in a short cut. Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdale horses are born and raised on Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville. Photo courtesy of Warm Springs Ranch Mid-MO Motor Tour 135 (or 185) miles | Routes Main Street, 98, 40, I-70, E, 124, 240 (shortcut), 3, 129, 24, 41 This trail offers a bit more flexibility than others. You can take the full 185-mile journey through beautiful mid-Miss ..read more

What could be better than taking the kids on a trip to the Ozarks? From roller coasters and shows to caves and aquariums—plus plenty of places to get an ice cream—the region offers much in the way of family-friendly fun and enrichment. Missouri Life publishers Danita Allen Wood and Greg Wood enjoy Branson views with their grandchildren, Ada and Arlo. By Greg Wood “Hey, Papa, can we go on some ‘woo-wee’ hills?” our ten-year-old granddaughter Ada asked about our upcoming adventure. She was immediately echoed by her seven-year-old brother, Arlo.  “Oh, heck yes,” I replied. “It’s the Ozarks ..read more

The wind is your friend when you’re sailing on Stockton Lake, Missouri’s premier sailing lake. With more than 25,000 acres of pristine water and 300 miles of shoreline, it’s the perfect place to make a run and take in the sights. Each spring, Joe Pyles anticipates the feeling of warm wind against his face. As he awaits the arrival of sailing season, Joe writes poetry. One of his poems begins, “Waiting out another land bound season, older each year my patience has some unsteady fear …” Joe and his wife, Carol, both retired, live in rural Greene County where they are just 50 minutes away from th ..read more

Turn up the tunes, roll down the window, and hit the road. Perfect for two- or four-wheeled rides, this scenic route visits three historic towns, two lakes, a swinging bridge, and so much more. Don’t forget to check out the Barn Quilt Trail, too. Benton County Scenic Drive 98 Miles | Routes 52, B, WW, W, BB, T, C, PP, 7, 83 Benton County consists of three quaint historical towns with a whole lot of adventures and hospitality rolled up into one amazing experience: Cole Camp, Lincoln, and Warsaw and two of Missouri’s largest lakes: Truman Lake and the Osage Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks.  T ..read more

Montauk State Park is one of the oldest in the Missouri State Park system. Visitors can see the headwaters that form the Current River, cast a line in a well-stocked trout run, explore a pre-Civil War mill, and maybe even spot a pair of bald eagles. A cold morning’s mist surrounds an ardent fisherman. Photo by Scott Myers Originating in a series of springs adjacent to Pigeon Creek in Dent County, the Current River begins its journey south in Montauk State Park. More than forty million gallons of cool, clear water bubble up daily from the ancient dolomites lying under this park. Many more sprin ..read more

The richly diverse Current River State Park features almost two miles of beautiful river frontage, offering ample opportunity for swimming, floating, and fishing as well as hiking, backcountry camping, and interpretive programming. The intact Alton Club Lodge and about twenty buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 as a rare example of private retreats once common along the Current River. Photo courtesy of Susan Flader When Gov. Arthur Hyde and his new game and fish commissioner Frank Wielandy began searching in 1924 for sites to purchase for Missouri’s first ..read more

In the May 2024 issue of Missouri Life, we encouraged you to head to the edges of our state and then meander just a bit over the state line for some fascinating day trips. Here are 13 more fascinating journeys to add to your edgy travelog. Photo courtesy of Megan Gililand By Danielle Bopp Breshears, Pam Clifton, Glory Fagan, and Susan Atteberry Smith NORTHEAST Coal Mining Across the Border Novinger, Missouri, to Centerville, Iowa Travel Time: 45 minutes Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa were once home to more than 50 working mines between 1880 and 1966. The region was part of one of the larg ..read more

Bennett Spring State Park is well-known among anglers for its excellent trout fishing, but visitors also enjoy its hiking trails, Niangua River access, campgrounds, cabins, and meals served in the park’s rustic 1930s dining lodge. Flowering dogwood flourishes under a white oak canopy in a cove at Bennett. Photo by Pat Whalen Approaching from Route 64 west of Lebanon, Missouri, you wind down an entrance road past several private cottages and a tackle shop, then emerge from the upland into the hill-cradled valley of Bennett Spring. Across the manicured valley floor, you see the racing, tree-line ..read more

In Ste. Genevieve, Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is committed to providing exceptional care to abused and neglected big cats. Fans of these beautiful beasts can tour the facility to learn more about its mission and how the tigers are cared for. Photo courtesy of Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary By Pamela Clifton Izzy likes to be the center of attention. He paints and plays and makes a lot of noise. He even has a root beer—called the Fizzy Izzy—named after him. As an entertainer, Izzy is no lightweight. In fact, he weighs 479 pounds.  Izzy is one of several tigers living at Crown Ridge Tiger Sanc ..read more