Travel in Missouri
 

We are considering visiting Missouri the first part of October this year. We will probably fly into St. Louis and leave from Kansas City. We want to see the Truman Libray and also drive over to Springfield to visit Lincoln's Libray and maybe to Hannibal..

How will the weather be and will we see any fall foliage? We usually visit New England this time of year, but are considering doing something new and historical too. Where is the best place to see fall foliage in Missouri and Illinois?

Thanks!

I cannot tell you about the weather but the Truman Library is wonderful as is the Lincoln Library . You will easily spend 3-4 hours at each place. In Springfield you can also tour Lincoln's home where they have many of their own furniture and personal items.Hannibel you will spend about 1-2 hours seeing his house and the others places in the area. If you have other questions, please ask . We have just returned from that area .

You will be too early to see much color.

Since you are visiting Presidential libraries - Abeline and the Eisenhower complex are about 2 1/2 hours from KC. The complex includes museum, library, tomb and his boyhood home. The town has other museums, galleries and great restaurants.

I assume you are aware that the Lincoln Presidential Museum is in Springfield, ILLINOIS. Opposite direction from KC.

I should also add that all those presidential museums are great. Hannibal is a nice Mark Twain stop for a couple hours en route STL to KC.

The Missouri History Museum is in St. Louis and has, as I recall, a lot of information on the Lewis & Clark exhibition (though you should google it to be sure). St. Louis also has a beautiful botanical garden and lots of wonderful restaurants.

If you end up in St Louis and enjoy history you should not miss the World War One Museum there, my daughter and myself spend several hours there this summer and enjoyed very much .

Melissa

As one who grew up in Springfield, IL, lived in St. Louis and the "other" Springfield (MO from which we just moved to Boston) I would endorse traveling to these parts. My comments: take plenty of time if you do the Lincoln Museum & Library in Spfld IL allow plenty of time for the interactive displays and do consider a side trip to New Salem Village where Lincoln lived before his law practice...nice restored 1840s village. I'm assuming that you are renting a car.

Be advised that driving to Kansas City is a day trip in itself...this is a wide state. Also it is a winding road up to Hannibal (and en route Daniel Boone home is good). And that is a day long trip. No way is this a brief stop over enroute to K.C. That isn't even in the right direction.

In St. Louis you might well consider the Botanical Garden if that is of interest which in my view rivals Kew Gardens in England. The Art Museum and Zoo are recommended for sure.
And of course the Arch and more.

Bill now in Boston

I agree with all Ozarkbill says -

But, be advised that the WWI museum in NOT in St Louis it is in Kansas City - i think 2catlover meant that in her post above.

You will not see a lot of color in early Oct.

areas near STL have woderful wineries too - especially for that time of year. Did you know MO was the largest wine producing state prior to Prohibition!? Really. Most of them have German roots.
And near the wineries is Daniel Boone's home which would lend toward your historical part of the trip!!

We found the Truman Library and also the Eisenhower Museum quite interesting. The winery trail near Hermann, Missouri is also a fun drive. We were awestruck by the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. If you are as close as St. Louis, don't miss it!! It is only about a 2-1/2 hour drive and well worth it. You could easily spend an entire day in Springfield.

Depending on the weather between now and then, I would imagine you will see some beautiful colors.

Regarding St. Louis (lived there for 30 years), the zoo is outstanding. There is no admission fee, but you pay if you want to ride the train to get from area to area. Grant's Farm is always a nice place to visit; and as others have said, the Missouri Botanical Gardens are lovely.

We went to Hannibal two years ago and were disappointed. But to each his own! We have never been to Kansas City.

Have a good trip.

I've lived in KC or STL since the mid 1980s. The weather in Missouri in October can be just about anything from 80s to freezing. The drive between STL and KC can be beautiful in October -- it just depends on the weather. There can be fall color in October -- again it just depends. The wineries around STL are fun and October is a great time to visit- usually great outdoor weather. Hermann has Octoberfest - though I have never been. I have also lived in southern Illinois (which contrary to what Chicago natives think, does not begin in Joliet). Once you head north from St. Louis, IIRC, it is mostly flat farmland, unless you travel along the Mississippi River, which would be a bit of a detour. The drive from STL to Springfield, IL is particularly uninspiring. You could take the Amtrak from St. Louis to Springfield for a different view, but a longer trip.

I can't comment on St Louis but can give you a ton of advice on KC. And...if you are going to Springfield, you have to go just a little further South to Branson. If you have time, a real treat is to go South of there to Eureka Springs, AR. These both are much more interesting than Springfield, and close in proximity.
Regarding KC, aside from the Truman Library, you should take in the Nelson Atkins Art Museum. This place is spectacular and its free! Let me know if you need food or lodging ideas. KC has some of the best food!

I agree don't miss the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, IL .... driving time is actually just under 2 hours. Weather in October is generally beautiful, though as DianeGermaine mentioned it is variable. If you are in St. Louis be sure to spend some time in Forest Park, home of the MO History Museum, Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and STL Zoo (all free!!). You can also enjoy lunch at the Boathouse and take a paddle boat or canoe ride, and ride bikes around the 10K perimeter trail. The Botanical Gardens should not be missed and a stroll around the Central West End after dinner one night.

lynnalan -- I second your St. Louis suggestions! One of my new favorite restaurants in KC - bluebird bistro.

Let's just don't continually confuse the two Springfields
...the one in Illinois for the wonderful Lincoln museum (and I urge New Salem Pk nearby). The other one in MO and I don't think seniortraveler is going there. And it certainly isn't enroute to K.C. BUT as former resident I affirm it could be a destination with as mentioned Branson 30 miles south which is itself replete with stage shows. Have you heard of Silver Dollar City (crafts and such theme park)?

Bill in Boston

If the timing in October is right (probably more mid to end than beginning) for colors, going down I-44 out of St. Louis into the Ozarks and Mark Twain national park could be quite beautiful...and visit the different beautiful springs. We did this one year and the gorgeous colors of the different springs, along with fall colors, made for some really spectacular scenery. I think I remember a visit MO site that gives a route. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's one that gives a birds-eye view of where the colors are in MO:

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/163.pdf

I would expect this one to be updated as we approach fall, and it will track where the colors are:

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/ou...ts/fall-colors

Here is an nps site about Big Spring, one of the springs in the area:

http://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/big-spring.htm

Okay, getting late, I have to stop looking..but search for Alley Springs, Round Springs, I think Bennett Spring...they are all in that southern MO area. I have heard that Alley Springs is the most photographed in the state.

Well, if you are determined to head southwest in Missouri you might well seek out Bennett Spring not far from I-44 or Alley Spring which are both known for trout fishing. Also you can stop off at some Missouri caves, one is at Silver Dollar City mentioned previously. Another is right off I-44 (0nondaga) and also Meramec State Park. More suggestions for SW Missouri but aren't you heading for K.C? SW MO may not be in your plans.

Bikll inBoston

Thanks for all of your wonderful information!