Missouri is known as the state which has both mid-western and southern cultural characteristics. The state is named after the Missouri Siouan Indian tribe. The people of the Ozark region have a different dialect that differs from those in the remainder of the land. Residents of the north consider themselves mid-western, while those in the southern cities prefer to call themselves more southern in nature. French Creoles mostly inhabit the Mississippi River valley.

Kansas is home to the Liberty Memorial (the world’s first World War I Memorial). This state is unique because it is split in the middle by the state line dividing Missouri and Kansas. The Cathedral Basilica of St Louis has around 83,000 sq feet of mosaic art, the largest collection in the world. A St. Louis symbol is the Gateway Arch, which is the world’s tallest national monument and has a historical museum underneath it. Also visit Mark Twain’s childhood home at Hannibal and the Branson Scenic Railway which has restored dome cars from the 1940s. The Titanic–World’s Largest Museum is also a must-see when here. 

The Muny is the nation’s oldest outdoor musical theatre and hosts summer musicals from June to August every year. Other popular events include the Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration in St Louis and the St Louis Fair held on the Gateway Arch grounds.