Summer 2013
At last! Summer is here, and after some late snows, we are ready for hot afternoons, soft nights, iced tea and baseball. Students are eager for summer vacations, and many of us are on the lookout for a relief from our everyday life and a trip to enjoy our beautiful Missouri.
We may find ourselves staying closer to home these days, but Missouri offers many great places to see right in our own backyard. Of course, we can also travel the information highways of Missouri from the comfort of home. To help you out, I have researched some sites to help start you on your travels, both online and on-the-ground.
If you are going to Kansas City, you will want to check out the Power and Light District (PowerAndLightDistrict.com) comprised of more than a half million square feet of entertainment. With more than 50 unique shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, the District is sure to please everyone. The P&LD page has complete information, as well as photos. There is a dress code if you go in person. When you visit online, you may set your own rules.
Amusement parks are always a summer tradition. Something that will appeal to the young (and young at heart) near Kansas City is Worlds of Fun (WorldsOfFun.com.) The WOF website includes information for both Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. If you are on the east side of the state, you will get a kick out of Six Flags. Visit SixFlags.com/stLouis/index.aspx to plan your trip.
What could say Missouri Summer with more spice than some good barbeque? On July 19-20, my hometown of Glasgow will hold its annual barbeque contest at Stump Island Park on the riverfront. The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbque Society (kcbs.us/index.php/.) Learn more at www.jymiller.net/zzglasgowBBQ.html.
Of course, if you are in Southeast Missouri, you may wish to visit Ste. Genevieve with the rich history of Missouri’s early French roots. This state parks site at mostateparks.com/park/felix-valle-house-state-historic-site, highlights just one of the many educational and fun places to visit in this city that has homes dating back to the 1700s. You can visit many of them on the Felix Valle web page.
The historic town of St. Charles has much to offer. Missouri’s First Capitol now has many shops and museums to tour. The Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website at HistoricStCharles.com was remodeled last year and offers tons of information.
Fun on the water is often part of summer. You can cruise and sightsee on the Lake of the Ozarks on Tropic Island Cruises’ new 150-passenger motor yacht. Captain Omer and Jacquie, the owners, offer various cruise options including a daily-narrated tour of the lake. Find out more at www.tropicislandcruises.com/TICprivate.html.
This summer would be a good time to visit Independence, Missouri. Make your first stop on the city’s fantastic page at VisitIndependence.com. From it you will see much of what is available, including the many Harry Truman-related sites. The page has a great video presentation, and includes details about historic homes, 200-plus restaurants and historic pioneer trails. “The buck stops here,” and you will be glad that you did, too.
During your summer travels this year, please be safe and careful. That is my advice if you travel on the highway or on the information highway through your computer. Have a great summer and enjoy our wonderful state. If our paths should cross and you see me at a barbeque or waiting to take a lake cruise, be sure to wave and say “hi”. That is the friendly Missouri thing to do!
We may find ourselves staying closer to home these days, but Missouri offers many great places to see right in our own backyard. Of course, we can also travel the information highways of Missouri from the comfort of home. To help you out, I have researched some sites to help start you on your travels, both online and on-the-ground.
If you are going to Kansas City, you will want to check out the Power and Light District (PowerAndLightDistrict.com) comprised of more than a half million square feet of entertainment. With more than 50 unique shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, the District is sure to please everyone. The P&LD page has complete information, as well as photos. There is a dress code if you go in person. When you visit online, you may set your own rules.
Amusement parks are always a summer tradition. Something that will appeal to the young (and young at heart) near Kansas City is Worlds of Fun (WorldsOfFun.com.) The WOF website includes information for both Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. If you are on the east side of the state, you will get a kick out of Six Flags. Visit SixFlags.com/stLouis/index.aspx to plan your trip.
What could say Missouri Summer with more spice than some good barbeque? On July 19-20, my hometown of Glasgow will hold its annual barbeque contest at Stump Island Park on the riverfront. The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbque Society (kcbs.us/index.php/.) Learn more at www.jymiller.net/zzglasgowBBQ.html.
Of course, if you are in Southeast Missouri, you may wish to visit Ste. Genevieve with the rich history of Missouri’s early French roots. This state parks site at mostateparks.com/park/felix-valle-house-state-historic-site, highlights just one of the many educational and fun places to visit in this city that has homes dating back to the 1700s. You can visit many of them on the Felix Valle web page.
The historic town of St. Charles has much to offer. Missouri’s First Capitol now has many shops and museums to tour. The Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website at HistoricStCharles.com was remodeled last year and offers tons of information.
Fun on the water is often part of summer. You can cruise and sightsee on the Lake of the Ozarks on Tropic Island Cruises’ new 150-passenger motor yacht. Captain Omer and Jacquie, the owners, offer various cruise options including a daily-narrated tour of the lake. Find out more at www.tropicislandcruises.com/TICprivate.html.
This summer would be a good time to visit Independence, Missouri. Make your first stop on the city’s fantastic page at VisitIndependence.com. From it you will see much of what is available, including the many Harry Truman-related sites. The page has a great video presentation, and includes details about historic homes, 200-plus restaurants and historic pioneer trails. “The buck stops here,” and you will be glad that you did, too.
During your summer travels this year, please be safe and careful. That is my advice if you travel on the highway or on the information highway through your computer. Have a great summer and enjoy our wonderful state. If our paths should cross and you see me at a barbeque or waiting to take a lake cruise, be sure to wave and say “hi”. That is the friendly Missouri thing to do!