2024 Governor’s Conference
Register NowOutdoor adventurers, urbanites, history buffs, families and road trip enthusiasts alike will find exciting activities and excursions in Missouri. Filled with open roads and countless hidden gems, the Show-Me State offers world-class museums, stunning scenery, thriving nightlife and delicious food – and that’s just the beginning!
Let our team help you discover the possibilities. From FIT to group tours, we can assist with itinerary development, referring Missouri industry contacts and providing imagery to help you sell Missouri product.
For assistance, please contact Megan Sheets at Megan.Sheets@ded.mo.gov or 573-522-5501.
Discover some of the newest attractions and experiences awaiting visitors in Missouri.
The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum has reopened following an extensive expansion. The museum tripled its size, adding 35,000-square-feet of exhibit space. Rare artifacts, survivor galleries and traveling exhibits highlight the history and lessons of the Holocaust in hopes of teaching others to reject hatred, promote understanding and inspire change.
You can’t miss the new Aquarium at the Boardwalk, located in the heart of Branson’s entertainment district. A giant octopus sculpture draped across the top of the building is guaranteed to catch your eye. The real octopi are inside along with colorful fish, seahorses, jellyfish, eels and sharks. Visitors can journey through an underwater tunnel for an immersive view of the sea life, experience a submarine adventure and explore the Mermaid Palace.
A $33 million renovation has revamped and reimagined the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence. The library and museum – the first to be created under the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act – features all-new interactive exhibits focused on telling Truman’s story. It honors the only president to call Missouri home and chronicles his rise from humble beginnings to the most powerful man in the world.
An $11.5 million, 35,000-square-foot outdoor expansion of the Primate House at the award-winning Saint Louis Zoo opened Summer 2021. The Primate Canopy Trails at the Saint Louis Zoo includes eight new outdoor homes for primates. Overhead mesh tunnels lead to tall sycamore trees and other habitats for lemurs, Old World and New World monkeys. An elevated boardwalk provides visitors with an eye-level view of the animals’ canopy activity.
Experience the evolution of the machine that has helped feed our nation at the American Tractor Museum in Perryville. See one of the largest collections of its kind, featuring tractors from rare manufacturers such as Rumely, Waterloo Boy, Huber, Centaur, Rock Island and more. Exhibits honor our country’s agriculture heritage and celebrate the machines that plowed, planted and harvested our fields.
Explore an intriguing chapter in Missouri history at the state’s newest national park. The Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park tells the story of the first permanent European settlement in Missouri and preserves some of the oldest and rarest French colonial architecture in the country. The park features several historic buildings including the Amoureux House, a vertical log poteaux-en-terre (post in ground) structure built in 1792. Only five such houses still stand in the United States – and three are located in Ste. Genevieve.
Make your group tour a memorable experience by providing details about Missouri’s people, history and nuances. Below you’ll find information ranging from famous Missourians to why Missouri is called the “Show-Me” state. Click on a link below for more information.
You don’t have to travel far on Route 66 in Missouri to realize you’re in for one fantastic road trip. Route 66 includes two of Missouri’s largest cities, notable attractions, scenic views and motor courts harkening to a bygone era. Home to more than 280 miles of the “Mother Road,” we recommend taking the “scenic route” and spending a few days to cover Missouri’s section of Route 66.
There are a variety of ways for groups to explore Missouri. These sample itineraries give you a starting point. Your group can visit one area of the state, conduct a hub-and-spoke tour or embark on a week-long adventure. The options are endless.
This annual guide is packed with great getaways for groups. Encompassing all of Missouri — north to south, big city to small town — it’s full of essential information on where to go, what to do and how to get the most out of it.
Need assistance getting your group on the road? Missouri-based and regional companies are here to help. Listed in alphabetical order below.
TEAMS is a highly respected conference and trade show for the sports-event industry. To participate with MDT and other industry partners at the TEAMS Trade Show, please contact Lagina Fitzpatrick, lagina@funlake.com.
Travel South International Showcase is an opportunity to reach more than 100 qualified international tour operators from more than 15 countries around the globe and more than 160 travel suppliers as we partner with 11 states to grow international visitation to the southern U.S.
Southeast Tourism Society (STS) hosts a regional, appointment-style marketplace focused on increasing travel to and within the southeastern states. Domestic Showcase offers the most targeted opportunity for tour operators/wholesalers and travel service providers to meet face-to-face with travel suppliers.
IPW (formerly International Pow Wow) is the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S. More than 1,300 international and domestic buyers from 70+ countries meet with suppliers, resulting in the generation of more than $4.7 billion annually in future travel to the USA.
For additional information on Travel South International Showcase, STS Domestic Showcase and IPW, or to receive leads from MDT-attended trade shows, please contact Megan Sheets, megan.sheets@ded.mo.gov.