Destinations

WOW! In a word, that’s a common reaction to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium that opened in Springfield last September. It’s not often that the acronym for something is also the most fitting descriptor, but in this case,…

Whether this is your first trip to the Gateway Arch, or your 20th, you are in for a treat. At 630 feet, the Arch is the country’s tallest man-made monument, and that alone makes it awe-inspiring and mesmerizing. But there is more to marvel…

I was running late. Hannibal was still an hour away. So I took a short cut. My car was making good time on the back roads, slicing down straightaways that squeezed between flat soybean fields, where traffic is sparse. The phone lines…

photography by Pete Jackson The dying words of the 39-year-old veteran on my MRI table were, “I just wish I’d bought a boat.” I’d never been sailing before, but ignorance has never stopped me from jumping in head first. I knew myself well…

The floating season doesn’t end with the Labor Day weekend. Fall can be the most beautiful time of year to be out on Missouri’s rivers and streams. A case in point is PaddleMO, a 100-mile journey on the Missouri River held in late…

Chuck and JoAnn Wilson are sitting together at 10:30 a.m. in the living room of their villa at Old Hawthorne. Their dogs, Dotty and Coali, are lying down nearby. Outside, a brisk winter wind is blowing across part of the golf course that is…

When the temperature plunges, lounging at home near fireplaces blankets, and steaming mugs is a great place to be. But what to do when everyone starts to go a little stir crazy? We’ve got some ideas for you! Check out our list of fun things…

Football is in the air. Before you know it, there will be Saturday afternoon gridlock as Tiger fans take over the town. But what about those other weekends when the Tigers are away? This season, the Tigers will play on the road for five of…

You can’t turn around in Columbia without bumping into a trail, park or conservation area that you can easily learn to love. We’ve wrangled together some insider info, tips, resources and reflections to help you explore the natural beauty…

Admit it. Your heart melts and you shed a tear whenever you watch that 2013 Budweiser Super Bowl ad that features a darling 3-week-old foal. Remember? The spot tells the story of the endearing bond between a Clydesdale and the trainer who…

In the last 29 years, Drs. Neil and Lyanne Riley have sought adventure in 31 countries, on nine trips, on five continents — two people on one motorcycle. They have been detained in Russia, bungee jumped in New Zealand and went on safari in…

Are you ready to do some traveling but can’t afford it right now? Read about adventure and exploration through another person’s eyes in these travel memoirs. Read how a journey can transform a writer. Some of these reads have turned into…

See Columbia at its most beautiful with a visit to the city’s gardens, and learn how to join local garden clubs.

Eight Great Show-Me State Daytrips  You don’t always have to get far away to have a memorable getaway. Missouri offers vacation adventures to suit the laid-back traveler looking to while away a lazy day or the daring adventurer who wants…

Roving reporter Ray Speckman takes us on a treasure hunt through Scottsboro's Unclaimed Baggage Center.

Magnificent Panama The canal is just the beginning of this country’s modern wonders. Roving reporter Ray Speckman guides us through the many attractions.

Up Ol’ Man River Roving reporter Ray Speckman takes us on an amble northward along the Mississippi River, stopping for good vittles and spellbinding river views.

The Man From Missouri Take a trip with roving reporter Ray Speckman to the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in Independence, one of just 13 Presidential Libraries in the nation.

Roving reporter Ray Speckman introduces us to a famous Colorado elk with an inquisitive personality and an insatiable appetite for birdseed.

New York, New York! A passionate guide gives roving reporter Ray Speckman an unforgettable tour into the heart of New York City.