Overview
Industrial and cultural center. Ragtime, blues and Dixieland music can still be heard on the banks of the Mississippi River, a testament to the city’s enduring love affair with the imposing river.
- Travelationary: Covers basic information about Missouri geography and economy.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
There are no direct flights to St. Louis and Kansas City from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With a stopover in St. Louis, fly among others – from Frankfurt and Munich Lufthansa (LH)/United (UA) via Chicago and Delta via Detroit; – from Vienna Austrian Airlines (OS)/United (UA) via Chicago or Washington; – from Zurich Swiss (LX)/United (UA) via Chicago, Delta (DL) via Atlanta or United (UA) via Washington. With stopovers to Kansas City, fly among others – from Frankfurt and Munich United (UA) and Lufthansa (LH)/United (UA) via Chicago; – from Vienna Austrian Airlines (OS)/United (UA) via Washington; – from Zurich Swiss (LX)/United (UA) via Chicago, Delta (DL) via Atlanta, United (UA) via Washington.
Flight times
St Louis – Frankfurt: 11 hrs; Kansas City – Frankfurt: 11 hours St. Louis – Zurich: 10 hours; Kansas City – Zurich: 10 hours St. Louis – Vienna: 11 hours; Kansas City – Vienna: 11 hrs 30 mins. The times given are for flight times only and do not include layovers.
Arrival by car
Interstates connect the major cities of Missouri. I-70 connects Kansas City to St. Louis via Columbus. It crosses the state from west (Kansas) to east (Illionois). I-44 runs from Oklahoma to Illinois via Springfield and St. Louis. Bus: Greyhound and Jefferson Lines offer long distance services. Tolls: Missouri has no toll roads.
Note on arrival by car
Average car travel times: St. Louis – Kansas City: 4 hours; St Louis – Chicago: 5 hrs; St. Louis – Nashville or Memphis: 6 hrs; St Louis – Little Rock: 7 hrs; St Louis – Oklahoma City: 10 hrs; St.Louis-Minneapolis/St. Paul: 11 hours; St Louis – Dallas: 13 hrs; St Louis – New York: 19 hrs; St Louis – Miami: 25 hrs; St Louis – Los Angeles: 39 hrs; St. Louis – Seattle: 45 hrs; Kansas City – Topeka: 2 hrs; Kansas City – Omaha: 4 hours; Kansas City – Oklahoma City or Little Rock: 7 hours; Kansas City – Chicago: 10 hrs; Kansas City – New York: 25 hrs; Kansas City – Los Angeles: 34 hours Average bus travel times: St. Louis – Indianapolis or Kansas City: 5 hours each; St Louis – Louisville: 6 hrs; st Louis – Chicago or Memphis: 7 hours each; St. Louis – Tulsa or Nashville: 9 hours each; Kansas City – Omaha or St. Louis: 5 hours each; Kansas City – Oklahoma City: 9 hours; Kansas City – Denver: 13 hrs.
Arrival by train
The Amtrak Chicago – San Antonio line runs through St. Louis. Kansas City is on the Chicago – Los Angeles route. There is also a direct service from Kansas City to St. Louis. Learn more from Amtrak.
Rail passes
The Amtrak USA Rail Pass is valid on the entire Amtrak network. Detailed information under Arrival USA.
Passport and visa regulations
Entry with children
Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Attractions
Hannibal
Hannibal in the Northeast is the birthplace of Mark Twain. Numerous museums and events are dedicated to the memory and works of the famous writer.
To the west of St. Louis along the Missouri River are some small German-founded wine towns (such as Hermann) that are worth visiting.
st louis
St. Louis is the state’s largest city and the largest inland port in the United States. It was once a trading center for trappers and pioneers who opened up the West. Today the city is a major transport hub and a modern commercial, industrial and cultural center. The Mississippi cult is lovingly maintained, ragtime, dixieland, blues and jazz can be heard on the banks of the river. The influence of the numerous ethnic groups that made St. Louis what it is today can still be seen in the German town houses, the elegant French mansions in the south of the city and the Italian and Serbian neighborhoods. The Gateway Arch Monument on the river bank is 192 m high. From here the settler treks set out for the Wild West. You can enjoy the view from the observation deck and see exhibits related to the western states. Other attractions in St. Louis include the Six Flags Over Mid-America Theme Park, the National Museum of Transportation, the Missouri Botanical Garden, which actively works to conserve tropical rainforests, and the St. Louis Zoological Park. In Forest Park in the center of town there is a good art museum with interesting special exhibitions.
Independence and St. Joseph
Independence is 10 miles east of Kansas City. The Truman Library & Museum is dedicated to former President Harry S. Truman, who lived here. Excursions and dinners followed by dancing on river boats are organized.
In St. Joseph, north of Kansas City, you can visit the Pony Express Stables Museum and the Patee House Museum. The central forested shore of the Lake of the Ozarks is 1000 miles long. Here you can practice numerous water sports (e.g. canoeing), play golf or tennis, visit caves and museums or attend entertainment shows. The state parks Bennett Springs, Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka are definitely places to visit.
- Usaers: Provides a full list of major rivers and mountains in Missouri.
Kansas City
Kansas City was once the eastern hub of the west and south pioneer routes, e.g. B. the Oregon, the California and the Santa Fe Trail. Today, Kansas City is a major commercial and agricultural center for the Midwest. The State Line runs right through the middle of the state line between Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. There are 120 roller coasters, carousels and similar facilities in the Worlds of Fun
amusement complex. River steamer trips are also available. The Country Club Plaza, the oldest mall in the United States, opened in 1922 and has an almost European feel with its fountains and statues. Also worth seeing are the Oceans of Fun water theme park and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Kansas City is a city of jazz, but opera, ballet and classical music are not neglected either.
Shopping
Overview
St. Louis’ premier shopping mall is Plaza Frontenac on the west side of the city, with excellent boutique, specialty, deli and antique shops. At the weekend you should visit the Soulard market in the south. The former farmer’s market opened in 1847. At the stalls around the main building, local products such as meat and home-baked goods are sold fresh.
Nightlife
Introduction
St. Louis: Events at Powell Symphony Hall, Fox Theater and Muny Theater are well worth attending. There are countless bars, restaurants and nightclubs along the St. Louis riverbanks. Ragtime and Dixieland are played every night on the moored river boats. Almost all modern hotels in St. Louis have nightclubs. Kansas City: The Kansas City Philharmonic performs in the Music Hall and the Missouri Repertory Theater performs in the University of Missouri. The Lyric Theater and the Starlight Theater are also recommended.
Culinary
Overview
St. Louis has a wide range of dining options, from elegant restaurants to simple takeaways, serving local cuisine. Kansas City is world famous for its steaks.
Climate
Best travel time
Predominantly continental climate, the summers are warm (with regular heat waves) and the winters are cold.
Country data
Area (sq km)
180533
Population
6,137,428
Population density (per square km)
34
Population statistics year
2019
