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Lake of the Ozarks State Park (mostateparks.com) in central Missouri was, at time of publication, the state’s most-used park with 2,264,721 visits in the preceding year. While the main draw of the lake is watersports, the geological features known as karst -- caves, bluffs and sinkholes caused by glaciation and erosion by water -- dominate the region, providing dramatic landscapes and cool underground spaces.
Gravois Mills is a small, central Missouri village on the shores of the Lake of the Ozarks. Gravois Mills is within five minutes of fishing and boating activities on the Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest bodies of water in the Show Me State. Gravois Mills is also within 15 minutes of historic buildings in nearby Versailles and recreation facilities at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
Completed in 1965, the St. Louis Arch stands as the symbol of this Missouri city. Its official name is the Gateway to Arch to commemorate St. Louis as the "gateway to the west" and the United States' westward expansion of the 1800s. Built at a cost of $13 million, the Gateway Arch is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, operated by the National Park Service.
While the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers are perhaps the most high-profile bodies of water in Missouri (used by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they began their exploration of the western United States in 1804), there are a handful of large and impressive lakes in the western portion of the state.
If you are planning a move to the lovely town of Arnold, Missouri, setting up your trash service beforehand can be helpful. Arnold is not a small town by any means, yet it does have a small town ambiance. Many family or individually owned trash service companies can supply your trash needs more economically than larger companies. Call around and compare prices before choosing. It's best to start by setting up a basic service, assessing your needs and then upgrading later if necessary. Many companies charge fees for downgrading services.
Warsaw, Missouri, is a city located in the western central region of the Show Me State. Situated near the Lake of the Ozarks and the Harry S. Truman Lake, the area offers ample opportunity for recreation, from boating and fishing to camping and hunting. Several motels are in the area, many of which offer discounts to senior citizens. In particular, members of AARP, dedicated to citizens over the age of 50, can receive room discounts from area lodging facilities.
Caruthersville is located on the east end of Missouri and sits on the border of Tennessee. Caruthersville is easily accessible as it is just off Highway 55 and a short drive from the Mid Continental Airport. The area is also home to a number of outdoor attractions such the Mississippi River and the Gayoso Bend Conservation Area. Though Caruthersville is not home to any motels, neighboring towns such as Hayti and Dyserburd have a number of accommodation options.
Branson, Missouri offers exceptional entertainment and outdoor activities. With 100 shows, six theme parks and close proximity to the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake, visitors will need to schedule time for a meal. When visiting Branson, you will find many good restaurants to choose from along Highway 76 -- a bustling strip of activity.
Puxico, Missouri, is a small town of about 1,150 people, according the 2000 United States census. Located on the eastern edge of the Ozark Mountains, Puxico is a 15-minute drive to Lake Wappapello and is close to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and Crowley's Ridge Conservation Area. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, with its two major marshes, is a bird-watchers paradise, home to nesting bald eagles. Although no hotels are located in Puxico, accommodations can be found nearby in Wappapello, Poplar Bluff and Dexter.
Table Rock Lake is a popular tourist attraction; located at the base of the Ozark Mountains and close to Branson, Missouri and Silver Dollar City theme park. Table Rock State Park is situated on the east side of the lake and there is a range of accommodations in the area, from hotels and lodgings to campsites. The lake has over 800 miles of shoreline and offers outdoor activities such as fishing, boating and hiking.
St. Joseph is a town in Western Missouri near Kansas City. It is home to numerous museums, parks and historical landmarks. It is noteworthy for being the starting point for the Pony Express mail system and as the place Jesse James was killed. St. Joseph has many kid-friendly activities for children of all ages, from toddlers on up. These activities range from educational to purely recreational.
On the western edge of the Lincoln Hills and just miles from the mighty Mississippi River sits the tiny village of Eolia, Missouri. The region has become synonymous with bald eagles, supporting the second largest overwintering population in the continental United States. Immediately below Eolia is Cuivre River State Park, one of Missouri's largest and most rugged parks. Visitors to Eolia can select from a handful of lodging options in nearby communities like Bowling Green, Clarksville and Troy.
Located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, Dexter sits in the southeastern part of the state, in close proximity to Ann Arbor, which is home to the University of Michigan. The small town covers an area of about 1.9 square miles. As of 2009, the population of Dexter was about 3,300 citizens.
The Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, Missouri, located on 24 acres and completed in 1994, is the city's largest multi-purpose facility. With more than 150,000-square-feet, including an auditorium that can seat 2,600, the center has hosted large events such as the Heart of America Gift Show and the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. In the city, known as a music haven, are multiple hotel options if you need an overnight resting spot.
The town of Dexter and the surrounding area features comfortable lodgings for visitors traveling through central Maine. The town provides visitors with opportunities to enjoy the wildlife and nature of the area, explore the region's history or simply experience the relaxing atmosphere of the northeastern United States. The area has all the modern necessities to provide a comfortable visit during any season.
Florissant is a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. There are plenty of motels near Florissant, offering visitors access to Lambert-St. Louis Airport and downtown St. Louis. Furthermore, the University of Missouri and University of St. Louis campuses are also situated within a short drive of Florissant.
Hazelwood, Missouri's close proximity to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and other local attractions makes it an ideal location to look for lodging if you are planning on a trip to the area. The St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Mills shopping and numerous eateries--as well as a theme park, sports stadiums and a botanical garden--are all close by.
Sugar Grove is a small suburban village on the far west side of Chicago. Accessible by Route 47 and 56, the village--which had a population of about 4,000 in 2000 and an area expanding over 10 square miles--has very few lodging option for visitors. Travelers looking for a motel in the village have only one option, the Sugar Grove Motel, and will have to venture out to neighboring cities such as Aurora and Yorkville for more motel choices.
Anybody thinking of traveling to Brinktown, Missouri should find out about the hotels in the area before they make the journey. There aren't any hotels in Brinktown itself, but nearby areas such as Rolla and Saint Robert have many hotels to choose from. Brinktown is located close to Fort Leonard Wood and the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Most hotels near Brinktown are close to Interstate 44.
Lone Tree, Colorado is a small town within Douglas County in the central portion of the state. It is a suburb of Denver, located just 19 miles south of the Mile High City. Lone Tree was established as a city in 1995 and is an upscale community of about 11,000 residents. The town has several hotels that serve visitors to the Denver area.
Whether you are visiting the busy cities of Springfield or Kansas City or driving through the state, Missouri has a wide range of tourist attractions for visitors. While in the state, visit some of the outdoor attractions, like the cities along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, or the southern Ozark Mountains.
Gideon is a small city in southern Missouri's New Madrid County, with a population of less than 1,000. It is a mainly rural community with acres of farmland surrounding the area. The city itself has a couple of churches, some schools and local stores, but no hotels. For those visiting Gideon, there are accommodation options a few miles away in towns such as Kennett and Hayti.
Wappapello is located in southern Missouri, roughly 25 miles from the Tennessee border. The town is just outside the University Forest Conservation Area and Lake Wappappello State Park and offers a variety of outdoor activities. It is also a short drive to other attractions including Margaret Harwell Art Museum and the Bluff Falls Water Park & Family Fun Center. Wappapello and the neighboring town of Poplar Bluff offer a variety of accommodation options.
Gold found in the 1800s brought attention to the community of Yarnell, Arizona, whose name comes from prospector Harrison Yarnell. Wickenburg airport is the closest to Yarnell, at approximately 30 miles from the community. Yarnell's climate is mild during the summer and winter for year-round outdoor activities.
The Piedmont area of North Carolina is in the central to western part of the state, between the coastal plains to the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the far west. Major cities within the Piedmont Plateau include Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Visitors to this area have a choice of staying in cabins that are privately owned or on public land in a state park.
Sedalia, Missouri, is a charming, historic city with a population of just over 20,000. Sedalia is located in the west-center of Missouri, 90 miles east of Kansas City and 190 miles west of St. Louis. Sedalia has been home to the Missouri State Fair each August since 1899 -- an event that attracts more than 400,000 visitors. While Sedalia has several common hotel and motel chains, it also has a selection of historic and boutique accommodations if you prefer to stay in a more intimate and unique setting.
Home to the Gateway Arch, Missouri Botanical Garden and Anheuser-Busch Brewery, St. Louis offers a wide variety of attractions suitable to all ages and tastes. While many of St. Louis activities and attractions cost money, visitors and residents can find a number of free activities, especially free activities for children. Activities range from indoor to outdoor activities and most can be done all year-round.
Damsel is a community in central Missouri just outside of the Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Camden County. Running north and south through Damsel, along the Osage river, is U.S. Highway 54, just south of Osage Beach. Lodging here provides easy access to the Osage's many coves, such as Miller Hollow, Crabtree and Watson Hollow, as well as the Mansfield Forest State Wildlife Area.
Liberty Hill is a small community located approximately 30 minutes north of Austin. The town provides many options for outdoor activities such as rafting, boating and swimming because of the many lakes and rivers in the area. This Hill Country town is home to a portion of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, which is attempting to protect the nesting habitat of golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos.
Branson West is a western suburb of Branson, Missouri, a resort city with Branson's Landing--an entertainment and shopping center--and live performances in the city's Theater District. Hotels in Branson West offer tourists with a quieter alternative than the hubbub in Branson. All Branson West hotels are within 30 minutes of Mark Twain National Forest, which provides climbing activities in the St. Francois Mountains and fishing in the Missouri River.
Saint Charles lies on the Missouri River, northwest of St. Louis, and is the place from which Lewis and Clark set out on their 1804 expedition to the Pacific. The city lies at the eastern end of the Katy Trail State Park and its Main Street riverfront area is popular with visitors. Whatever age your children are, there are plenty of activities to choose from to keep them active and amused.
In the "Show Me" state, Missouri's small community of Noel has a lot of natural beauty on display for visitors. Located in southwest Missouri, near the Ozarks, Noel is unlike other nearby cities in that it is devoid of common tourist attractions like amusement parks, waterslides and tourist shops. Instead, Noel prides itself on offering a rustic and quiet outdoor Ozark experience. There are a few motels in Noel, as well as plenty of options located nearby.
Located in New Madrid County, Missouri, Portageville is a small city near the Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Arkansas borders. Portageville High School is well-known in Missouri for winning multiple basketball state championship titles, including four in a row in the 1990s. The scenic Black Island Conservation Area is just 5 miles south of the city on Interstate 55. You have a few options if you look for lodging near Portageville.
Located about 85 miles south of Memphis in Quitman County, the town of Lambert has a population of approximately 2,000. Quitman County lies in the Mississippi Delta, a region characterized by extremely flat terrain and fertile soil. There are no hotels in Lambert, but visitors to the town can find accommodation in nearby Clarksdale or Batesville, both of which are less than 30 miles away.
Math camps give your child the chance to focus on a subject they love, meet other children, challenge themselves, and learn new skills. As a side benefit, children develop character and self-esteem, while learning life skills and finding new interests. Many math camps offer college credit, to give your child a leg-up on her classmates.
Kimmswick, Missouri, is a small town located 25 miles away from St. Louis next to the Mississippi River. The town has a population of about 100 people. The town was founded in 1859 and retains a lot of its charm, as the buildings and shops have been restored to their original appearance. Kimmswick was voted one of the top 100 small towns by Midwest Living's Best of the Midwest Top 100 Small-Town Getaways. If you are passing through Kimmswick, there are several hotels where you can consider staying.
Iatan, Missouri, is located 40 miles northwest of downtown Kansas City, halfway between the cities of Weston, Missouri and Atchison, Kansas. Iatan is located on the Missouri River and belongs to Platte County, part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The town of Iatan provides easy access to many natural, cultural and historic sites. The area offers a variety of lodging options.
Boot camps are vigorous training camps that cover one of many different topics. Some boot camps are geared toward helping troubled teens get their lives back on track. Others are to help campers lose weight or learn a new skill. Residents in the St. Joseph, Missouri area can find several different boot camps nearby.
Shell Knob is a small community on the quiet side of Missouri's Table Rock Lake. Near attractions such as Mark Twain National Forest and Ozark Mountains, Shell Knob is a popular tourist destination for those interested in a variety of outdoor and nature-oriented activities. While no hotels are located directly in the area, Shell Knob boasts many resorts, lodges and bed and breakfasts to accommodate visitors.
The small city of Cassville, Missouri, is in Barry County, with a population as of January 2011 of just under 3,000. Cassville offers a number of attractions including the 18-hole Cassville Golf Course, the Crystal Springs Trout Farm with an abundance of rainbow trout, the Promised Land Zoo offering a petting area and the Barry County Museum. There are several motel accommodations in the area for those wishing to explore the area.
Park Hills, in Southeastern Missouri, is a small community that dates back to the 1700s when people began mining for lead in the area, which was known as the Lead Belt. Travelers visit Park Hills to visit St. Joe State Park, one of the largest state parks in Missouri.
House Springs, Missouri, is named after a local resident who died in a dispute with local Native Americans in the late 18th Century. It is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, near St. Louis and Eureka. The town has two local water springs, but no lodging options; however, there are several hotels available within 18 miles for visitors to the springs.
The city of Ladue, Missouri, was founded in 1936. Though Ladue has no hotels, there are many only 11 miles to the east in St. Louis. Area attractions include the St. Louis Art Museum, the Sheldon Concert Hall, the St. Louis Zoo and the Gateway Arch Riverboats. Ladue's median income was $159,703 and the median home value was just under $1 million as of 2009. The Ladue area offers many options for visitors, including luxury, budget and pet-friendly accommodations.
Bennett Spring State Park, located in central Missouri, is about 125 miles south of Columbia and 60 miles north of Springfield. This 3,200-acre park was acquired by the state in 1923 and provides opportunities for visitors to hike, bike, swim, fish and camp. Visitors to the park often choose to stay in the town of Lebanon, which is about 10 miles from the park.
Wappapello is a small unincorporated area in southeast Missouri, 15 miles north of Poplar Bluff. It is a gateway to Lake Wappapello and the Lake Wappapello State Park. It is also at the edge of the Missouri University Forest Conservation Area, a vast area of protected wilderness. Outdoors enthusiasts flock to this area for hunting, fishing, boating and many other outdoor type activities. There are hotels or businesses in Wappapello, but there are accommodations in the general area for those wanting to stay while exploring.
Slater is a small farming town with a population of just over 2,000 people, as of the 2000 U.S. Census. The town is located in Saline County, Missouri, halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis, north of Interstate 70. The city is known for its annual Bear Creek Blues Festival, as well as for being the hometown of beloved actor Steve McQueen. The town, which has its own airport, hosts Steve McQueen Days annually, in remembrance of its hometown hero.
Charleston, Missouri, is located in Mississippi County, close to the Mississippi River. This agricultural community is situated only a 10-minute drive west from the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The town of almost 5,000 residents features several Victorian-style homes and a Dogwood-Azalea Festival is held each April. A variety of motel options are available for its visitors.
Traveling on the road with horses can be difficult. Most hotels are unable to provide the stables and horse feed required to house a horse, or have the space necessary to park a horse trailer. Horse hotels are hotels specifically designed to accommodate individuals traveling with horses. Horse hotels often provide stables, feed and pastures for horses to roam. If you are traveling through Missouri with a horse, there are many options for accommodations.
Located in Boone County, Columbia, Missouri, is the location of the University of Missouri and is the fifth largest city in the state. A bachelor's degree, or higher, has been obtained by more than half of its citizens, which makes it one of the most educated cities in America. Because of the city's size, there are many places to spend the night.
Branson West, Missouri, is located approximately seven miles west of Branson proper. Visitors to Branson's attractions often choose lodging options in Branson West because of the natural beauty of the area, which includes Table Rock Lake and the Ozark Mountains. Championship golf is available at the Stoneridge Resort's golf course, and the Wings of the World bird zoo is located on a 400-acre nature preserve nearby. Lodging options, including motels, hotels, inns and efficiency units, are available for reservation within the Branson West incorporated area.