Rural Missouri - April 2021 - 43

Museum

1st: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and
Aquarium, Springﬁeld; 888-222-6060,
www.wondersofwildlife.org
For the second consecutive year, Rural Missouri readers have
voted Wonders of Wildlife as the top museum in the state.
And for good reason: the 4-year-old, 350,000-square-foot
experience is a visual delight. The awe-inspiring 1.5-million-gallon aquarium lets you view the animals through thick
glass walls from all angles, including below. Between the
aquarium, wildlife galleries and more, you'll require multiple
trips to see it all.
2nd: City Museum, St. Louis/National World War I
Museum and Memorial, Kansas City;
www.citymuseum.org and www.theworldwar.org
Heading into the city? Missouri's two biggest metropolitans
offer very unique and different museum experiences that
shouldn't be missed. In St. Louis, City Museum is located in
the former 10-story International Shoe Co. and offers an
unforgettable mix of children's playgrounds, one-of-a-kind
adventures and a rooftop Ferris wheel. In Kansas City, the
World War I Museum and Memorial honors the memory and
sacriﬁces of those who served. The exhibits and galleries document everything from the causes of the war to the toll left
after. The 268-foot Liberty Memorial Tower over the museum
is particularly stunning in the evening.
EC: Walt Disney Hometown Museum, Marceline; 660376-3343, www.waltdisneymuseum.org
For two decades, a 10,000-square-foot museum in downtown Marceline has celebrated their most famous son. Walt
spent some of his most formative years in Marceline, and
incorporated his memories of the town both on ﬁlm and in
theme parks. Much of the collection consists of items from
Walt's sister, Ruth Disney Beecher, who saved personal family
mementos and letters.

Place to Take the Kids

1st: Silver Dollar City; 800-888-7277,
www.silverdollarcity.com
A trip to Silver Dollar City has been an annual ritual for many
Missourians since the 1880s-themed park ﬁrst opened more
than six decades ago. The park has just the right mixture
of down-home family fun, rides, festivals, craftspeople and
entertainers in the heart of the Ozarks. Whether you and
your kids are thrill seekers looking for that fast-paced roller
coaster or you're tackling one of the water rides to combat
a hot summer day, Silver Dollar City will be a trip you won't
soon forget.
2nd: Mark Twain Cave, Hannibal; 573-221-1656,
www.marktwaincave.com
You'll ﬁnd yourself walking amongst the characters in the
pages of " The Adventures of Tom Sawyer " as you make your
way through Missouri's oldest show cave. Mark Twain wrote
about the cave near his boyhood home in Hannibal in ﬁve
of his books. With over two centuries of history inside the
consistently 52-degree cave, you and your family will be fully
immersed during the one-hour guided tour. The tour is less
than 1 mile in length and entirely lit up.
EC: Powell Gardens, Kingsville; 816-697-2600,
www.powellgardens.com
Powell Gardens is known as Kansas City's Botanical Garden.
However, the garden is located about 40 miles southwest of
downtown Kansas City, making it the perfect rural respite
for those looking for rejuvenation. The 970-acre property
features nature trails, rolling hills and large plant collections
open to the public for exploration.

APRIL 2021 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

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http://www.wondersofwildlife.org http://www.silverdollarcity.com http://www.citymuseum.org http://www.theworldwar.org http://www.marktwaincave.com http://www.waltdisneymuseum.org http://www.powellgardens.com http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Rural Missouri - April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - April 2021