They call Missouri the ‘Gateway to the West’ for good reason. Whether by water or wagon, railroad or Mother Road, your adventure begins here. Missouri is the crossroads of some of America's most hallowed paths. Like Lewis and Clark, launch your historic journey in Missouri.

Pony Express Region
Explorers, cowboys, outlaws, Indians, even gamblers and prospectors left their mark on the Pony Express Region. With Old West flavor, area towns are so rich in history you'll feel as though you've been transported back 100 years. The turbulent, glory-filled era of the last century is still alive in St. Joseph, where the Pony Express began its brief but legendary run. Relive that first ride at the red brick Pony Express Stables, now fully restored as a museum. The Patee House, the first headquarters of the Express, originally a four-story luxury hotel, now showcases 1800s American lifestyle. Next door sits the house where outlaw Jesse James spent his last years before being gunned down by Bob Ford in 1882.

Throughout the region are ample opportunities to meet nature at her best with fishing, hiking and other outdoor fun. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Big Lake State Park, both near Mound City, are home to an abundance of wildlife, including migrating snow geese and bald eagles.

Chariton Valley Region
The great outdoors surround Kirksville, including two large state conservation areas (Big Creek and Sugar Creek), muskellunge fishing at Hazel Creek Lake and Thousand Hills State Park. Nearby is Novinger, whose residents commemorate their mining heritage at the Coal Miners Museum and Novinger Log Home. Plenty of water fun awaits on the region's two big lakes south of Kirksville. Long Branch, near Macon, and Thomas Hill, near Moberly, lure vacationers intent on fishing, skiing and other water sports. Moberly also shares its 360-acre Rothwell Park, history and railroad museums.

Nearby Brunswick draws a crowd every fall when roadside stands open to sell delicious pecans, harvested in abundance here. Travel the area north of Brunswick in autumn and spring and you're sure to see wild geese. Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Fountain Grove Conservation Area attract tremendous flocks of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Nearby Sumner proudly proclaims itself the ‘Wild Goose Capital of the World.’

Mark Twain Region
Easily the most famous stretch of the Mississippi River lies along the area known as the Mark Twain Region—stomping grounds for Tom, Becky and Huck and boyhood home of Sam Clemens himself. Friendly rivertowns and villages make up this famous region. Samuel L. Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) was born here and the two-room cabin where the author was born in 1835, is now a state historic site, preserved within Mark Twain State Park.

Mark Twain Lake has a well-earned reputation for outstanding fishing. Lake facilities include marinas, boat ramps, a swimming beach and lots of camping. Northeast of the lake is Hannibal, the Mississippi River town Twain recalled in creating the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Visit the downtown historic district for a look at Twain's boyhood home and museum, restored to its exact mid-1800s appearance. The adjacent museum is filled with his manuscripts and memorabilia, including one of Twain's famous white suits.

Close by are other pieces of Twain history, including the Becky Thatcher House and Judge Clemens' law office. Twain and his creations also can be seen in wax at the Haunted House on Hill Street. Explore underground beauty in the Mark Twain and Cameron caves.

Kansas City Region
Kansas City is the western anchor to Missouri River country. The heart of the Kansas City Area encompasses an all-American city with a distinctly European flavor. Kansas City complements its heartland appeal with the dazzling fountains of Rome, bold architecture of Spain, and the wide boulevards of Paris. Begin your visit at the colorful City Market area of the restored downtown riverfront district, where the Arabia Steamboat Museum displays thousands of artifacts salvaged from a steamboat that wrecked near the city in 1856.

If you want great shopping, dining and nightlife on your vacation, look to the Country Club Plaza, developed in the 1920s as America's first shopping center with fountains and Moorish architecture. Head north to the historic Westport district for great live blues, jazz and R&B. And be sure to visit the 18th and Vine Historic District, with the American Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

The famous Union Station has been beautifully restored and is now home to Science City, an interactive adventure where kids and adults alike enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience. With five unique districts to explore, you're sure to find a new adventure around every corner. Riverboat casinos offer a variety of dining choices along with gaming entertainment. If family fun is on your agenda, head to Worlds of Fun, an internationally amusement theme park; next door is Oceans of Fun, a tropical water theme park. Or you'll want to get tickets for the baseball Royals or football Chiefs at the twin-stadium Truman Sports Complex.

Just east of Kansas City is Independence. Here you can visit the home and presidential library of Harry S. Truman. A short drive north of Independence brings you to Jesse James country. Liberty's Jesse James Bank Museum is the site of the nation's first daylight bank robbery. Further north, near Kearney, is the Jesse James Farm and Museum, where you can learn more about this notorious outlaw.

Lake of the Ozarks Region
Missouri's serpentine Lake of the Ozarks gives central Missouri a special appeal. Radiating outward from the lake are highways leading to an incredible variety of getaway fun.

Boasting more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, the lake twists and turns through scenic Ozark hills. Besides swimming, boating, water-skiing and fishing, you can tour area caves, choose from numerous premier golf courses, and enjoy country-music shows. Malls, factory outlets and specialty stores make this area a year-round mecca for shoppers. Near Camdenton lies Ha Ha Tonka State Park and the ruins of a 60-room castle. South toward Lebanon is Bennett Spring State Park, where you can catch trophy rainbow trout.

Osage Lakes Region
Water, and plenty of it, is a big part of the appeal in the Osage Lakes Region. Nearly half of the state's impounded waters await visitors here in west central Missouri. You'll also find generous helpings of history, scenic countryside, state parks and friendly towns. Three major lakes—Truman, Stockton and Pomme de Terre—dominate the landscape. Together, these lakes offer 1,369 miles of undeveloped shoreline and 16 full-service marinas.

Truman Lake, in the region's center, is one of the Midwest's largest impoundments. For the big picture, stop by the Corps of Engineers visitors’ center near the dam. Perched high atop a bluff, the center offers a dramatic view of the 55,600-acre reservoir. Bring your fishing gear, because Truman Lake has earned rave reviews for its largemouth bass, catfish and crappie.

Head south for more water fun at Stockton and Pomme de Terre. Stockton Lake's 24,900 acres, nestled among rolling, tree-covered hills, entice anglers with abundant smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye and crappie. Even if you're not an angler, you're sure to find plenty to do, including sailing, camping, water-skiing, hiking and picnicking.

St. Louis
The first glimpse of the 630-foot Gateway Arch of St. Louis is a reminder of the historic role St. Louis played in the westward expansion of America. Ride the tram to the top of the Arch and watch the graceful Mississippi River flow by. Visit the museum under the Arch and the nearby Old Cathedral, the oldest church in St. Louis. Just across the street is the Old Courthouse, the site of the Dred Scott trial.

Check out a Mark McGwire homerun at a Cardinals baseball game, then visit the International Bowling Hall of Fame across from the stadium. Afterwards, head to Tony's for great Italian cuisine. If you prefer French, try the nearby Cafe de France. Not far away, the shopping is spectacular at St. Louis Center or the completely restored Union Station. In Forest Park, visit the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Zoo, the Muny Opera and the Science Center, with life-size animated dinosaurs and an OMNIMAX Theater. Nearby is the historic Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, which houses one of the world's largest collections of mosaic art.

For a night on the town, take in Grand Center arts and entertainment. Visit the Fox Theatre and the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. Then head for one of St. Louis' many pubs or microbreweries or a riverboat casino. Find time in your schedule for a stroll through St. Louis' historic neighborhoods of Laclede's Landing, Soulard, The Hill and Central West End, all great places for good shopping and fine food. Visit the historic Scott Joplin House to get a sense of ragtime music's beginnings. And don't forget about the kids; they will be delighted at Grant's Farm, The Magic House and the City Museum. Eureka, on I-44, is best known for Six Flags St. Louis, an immense family theme park and its newest addition, Hurricane Harbor Water Park.

Ozark Mountain Region
America's new live-entertainment capital, crystal-blue lakes surrounded by forested hills. Near the region's center is Branson, offering non-stop family fun highlighted by more than 90 music/variety shows. Recent years have brought many new names, representing musical styles that range from traditional country and pop "classics" to today's sounds. At Shepherd of the Hills Homestead and Outdoor Theatre you can take a tram tour of this literary historic site, then watch the fast-paced drama recreating the Shepherd's tale of life on the Ozarks frontier.

On Branson's doorstep is riverlike Lake Taneycomo, where cold waters support an excellent trout fishery. Also close by is sprawling Table Rock Lake, its 43,100 acres a delight for anglers, boaters, scuba divers and other water recreationists. Equally big and fun is Bull Shoals Lake, an hour east of Branson. And the upper end of Norfork Lake provides the region with yet another sparkling jewel.

Ozark Heritage Region
Attention eco-tourists: this region is perfect for those who love exploring, paddling, trekking, climbing and splashing through the natural wonders of the world. Bubbling springs, sparkling rivers and forested hills accentuate Missouri's Ozark Heritage Region.

Miles of canoeing rivers, including the Jack's Fork and Current, take paddlers through the picturesque woods and bluffs. Take a break at Alley Spring near Eminence to explore an historic grist mill, painted a vibrant red. Farther downstream, near Van Buren, is one of America's largest springs, Big Spring.

The region's largest town is Poplar Bluff. Two historical museums and the Margaret Harwell Art Museum are among the town's attractions. Just north is 8,400-acre Wappapello Lake, best known for its winter and springtime crappie fishing. Mark Twain National Forest, also on the lake, makes up a large part of the region. Wildflowers nod in the breeze and the scent of cedar fills the air as riders and hikers enjoy miles of trails.

River Region
Tall, wooded bluffs tower above the Mississippi River in this picturesque section of the state. Gently rolling countryside dips into valleys, where creeks wind through fertile farmland. River towns and quaint country villages charm guests with their turn-of-the-century architecture, antique shops and historical sites. Streams, rivers and trails wind their way through forested hillsides and scenic bluffs.

The first French settlers came to St. Genevieve in 1735. Today, the colonial village features roughly 50 historic buildings built in the French Creole style and open for tours. See Indian artifacts and Civil War relics at the St. Genevieve Museum. Self-guided maps are available at the Great River Road Interpretive Center. Relax at the St. Genevieve Winery downtown, then stay over at one of the many historically restored bed-and-breakfast inns in town.

At the Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson you can take in the solitude of the dark green forest or stand on limestone bluffs and embrace the majesty of the Mississippi. Walk a nature trail, camp or picnic. The park is part of the route that Cherokee Indians took on their forced march to a reservation in Oklahoma.

Population: 5,278,000 (1994).

State Capital: Jefferson City.

Entered the Union: August 10, 1821 as the 24th state.

State Motto: Salus populi suprema lex esto (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law).

State Bird: Bluebird.

State Flower: Hawthorn.

State Nickname: Show-me State.

Origin of Name: Named after a tribe called Missouri Indians; meaning "town of the large canoes".