The 25 Best Roadside Attractions in Missouri
Ranked by Roadtrippi users — the people who've actually been there. Updated June 2026. Roadtrippi catalogs 470 roadside attractions in Missouri.
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1. Larry Vennard's Metal Dinosaurs
Centralia, MO
Outsider art park is a front lawn prehistoric menagerie, made from tools and scrap. The sculptor is Larry Vennard.
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2. Rat Fink and Sinclair Dino Mural
Desoto, MO
Small outdoor 2022 mural for tourists depicts the Sinclair Dinosaur drinking antifreeze and the "Big Daddy" Roth cartoon character Rat Fink.
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3. Hannibal: Twain Town
Hannibal, MO
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4. Kosh City Jailhouse
Koshkonong, MO
Lockup in use from 1902 to 1948. Tiny and nasty. Most famous prisoner: future country music star Porter Wagoner.
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5. Giant Animal Cluster (Gone)
Farmington, MO
This Blackwell Motors location featured three life-size fiberglass elephants, one painted like an American flag. Bonus: Rooster Car.
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6. Freedom Silo
Monett, MO
1890 grain silo painted in 2020 with a bald eagle head on one side and the American flag on the other. Described by its sign as "one of the most famous landmarks in Monett, Missouri." Popular for biker selfies.
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7. Gay Parita Sinclair Station
Ash Grove, MO
Vintage gas station resurrected with an impressive attention to detail. The vision of Gary Turner, who welcomed visitors with cold soda and autographed photos of himself.
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8. Larry Baggett's Trail of Tears Memorial
Jerome, MO
Rocky creations and metaphorical statues. Larry's self-portrait sculpture sits next to the entrance, offering a friendly wave to passers-by on Route 66. Larry died in 2003; the property is gradually being restored.
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9. Walter Cronkite Interactive Memorial
Saint Joseph, MO
Indoor exhibit explores the life of network TV news broadcaster and hometown hero Walter Cronkite. You can sit at an exact replica of his CBS-TV anchor desk and pretend to be Walter!
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10. World's Largest Ball of Human Hair (Gone)
Charleston, MO
Displayed by the barber who collected it. Reported sold to Ripley's!
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11. Riverside Wildlife and Reptile Center
Stanton, MO
A reptile ranch updated with a broader array of beasts -- some petting allowed.
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12. Welch Spring Hospital Ruins
Akers, MO
It looks like an abandoned jail out in the woods, but it was built as a hospital next to a natural spring.
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13. Squirrel Cage Jail
Gallatin, MO
One of only three surviving rotary jails in the USA, with the cells on a big turntable. Built in 1889. No longer holds prisoners.
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14. Home of the White Squirrels
Marionville, MO
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15. Tom Sawyer's Fence
Hannibal, MO
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16. World's Largest Flowerbox
Neosho, MO
An old railroad dump car, 66 feet long, filled with 250 cubic yards of dirt (and flowers). "World's Largest Flowerbox" painted on its side.
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17. Smallest Bank in Missouri
Long Lane, MO
Rickety old building, now isolated in a grassy lot, that was apparently just large enough to conduct business. A marker in front affirms its place in Missouri history.
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18. National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum
Joplin, MO
Display of vintage baking cookie cutter designs within the town's larger historical museum.
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19. Largest Ball of String, Not Twine
Weston, MO
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20. HealthWorks! Kids Museum (Closed)
Saint Louis, MO
Formerly Dental Health Theatre. Features an indoor jungle gym shaped like a de-fleshed human body, and a giant set of teeth, hung from the ceiling, that light up. Closed permanently in 2024.
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21. Gates BBQ Tuxedo Man
Kansas City, MO
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22. Empty Suit
Saint Louis, MO
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23. Hangar Kafe - Eat at a Farm Airfield
Miller, MO
A family of cropdusters has opened a cafe on their farm airfield -- benefiting from the close proximity of ground-bound travelers on Route 66.
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24. Tony Melendez - Guitarist with No Arms (Gone)
Branson, MO
The armless man who plays the guitar with his feet better than most with arms.
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25. Large Needle and Button
Kansas City, MO
Commemorates the "garment district" in Kansas City.
Browse all 470 attractions in Missouri on Roadtrippi.