The Show-Me State is home to a number of intriguing, large objects that help to drive Missouri’s surprisingly strong tourism industry. The large objects of interest include the world’s largest ball of twine in Branson, the world’s largest pecan in Brunswick, the world’s largest goose statue in Sumner, and the world’s largest shuttlecock in Kansas City. Branson, Missouri is a regional entertainment capital and is home to such attractions as the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre, Presley’s Country Jubilee, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.
The major industries driving Missouri’s $225.9 billion annual economy include aerospace, transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, electrical equipment, and beer. It is with great pride that Missourians promote their wine industry, which has grown steadily to an estimated output of 500,000 gallons in 2001. Though it no longer matches its mid-19th Century prominence as America’s premier wine-producing state, Missouri still boasts of over 50 wineries and produces both red and white American grapes for harvest. Interestingly, Missouri also produces wine barrels in its Ozark Highlands region that are the most sought-after in the world.
Roads
Interstate 29: One of America’s most important north/south Interstate Highways, I-29 begins in Missouri and passes through the cities of Kansas City and St. Joseph on its way to the neighboring state of Iowa.
Interstate 35: Entering Missouri near Kansas City, I-35 travels north/northeast from there towards Des Moines, Iowa.
Interstate 44: I-44 spends 290 miles in Missouri on its trip from the border with Oklahoma to its intersection with I-55 in the City of St. Louis.
Interstate 55: This predominately north/south route travels from St. Louis to the Arkansas border.
Interstate 70: A major transcontinental Interstate, I-70 runs mostly parallel to the Missouri River while in Missouri. Its western terminus is at the Kansas state border near Kansas City and its eastern one is in the City of St. Louis.
Interstate 57: A predominately north/south route, I-57 serves as a nearly straight shot from Miner, Missouri to Chicago for travelers from cities such as Memphis and New Orleans.