This year was our first ever Discover the Best of Missouri Life Awards and we received over 800 nominations! Turns out, our readers love the Show-Me State as much as we do. After counting the more than 35,000 votes, the winners are in, and we have so many places featured that you must visit in 2020. From museums and bakeries to shopping spots and small towns, discover the best!
CULTURE
Photographer
WINNER: Mike Langille, Hermann
RUNNER UP: Aaron Fuhrman, Missouri Division of Tourism
Concert Hall
WINNER: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: Starlight Theatre, Kansas City
Concert Venue
WINNER: Starlight Theatre, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: JQH Arena, Springfield
Entertainer
WINNER: Louis Darby
Family Show
WINNER: Sight & Sound Theatres, Branson
RUNNER UP: The Wizard of Oz at Starlight, Kansas City
Glass Blower
WINNER: Astral Glass Studio, New Haven
Art Gallery
WINNER: Saint Louis Art Museum
RUNNER UP: University of Central Missouri Gallery of Art and Design, Warrensburg
Historical Museum
WINNER: National Churchill Museum, Fulton
RUNNER UP: Missouri History Museum, St. Louis
Little Theater
WINNER: Corbin Theatre Co., Liberty
RUNNER UP: Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre
Movie Theater
WINNER: B&B Theatres Liberty Cinema 12
RUNNER UP: Walt Theatre, New Haven
Sculptor
WINNER: Adam Long
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: Stone Hill Winery, Hermann
RUNNER UP: Riverside Park Amphitheater, Jefferson City
Music Festival
WINNER: Roots Blues N BBQ Festival, Columbia
RUNNER UP: MO Jazz Music Festival, Columbia
Natural History Museum
WINNER: Top of the Rock, Ridgedale
RUNNER UP: Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial
Outdoor Festival
WINNER: Missouri State Fair, Sedalia
RUNNER UP: Art in the Park and MO Jazz Music Festival, Columbia
Outdoor Theatre
WINNER: Starlight Theatre, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: The Muny, St. Louis
Visual Artist
WINNER: Doug Hall
RUNNER UP: Carolyn Linton
DESTINATIONS
Gardens
WINNER: Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
RUNNER UP: Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden
Bed and Breakfast
WINNER: The Branson House
RUNNER UP:The Inn At Harbour Ridge, Osage Beach
Boat Put In/Access
WINNER: Aunts Creek Park Coe, Reeds Spring
Boutique Hotel
WINNER: Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis
RUNNER UP: Hotel Vandivort, Springfield
Charity Event
WINNER: Cork, Fork, & Brews Event for Boys and Girls Club, Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: Uncorked Wine Festival, Independence
College Game Day
WINNER: Mizzou
Farmer’s Market
WINNER: Soulard Farmers Market, St. Louis
RUNNER UP: City Market, Kansas City
Hotel
WINNER: Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale
RUNNER UP: Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis
Interpretive Center
WINNER: Daniel Boone Home National Historic Site, Defiance
RUNNER UP: George Washington Carver National Monument, Diamond
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg
RUNNER UP: World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park
Local Actor
WINNER: Scott Bacula
RUNNER UP: Lorry Myers
Motorcycle Route
WINNER: Route 66
Rest Stop
WINNER: Conway Official Missouri Welcome Center
RUNNER UP: I-44 Missouri
Roller Coaster
WINNER: Silver Dollar City, Branson
RUNNER UP: The Mamba at Worlds of Fun, Kansas City
Route 66 Location
WINNER: Devil’s Elbow
RUNNER UP: Donut Drive In, St. Louis
Sailing
WINNER: Stockton Lake
RUNNER UP: Sunnen Lake Road
Scenic Spot
WINNER: Maramec Springs Park, St. James
RUNNER UP: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City
Spa
WINNER: The Elms Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springs
RUNNER UP: Natural Connections Day Spa, Jefferson City
Special Event Farm
WINNER: Pete’s Pumpkin Patch, Rolla
RUNNER UP: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park, Springfield
Stretch of Highway
WINNER: Route 66
RUNNER UP: Highway 19
Tour
WINNER: City Museum, St. Louis
RUNNER UP: Homegrown Farm Tour, Potosi
Travel Stop
WINNER: Union Station, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: Conway Official Missouri Welcome Center
Best U Pick Farm
WINNER: Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard, Weston
RUNNER UP: Persimmon Hill Farm, Lampe
Waterpark Ride
WINNER: White Water, Branson
RUNNER UP: Pipeline Plunge at White Water, Branson
FOOD
Bakery
WINNER: Green Truck Bakery, Warrensburg
RUNNER UP: Missouri Baking Co, St. Louis
Buffet
WINNER: Ophelia’s, Independence
RUNNER UP: Golden Corral, Various locations
Chinese
WINNER: Hunan Restaurant, Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: China Town Chinese Restaurant, Camdenton
Chocolatier
WINNER: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Various locations
RUNNER UP: Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier, St. Louis
Destination Restaurant
WINNER: Fulton Cafe
RUNNER UP: Sybill’s Saint James
Diner
WINNER: Broadway Diner, Columbia
RUNNER UP: Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill, St. Louis
Donuts
WINNER: LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee, Various locations
RUNNER UP: Donut Drive In, St. Louis
Food Truck
WINNER: Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company, Columbia
RUNNER UP: KC Fooditude, Kansas City
Chef
WINNER: Arian Dreshaj, Luigis
RUNNER UP: Mark Marsten, Sybill’s St. James
Fried Chicken
WINNER: Claysville Store
RUNNER UP: Rc’s Restaurant & Lounge
Hamburger
WINNER: Fulton Cafe, LLC8
RUNNER UP: Heroes Restaurant & Pub, West Pine Street, Warrensburg
Hot Dog
WINNER: Hotdog Man, Washington
RUNNER UP: Up Dog, Independence
KC BBQ
WINNER: Jack Stack Barbecue – Freight House, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, Kansas City
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: Fulton Cafe
RUNNER UP: Main Street Cafe, Salem
Kid-Friendly Restaurant
WINNER: Lambert’s Cafe, Various locations
RUNNER UP: Bandana’s Bar-B-Q, Various locations
Noodle House Restaurant
WINNER: Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: J Vietnamese Cafe, Jefferson City
Outdoor Patio
WINNER: The Lavender Tea Room, Carrollton
RUNNER UPS: Canterbury Hill Winery and Restaurant, Holts Summit and Madison’s Cafe, Jefferson City
Best Roadside BBQ
WINNER: Lutz’s BBQ, Columbia and Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, Kansas City
Best Roastery
WINNER: The Mug Coffeehouse, Excelsior Springs
RUNNER UP: Classic Rock Coffee Co., Springfield
Best Soul Food
WINNER: Lambert’s Cafe, Various locations
RUNNER UP: The Blue Skillet, Jefferson City
Best St. Louis Italian
WINNER: Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill
RUNNER UP: Rigazzi’s
Best Steakhouse
WINNER: Raging Bull Steakhouse, Warrensburg
RUNNER UP: Madison’s Cafe, Jefferson City
Best Sushi Roll
WINNER: Love Sushi, Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: Mr Le’s Sushi, Kansas City
Best Taco
WINNER: Taco Republic, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: Mexican Villa South, Springfield
Most Romantic Restaurant
WINNER: Luigi’s, Liberty
RUNNER UP: Sybill’s Saint James
HOMES
Best Historic Home
WINNER: Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home Visitor Center & Museum, Mansfield
RUNNER UP: Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Independence
Best Architect
WINNER: George Martin
Celebrity Home
WINNER: Jack Buck, Ladue
RUNNER UP: Nelly, St. Louis
Victorian Home
WINNER: Vaille Mansion, Independence
Most Notable Civil War Home
WINNER: Anderson House at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site
RUNNER UP: The John Wornall House Museum, Kansas City
IMBIBE
Dive Bar
WINNER: Kelly’s Westport Inn, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: Broadway Oyster Bar, St. Louis
Brewery
WINNER: 3 Trails Brewing, Independence
RUNNER UP: Weston Brewing Co
Cocktail
WINNER: Oh Sweet Mystery of Life at Last I’ve Found You at Madison’s Cafe, Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: TikiCat, Kansas City
Cocktail Bar
WINNER: TikiCat, Kansas City
RUNNER UP: Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis
Distillery
WINNER: Pinckney Bend Distillery, New Haven
RUNNER UP: Evansfield Distillery, Independence
Historic Tavern
WINNER: J Huston Tavern, Arrow Rock
RUNNER UP: O’Malley’s Pub, Weston
IPA
WINNER: Trop Top, Mother’s Brewing, Springfield
RUNNER UP: Green Ghost IPA, Springfield Brewing Company
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: Independence Uncorked Wine Festival
RUNNER UP: Martin Brothers Winery | Martin Brothers Mead, Hermann
Martini
WINNER: Oh Sweet Mystery of Life at Last I’ve Found You, Madison’s Cafe, Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: Bartolino’s Osteria, St. Louis
Norton
WINNER: Stone Hill Winery, Hermann
RUNNER UP: Balducci Vineyards, Augusta
Rose
WINNER: St. James Winery
Tap Room
WINNER: 3 Trails Brewing, Independence
RUNNER UP: Civil Life Brewing Co., St. Louis
White Wine
WINNER: Adam Puchta Winery, Hermann
RUNNER UP: St. James Winery
Wine
WINNER: Adam Puchta, Hermann
RUNNER UP: Stone Hill Winery, Hermann
LORE AND LEGEND
College Tradition
WINNER: Homecoming at Mizzou
RUNNER UP: St. Pat’s Celebration at Missouri S&T
Haunted House
WINNER: Lemp Mansion, St. Louis
RUNNER UP: Pythian Castle, Springfield
Best Known Missouri Family
WINNER: Truman
RUNNER UP: The Busch Family
Best Missouri Tall Tale
WINNER: MoMo
RUNNER UP: Lovers Leap, Mina Sauk Falls
Best Re-enactor
WINNER: Richard Garey’s Mark Twain Live, Hannibal
RUNNER UP: Barney Combs
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: St. Charles Legends and Lanterns Halloween Celebration
RUNNER UP: 1859 Jail ghost tours, Independence
Most Famous Missouri Athlete
WINNER: Stan Musial, St. Louis Cardinals
RUNNER UP: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Most Notorious Outlaw-Missourian
WINNER: Jesse James
Notable Historical Hotel
WINNER: The Elms Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springs
RUNNER UP: Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis
Notable Military Figure
WINNER: General Pershing
RUNNER UP: Omar Bradley
Weirdest Name
WINNER: Tightwad, Missouri
RUNNER UP: Fonnie Johnson
OUTDOORS
Unique Caverns
WINNER: Meramec Caverns, Sullivan
RUNNER UP: Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg
Best Float Trip Outfitter
WINNER: Bass’ River Resort, Steelville
RUNNER UP: Windy’s Canoe Rentals, Eminence
Hiking Trail
WINNER: Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton
RUNNER UP: Katy Trail
Kayaking
WINNER: St. Francis River
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: Springfield Botanical Gardens
RUNNER UP: Papa’s Cat Cafe, Columbia
Rock Climbing
WINNER: Huzzah Conservation Area, Bourbon
RV Spot
WINNERS: Cottonwoods RV Park, Columbia and Happy Trails RV Park LLC, Phillipsburg
State Park
WINNER: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Middle Brook
RUNNER UP: Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon
Best Stretch on the Katy Trail
WINNER: Rocheport
RUNNER UP: Jefferson City, MO to Rocheport
Bicycle Rental
WINNER: Jefferson City, City of Jefferson Bikes and Scooters
Bike Route
WINNER: Katy Trail State Park
RUNNER UP: Katy Trail, Rocheport
Trail System
WINNER: Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs
RUNNER UP: Ozark Trail
Best Running Trail
WINNER: Katy Trail, anywhere
RUNNER UP: Castlewood State Park, Ballwin
SHOPPING
Shopping District
WINNER: Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc
RUNNER UP: Branson Landing
Amish Store
WINNER: Dutch Bakery and Bulk Food Store, LLC, Tipton
RUNNER UP: Meadowview Dutch Market, Tunas
Country Store
WINNER: Crane’s Country Store, Williamsburg
RUNNER UP: Old Village Mercantile, Caledonia
Jeweler
WINNER: Kas A Designs, Jefferson City
RUNNER UP: Becraft Jewelers, Moberly
Best Motorcycle Dealer
WINNER: Ozark Harley-Davidson, Lebanon
RUNNER UP: Larry’s Motor Sports, Jefferson City
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: More Excuses Boutique, Liberty
RUNNER UP: Dick’s 5 & 10, Branson
Outdoor Clothing Store
WINNER: Bass Pro Shops, Various locations
Outdoor Gear Shop
WINNER: Rogers Sporting Goods, Kansas City and Liberty
RUNNER UP: Bass Pro Shops, Various locations
Outlet Mall
WINNER: Tanger Outlets, Branson
RUNNER UP: Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace
Quilt Shops
WINNER: Quilting Is My Therapy, Liberty
RUNNER UP: Hamilton, Multiple quilt shops
RV Dealer
WINNER: Happy Trails RV Center & American Dream Vacations Missouri, Phillipsburg
SMALL TOWNS
Best Small Town Shopping
WINNER: Weston
RUNNER UP: Sybill’s Antiques and Fine Gifts
College in a Small Town
WINNER: Westminster College
Historic Small Town
WINNER: Hermann
RUNNER UP: Weston
Best Kept Secret
WINNER: Sybill’s Saint James
RUNNER UP: Rocheport
Small Town Art Gallery
WINNER: Columbia Art League
RUNNER UP: Gary Lucy Gallery, Washington
Dining
WINNER: Sybill’s Saint James
RUNNER UP: Hermann, MO
Best Small Town Newspaper
WINNER: The Examiner, Independence
RUNNER UP: Joplin News
Best Small Town Sports Team
WINNER: Springfield Cardinals
RUNNER UP: Camdenton Lakers
Friendliest Small Town
WINNER: St. James
RUNNER UP: Weston
Most Unusual Business in a Small Town
WINNER: Bratcher Cooperage & Gifts, Liberty
RUNNER UP: Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipe Museum and Retail Shoppe, Washington
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