Or is it big small towns? Either way, each side of the state offers a great city for exploring. Kansas City, on the western border, is an underrated city with great experiences. St. Louis, on the east, offers everything from great sports (Cardinals and Blues) to great sites (Gateway Arch).
Kansas City is one of the four homes of BBQ (Memphis, Texas, and Carolina). As for KC, some of the top places are Joe's, Harp, and Jack Stack. Which is the best? One way to find out.
St. Louis is home to the Anheuser-Busch brewery, including the Budweiser Clydesdales. The state has a range of microbreweries if that is your preference. Missouri also has a surprising amount of wine regions. The best is the Hermann Wine Trail.
Recently gaining popularity with the TV series "Ozarks", this lake has long been known as getaway location for boating, beaching, and hiking.