Highest-rated museums in Missouri by visitors

Museums are popular tourist attractions because they provide fun ways to learn about history, science, and culture. As stewards of our civilization, they collect and exhibit items of significant importance, typically based around a theme, topic, or place. Many cover areas like art, natural history, or science, but some museums dedicate themselves to highly specific topics like mustard, play, hot air balloons, and even funeral history. Ultimately, museums present a window into different eras of society so people can learn about the past.

Collecting, preserving, and displaying items is not a new idea. The world's first museum dates to about 530 B.C., a project of Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, a Babylonian who had a collection of Mesopotamian artifacts. The oldest public museums still in existence are the Capitoline Museums in Rome, a collection of art and archeology museums started in 1471. America's oldest museum predates our country's founding. The Charleston Museum, a preservation of South Carolinian Lowcountry history, opened in 1773.

Museums are important not just because they preserve important elements of our history and culture but also because they can improve our well-being. Naturally, museums promote education and learning and can also bring joy. Researchers studying art museums found that they can reduce depression and increase people's sense of belonging. Quiet museum environments allow people to slow down and relax, and looking at exhibits can reduce stress. Museums also foster community by hosting events, activities, and tours that encourage social interaction.

No wonder they attract nearly 900 million visits a year.

With over 30,000 museums in the country to choose from, there's something for everyone. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated museums in Missouri on Tripadvisor as of Aug. 11, 2025. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see what museums are in your own home state.

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#30. Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum

- Rating: 5.0/5 (160 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#29. Hollywood Wax Museum

- Rating: 3.9/5 (1,791 reviews)
- City: Branson
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#28. Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (387 reviews)
- City: Ridgedale
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#27. Patee House Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (514 reviews)
- City: Saint Joseph
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#26. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Branson

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1,294 reviews)
- City: Branson
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. The Money Museum

- Rating: 4.2/5 (506 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#24. The National Museum of Transportation

- Rating: 4.4/5 (439 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#23. Veterans Memorial Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (723 reviews)
- City: Branson
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#22. World's Largest Toy Museum

- Rating: 4.3/5 (922 reviews)
- City: Branson
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#21. Hallmark Visitors Center

- Rating: 4.3/5 (514 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#20. Campbell House Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (183 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
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#19. Kaleidoscope

- Rating: 4.7/5 (450 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#18. Missouri History Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (777 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#17. Science City at Union Station

- Rating: 4.5/5 (587 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#16. Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (527 reviews)
- City: Mansfield
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#15. Missouri Civil War Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (715 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
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#14. Saint Louis Science Center

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,532 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
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#13. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,129 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#12. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

- Rating: 4.7/5 (361 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#11. Rockcliffe Mansion (Tours)

- Rating: 4.8/5 (968 reviews)
- City: Hannibal
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#10. The Magic House

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,318 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
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#9. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,546 reviews)
- City: Independence
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#8. Saint Louis Art Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,482 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#7. Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,394 reviews)
- City: Springfield Missou
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#6. Museum Of Illusions St. Louis

- Rating: 4.9/5 (393 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#5. Arabia Steamboat Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,269 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#4. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,363 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#3. Titanic Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (7,549 reviews)
- City: Branson
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#2. National WWI Museum and Memorial

- Rating: 4.8/5 (5,709 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#1. City Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (6,754 reviews)
- City: Saint Louis
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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