Spotlight Series: Travel Nursing in Missouri
If you’re not from there, what’s the first thing to come to mind when you think of Missouri? It’s probably the soaring Gateway Arch in St. Louis, right? Indeed, Missouri is home to the tallest man-made national monument in the entire United States.
But that’s definitely not all that Missouri can boast. (That’s especially good news if you’re not a fan of heights!) If you take a travel nursing job in Missouri, you can count on a lengthy list of other places to explore.
Places to visit
Start making yourself a list of must-see places to visit during your travel nursing assignment in Missouri (or any of the eight surrounding states). Or you might run out of time before you hit more than a few of the highlights.
City Museum. You could describe the City Museum in St. Louis as a type of playground, but that wouldn’t come close to capturing the essence of this truly unique museum, playground and sculpture exhibit largely made of repurposed industrial objects. If you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to check out the 10-story slide.
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Get your art on during your travel nursing assignment in Missouri. Located in Kansas City on the western edge of the state, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art boasts a large and diverse collection ranging from sculpture to photography to Van Gogh masterpieces.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery. St. Louis is also home to one of the oldest and largest breweries in the U.S. Schedule a tour of the brewery and visit the biergarten to sample some of the beer.
Herrmann. Visit America’s first wine district by visiting Herrmann, the small town in the middle of the state that’s the heart of Missouri’s wine industry. It’s an officially designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) and home to seven wineries.
Forest Park. If you’re going to be in St. Louis, be sure to visit Forest Park. But be sure to leave yourself plenty of time, because Forest Park is home to a wide range of sights, including the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, the World’s Fair Pavilion that dates back to 1904, and extensive natural areas and recreation space.
Sporting venues. Looking for a team to cheer on while you’re on assignment in Missouri? Depending on the season, you can get tickets to a wide range of sporting events, including the Major League Baseball teams of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals. Or you could take in a professional women’s soccer game, a Major League Soccer game, an ice hockey game or many other events in Kansas City. St. Louis is home to a National Hockey League team called the Blues, as well as many other teams.
Food and drink
Are you hungry? If you aren’t now, you will be soon! Be sure to try some of these local specialties during your travel nursing assignment in (or near) Missouri:
Italian food. Craving Italian food? Head to the Hill in St. Louis. This area is home to a plethora of highly-rated Italian restaurants that serve everything from pizza and gnocchi to gelato.
Barbecue. You can’t go to Kansas City and not eat some barbecue. KC prides itself on its barbecue, so there’s no shortage of places to try.
Frozen custard. Take a step back in time and enjoy this old-fashioned and delicious treat, perhaps after touring the St. Louis Zoo or attending a St. Louis Cardinals game. Try a family-owned landmark like Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. You can get a malt or a shake if that’s more your thing, too.
Exercise
You’ll be able to find exercise studios all over the place, just as you would anywhere. But if you’re looking to try something more unique to Missouri during your travel nursing job, consider these options.
Hiking. Pack your hiking boots and plan to visit Ha Ha Tonka State Park—funny name, yes, but with a gorgeous series of trails, along with bluffs, caves, and a natural bridge.
Mountain biking. You might not have associated mountain biking with this Midwestern state, but surprise! Bring your bike and your helmet to Finger Lakes State Park and give the 2.75 mile Kelly Branch Mountain Bike Trail a spin. You’ll be able to glimpse waterfalls and an old mining bridge, along with hills, woods, and streams.
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