One of our favorite places to get away for a long weekend is a fantastic state park south of Lake of the Ozarks called Ha Ha Tonka, which is Osage Indian for "laughing waters".

While camping near Cuba, Missouri, we asked our campground managers to suggest a place to eat. Without a second's hesitation, the friendly ladies sent us down Old Route 66 to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q.

Festivals don't come much funnier than the Clark County Mule Festival outside tiny Kahoka, Missouri.

Organizers entice the notoriously stubborn critters to compete in any number of games and contests, like mule polo, musical tires and the famous pantyhose, coon hunter and Dolly Parton races!

The American National Fish and Wildlife Museum was the main reason we decided to take a short vacation to Springfield, Missouri. This impressive attraction is as fun as it is educational. We couldn't believe the wide range of interactive exhibits packed into two floors, including a large aquarium…a walk through a forest…a bobcat habitat…a saltwater touch pool...and a beaver pond.