I was born in Scotland and grew up in England, and like many Britons my early impressions of America were shaped by films, music, and the romance of the open road–specifically Dallas, the A-Team and the Dukes of Hazzard.
Yet when I first arrived in Missouri, I discovered a side of America that felt both quintessentially American and unexpectedly familiar.
Rolling countryside. Historic towns. Rivers that shaped a continent. And communities where the welcome feels genuine rather than rehearsed.
Today, Missouri is becoming easier than ever for British travellers to explore.
Beginning in 2026, British Airways will launch direct flights between London Heathrow Airport and St. Louis Lambert International Airport, reconnecting the United Kingdom with the American Midwest in a single journey.
And with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Kansas City, travellers from Britain will have the perfect reason to explore the region.
Watch the football — then discover the landscapes, music, and culture that helped define America.
Six Ways to Discover Missouri
A number of UK travel companies have already built itineraries around Missouri’s unique mix of cities, landscapes, and historic highways.
Here are some of the best ways to experience the state.
Highway 36 Trailblazer: Missouri’s Legendary Trail
Northern Missouri’s Highway 36 is known as the Way of American Genius.
The route connects the birthplace of Mark Twain in Hannibal with historic towns across the state. Along the way you discover stories tied to figures like Walt Disney and the legacy of American innovation.
It’s a fascinating journey through the heartland — rich in history, charm, and storytelling.
Missouri Trails: Route 66, Arches & Ozark Rhythms
This itinerary begins beneath the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, then heads south into the hills of the Ozark Highlands.
Expect winding roads, forested valleys, blues music heritage, and stretches of the legendary Route 66.
For travellers seeking the classic American road trip, this journey captures the spirit perfectly.
American Music Cities
Music lovers will appreciate Missouri’s place within America’s musical geography.
This tour links Kansas City’s jazz, Memphis blues, and Nashville country music, tracing the sounds that shaped modern popular music.
Kansas City’s historic jazz scene remains one of the most influential in the United States.
America’s Route 66
For many British travellers, the ultimate American adventure is driving Route 66.
Missouri plays a central role in that journey, with scenic drives through the Ozark Highlands, historic diners, neon roadside signs, and classic motor courts.
It is nostalgia, history, and open-road adventure all in one.
St. Louis & Kansas City
Missouri’s two great cities each have their own character.
In St. Louis, visitors explore riverfront history, world-class museums in Forest Park, and the towering Gateway Arch.
In Kansas City, jazz clubs and legendary barbecue define the atmosphere — and soon the city will welcome football fans from around the world for the World Cup and always has some of the best American Football experiences in the country.
Heart of Route 66
Missouri preserves some of the most authentic stretches of Route 66 anywhere in America.
From vintage petrol stations to classic roadside cafés, travellers experience the golden age of American road travel.
Meet Me in St. Louis – America’s Midwest
This itinerary introduces travellers to the charm and history of St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Mississippi River heritage, historic neighbourhoods, and Midwestern hospitality combine to create a perfect introduction to the American Midwest.
The Ozark Highlands: America’s Hidden Landscape
For many visitors from Britain, the greatest surprise is the beauty of the Ozark Highlands. I live in the northeast corner, in a town called Defiance. This is where we make Stowloch Whiskey and entertain our guests at our Stone Ledge Distillery tasting room.
Rolling wooded hills stretch for miles across southern Missouri. Rivers wind through limestone valleys. Vineyards and small towns dot the countryside.
Stand on a ridge at sunset and watch the hills fade into the distance, and it becomes clear why so many people fall in love with this landscape.
And I think my favorite part of the Ozark Highlands, besides where I live, is the Branson area. Situated on the southernmost edge of Missouri, this beautiful landscape is also home to world class golf courses and multiple lakes and rivers. To experience the ultimate example of luxurious rural Missouri, I do highly recommend Big Cedar Lodge which is the passionate creation of the owner of Bass Pro Shops – the premier outdoorsman stores in the USA.
A Welcome That Feels Familiar
However, what British visitors often remark upon most is not just the scenery.
It is the people.
Missourians have a way of making visitors feel less like tourists and more like neighbours. Conversations start easily. Hospitality comes naturally.
Perhaps that spirit explains why so many visitors from the United Kingdom find themselves returning again.
With direct flights from London,
a World Cup on the horizon,
and some of America’s most legendary road journeys beginning here,
Missouri is becoming one of the most exciting new discoveries for British travellers.
And once you arrive, you may find — as I did — that the heart of America feels surprisingly like home.