A British journalist took a direct flight to Missouri—here’s what she discovered

Leonie Cooper’s Journey Through Missouri

According to УНІАН — Туризм: British journalist Leonie Cooper recently traveled to the U.S. state of Missouri on a nonstop British Airways flight from London to St. Louis, which takes about nine hours. During her visit, she explored several notable attractions, including:

• the Gateway Arch, designed by architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965, standing 192 meters tall;
• Busch Stadium, home to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team;
• the Soulard neighborhood and Stues’ bar;
• the Missouri Botanical Garden;
• Bellefontaine Cemetery, where famed writer William S. Burroughs is buried.

To continue her trip, Cooper boarded an Amtrak train that runs between St. Louis and Kansas City twice daily. The journey takes four hours, with stops including Hermann, a town founded by German immigrants that boasts 15 wineries within a 30-kilometer radius. Another stop is Independence, the birthplace of President Harry Truman.

Exploring Kansas City

In Kansas City, Cooper visited the new CPKC Stadium, the world’s first arena built specifically for women’s soccer. She watched the Kansas City Current women’s football club secure a 3–0 victory. She also toured the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the National World War I Museum and Memorial, which features a 1917 Harley-Davidson motorcycle among its exhibits.

Reflecting on her ascent of the Gateway Arch, Cooper remarked: ‘If you’re claustrophobic or afraid of heights-and I’m both!-I wouldn’t recommend going up there.’

She described the train ride as: ‘On the train, you feel like you’re sitting in the front row of the best show-the scenery outside keeps shifting through classic American landscapes.’

This journey highlights a growing trend in U.S. domestic tourism, particularly among international visitors. By showcasing historic and cultural landmarks like the Gateway Arch and purpose-built sports venues, Cooper underscores the diverse experiences these regions offer. Direct flights and convenient rail connections are boosting tourism infrastructure, making travel more accessible and comfortable for explorers.