Location: Jefferson City
Top Things to do in Jefferson City
- 1. Katy Trail State Park
- 2. Missouri State Penitentiary
- 3. Runge Conservation Nature Center
- 4. Missouri State Capitol
- 5. Governor's Mansion
- 6. Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza
- 7. Museum of Missouri Military History
- 8. Missouri State Museum
- 9. Cole County Historical Museum
- 10. Missouri State Penitentiary Museum
10 Things to Do in Jefferson City That You Shouldn't Miss
The Missouri State Capitol dominates a bluff overlooking the Missouri River and the bronze statue atop its 238 foot-high dome is the first thing that comes into view for visitors of Jefferson City. The same bluff was one of the first sites passed by Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition, and the city is close to both the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and KATY Trail State Park. The city is also home to the imposing Missouri State Penitentiary, the “bloodiest 47 acres in America.”
Restaurants in Jefferson City
1. Katy Trail State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 151 reviews
Welcome to Katy Trail State Park, the longest developed rail-trail in the country. Whether you are a bicyclist, walker, equestrian, nature lover or history buff, the trail offers opportunities for recreation, a place to enjoy nature and an avenue to discover the past. The park, built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy), is 240 miles long and runs between Clinton and Machens with 26 trailheads and four fully restored railroad depots along the way.
Reviewed By Christian H - Springfield, Illinois
I have bicycled for about 60 years throughout the United States. Anyone looking for the best bicycle off-road trail, about 300 miles, in the United States, then I would highly recommend the KATY TRAIL in Missouri.
I have bike this 300 mile bike trail three times and enjoyed it every moment. Katy Trail was a old railroad, running from the Eastern part of Missouri to the Western part of Missouri known as Missouri, Kansas, Texas Railroad, (MKY or Katy). After the MKY discounted railroad service, the state of Missouri purchased the right of way through Missouri and paved it for walking and bicycling along a very scenic and serviceable trail.
If you are a bicycler, I would highly recommend the best and longest bicycle trail in the United States. Information can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
2. Missouri State Penitentiary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 501 reviews
The Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) opened in 1836 along the banks of the Missouri River in Jefferson City, Missouri, the state capital. The prison housed inmates for 168 years and was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until it was decommissioned in 2004. The prison was already 100 years old when Alcatraz began taking inmates.The Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau now offers a wide variety of tours at the site, once named the "bloodiest 47 acres in America" by Time magazine. Visitors can choose to take a History or Ghost Tour, among others, and will walk through several incredibly historic housing units, the vast upper yard of the property and the gas chamber, where 40 men and women were executed. The tour also showcases cells of infamous inmates such as Sonny Liston, who learned to box during his time in the big house and James Earl Ray, who escaped from MSP before assassinating Martin Luther King Jr.
Reviewed By Lukas D - Benton, Arkansas
This was a great experience. We visited in March and I would suggest to bring a coat or jacket, it was cold. We got there little early so we visited the museum first. This is the former warden's house, remodeled and turned into a museum. Staff was very friendly and gave us a mini tour with lots of history and fun facts. You can tell they love their job. We had three tour guides during our tour in the prison, all former guards with great amount of knowledge and personal stories to share. They gave us enough time to take pictures and look around. At the end they shared some personal stories and answered all the questions we had. This tour was very interesting and I would highly suggest to anyone visiting the area. Both of my kids (14 and 11) enjoyed the tour and had a great time.
3. Runge Conservation Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Kenneth S - Jefferson City, Missouri
If you ever visit Jefferson City, MO and you are a nature lover you have to visit Runge Conservation Nature Center. You will enjoy ever minute of your visit there. If you have small kids they would really enjoy seeing the animals they have there. This is a great place to visit.
4. Missouri State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
Reviewed By SassyTraveler2 - Salem, Missouri
Took my exchange student to see the Capital before he returned home. Art work is amazing. We toured on our own as we were too early for the group tour. Architecture and space were intriguing. There are elevators but we still walked a lot. I would recommend it to everyone.
5. Governor's Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Gail R - O'Fallon, Missouri
**Reservations made well in advance. And still they added people to our party. Why would you do that....already a group of 18, with different interest than others possibly.
Ask to see the DAR room....no. They have a 2x2 picture in the book, "If these walls could talk" we were shown. Why would they not have 4-6 8x10s to she DAR Ladies that tour.
Why would the tour guide not prepare just a little for a special group (one with reservations)? Which 1st ladies were in the DAR?
Now the 5 rooms were saw and the 1st lady portraits were really fun to see. The floors are incredibly beautiful.
The grounds are also beautiful.
6. Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Kenneth L - Los Angeles, California
The sculpture is about half way between the Capitol and the Governor's Mansion, all a short walk. Children were climbing around which made taking pictures difficult. Lewis and Clark were important explorers in the expansion of the country into the west and this commemorates the Corps of Discovery.
7. Museum of Missouri Military History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By HCampbellKC - Lawrence, Kansas
This is just east of Jefferson City, maybe 10 minutes at most from downtown. I would highly recommend you stop if you have an interest in either Missouri or military history. It's not a huge museum, but it is continually adding artifacts and expanding displays. Lots of very interesting items here that you don't see in other museums. It's free, too! The staff is very friendly and are happy to tell you stories beyond the display signage. This is part of a complex of military buildings, so do be prepared to have your ID checked at the gate. It took all of 1 minute, wasn't a big deal.
8. Missouri State Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
The Missouri State Museum is where visitors go to immerse themselves in the history of the Show-Me State. The museum, located in the State Capitol, houses an impressive collection of exhibits portraying the state's natural and cultural history. Museum staff provide tours of the Capitol.
Reviewed By WStatesTraveler - The Netherlands
Although the Missouri State Museum is located inside the State Capitol building, it deserves a separate review. There is a lot of information to be absorbed. The museum consists of various sections: Natural history and landscapes, the history of people and main events and the history of industry and tourism. The exhibitions are set up in a way which invites the visitor to read and learn.Many details are provided. There is an additional section devoted to the various wars in which Missourians were involved. The museum is an attraction in addition to a visit of the capitol building.
9. Cole County Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Within the walls of this museum, the romantic history of Missouri unfolds. The building is filled with treasures of historical significance dating from the era of the Louisiana Territory. Spacious rooms are filled with antique chandeliers, rosewood and mahogany chests and settees, French mirrors and fine paintings. This is the only county museum in the country to display inaugural gowns of its state's First Ladies at times throughout the year. The museum is closed December 15 - February 1.
Reviewed By showmemo61 - Jefferson City, Missouri
This museum is located in an historical building across from the Missouri Governor's Mansion. They have a collection of First Ladies inaugural gowns, a Civil war room, plus the parlor and bedrooms typical in the 1800's, The view of the Capitol from a third floor window is perfect for a picture.
10. Missouri State Penitentiary Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
In conjunction with the Missouri State Penitentiary tours, the museum provides additional historical information about the famous prison that operated for 168 years. The museum houses MSP memorabilia as well as a replica cell that demonstrates the living conditions at the prison. Visitors can view the many displays that provide information on prison industries, contract labor/private industries, life inside the walls and control/counter-control.
Reviewed By Mbv9415 - Omaha, Nebraska
The museum is also included in the price of the prison tours, adds to the history of the facility that was across the street. Nice layout and the artifacts were authentic and meaningful to the displays.
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