Location: Cape Girardeau
Top Things to do in Cape Girardeau
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (MO)
Cape Girardeau (/ˈkeɪp dʒɪˈrɑːrdoʊ/, French: Cap-Girardeau [kap ʒiʁaʁdo] ( listen); colloquially referred to as "Cape") is a city in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is located approximately 115 miles (185 km) southeast of St. Louis and 175 miles (282 km) north of Memphis. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city's population was 37,941, making it the 16th-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Southeast Missouri. An emerging college town, it is the home of Southeast Missouri State University.
Restaurants in Cape Girardeau
1. Annie Laurie's
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
#1 Antique Store in Cape Girardeau County Voted by the people. Voted in the Top Ten best antique stores in the nation by Southern Living Magazine. Small Business of the Year in Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Come see what the fuss is about.
2. Pastimes Antiques
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 590gilliew - Newfield, United States
I have been shopping at Pastimes for 20 years. My office is in the same building, a former school that was turned into apartments and small, locally owned stores and restaurants. Pastimes is an affordable antiques store. There are, indeed, some lovely items that are pricey and/or large--including furniture and musical instruments,but there are also many items in the $3.50-$18.00 range that have found their way into my Christmas presents over the years. The new owner has added more vintage clothing and has expanded the jewelry choices. The staff is small knowledgeable and always attentive.
3. Trail of Tears
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By madrecj - Grand Marais, United States
What a beautiful campground right by the Mississippi River. We loved the trains going by (not too many) and watching the barges on the river. We took a fantastic hike in the park too. And be sure to visit the memorial site.
4. Missouri Wall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Mural depicting 45 famous Missourians.
Reviewed By cathypacem - Memphis, United States
If you're going to Cape Girardeau then you have to take the time to take a walk along the wall that serves to protect Cape during times of floods. The murals are beautiful and if the flood gates are open then you can walk through them and walk along the banks of the Mississippi River and take in the view from there. Well worth the time in more ways than one.
5. Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is a place where families can have fun while exploring the rich cultural history and wildlife of Southeast Missouri. Admission is free. Exhibits begin with a collection of Native American artifacts including primitive tools that were used to harvest plants and animals hundreds of years ago. Interactive exhibits encourage exploration of the forest, marsh, swamp, and big river habitats of Southeast Missouri. Outside, "White Oak Trace" features two miles of nature trails allowing visitors to traverse rolling river hills with sinkholes, deep hollows, and ravines covered with prominent stands of poplar and oak. Native plants featured in the Nature Center's landscape provide habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife species. The nature center also has a gift shop, with a wide variety of educational books, videos, and nature-related items.
Reviewed By Butterflydays - Cape Girardeau, United States
We have always visited here in the month of November to pick up their Conservation Nature Calendars. They make a great gift for folks that love to keep up with what is happening in nature. (Each day has something factual to tell you about the world we live in. Great for children, too, as a learning tool). We love the Nature Center, the nice park, fishing ponds, and hiking trails. It is a true blessing to have this facility in our city! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and yours!
6. Riverfront Bridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By dave5400 - Missouri, United States
Good view of the Mississippi River, and its river traffic. Benches are comfortable. Highly recommended. Small casino nearby, Plenty of places to eat very close to this park.
7. Old St.Vincent's Church
8. West Park Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Butterflydays - Cape Girardeau, United States
I always enjoy shopping at our local mall. The pandemic has hit it hard just like it has everywhere else in our country. Sadly, we are losing our Macy's sometime this spring. It has been one of our anchor stores at this mall for as long as the mall has been here. (It used to be called Famous Barr). I truly hate to see this store leave, but I know this past year has been rough for everyone. West Park Mall still has many other stores including J.C. Penney's, Victoria's Secret, American Eagle Outfitter's, Barnes & Noble just to name a few. I don't know what will go in the space where Macy's is located, but it most likely won't be vacant for very long. There are several specialty stores, and restaurants inside our mall, also. It is located near many major hotels and restaurants right off I-55 at the Route K exit going east. I hope 2021 gets better for everyone. God Bless!
9. Cape Rock Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 36 reviews
This is a 21-acre city park on the north side of Cape Girardeau offering great overlooks of the Mississippi River. It has no website of its own, but can be found mentioned in the city's website that I listed.
Reviewed By luvtravlin47 - Palm Harbor, United States
This beautiful little park sits atop a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River just north of downtown Cape Girardeau. The views are wonderful. It is a great place to watch barges traveling up and down the river.
