History buffs don’t have to go far to find an abundance of museums and places to visit in Missouri. Just a two-hour drive from St. Louis, the state capital, Jefferson City, offers plenty of options to add the city to a summer travel list for families and history enthusiasts alike. The Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau offers ideas about what to put on your to-do list.
1. Governor’s Mansion and Carnahan Memorial Garden
Serving as a home to Missouri governors since 1872, the historic mansion is one of the oldest governor’s mansions in the country and one of the few open to the public. Free guided tours are available, although reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Spring and summer are ideal times to take in the beauty of the extensive gardens. The Carnahan Memorial Garden features a sunken pool, terraces, walkways, and a pergola. The mansion also has an extensive vegetable garden, with the produce, such as blackberries and green beans, incorporated into menus for special events hosted at the mansion.
2. Missouri State Capitol and Missouri State Museum
A block away, take a tour of the state Capitol to learn about its architecture, history, and featured works of art. Tour times vary throughout the year, and reservations for tours are required at least 24 hours in advance. Visitors can also enjoy the Missouri State Museum, located within the Capitol, which boasts exhibits dedicated to Missouri’s cultural and natural history.
3. Missouri State Penitentiary and Missouri State Penitentiary Museum
The decommissioned state penitentiary, which functioned from 1836–2004, hosts a variety of tours, including historical, photography, and ghost tours. Learn about escape attempts, riots, executions, and more.
4. Museum of Missouri Military History
See artifacts from Missouri’s military history, from the Revolutionary War to present day. The museum also features tanks and fighter jets. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday. (Note: An ID is required to enter, because the facility is within the grounds of the Missouri National Guard’s Ike Skelton Training Site.)
5. Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Museum
Did you know that Missouri has the first museum in the country dedicated to veterinary medicine? See 1,000 artifacts dating from the 16th century to the present, including skeletal remains, horse dental instruments, and a wooden operating table from the 1870s. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday.
Meal Plan
Looking for restaurant options? Here are just a few options.
- Breakfast: Located inside Jefferson City Memorial Airport, The Landing Zone offers views of private planes landing amid the backdrop of beautiful Missouri bluffs and the Missouri River.
- Lunch: “Every day is Fry-day” at Crazy Fry’s. Enjoy a basket of fries with memorable toppings, including such innovative flavors as Caribbean jerk and Nashville hot chicken.
- Dinner: Serving up Neapolitan-style pizza, Pizza Underground imports ingredients and seeks to serve the highest quality pizzas. Owner, Nick Kramer, is the sole dough and pizza maker each day, so the pies are in demand and limited. The menu changes monthly.
Plan your visit to the Capital City at VisitJeffersonCity.com!
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Jefferson City CVB. To learn more, visit visitjeffersoncity.com.
