20 Things To Do In Jefferson City, MO

Despite being one of the lesser-known cities in the Midwest, Jefferson City is one of the region’s most important urban areas, as it has been the official capital city and seat of power for the state of Missouri since 1821. Located in the geographic centre of the Show-Me State, Jefferson City was named after former president Thomas Jefferson and has a storied past that stretches from the region’s Pre-Columbian “Mound Builders” to the Lewis and Clark Expedition which passed by the city en route to Oregon. Situated about 130 miles (209 km) from the busy streets of St. Louis, Jefferson City is the gateway to the Missouri Rhineland region and is home to the former Missouri State Penitentiary and a colourful downtown district that has been the city’s economic and political hub for centuries. Here are the best things to do in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Jefferson City, Missouri

20 Things To Do In Jefferson City

1- Visit The Missouri State Capitol

The most recognisable landmark in Jefferson City is undoubtedly the Missouri State Capitol, which is the Show-Me State’s official seat of power and home of the Missouri General Assembly since it first opened in 1917.

The Missouri State Capitol is the third capitol building constructed in Jefferson City, replacing the state’s previous capitols which were both demolished due to fire damage.

Perched on the shores of the Missouri River, the Baroque-style capitol has several opulent features, such as bronze entrance doors, porticos adorned with tall columns and sculptures by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, Adolph Alexander Weinman and Alexander Stirling Calder.

The Missouri State Capitol is at 201 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

2- Visit The Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza

Next door to the Missouri State Capitol is the Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza, which is one of Jefferson City’s most popular landmarks.

The monument was dedicated in 2008 to honour the Lewis and Clark Expedition and its leaders.

The plaza’s biggest attraction is its Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery monument, a five-figure instalment sculpted by artist Sabra Tull Meyer which depicts Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, York, George Druillard and Lewis’ dog, Seaman.

Free to enjoy, the plaza is also the trailhead to both the Katy Trail State Park and the Jefferson City Greenway System.

Its central location makes it an excellent destination from which to explore the rest of downtown Jefferson City.

The Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza is at 101 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

3- See The Collections At The Missouri State Museum

Housed within the Missouri State Capitol, the Missouri State Museum offers a glimpse into the state’s cultural and natural history through an extensive collection of artefacts and exhibits on display.

The world-class venue was opened to the public in 1919, shortly after the capitol building’s completion, and has a total collection of more than 30,000 unique items and artefacts related to Missouri’s past and present.

On the capitol’s ground floor, this state-of-the-art centre is widely considered among Missouri’s premier museums and allows visitors to browse several impressive exhibits, including the most extensive assortment of Civil War and WW I flags in the world.

The Missouri State Museum is at 201 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

4- Tour The Governor’s Mansion

Regularly open to the public for guided tours, the Missouri Governor’s Mansion is the official residence of the Show-Me State’s sitting governor, a role in which it has served since its completion in 1871.

Well over 150 years old, the manor was designed by architect George Ingham Barnett and features a unique Second Empire-style design festooned with impressive details such as a grand stairway carved out of walnut, columns made from pink granite and painted 17-foot (5 m) tall ceilings.

The stately mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and is conveniently situated within Jefferson City’s Missouri State Capitol Historic District.

It’s also within walking distance of the Missouri State Capitol as well as the Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza.

The Governor’s Mansion is at 100 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

5- Discover The Secrets Of The Missouri State Penitentiary

More travellers fascinated by something a little more macabre, there’s no attraction more unique and more notorious in Jefferson City than the Missouri State Penitentiary, a former maximum-security lockup.

The penitentiary was completed in 1836 and remained in full-time operation by the state until 2004, which made this John Haviland-designed Gothic Revival facility the oldest penitentiary west of the Mississippi before it shutting its doors.

Featured on TV shows “Destination Fear”, “Ghost Adventures” and “Ghost Hunters”, the penitentiary housed and executed some of the most dangerous and notorious criminals in the nation, no wonder it’s today a popular destination in Missouri for ghost tours and sightings of the supernatural.

The Missouri State Penitentiary is at 115 Lafayette St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

6- Step Back In History At Jefferson Landing State Historic Site

Managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is a multi-property district boasting some of Jefferson City’s oldest and most storied landmarks.

The site features several buildings dating back to the mid-1800s when the region was an important hub for trade along the Missouri River, such as the Christopher Maus House, the Lohman Building and the Union Hotel.

The entire district offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Jefferson City’s rich and important past through a wide collection of exhibits, artefacts and artwork on display, spread out across the district’s various historic landmarks.

The Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is at 100 Jefferson St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

7- Enjoy The Outdoors At Runge Conservation Nature Center

A popular spot for birdwatching in central Missouri, the Runge Conservation Nature Center treats outdoor enthusiasts to approximately 112 acres (45 ha) of untouched Midwest landscapes and several fun amenities to take it all in.

The centre was established in 1993 and has on-site attractions such as a nature library, 3,000 square feet (279 m2) of exhibition space, a 3,500-gallon (13,249 l) fish tank, a gift shop and a 60-foot-tall (18 m) firetower which doubles as an observation deck.

The Runge Conservation Nature Center is at 330 Commerce Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

8- Wander Around Old Munichburg

Situated on the southern side of Jefferson City, Old Munichburg is arguably the Missouri capital’s trendiest neighbourhood which was first settled by German immigrants during the 1800s.

The neighbourhood was named after the Bavarian town of Münchberg where most of the immigrants came from, but was mistakenly referred to as “Munichberg” by Jefferson City’s English-speaking residents.

The name stuck and today the neighbourhood is part of a broad revitalisation and preservation effort to return Munichburg to its charming former self, with the compact district packed with all sorts of charming stores, shops and interesting attractions to explore.

9- Viist The Cole County Historical Museum

Situated just across the street from the Governor’s Mansion is the Cole County Historical Museum, a living museum and records repository where visitors can learn all about Jefferson City’s past.

The venue is owned and operated by the Cole County Historical Society and was officially opened to the public in 1948, showcasing a broad collection of historic artefacts and antique furniture dating back to Missouri’s days as part of the Louisiana Territory.

Open to the public for tours, the museum also houses an on-site museum where visitors can scour over old records and archives to better understand the Show-Me State’s rich history.

The Cole County Historical Museum is at 109 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

10- Relax in Binder Park

15 minutes outside downtown Jefferson City, Binder Park is a popular outdoor recreation space with amenities such as softball and baseball fields, a freshwater lake for fishing and boating, and trails for hiking and biking.

Covering an area of more than 644 acres (261 ha), the park’s signature attraction is its 150-acre (61 ha) lake, which doubles as a great spot for water activities as well as a scenic backdrop with more than 3.3 miles (5.3 km) of shoreline to enjoy.

The largest park in Jefferson City, Binder Park is open for camping and is an ideal outdoor destination to stop by if you need a breather from exploring the state capital’s historic sites and charming downtown.

Binder Park is at 5840 Rainbow Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

11- Learn About The Lohman Building

Completed in 1839 by James A. Crump, the Lohman Building is one of the most storied landmarks in Jefferson City and forms the centrepiece attraction for what is the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site.

The structure depicts Jefferson City’s heyday as an important trade hub along the Missouri River and was used simultaneously as a grocery store, warehouse and hotel during the city’s mid-1800s peak.

Today, the Lohman Building is the last of its kind along the Missouri River and is a must-visit attraction in the capital for historians or eager travellers seeking to uncover Jefferson City’s important role in 19th-century Mid-America through a broad collection of interesting exhibits and artefacts.

12- Stroll Around Carnahan Memorial Garden

The Carnahan Memorial Garden is a serene Jefferson City attraction situated right next door to the capitol that captivates visitors with a stunning assortment of flowers, pools and pathways to soak it all up.

Opened to the public during the 1930s, the free-to-visit garden was renamed in honour of Missouri’s 51st Governor, Mel Carnahan, following his passing in 2000 and was dedicated as a memorial to his life and legacy.

The Carnahan Memorial Garden is at 101 Jefferson St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

13- Learn Something New At The Museum Of Missouri Military History

Situated at the Ike Skelton Training Site roughly 7 miles (11 km) outside downtown Jefferson City, the Museum Of Missouri Military History plays a key role in the preservation of Missouri’s rich military history and tradition.

The museum was opened to the public in 1999 and is home to a staggering military artefact and memorabilia collection detailing the Show-Me State’s role in conflicts from the American Civil War to the present day.

Some of the free-to-visit museum’s popular exhibits include tales of Charles Lindbergh’s time in the Missouri National Guard, a Sherman tank, a C-130 Hercules aircraft, an F-4 Phantom II and an F-15 Eagle fighter plane.

The Museum Of Missouri Military History is at 2405 Logistics Rd, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

14- Hike The Katy Trail

One of Missouri’s most popular outdoor attractions is the scenic Katy Trail, a recreational rail trail which, at 237 miles long (381 km), is the longest recreational pathway of its kind in the United States.

Most of the trail follows the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the former Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad along the northern bank of the Missouri River, connecting the town of Machens with Clinton as it passes by both St. Louis and Jefferson City.

Within the Katy Trail State Park, the trail is accessible to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders, and has a hard and flat crushed limestone surface that’s easy to traverse year-round.

15- Explore Capitol Avenue Historic District

Originating during the latter stages of the 19th century, the Capitol Avenue Historic District is home to many of Jefferson City’s oldest buildings and historic homes.

The entire district has about 107 contributing buildings, including important local landmarks such as the Missouri State Penitentiary Warden’s House, the Lester S and Missouri “Zue” Gordon Parker House, and the Jefferson Female College.

Recognised as a national historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the area is among the most popular places to discover in Jefferson City and is a must when exploring Jefferson City’s roots.

16- Admire The Displays At Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art

Established in 2015, the Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art, or just JCMoMA for short, is a free-to-visit cultural centre in downtown Jefferson City where art lovers can browse a range of visual art installations.

The museum specialises in showcasing contemporary art by artists such as Purvis Young, Abdoulaye Diarrassouba and Thornton Dial, which visitors can enjoy and learn more about thanks to the JCMoMA’s free guided tours.

The Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art is at 220 E High St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

17- Get Outdoors At Memorial Park

Memorial Park near downtown Jefferson City is one of the Missouri capital’s most visited outdoor gathering spaces and is home to an exciting blend of park amenities for visitors to enjoy.

The park sits right next door to the Runge Conservation Nature Center and is perhaps most famous for its 450-seater pavilion, tree-lined walking pathways and various playgrounds, perfect for a fun afternoon visit.

Memorial Park is at 111 Memorial Park Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

18- Journey Into The Past At Clarks Hill/Norton State Historic Site

Deemed a “High Potential Historic Site”, the Clarks Hill/Norton State Historic Site is an interesting Jefferson City attraction with ties to the greatest expedition in American history.

The site sits near the confluence of the Missouri and Osage rivers just east of downtown Jefferson City and was established in 2002 to preserve the role it played as a campsite and lookout point for Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their journey westwards.

The site is also home to several Native American burial mounds, which visitors can easily explore thanks to the Clarks Hill/Norton State Historic Site’s 0.5-mile-long (800 m) trail which passes by the mounds and a series of interpretive panels with useful information.

The Clarks Hill/Norton State Historic Site is at 1816 Osage Hickory St, Osage City, MO 65101.

19- See A Show At Miller Performing Arts Center

Owned and operated by the Jefferson City Public School District, the Miller Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art performance venue in downtown Jefferson City where patrons can enjoy world-class dance, musical and theatrical performances.

The centre was completed in 1926 and forms part of the Truman State University’s theatre department, who regularly organise shows and events showcasing their students’ skills and acting range in addition to the many professional entertainers and theatre companies who also stop by the centre throughout the calendar year.

The Miller Performing Arts Center is at 501 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

20- Explore Downtown Jefferson City

Home to Jefferson City’s best restaurants, shopping venues and some of the city’s oldest buildings, Jefferson City’s vibrant downtown district offers travellers a slice of the best that the Midwest has in store.

The downtown area blends central Missouri’s stunning landscapes with charming cultural attractions and the city’s storied past to create a fantastic district that’s great to explore on foot.

Do stop by the many excellent eateries, bars and boutique stores lined along downtown Jefferson City’s streets when in Missouri’s capital city, or check out iconic downtown landmarks such as the Missouri State Capitol, the Missouri State Penitentiary or the Lohman Building.