Discover Southeast Missouri

Ste. Genevieve's art community welcomes visitors to the more than one dozen studios, galleries and art spaces. Visitors may enjoy new exhibit openings, meet-the-artist events, wine tastings or live music. Often, other events are coordinated with Art Walk evening and several gift and antique shops stay open. All of this is set within a three by three block downtown area of charming French colonial Ste Genevieve, Missouri.

For more information: Visit http://stegenartwalk.blogspot.com, call the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center at 1-800-373-7007, email us at SGTourism@sbcglobal.net, or check out our events calendar on our website www.visitstegen.com
Art has a long history in Ste Genevieve where once John James Audubon drew, Roscoe Misselhorn used his pencil and the Ste Genevieve Art Colony boasted Thomas Hart Benton as a faculty member. Today, Ste Genevieve presents an active Art Guild which has over 50 artists including the talents of notables Al Agnew, Leon Basler, Ali Cavanaugh and M. Charles Rhinehart.

502 Broadway, located at the corner of Broadway and Middle Street in Cape Girardeau

The Discovery Playhouse inspires the child in everyone and provides an entertaining family experience.
Through the love of play, the 7,000 square foot museum offers a world of opportunities to learn through hands-on exhibits, play stations and interactive models.
Permanent exhibits include: a kid-sized village complete with grocery store, bank, and fire station. Also a health and fitness trail, water exhibits, art stations, toddler play area, and large-scale musical pipes will thrill your kids.
Existing exhibits from museums or science centers are regularly rotated so that every visit is a chance for a new discovery.
The Discovery Playhouse also offers workshops and programs incorporating science, history and other topics. Birthday parties in the fun and spacious party room and special events can be arranged by contacting the museum at (573) 335-7529 or their website.

The Conservation Nature Center is located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park and showcases the rich cultural history and diverse natural resources of Southeast Missouri.

Campus Features

The nature center features a 160-seat auditorium, three classrooms, hands-on exhibits for all ages, a scientific research laboratory, freshwater aquariums, and an indoor wildlife viewing area.
The “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’s gift shop features a wide variety of educational books, videos, and nature-related items.

The Interpretive Center welcomes visitors of all ages from all over the country and abroad. Trained, well informed docents in period dress welcome guests to the Red House and tell the stories of the Red House construction, furnishings, historical gardens, and 250’ mural of the Mississippi as it appeared to Lewis and Clark in 1803! The nationally recognized Red House Interpretive Center, part of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, was a project of the Cape Girardeau Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission in 2003. The Red House Interpretive Center commemorates the visit of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in November 1803. Louis Lorimier, Cape Girardeau's founder, welcomed Meriwether Lewis at his home - the Red House. The Interpretive Center houses an early 1800's exhibit which reflects the lives of the early settlers of the "Old Cape Girardeau District." In addition, a reproduction of the Louis Lorimier Trading Post displays authentic items which would have been sold during the early 1800's. For schedule of hours opened see website. Group tours can be scheduled by calling the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-0068.

Built in 1853, Old St. Vincent’s Church, is right across the street from the Red House Interpretive Center. Simply stated Old St. Vincent’s is beautiful. The architecture, English Gothic Revival, is breathtaking and rare. Very few churches of this style exist in America. One unusual feature is the over 100 medieval design plaster masks portraying characters from the Miracle and Mystery plays. The pews are original as are the altars. The communion rail with its unusual wrought iron design, windows, frames and casings all date back to the 1850’s. The massive 3 ¼ inch thick doors are hand-carved. Group tours can be scheduled by calling the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-0068. Visit website for tour hours.

The Glenn House is on the National Register of Historic Places and provides visitors with a wonderful walk back in time. Restored rooms depict life in the late 1800's, reflecting life in an earlier society. In 1883, Edwin Branch Deane designed the Glenn House for his daughter, Lulu, and her husband, David Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn occupied the home with their family until 1915. Visit website for tour hours. Off season group tours can be scheduled by calling the

Cape River Heritage Museum is located in an old police and fire station, dating back to 1908. Many new exhibits this season; check out the Police Memorabilia, Steamboat Photographs, and Women’s Suffrage, The Nuns of St. Francis Hospital, Celebrating Cape Women Society, Fashion and Education. Featuring an autographed letter from Emilia Earhart addressed to Cape Business and Professional Women’s Organization along with scrape books from the early 1900’s. Other exhibits include The 1936 Sharecropper’s Demonstration, Missouri Flag, 1950’s Fire trucks and Firemen equipment, photos and gear. Visit website for tour hours. Group tours can be scheduled by calling the

In the summer of 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, four forts were built around the strategic city of Cape Girardeau on the orders of General John Frèmont. Designed by German-American engineers from St. Louis, the forts were built by soldiers of the 20th Illinois Infantry, Bissell's Engineers of the West and local militia under the direction of Illinois Lt. John Wesley Powell, who would later gain fame as the explorer of the Grand Canyon, was detached from his regiment by the new general, Ulysses S. Grant, in order to raise a local company to man the forts. This Powell did, and his new Battery F served the forts until leaving for the Battle of Shiloh. Fort D featured as many as five cannons, the largest of which could fire a 32-pound cannon ball. The fort was manned throughout the Civil War. Of the four earthen forts only Fort D still exists, an intact survivor thanks to civic action in the 1930's. Today owned by the city, Fort D is located 4 blocks south of the intersection of Missouri Rte. 74 and Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau, just west of the Mississippi River Bridge. The Fort grounds, featuring interpretive signage are open free to the public dawn to dusk.

For more information visit website or to schedule group tours call the Convention and Visitors Bureau 1-800-777-0068.

The Saxon Lutheran Memorial campground and picnic area is open. It is for primitive camping only for right now. Water in the park for the camper's use. There is a $10 per night fee.

Our museum features natural history exhibits from all over the world and showcases the bones from the Missouri dinosaur being dug at the Chronister site in Glen Allen. See
the life-sized replica of the only dinosaur found in Missouri. Civil War items, Native American artifacts, crystal radios and Lewis and clark memorabilia will tempt the history buffs. The expanded children's room teaches in a fun way and lots of other exhibits make your visit a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Regular hours are Thurs - Sat. noon to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Admission is $2 over 18 and $1 under 18.

The tragic history that gives Trail of Tears State Park its name provides a sharp contrast to the peaceful, serene setting and the abundance of recreational opportunities enjoyed by visitors today. The 3,415-acre park is a memorial to the Cherokee Indians that lost their lives in a forced relocation, as well as a place for visitors to participate in a variety of outdoor adventures.

Today, numerous picnic sites are scattered throughout the park and campsites are available in a wooded area and near the river. Anglers can cast their lines in either the Mississippi River or the 20-acre Lake Boutin, stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. The park’s numerous trails offer opportunities for hiking, backpacking, primitive camping and equestrian pursuits. In winter, the bluffs and cliffs along the river are noted as roosting sites for bald eagles.

Indian Hills winery is a family operated vineyard and winery owned by Martie and Nicole Sifford. Located just north of Puxico, Indian Hills is the first winery and vineyard to be located within Stoddard County. Come and join us for good food, spectacular view, and a great bottle of wine. We offer a light menu of soups, sandwiches and salads. Watch our website for updates on our menu as well as announcements of up and coming events. Other local attractions include the Mingo Wildlife Visitor’s Center and Boardwalk.

Come & See the Exhibit at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum In Altenburg, Missouri. "Images of East Perry County"By Regional Photographer Dr. Joel West Ray. These beautiful land and aerial photographs were taken in the Altenburg/Frohna region. Photo prints will be for sale beginning May 22. All proceeds will go toward the Perry County Lutheran Historical Society and WESTRAY Foundation's"From Missouri to Germany" Photography Project Featuring the students of Altenburg Public School & Concordia Trinity Lutheran School.

In the Crossroads Gallery, you'll find exhibits and interactive kiosks highlighting the history of southeast Missouri including; The Land and Waters, First Voices, First Peoples, Frontiers and Empires, River and Rail, North and South, Subsistence to Agribusiness, Expressions of Faith, Change through Education. The Art Gallery features works by local, regional, national and international artists. The museum collects in three thematic areas: archaeology, history and fine art. Many Mississippian ceramics from the Beckwith Collection are on permanent display.