Jefferson City Travel Guide

==Introduction==

Jefferson City, located on the Missouri River nearly halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, is the state capital of Missouri. 

==Sights and Activities==

Recently the capitol building was rated as being the first most beautiful on the inside of all 50 United States capitals by USAToday.  Tours of the exquisite Missouri State Capitol Building are free and offered 7 days a week.

In addition to the award winning Capitol building, Jefferson City is home to a number of other historical sites and museums.  Included in these are the brand new Lewis and Clark Trailhead Plaza, Museum of Missouri Military History, Runge Nature Center, Museum of Veterinary History, Missouri State Museum, Missouri State Highway Patrol Museum, and Cole County Historical Society Museum.   (Tours of the attractions listed above are free of charge except for the Cole County Historical Society Museum which charges a nominal fee of $3 per person.)

Lincoln University, located in Jefferson City, is both a regional university and a Historically Black University.   Lincoln University was founded in 1866 by members of the 62 nd and 65 th Colored Infantries of the Civil War specifically for the education of African-Americans who were previously prohibited from seeking out higher education in Missouri.   The campus now includes a monument dedicated to these founders as well as eight buildings on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Katy Trail State Park (a former railroad converted for bicycle usage and hiking) runs on the north side of the Missouri River.   The trail stretches 225 miles between St. Charles and Clinton, Missouri.   It is wheelchair accessible.  Jefferson City has a multitude of parks, trails and golf courses open for public use.  Lakes for fishing, boating and swimming, walking trails and nature viewpoints are scattered throughout the city.

more information, maps and hotel information can be found by visiting THE JEFFERSON CITY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU at www.VistJeffersonCity.com  or by calling +1 (800) 769-4183

Parks

Binder Park, 5840 Rainbow Dr, (573) 634-6482. Binder Park adjoins Joseph C. Miller Park. The main feature of the park is a 150-acre lake which offers excellent fishing for bass, catfish, bluegill and other species. Binder Park is also home to Jefferson City’s only disc golf course. The 18 hole course runs through the woods with some open fairways. Binder Park also has a mountain bike trail on its terrain. As the Binder Lake trail system winds across the landscape, it provides something for all users.

Katy Trail State Park, [7]. The Katy Trail is a 225 mile (365 km) bike path stretching across most of the state of Missouri. Over half of it follows Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri River, where you can ride beneath towering river bluffs while eagles circle overhead. After leaving the river, the trail meanders through peaceful farmland and small-town Americana. America's longest "rails-to-trail" project, formerly the MKT rail line, is flat and scenic. It's ideal for hiking, running, or cycling on just about any kind of bike.

Cole County Park, Country Club Drive, (573) 636-3614. Cole County Park is located near the fairgrounds off Country Club Drive. An attractive 8-acre lake in the park provides opportunities for fishing and picnicking. A general purpose field and a soccer field have been developed at the park.

Ellis Porter/Riverside Park, Grant Street, (573) 634-6482. Located at the north end of Grant Street on a beautiful bluff overlooking the Missouri River.

Joseph C. Miller Park Highway 50 West (573) 634-6482, Joseph C. Miller Park is located on Highway 50 West, approximately two miles west of Capital Mall.

McClung Park, 930 McClung Park Drive, (573) 634-6482. On Chestnut Street near Lincoln University’s Dwight T. Reed Stadium. Contains facilities for large crowds with a covered picnic shelter, and a general purpose air-conditioned building.

McKay Park, 1700 Southridge Drive (573) 634-6482, [8]. 5AM-11PM. This park also provides picnic shelters and tables, hiking and fitness trails, basketball courts and a playground. Located off Southwest Boulevard on Sunset Lake Road

Memorial Park and Family Aquatic Center, 111 Memorial Park Drive, (573) 634-6482. Located at 120 Binder Dr., it has an aquatic center, picnic shelter, playground, picnic tables and barbecue pits.

Washington Park, 900 E. Miller Streetm (573) 634-6482. Has a multipurpose court with basketball goals, fitness trail, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, picnic tables with grills. No reservations needed.

Wineries

Native Stone Winery, 4317 Native Stone Rd (573) 584-8600, [9]. Located atop the bluffs of the Missouri River, Native Stone is a 300 acre estate owned and operated by Cara and Larry Stauffer. The estate has been farmed by the Stauffer family since the 1960’s and is named for the national award-winning play “Native Stone” written by Jim Steerman, and based on lives of the Stauffer family’s ancestors. For current hours of operation please call.

Summit Lake Winery, 1707 South Summit Dr. (573) 893-9966, [10]. Opened in February 2002, Summit Lake Winery sits high on the blufftop overlooking Highway 54, the Missouri River, and Jefferson City. They offer distinctive Midwest wines and a creative bistro menu. Also with year round wine tasting, they also have facilities to accommodate rehearsal dinners, receptions, large or small parties, conferences and banquets.

Events

Tour of Missouri September 11th and 12th Professional cyclists from around the world will travel to Missouri to compete in this cycling race modeled after the Tour de France. Stage five of the race will finish in Jefferson City on Friday, September 12. One of the top three cycling races in the United States, the Tour of Missouri is a six day race that travels across the state. Check out the link [11] for information about all of the activities going on in Jefferson City during the Tour of Missouri.

Golf

Eagle Knoll, 5757 East Eagle Knoll Drive, Hartsburg, (800) 909-0564.

Oak Hills Golf Center/Hough Park, 932 Ellis Blvd, (573) 634-6532.

Railwood Golf Course, 12925 County Road Holts, Summit, (573) 896-GOLF.

Redfield Golf Course, 14005 Redfield Drive, (573) 498-0110.

Turkey Creek Golf Center, 1616 Oil Well Road, (573) 636-7833.

more information, maps and hotel information can be found by visiting THE JEFFERSON CITY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU at www.VisitJeffersonCity.com  or by calling +1 (800) 769-4183

===By Plane===

Jefferson City Memorial Airport http://www.jeffcitymo.org/cd/airport/airport.html, located just across the Missouri River, only serves general aviation.

The closest airport with commercial service is Columbia Regional Airport http://www.flymidmo.com/, from which US Highway 63 goes straight to Jefferson City. Northwest Airlines http://nwa.com is the only carrier at the airport, with service from Memphis.

The closest full-scale commercial airport is Lambert St. Louis International Airport http://www.flystl.com/, about two hours away.  It is very easy to get from the St. Louis airport to Jefferson City.  Take I-70 west out of St. Louis for about an hour and a half.  At this point take US Highway 54 south for about thirty minutes until you reach Jefferson City.

===By Train===

Jefferson is serviced by Amtrak services from St. Louis and Kansas City by the .

===By Car===

From the East, take 70 west to highway 54 west.

From the West, take 70 east to highway 63 south to highway 54 west.

Highway 50 also runs east and west through Jefferson City.

==Getting Around==

Most of the attractions are located in the heart of downtown within walking distance of each other.

There is also an extensive greenway with 7.4 miles of paved trails [2]. This is a multi-use greenway and is perfect for walking, running, biking or skating. This is an excellent place to go and be safe from the dangers of a busy street.

==Eat==

Central Dairy 610 Madison St. (573) 635-6148, For a refreshing break anytime, stop in at Central Dairy for legendary ice cream treats. The dairy is an excellent stop any time of year and is known as a longtime favorite of locals and many throughout the Midwest. Open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Arris' Pizza Palace, 117 West High Street, ☎ (573) 635-9225. 

Bandanas Bar-B-Q, 2336 Missouri Blvd, ☎ (573) 634-RIBS. 

Bingham's, 1510 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 635-5388. 

Das Stein Haus, 1436 Southridge, ☎ (573) 634-3869. German 

Kate & Ally's New York Pizzeria, 1418 Missouri Blvd, ☎ (573) 893-8855.  

Madison's Cafe, 216 Madison St., ☎ (573) 634-2988. Itailian

The Prison Brews, 305 Ash, ☎ (573) 635-0678.

==Sleep==

Best Western Capital Inn, 1937 Christy Drive, ☎ (573) 635-4175.

Candlewood Suites, 3514 Amazonas Drive, ☎ (573) 634-8822.

Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 415 West McCarty Street, ☎ (573) 635-1234.

Days Inn, 2100 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 761-3600.

Doubletree Hotel, 422 Monroe Street, ☎ (573) 636-5101.

Fairfield Inn, 3621 West Truman Blvd., ☎ (573) 761-0400.

Holiday Inn Express, 1716 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 634-4040.

Hotel Deville, 319 West Miller Street, ☎ (573) 636-5231.

Truman Hotel & Conference Center, 1510 Jefferson Street Jefferson, ☎ (573) 635-7171.

Budget Inn, 1309 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 636-6167.

Econo Lodge, 1926 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 636-2797.

Motel 6, 1624 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 634-4220.

Super 8 Motel, 1710 Jefferson Street, ☎ (573) 636-5456.

===Internet===

www.VisitJeffersonCity.com

===Phone===

(800)769-4183

===Post===

100 East High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

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