Aldrich MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Aldrich, Missouri.
1. Aldrich Refuge
SERENE WETLAND PARADISE
Aldrich Refuge is a 750-acre wetland area that forms part of the Stockton Lake Management Lands, nestled among the rolling hills of the western Ozarks. This shallow-water mudflat provides ideal habitat for water birds including ducks, geese, pelicans, shorebirds, and large wading birds at various times throughout the year. The refuge features a constructed wetland with a viewing blind for bird watching and offers excellent opportunities for fishing and hunting during permitted seasons.
2. 7C's Winery
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
7C's Winery is a highly-rated local winery in the Aldrich area with a 4.1 rating from visitors. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings and explore the winemaking process in a charming countryside setting. The winery offers a selection of locally produced wines that showcase the regional flavors of Missouri.
3. Dunnegan Memorial Park
PEACEFUL COMMUNITY OASIS
Dunnegan Memorial Park is a beloved local attraction with an impressive 4.7 visitor rating. The park offers recreational facilities, walking paths, and green spaces for community gatherings and outdoor activities. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained grounds and tranquil atmosphere that make it perfect for family outings.
4. Creator Delights
ARTISANAL LOCAL TREATS
Creator Delights is a popular local establishment with a strong 4.6 visitor rating. The venue offers handcrafted food items and artisanal products that showcase local ingredients and craftsmanship. Visitors enjoy the unique flavors and creative offerings that highlight the culinary traditions of the region.
5. Stockton Lake
RECREATIONAL WATER PARADISE
Stockton Lake is a popular recreational destination with a 4.4 visitor rating, located near Aldrich. The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and white bass, as well as boating and water activities. With over 16,000 acres of management lands spanning Cedar, Dade, and Polk counties, the lake provides scenic beauty and outdoor adventure for visitors year-round.
6. Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site
HISTORIC PIONEER SETTLEMENT
The Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site preserves the 1837 home of Nathan Boone, youngest son of famous frontiersman Daniel Boone. Visitors can explore the historic stone house, outbuildings, and grounds that showcase pioneer life in the Missouri Ozarks. The site offers guided tours that provide insights into 19th-century frontier living and the Boone family's significant contribution to Missouri's early development.
7. Gateway Arch
ICONIC NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch is Missouri's most recognizable landmark, standing 630 feet tall on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis. This stainless steel monument, designed by architect Eero Saarinen, commemorates the westward expansion of the United States and has become an internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas, or explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch which details the history of Native Americans, explorers, pioneers, and rebels who shaped the American West.
8. Missouri Botanical Garden
HISTORIC PLANT PARADISE
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States, founded in 1859 and spanning 79 acres of horticultural display. The garden features a Japanese garden, a climatron tropical rainforest dome, and numerous themed gardens showcasing plants from around the world. Visitors can enjoy seasonal displays, educational programs, and the garden's commitment to plant conservation and sustainable practices.
9. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses an encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity from ancient to contemporary works. The museum is particularly renowned for its Asian art collection, European paintings, and its iconic Shuttlecocks outdoor sculpture installation by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Visitors can explore the original 1933 neoclassical building and the modern Bloch Building addition while enjoying the 22-acre sculpture park surrounding the museum.
10. Meramec Caverns
SPECTACULAR UNDERGROUND WONDER
Meramec Caverns is one of Missouri's largest and most visited show caves, featuring spectacular formations developed over millions of years. The 4.6-mile cavern system is famous for its colorful stalactites, stalagmites, and massive underground rooms, including the Wine Table and the Stage Curtain formation. Once used as a hideout by the outlaw Jesse James, the caverns now offer guided tours, a restaurant, and other tourist amenities.
11. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
PRISTINE NATURAL WATERWAYS
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was the first national park area to protect a river system, preserving 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The park features crystal-clear springs, over 300 caves, historic mill sites, and diverse Ozark landscapes that support a rich variety of plant and animal life. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and camping while experiencing the natural beauty of these pristine waterways.
12. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a historic mile-long bridge spanning the Mississippi River with its distinctive 22-degree bend in the middle. Originally part of Route 66, this pedestrian-only bridge now offers spectacular views of the river and the St. Louis skyline. Visitors can walk or bike across the bridge while learning about its history through interpretive displays and enjoying the unique perspective of the mighty Mississippi.
13. Silver Dollar City
1880S THEME PARK
Silver Dollar City is an 1880s-themed amusement park featuring over 40 rides and attractions, including world-class roller coasters and water rides. The park showcases traditional Ozark craftsmanship with more than 100 resident craftspeople demonstrating glass blowing, blacksmithing, pottery, and other heritage skills. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal festivals, live entertainment, and hearty Ozark cuisine throughout the 61-acre park.
14. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
CASTLE RUINS AND NATURE
Ha Ha Tonka State Park features the stone ruins of a 1905 European-style castle perched on a bluff overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The 3,700-acre park contains dramatic karst landscapes including sinkholes, caves, a natural bridge, and one of Missouri's largest natural springs. Visitors can explore more than 15 miles of trails that wind through savanna, woodland, and glade habitats while offering spectacular views of the lake and castle ruins.
15. Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
LITERARY HISTORICAL SITE
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum preserves the childhood home of Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, where he lived from 1844 to 1853. This National Historic Landmark includes several buildings that influenced Twain's writing, including the Becky Thatcher House and Huckleberry Finn House. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring Twain's life and work while discovering how his childhood experiences in this Mississippi River town shaped his most famous novels, including 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'