Asbury MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Asbury, Missouri.
1. Keltoi Winery
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Keltoi Winery is a charming vineyard and tasting room in Asbury offering visitors a taste of local Missouri wines. Guests can enjoy wine tastings while taking in the scenic vineyard views and relaxed atmosphere. The winery often hosts special events and provides a perfect setting for a leisurely afternoon.
2. Pittsburg State University
ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL HUB
Pittsburg State University, located near Asbury, is a comprehensive public university offering a range of academic programs. The campus features beautiful architecture, athletic facilities, and cultural venues that are open to the public. Visitors can attend sporting events, art exhibits, performances, and lectures throughout the year.
3. Gateway Arch
ICONIC ST. LOUIS MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot stainless steel monument that symbolizes the westward expansion of the United States. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for spectacular views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. The surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial includes a museum detailing the history of the Arch and westward expansion.
4. Missouri Botanical Garden
HISTORIC URBAN OASIS
The Missouri Botanical Garden spans 79 acres and is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States. The garden features diverse horticultural displays including a Japanese garden, a climatron geodesic dome conservatory, and seasonal flower shows. Visitors can explore numerous themed gardens, attend educational programs, and enjoy the natural beauty throughout the year.
5. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses a comprehensive collection spanning nearly 5,000 years of human creativity. The museum is known for its extensive Asian art collection, European paintings, and the outdoor Sculpture Park featuring oversized badminton shuttlecocks. Admission is free, making world-class art accessible to all visitors.
6. Meramec Caverns
FAMOUS UNDERGROUND WONDER
Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile cave system known for its spectacular mineral formations and historical significance as a hideout for Jesse James. Guided tours take visitors through illuminated chambers featuring colorful stalactites, stalagmites, and the unique Wine Table formation. The attraction also offers riverboat rides, canoe rentals, and camping facilities.
7. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
PRISTINE NATURAL WATERWAYS
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the first nationally protected riverways in the United States. Visitors can enjoy floating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming in the crystal-clear spring-fed waters. The park also features hiking trails, historic mills, and over 300 caves scattered throughout its beautiful Ozark landscape.
8. Sam A. Baker State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Sam A. Baker State Park is nestled in the St. Francois Mountains offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The park features the St. Francis River and Big Creek, providing excellent spots for swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Visitors can also explore hiking trails, camp in rustic cabins, or enjoy picnicking in scenic surroundings.
9. Elephant Rocks State Park
GIANT GRANITE FORMATIONS
Elephant Rocks State Park features enormous elephant-shaped granite boulders standing end-to-end like a circus parade. The park's centerpiece is a mile-long trail that winds among the giant rocks, some of which are over 27 feet tall and weigh more than 600 tons. Visitors can climb on the rocks, explore the abandoned quarry, and enjoy picnicking in this unique geological setting.
10. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
NATURAL WATER PLAYGROUND
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is famous for its natural water playground where the Black River cascades through ancient volcanic rock formations. The shut-ins create natural slides, chutes, and pools that provide a unique swimming experience during summer months. Beyond the water features, the park offers hiking trails, camping facilities, and opportunities to observe diverse plant and animal life.
11. Echo Bluff State Park
MODERN OZARKS GETAWAY
Echo Bluff State Park is Missouri's newest state park featuring a stunning sandstone bluff overlooking Sinking Creek. The park offers modern accommodations including a lodge, cabins, and campgrounds with amenities for a comfortable outdoor experience. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, and easy access to the nearby Current River.
12. Onondaga Cave State Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Onondaga Cave State Park features one of America's most spectacular caves, designated a National Natural Landmark. Guided tours take visitors through a wonderland of dripping stalactites, flowing stalagmites, and active flowstones in the cool subterranean environment. Above ground, the park offers camping, hiking trails, and access to the Meramec River for fishing and canoeing.
13. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
MISSOURI'S HIGHEST POINT
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is home to the highest point in Missouri at 1,772 feet above sea level. The park offers rugged terrain with hiking trails including a section of the Ozark Trail and a path to Mina Sauk Falls, Missouri's tallest waterfall. Visitors can experience stunning vistas, unique geology, and pristine wilderness in this remote and unspoiled natural area.
14. Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
HISTORIC MILL AND BRIDGE
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site preserves a beautiful four-story stone mill built in 1867 and the adjacent Burfordville Covered Bridge. The mill showcases original milling equipment and demonstrates the importance of water-powered gristmills to rural communities in the 19th century. The covered bridge, built in 1858, is the oldest of the four remaining covered bridges in Missouri and creates a picturesque scene alongside the mill.
15. Trail of Tears State Park
HISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Trail of Tears State Park memorializes the tragic forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation in 1838-1839, when thousands died during the journey west. The park overlooks the Mississippi River where nine groups of Cherokee crossed during their westward march. Visitors can explore the interpretive center, hike scenic trails, camp, and fish while reflecting on this important piece of American history.