Avilla MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Avilla, Missouri.
1. Odd Fellows Lodge
HISTORIC VICTORIAN BUILDING
The Odd Fellows Lodge is a historic wood frame building built in Victorian style around 1885, serving as the most impressive building on Route 66 in Avilla. It was originally the meeting hall for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which formed its chapter in Avilla around the 1870s together with the Freemasons. The two-story structure remains a notable landmark representing the town's early history.
2. Midway Service & Cafe
NOSTALGIC ROUTE 66 STOP
Midway Service & Cafe is a historic building from the 1930s that was moved to its current location in the 1950s and purchased by Mary Manynard and her husband in 1953. The complex once included a gas station which unfortunately burned down in the 1970s. Built in distinctive gold and red stone in a 'giraffe style,' this side-gabled roof structure sits upon a low grassy hill west of White Oak Creek.
3. Old French's Grocery Store
HISTORIC STONE BUILDING
Old French's Grocery Store is a historic stone building located on the north side of Route 66 in Avilla. The structure is sandwiched between Bernie's Bar and the Odd Fellows Lodge, representing an important piece of the town's commercial history. Its distinctive stone construction makes it a recognizable landmark for visitors traveling along the famous highway.
4. The Death Tree
HAUNTED LOCAL LEGEND
The Death Tree is the most infamous haunted site in Avilla, associated with the legend of a headless soldier known as Johnny Rotten Reb. According to local lore, the tree was where a bushwhacker was executed by the Home Guard, who hung his body and head separately as a warning. The legend claims his angry spirit still roams the woods searching for his skull, blamed for numerous deaths during the Route 66 era.
5. Red Oak II
RESTORED HISTORIC VILLAGE
Red Oak II is a highly-rated attraction near Avilla that features a restored historic village created by artist Lowell Davis. The site includes relocated and restored buildings from the original Red Oak, Missouri, arranged to recreate a typical small Midwest town from the early 20th century. Visitors can explore the old general store, blacksmith shop, Phillips 66 station, and other nostalgic buildings that offer a glimpse into rural American history.
6. Battle of Carthage State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
The Battle of Carthage State Historic Site commemorates one of the earliest battles of the Civil War, fought on July 5, 1861. The 27-acre site preserves the location where Union forces under Colonel Franz Sigel faced off against the Missouri State Guard led by Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson. Visitors can explore interpretive signage and monuments that tell the story of this significant early Civil War engagement in Missouri.
7. Jasper County Courthouse
MAGNIFICENT HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
The Jasper County Courthouse stands as an impressive architectural landmark in the Carthage Square, built from distinctive Carthage marble. Completed in 1895, the Romanesque Revival building features a magnificent central tower, intricate stonework, and a beautiful interior rotunda. The courthouse continues to serve as both a working government building and a popular attraction for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs.
8. Historic Phelps House
ELEGANT VICTORIAN MANSION
The Historic Phelps House is a magnificent Victorian mansion built in 1895 by Colonel William Phelps, a prominent lawyer and mining entrepreneur. The three-story house showcases stunning architectural details including a corner tower, wrap-around porch, and exquisite interior woodwork made from quarter-sawn oak. Now operated by the Carthage Historic Preservation Society, the home offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of wealthy Missourians during the late 19th century.
9. Koka Art Gallery
LOCAL ART SHOWCASE
Koka Art Gallery displays an impressive collection of artwork from local and regional artists in the Carthage area. The gallery offers a diverse range of media including paintings, sculptures, pottery, and handcrafted items that showcase the creative talents of the region. Visitors can appreciate the artistic expressions while potentially purchasing unique pieces to take home as souvenirs.
10. Gateway Arch
ICONIC NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch is Missouri's most recognizable landmark, standing 630 feet tall as the nation's tallest monument. Designed by architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965, the stainless steel structure commemorates the westward expansion of the United States. Visitors can take a tram ride to the observation deck at the top for spectacular views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River.
11. Missouri Botanical Garden
HISTORIC URBAN OASIS
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States, founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw. Spanning 79 acres, the garden features a stunning collection of horticultural displays including a 14-acre Japanese garden, a tropical rainforest inside the Climatron geodesic dome, and numerous themed gardens. The National Historic Landmark combines scientific research with beautiful landscapes that attract visitors year-round.
12. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses one of the finest art collections in the United States, spanning nearly 5,000 years of human creativity. The museum is particularly renowned for its extensive Asian art collection, European paintings, and the outdoor Sculpture Park featuring larger-than-life badminton shuttlecocks by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Admission is free, making this cultural treasure accessible to all visitors seeking to explore its more than 42,000 works of art.
13. Meramec Caverns
FAMOUS UNDERGROUND WONDER
Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile cave system that ranks among Missouri's most visited natural attractions, famously used as a hideout by Jesse James and his outlaw gang. The limestone cave features spectacular formations including the massive Stage Curtain, a 70-foot high, 60-foot wide formation that is dramatically illuminated during guided tours. Visitors can explore seven levels of chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and rare cave formations during the 80-minute walking tour.
14. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
PRISTINE RIVER PARADISE
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was America's first federally protected river system, preserving the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The park encompasses 134 miles of clear, spring-fed waterways perfect for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming amid the spectacular Ozark landscape. Visitors can also explore more than 300 caves, historic mills, and numerous hiking trails throughout this natural treasure.
15. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
HISTORIC ROUTE 66 CROSSING
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a historic mile-long bridge spanning the Mississippi River, famous for its unique 22-degree bend in the middle and its status as part of the original Route 66. Built in 1929, the bridge now serves as a pedestrian and cycling path offering spectacular views of the river and the St. Louis skyline. Visitors can walk across this engineering marvel while spotting the distinctive water intake towers in the river below.