Franklin MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Franklin, Missouri.
1. Missouri Route 66
HISTORIC AMERICAN HIGHWAY
Missouri Route 66 offers travelers a journey through America's historic highway system with numerous roadside attractions. Visitors can explore gas stations, auto repair shops, motels, tourist courts, roadside parks, and novelty shops that once dotted this iconic road. The route provides a nostalgic glimpse into American travel culture of the mid-20th century.
2. Branson Scenic Railway
VINTAGE TRAIN EXPERIENCE
The Branson Scenic Railway takes passengers on a journey through the beautiful Ozark Mountains in vintage passenger cars. The excursion travels through tunnels, over trestles, and past stunning scenery that is inaccessible by car. Despite being listed among less exciting attractions by some critics, many visitors appreciate the relaxing experience and historical commentary provided during the ride.
3. Field of Dreams Movie Site
ICONIC BASEBALL LANDMARK
The Field of Dreams Movie Site is a famous baseball field built for the 1989 film starring Kevin Costner, located near the Missouri border. Visitors can walk the same field where the movie was filmed, surrounded by cornfields and featuring the iconic white farmhouse. The site captures the nostalgic atmosphere portrayed in the film with its tagline 'Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa.'
4. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
RIVER HISTORY EXPLORATION
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium offers interactive wildlife encounters and comprehensive exhibits on river history. Visitors receive a two-day pass that allows them to fully explore the historical river exhibits and technology section featuring virtual reality experiences. The museum also includes a riverboat tour that provides perspective on the Mississippi from the water.
5. Little House on the Prairie Museum
PIONEER LIFE EXPERIENCE
The Little House on the Prairie Museum features a reproduction cabin similar to the one in which the Ingalls family lived while on the Osage Diminished Reserve. The historic site also includes a one-room schoolhouse, post office, and well that was hand-dug by Charles Ingalls himself. Visitors can experience firsthand the pioneer lifestyle that inspired Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved books.
6. Mid-America All-Indian Center
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
The Mid-America All-Indian Center is a unique cultural facility located on the shores of the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita. Established in 1969, the center educates visitors about the traditions and heritage of Native American peoples while recognizing their vital role in today's society. The center houses an impressive collection of more than 3,000 artifacts representing various tribes and their histories.
7. Old Cowtown Museum
FRONTIER SETTLEMENT RECREATION
Old Cowtown Museum transports visitors back to the late 1800s to experience life in a frontier settlement on the Chisholm Trail. The living history museum recreates the isolation and challenges faced by pioneers who journeyed without knowing what the future might hold. Visitors can explore authentic and recreated buildings while interacting with costumed interpreters who demonstrate daily life from the era.
8. Maquoketa Caves State Park
NATURAL WONDER EXPLORATION
Maquoketa Caves State Park offers visitors the chance to explore a unique system of caves and rock formations. The park features more than a dozen caves of various sizes that can be explored with proper lighting equipment. Visitors should note that parking is limited to designated spots only and peak visitation times occur on weekends between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
9. Fenelon Place Elevator
HISTORIC INCLINE RAILWAY
The Fenelon Place Elevator is the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway, originally built in 1882. Visitors ride the historic funicular for panoramic views of the Mississippi River, three states (Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin), and downtown Dubuque. The elevator was constructed by J.K. Graves, a former mayor and banker who wanted a quick way to travel between his downtown business and hilltop home for midday meals.
10. Silver Dollar City
OZARK MOUNTAIN THEME PARK
Silver Dollar City is an 1880s-themed entertainment park featuring over 40 rides and attractions, including world-class roller coasters and water rides. Visitors can watch demonstrations by more than 100 resident craftsmen including blacksmiths, glass blowers, and candy makers practicing traditional Ozark Mountain crafts. The park also hosts several festivals throughout the year, offering seasonal entertainment, foods, and special events.
11. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
CASTLE RUINS ADVENTURE
Ha Ha Tonka State Park features the stone ruins of a early 20th-century castle built by businessman Robert McClure Snyder. The park offers 15 miles of trails that wind past sinkholes, natural bridges, a spring, and the castle ruins with spectacular views of Lake of the Ozarks. Visitors can explore the geological wonders of the karst landscape while learning about the tragic history of the castle's owner who died before its completion.
12. Gateway Arch National Park
ICONIC AMERICAN MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch National Park features the iconic 630-foot stainless steel monument designed by architect Eero Saarinen. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for panoramic views extending up to 30 miles in each direction on clear days. The park also includes the Museum at the Gateway Arch which tells the story of westward expansion in the United States and the role St. Louis played as the gateway to the West.
13. Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
LITERARY HISTORY SITE
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum preserves the childhood home of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Visitors can explore eight historical buildings including the Boyhood Home, Huckleberry Finn House, and Becky Thatcher House, all of which inspired settings in Twain's most famous works. The museum complex offers insight into how Twain's early experiences in this Mississippi River town shaped his literary masterpieces like 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'
14. Meramec Caverns
UNDERGROUND WONDER TOURS
Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile cave system in the Ozarks that has attracted tourists since 1933. The caverns feature spectacular formations including the 70-foot tall Wine Table and colorful seven-story mansion formation that serves as the backdrop for a dramatic light and sound show. Once a hideout for Jesse James and his gang, the caverns now offer guided tours that last approximately 80 minutes and cover about 1.25 miles on well-lit concrete walkways.
15. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
CIVIL WAR HISTORIC SITE
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River on August 10, 1861. Visitors can explore a 4.9-mile self-guided tour road with eight interpretive stops, along with several miles of walking trails through the historic landscape. The site includes a visitor center with a museum featuring artifacts from the battle, a research library, and a bookstore offering educational materials about the Western Theater of the Civil War.