McBaine MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near McBaine, Missouri.
1. McBaine Burr Oak (The Big Tree)
HISTORIC NATURAL LANDMARK
The McBaine Burr Oak, also known as The Big Tree, is a rare natural landmark near McBaine that has stood for nearly 400 years. It has withstood numerous storms, droughts, and floods throughout its long history. This impressive oak is visible from McBaine and serves as a significant landmark in the area.
2. Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
WILDLIFE AND NATURE PRESERVE
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is located just south of McBaine, providing a haven for wildlife and bird watching. The conservation area features wetlands and floodplain habitats along the Missouri River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife photography, and seasonal hunting opportunities in this natural setting.
3. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
NATURAL CAVE SYSTEM
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park offers visitors a chance to explore unique karst landscapes near Columbia. The park features a rock bridge, sinkholes, underground streams, and the famous Devil's Icebox Cave. Hiking trails wind through the park's wooded areas, providing opportunities to observe wildlife and natural features.
4. Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area
SPORTS AND RECREATION COMPLEX
Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area offers a variety of sports facilities and outdoor recreation options. The complex includes baseball fields, soccer fields, and recreational trails for public use. Visitors can enjoy organized sports events or casual recreational activities throughout the year.
5. GQT Forum 8
MODERN CINEMA EXPERIENCE
GQT Forum 8 is a popular movie theater offering the latest film releases near the McBaine area. The theater provides a comfortable viewing experience with modern amenities and concessions. Moviegoers can enjoy current blockbusters and independent films in this entertainment venue.
6. Missouri Civil War Museum
HISTORICAL MILITARY EXHIBITS
The Missouri Civil War Museum preserves and displays artifacts and information related to Missouri's role in the Civil War. Exhibits showcase military equipment, personal items, and historical documents from this pivotal period in American history. Visitors can learn about the complex political and social dynamics that affected Missouri during the war years.
7. Glore Psychiatric Museum
MEDICAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the history of psychiatric treatment through fascinating and sometimes disturbing exhibits. Located in a former state mental hospital, the museum features treatment devices, patient artwork, and historical medical equipment. Visitors gain insight into the evolution of mental health care from the 16th century to modern times.
8. Cuivre River State Park
RUGGED OUTDOOR RECREATION
Cuivre River State Park offers a wilderness experience in the rolling hills of northeast Missouri. The park features more than 6,000 acres of rugged landscape with hiking trails, camping areas, and fishing opportunities. Visitors can explore hardwood forests, prairies, and aquatic habitats while observing diverse wildlife.
9. Mastodon State Historic Site
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
Mastodon State Historic Site preserves the Kimmswick Bone Bed, where scientists discovered mastodon bones and evidence of early human activity. The site includes a museum with exhibits featuring fossils, artifacts, and information about the Ice Age and early inhabitants of Missouri. Visitors can walk interpretive trails through the grounds where these significant archaeological discoveries were made.
10. Katy Trail State Park
HISTORIC RAIL TRAIL
Katy Trail State Park is a 240-mile rail-trail conversion that passes near McBaine as it follows the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad route. The trail offers scenic views of the Missouri River, bluffs, and rural landscapes as it traverses the state. Hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts enjoy this linear park that connects numerous historic towns and natural areas.
11. University of Missouri
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
The University of Missouri, founded in 1839, is the state's flagship university located in nearby Columbia. The campus features historic buildings, beautiful gardens, and notable attractions such as the Museum of Art and Archaeology and the Museum of Anthropology. Visitors can tour the grounds, attend sporting events, or participate in cultural programs throughout the year.
12. Missouri State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Missouri State Capitol in nearby Jefferson City houses the state government and features impressive architecture and artistic elements. The building's dome rises 238 feet above ground level and is topped with a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Visitors can tour the Capitol to view Thomas Hart Benton murals, the Hall of Famous Missourians, and the Missouri State Museum.
13. Finger Lakes State Park
OFF-ROAD VEHICLE PARADISE
Finger Lakes State Park offers a unique outdoor recreation experience on land that was once strip-mined for coal. The park features more than 70 miles of off-road vehicle trails winding through the rugged terrain. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, fishing, and canoeing in the park's numerous narrow lakes created by the mining operations.
14. Columbia Farmers Market
LOCAL FOOD EXPERIENCE
Columbia Farmers Market brings together local producers offering fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and artisanal products throughout the year. The market operates from a permanent pavilion and features dozens of vendors from within a 50-mile radius of Columbia. Visitors can purchase local goods, enjoy prepared foods, and learn about sustainable farming practices in central Missouri.
15. Three Creeks Conservation Area
NATURAL FOREST GETAWAY
Three Creeks Conservation Area encompasses over 1,500 acres of scenic forest and stream habitat just south of Columbia. The area features hiking trails that follow Turkey, Bass, and Bonne Femme Creeks, with limestone bluffs, caves, and sinkholes throughout the property. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and seasonal hunting in this natural setting.