Qulin MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Qulin, Missouri.
1. Gateway Arch National Park
ICONIC AMERICAN MONUMENT
Gateway Arch National Park features the iconic 630-foot stainless steel arch, which stands as the tallest monument in the United States and symbolizes westward expansion. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and St. Louis skyline. The park also includes the Museum at the Gateway Arch which chronicles the history of Native Americans, explorers, pioneers, and rebels who made America possible.
2. Forest Park
URBAN OASIS
Forest Park is a magnificent 1,300-acre urban park that hosted the 1904 World's Fair and offers numerous cultural and recreational activities. The park houses several major attractions including the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, and the Saint Louis Science Center. Visitors can also enjoy paddle boating, golf, tennis, and miles of scenic walking and biking paths throughout the beautifully landscaped grounds.
3. Graceland
ELVIS PRESLEY'S LEGENDARY HOME
Graceland is the famous mansion and estate that belonged to music icon Elvis Presley, located just across the state line from Missouri. The 13.8-acre estate features the original mansion preserved in its 1970s glory, with rooms showcasing Elvis's unique decorating style including the famous Jungle Room. Visitors can also explore the entertainment complex housing Elvis's cars, costumes, gold records, and personal mementos that tell the story of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
4. Pumpkin Hollow
FAMILY FUN FARM
Pumpkin Hollow is a beloved local attraction in Qulin offering seasonal family activities centered around fall harvest celebrations. Visitors can navigate corn mazes, select perfect pumpkins from the patch, enjoy hayrides, and participate in various farm activities. The venue is particularly popular during autumn when its festive atmosphere and agricultural experiences provide entertainment for all ages.
5. Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum
RAIL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum preserves the rich railroad heritage of the Missouri-Arkansas region through exhibits of authentic railroad memorabilia and equipment. Visitors can explore vintage train cars, examine historical photographs, and learn about the crucial role railroads played in developing the region. The museum offers educational programs that highlight how rail transportation shaped local communities and industries throughout the area's history.
6. Black River Coliseum
ENTERTAINMENT & EVENT CENTER
The Black River Coliseum is a versatile 5,000-seat multi-purpose venue that hosts concerts, sporting events, trade shows, and community gatherings. Located in nearby Poplar Bluff, this modern facility features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems that attract major performers and events to the region. The coliseum serves as a cultural and entertainment hub for residents throughout Southeast Missouri and neighboring areas.
7. Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center
LITERARY HISTORICAL SITE
The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center preserves the former home of Paul and Mary Pfeiffer, whose daughter Pauline was married to Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway wrote portions of several works here, including parts of "A Farewell to Arms" in the barn studio that has been meticulously restored. The museum offers guided tours that provide insight into Hemingway's life during his time in the region and the influence of the Pfeiffer family on his literary career.
8. Current River
SCENIC WATERWAY ADVENTURE
Current River is one of America's most pristine waterways and a centerpiece of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, offering crystal-clear spring-fed waters perfect for floating, canoeing, and fishing. The river's consistent cool temperature and remarkable clarity come from the numerous springs that feed into it, including Big Spring, one of the largest single-outlet springs in the United States. Visitors can enjoy float trips ranging from a few hours to multiple days while experiencing the natural beauty of limestone bluffs, lush forests, and abundant wildlife along its shores.
9. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
WETLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 21,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, cypress-tupelo swamp, and marsh, making it the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forest in Missouri. The refuge provides critical habitat for migratory birds, with over 250 bird species documented, along with deer, beaver, otters, and other wildlife that visitors can observe. Nature enthusiasts can explore the wilderness via hiking trails, boardwalks, an auto tour route, and waterways that offer opportunities for photography, bird watching, fishing, and seasonal hunting.
10. Lake Wappapello State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Wappapello State Park offers 1,854 acres of natural beauty surrounding the scenic 8,400-acre Lake Wappapello, created by the damming of the St. Francis River. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the park's sandy beach, boating on the expansive lake, fishing for crappie, bass, and catfish, or hiking along the picturesque trails that wind through the wooded hillsides. The park provides modern campgrounds, picnic areas, and rental cabins that make it an ideal destination for family vacations and outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based recreation.
11. Margaret Harwell Art Museum
REGIONAL ART SHOWCASE
The Margaret Harwell Art Museum houses an impressive collection of regional and national art in a beautifully renovated historic building in downtown Poplar Bluff. The museum features rotating exhibits that showcase paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media works from both established and emerging artists. Visitors can appreciate cultural programming including art classes, workshops, lectures, and special events that connect the community with diverse artistic expressions.
12. Big Spring
NATURAL WONDER
Big Spring is one of the largest single-outlet springs in the United States, pumping an average of 286 million gallons of water daily into the Current River. The crystal-clear turquoise waters emerge from the base of a limestone bluff, creating a stunning natural phenomenon that visitors can view from several observation platforms. Located within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the spring is surrounded by scenic hiking trails, picnic areas, and historic CCC-era structures that enhance the visitor experience.
13. Bootheel Youth Museum
INTERACTIVE LEARNING CENTER
The Bootheel Youth Museum provides hands-on learning experiences through interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity and creativity in children of all ages. The museum features over 35 exhibits covering topics from science and technology to history and cultural heritage, with particular emphasis on the unique aspects of Missouri's Bootheel region. Visitors can participate in educational workshops, special events, and seasonal programs that make learning fun while promoting critical thinking skills and discovery-based exploration.
14. Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park
CIVIL WAR HISTORIC SITE
Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park preserves the site of a significant Civil War battle and river crossing where Confederate General John S. Marmaduke's troops retreated across the St. Francis River in May 1863. The park features interpretive displays, walking trails, and monuments that tell the story of this strategic location during the war. Visitors can explore the natural chalk bluffs that gave the site its name while learning about the military history and seeing remnants of the old military road that once passed through the area.
15. Stars and Stripes Museum
MILITARY NEWSPAPER HERITAGE
The Stars and Stripes Museum commemorates the origins and history of the military newspaper that began during the Civil War and continues to serve American armed forces worldwide. The museum displays original newspapers, printing equipment, photographs, and memorabilia chronicling how soldiers have reported news by and for service members through multiple conflicts. Visitors learn about the paper's founding in Bloomfield in 1861 and its evolution through interactive exhibits that highlight the importance of press freedom even in military contexts.