Tallapoosa MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Tallapoosa, Missouri.
1. River Walk Gallery
ART AND HISTORY COMBINED
River Walk Gallery is a popular attraction in Tallapoosa that combines art galleries with historical exhibits. Visitors can explore various artistic works while learning about the local history. The gallery provides a cultural experience that appeals to both art enthusiasts and history buffs.
2. Higgerson School Historic Site
EDUCATIONAL HISTORICAL LANDMARK
Higgerson School Historic Site preserves an important piece of educational history in the Tallapoosa area. The restored schoolhouse offers visitors a glimpse into early American education in rural Missouri. Tours of the site provide educational insights about teaching methods and student life from bygone eras.
3. New Madrid Veteran Park
MONUMENTS AND GARDENS
New Madrid Veteran Park features impressive monuments and beautifully maintained gardens honoring veterans. The park includes commemorative statues that pay tribute to those who served in various conflicts. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks through the landscaped gardens while reflecting on military service and sacrifice.
4. Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park
ICONIC OUTDOOR ART
Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park is home to monumental outdoor sculptures including the famous badminton birdies. The park is part of the renowned Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, offering an accessible way to experience world-class art in an outdoor setting. Visitors can wander among impressive large-scale works while enjoying the beautifully landscaped grounds.
5. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses an extensive collection spanning thousands of years of human creativity. The museum is known for its exceptional Asian art collection and impressive European paintings. Visitors can explore diverse galleries featuring everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces.
6. New Madrid Historical Museum
EARTHQUAKE AND RIVER HISTORY
New Madrid Historical Museum documents the famous earthquakes of 1811-1812 that changed the course of the Mississippi River. The museum features artifacts, interactive displays, and firsthand accounts of this significant seismic event. Visitors can learn about both the geological importance and the human impact of these historic earthquakes.
7. Mississippi River Observation Deck
SCENIC RIVER VIEWS
The Mississippi River Observation Deck offers spectacular views of America's most iconic river. Visitors can watch barges and boats navigate the powerful current while learning about the river's importance to commerce and transportation. Interpretive panels explain the ecological and historical significance of the Mississippi River system.
8. Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
PRESERVED VICTORIAN MANSION
Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site preserves a magnificent antebellum home with most of its original furnishings intact. This 15-room mansion provides a glimpse into the privileged lifestyle of wealthy Missouri families before the Civil War. Guided tours take visitors through the elegant rooms while explaining the history of the Hunter and Dawson families.
9. Big Oak Tree State Park
ANCIENT FOREST PRESERVE
Big Oak Tree State Park protects some of the few remaining giant trees that once dominated the Mississippi River floodplain. The park features champion-size specimens of several tree species, including massive oaks and cypresses. Boardwalk trails allow visitors to explore this unique wetland ecosystem without disturbing the delicate environment.
10. Sikeston Depot Museum
RAILROAD AND LOCAL HISTORY
Sikeston Depot Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1916 railroad station that serves as a focal point for local history. The museum features exhibits on transportation, agriculture, and the cultural development of southeast Missouri. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that tell the story of Sikeston and the surrounding region.
11. Lambert's Cafe
HOME OF THROWN ROLLS
Lambert's Cafe is a unique dining attraction famous for its tradition of servers throwing dinner rolls to customers. The restaurant has become a tourist destination known for its generous portions of Southern-style comfort food. Visitors come from across the country to experience the fun atmosphere and catch hot rolls in mid-air.
12. Missouri Delta Medical Center Historic Campus
MEDICAL HERITAGE SITE
Missouri Delta Medical Center Historic Campus preserves buildings from one of the region's earliest healthcare facilities. The site includes exhibits on the evolution of medical care in rural Missouri throughout the 20th century. Visitors can learn about the challenges of providing healthcare in the Mississippi Delta region and the innovations that improved rural medicine.
13. Bootheel Youth Museum
INTERACTIVE CHILDREN'S LEARNING
Bootheel Youth Museum offers hands-on exhibits designed to make learning fun for children of all ages. The museum features interactive displays covering science, technology, history, and the arts. Young visitors can engage in educational play while developing critical thinking skills and curiosity about the world around them.
14. Stars and Stripes Museum
MILITARY NEWSPAPER HISTORY
The Stars and Stripes Museum preserves the history of the U.S. military's independent newspaper that has informed troops since the Civil War. The museum displays original newspapers, printing equipment, and personal accounts from military journalists. Visitors can learn about how this unique publication maintained troop morale while providing uncensored news to service members.
15. Reelfoot Lake State Park
EARTHQUAKE-FORMED NATURAL WONDER
Reelfoot Lake State Park preserves a natural lake created by the same earthquakes that affected Tallapoosa and New Madrid in 1811-1812. The shallow lake is known for its cypress trees that rise dramatically from the water and the abundant wildlife, including bald eagles. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and learning about this unique ecosystem formed by seismic activity.