A train ride, glamping in a covered wagon, and a guided cemetery tour
Day Trips for Southeast Missourians
Events, trails, shops, restaurants, museums. All an easy drive away. In your inbox, every Thursday.
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God, I love this place.
Day Tripping on the Rails - The Iron Mountain Railway
This week's day trip destination is a traveling history entertainment museum (a train) in Jackson, Missouri: The Iron Mountain Railway!
Ride the tracks six miles in 100-year-old passenger cars and take in a show. Volunteer performers take to the aisle with rotating themes. We got tickets to a Jesse James train robbery. Watch a 26-second video from our train robbery experience.
It's slow, crowded, hot, and loud (Not just the train. It's often packed full of kids having a great time). But if you love old trains, or have kids who do, it's AWESOME. Open a window, let the breeze in, and enjoy the scenery and the storytelling.
Arrive 30 minutes before your train departs to pay and line up
Enjoy the 2-hour ride to Gordonville and back
The Iron Mountain Railway, Jackson, MO. April 2026
Weekend Getaway - Glamping in a Covered Wagon
I'm a tent camper. Born and raised. In town, I'm a cheap-hotel person. But a glamping girlie? Well, why the heck not? I'm a big fan of livin' a little and trying all the things. So, we finally tried it.
We stayed in one of the covered wagons at Otahki Lake KOA near Patterson, MO. right behind one of our favorite state parks, Sam A Baker.
The covered wagons at Otahki Lake KOA, April 2026
From the outside, the wagon looks like a heatstroke. But from the inside, they're backroad bougie. Keep in mind, this is coming from a tent camper. There’s AC. There’s heat. There’s a king bed, bunk beds, room to move around (yes, you can stand up), a table and chairs, and a coffee maker. No bathroom inside, but the bathhouse is so close it's more convenient than half the tent camping setups we’ve survived. You can see the bathhouse in the pic above.
Views
And the setting? Uffff...views over Otahki Lake, Eastern Ozark hills, sunsets, and lightning bugs... Just thinking about it, I'm fighting the urge to put in my two weeks' notice at my day job to take up the life of a glamping nomad.
Activities & Amenities
You're not exactly roughing it. Otahki Lake KOA has St. Francis River access with a gravel bar, kayak and paddleboard rentals, fishing, river float outfitting, golf cart rentals, 11 miles of gravel roads (gravel bikers, are you hearing this?), a bounce pillow for kids, a pizza kitchen, a game room, and a camp store.
The Neighbor
And if you somehow exhaust all that, Sam A. Baker State Park is a 5-minute drive down a gravel road with more trails, Big Creek access, historic 1930's architecture, and the Mudlick Mountain Grill. More on our fall Sammy A experience here.
Not a Sponsored Ad
No sponsorship here. No free wagon. We paid money like civilian non-influencers. KOA didn't even know we were coming. It was genuinely one of the most fun and easiest little weekend getaways we've done in a while. And with a toddler in tow, that's saying a lot.
You CAN enjoy nature AND air conditioning, cutie, it's ok.
Tucked above North Fountain Street sits one of Cape Girardeau’s most fascinating places: Old Lorimier Cemetery.
Founded in 1808 by Louis Lorimier after the death of his wife, over time, the cemetery became the resting place for a large share of the Cape's earliest settlers and traders from Germany, Canada, England, Wales, France, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and the West Indies, as well as free Black residents, enslaved people, soldiers, and victims of epidemics.
Over 6,500 people are believed to be interred there, mostly in unmarked graves.
Usually, access is limited by appointment, which makes this upcoming public event especially worth noting:
Old Lorimier Cemetery Tour, Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape County Archive Director Marybeth Niederkorn leads a free evening presentation on Revolutionary War veteran Uriah Brock and other notable figures buried there, followed by a guided tour. Monday, May 4. 5:30pm. Free.
This featured section is brought to you by VisitCape, the CVB helping keep your Southeast Missouri weekends fun and full.
The All-Nashville Roadshow is transporting Music City to Cape Girardeau on Friday, June 5.
It's a one-night outdoor concert experience at the A.C. Brase Arena Grandstand Lawn (eat your heart out, Grand Ol' Opry).
If you're into live Americana and country music under the open sky, with a BBQ sandwich in one hand and a craft beer in the other, you probably wanna grab tickets. --> Tickets
It's a bring-your-own-lawn-chair event, which means you can give bleacher seating the middle finger and be as comfortable as you choose to be.
Ticket prices range from $39-$59. Only 400 tickets are available. If this sounds like your kind of summer night, get a move on. Music starts at 7pm.
Art in Bloom Opening Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Glenn House is opening its doors back up for the year! The Victorian home will turn into a floral-filled art experience with room-by-room displays from local artists and designers. Live piano by Ethan King brings the elegance. 5:30-7:30pm. Free.
Celebrate the Arts 2026, Cape Girardeau, MO - A River Campus showcase bringing together music, theatre, dance, film, and visual art from SEMO students across multiple disciplines. 7:30pm. $16.
First Friday, Cape Girardeau, MO - Downtown Cape's monthly art walk returns with new exhibits, gallery stops, and local shops. It's great excuse to poke your head into places you normally pass right by.
The Perch Open House, Cape Girardeau, MO - Peek inside Cape's new Mahjong lounge during an open house featuring membership info, lessons, league details, giveaways, and fellow tile fans. 5:30-8pm.
Swap Meet/Flea Market Weekend, Benton, MO - Benton Speedway hosts a two-day treasure hunt of vendors, bargains, and random finds. Free.
Grit Speed Challenge, Sikeston, MO - Dirt drag racing, test-and-tune runs, old-school hot rods at Skelton Raceway, and an evening drive-in movie. Gates 7am. Racing starts 1pm.
Light It Up Night Ride, Ironton, MO - Shepherd Mountain Bike Park lights up for a night riding session. 8-9:30pm. $10 donation.
Azalea Festival, Fredericktown, MO - Carnival rides, arts and crafts, live music, a brew garden, and queen coronation festivities. Starts 4pm.
Spring Book Sale, Scott City, MO - Experience the thrill of finding something weird for a dollar at the Scott City library. 1-6pm.
The Night Chorus: Unraveling the Mysteries of Nightjars, Cypress, IL - Head to the Cache River Wetlands Center for an evening dive into the strange, secretive birds that call through the swamp at dusk. It's folklore and science. 5pm. Free.
Blossom Moon Night Paddle on the Cache River, Ullin, IL - Paddle the Cache River Wetlands at dusk beneath the rising moon, weaving through cypress and tupelo while frogs call and night falls on the swamp. Duration 2hr 30min.
Shawnee Trash Blast - Ripple Hollow, Jonesboro, IL - Help clean up a beautiful stretch of the Shawnee by tackling litter around Ripple Hollow. What's good for the forest is good for the soul. 1-3pm.
Amphibian Night Hike, Giant City State Park, IL - Head into the park after dark to listen for frog calls, spot spring amphibians, and learn. Expect wet trails. 7-9pm. Free.
Wicked Paducah: A Walk Through Paducah's Unsavory Past, Paducah, KY - A downtown walking tour covering Paducah’s rougher chapters, from moonshiners and red-light districts to unsolved murders and Wild West characters. 7pm. $18.
Sat, May 02
Cape Riverfront Market Opening Day, Cape Girardeau, MO - IT'S BACK! Cape’s riverside farmers market is back for the season with handmade goods, local vendors, and live music.
Art in Bloom, Cape Girardeau, MO - Spend the afternoon wandering the Glenn House as art, flowers, and history come together for a spring showcase. 1-4pm.
3rd Annual Plant Swap, Cape Girardeau, MO - Bring your healthy unwanted plants and trade them for something new at the public library’s annual spring swap. 1-3pm.
Learn to Crochet, Cape Girardeau, MO - A beginner-friendly class at Cape Library covering the basics, with supplies provided. 2-3:30pm. Free. 18+
SpringFest at Cape County Alpacas, Gordonville, MO - Spend the day with alpacas, feed the herd, snap a few selfies, feel the famously soft fleece, and browse the farm boutique. Free.
Grit Speed Challenge, Sikeston, MO - A packed day at Skelton Raceway with vintage drag racing, dirt drags, a car show, swap meet, food, and live music. It's a love letter to loud engines and old metal. Gates 7am.
2nd Annual Strawberry Festival, Sikeston, MO - Apple Ridge Orchard celebrates strawberry season with u-pick berries, fresh-picked fruit, vendors, live entertainment, bounce houses, and photo ops. 10am-5pm.
Downtown Sikeston Farmers Market Opening Day, Sikeston, MO - Farmers' market season has come back to Sikeston, too! Every Saturday through October, so this is your first shot to become a regular. 7am-noon.
Downtown Cruise-In, Perryville, MO - Downtown Perryville fills with classic cars, custom builds, and live music. Stroll the square, peep some chrome, and eat some snacks on a spring evening. 5-9pm.
Azalea Festival, Fredericktown, MO - Full-on festival day with breakfast, a fun run, golf, pickleball, sand volleyball, horseshoes, a car show, tractor pulls, carnival rides, a kiddie tractor pull, live music, a stein holding competition and...a diaper derby???
Spring Book Sale, Scott City, MO - Second chance to raid the shelves for bargain books. 9am-12pm.
The Ozark’s Mountain Challenge, Sam A Baker State Park, MO - A 12-hour endurance hiking challenge that dares hikers to climb Mudlick Mountain eight times, totaling 7,980 feet of elevation gain - the same height as Mount Olympus. This event is SOLD OUT for the 3rd year in a row. So why put it here if you can't participate? Because I want you to realize there is an endurance challenge making waves in your backyard.YouTube will confirm. People from across 200 cities are flocking to Sam A Baker State Park this weekend. Start training for next year to get in on this!
11th Annual Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail, Southern Illinois - Take a scenic drive through the Shawnee Hills to visit working potters, studios, and handmade ceramics stops along the trail. It's a road trip and art crawl rolled into one. 10am-5pm.
Ride to Blue Sky, Makanda, IL - Didn't know this one existed, or I would have told you earlier, sorry! It's a scenic cycling fundraiser supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois with 12-, 30-, and 54-mile route options through the hills of Southern Illinois. 9am.
Sun, May 03
Art in Bloom, Cape Girardeau, MO - One last chance to catch the Glenn House filled with floral creations and local talent. Celebrate the spring re-opening of one of Cape's favorite Victorian homes. 1-4pm.
Tea Talks with Doc Cain, Cape Girardeau, MO - Reynolds House hosts an afternoon of local stories, rumors, and river town history as Port Cape owner Doc Cain speaks on the truth, legends, and secrets of old Cape. 2-3pm.
Grit Speed Challenge, Sikeston, MO - Time trials, eliminations, cash payouts, and more vintage drag racing as the weekend closes. Time trials 9:30am. Eliminations 12pm.
2nd Annual Strawberry Festival, Sikeston, MO - Second day of strawberry fun at Apple Ridge Orchard with berry picking, food, shopping, and a wholesome way to spend a little time outside. 12-5pm.
A Very Pirate-y Concert, Sikeston, MO - Bootheel River Symphony sets sail at Malone Park Center for the Arts with an evening of pirate and sea-themed music. All the shanties and swashbuckling, with none of the scurvy. 6pm. Free.
Azalea Festival, Fredericktown, MO - Last day! Carnival rides, arts and crafts, live music, and the Azalea Parade rolling through town before the festival wraps for another year. Parade 2pm.
11th Annual Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail, Southern Illinois - Second day to explore pottery studios across the Shawnee Hills, meet artists, and find something handmade. 10am-5pm.
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise
Business Growth Workshop Days, Sikeston, Perryville & Poplar Bluff, MO - If you currently have a business (or a business idea): The Southeast regional Small Business Development Center is hosting 3 days of free workshops focused on strategy, branding, marketing, and funding. Attend the city closest to you - or hit multiple stops if you're feeling aggressively entrepreneurial. Each day includes sessions at 10am, 11:30am, and 1pm. No cost. Bring your own lunch. Tuesday, May 5 - Sikeston, MO Center St Station. Wednesday, May 6 - Perryville, MO Catalyst Center for Business. Thursday, May 7 - Poplar Bluff, MO Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
Spring Wildflower Walk - Trail of Tears State Park, Cape Girardeau, MO - A guided evening hike to catch Missouri’s spring wildflowers at peak bloom, with a short trip out to Trail of Tears State Park. May 6. 5:30-8pm. Limited space. Must register.
Painting in Oils with Jeff Boutin, Sikeston, MO - A four-session class at Malone Park Center for the Arts covering oil painting techniques for beginners and returning artists alike. Runs Thursdays May 7, 14, 21, and June 4. 6-8pm. $40 class only or $140 with supplies.
Intro to Wild Caving (Two-Part Program), Perryville, MO - A rare chance to learn the basics of caving and then explore a real cave with expert guides. These sessions only run a handful of times each year and spots are limited. No experience necessary. Info session May 14. Cave exploration May 16.
Ozarks Edge Endurance Mountain Bike Race, Poplar Bluff, MO - Endurance racing returns to Wolf Creek Trail with 3-, 6-, and 12-hour events for adults and junior riders, with relay options over rugged Ozark loops. Benefits the Poplar Bluff Hellbenders youth team. May 23. First race starts 10am.
Tour de Corn, East Prairie, MO - One of the flattest and friendliest rides around returns with 15-, 30-, 63-, and 100-mile routes through the Bootheel. The hometown support and rest stops are legendary. It is corny AF in all the best ways. PAVED. June 27. Ride starts 7:30am. WE ARE REGISTERED AND READY TO LEISURELY RIDE.
Klaus Park Klash Mountain Bike Race, Jackson, MO - From youth to adults, nearly 100 riders from 4-5 states gather to take on laps around a 5-mile course at Klaus Park in Jackson for awards and cash prizes. This is a major fundraiser for our youth mountain bike team, so if you want to see locals ride MTB in the Olympics someday, spread the frickin' word, sign up, and ride (or just donate). June 28.
For each event, you’ll find more info at the link. *Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.