A very rare fish, a day on the lake, and Friday night BINGO lights
Day Trips for Southeast Missourians
Events, trails, shops, restaurants, museums. All an easy drive away. In your inbox, every Thursday.
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Quick explanation for all our new subscribers: Backroad Weekly sometimes writes about places that are outside Southeast Missouri.
That's because our real goal is to write about things to do for people who live in Southeast Missouri. That means day trips you can knock out in one day when Se/MO is your home base. That includes Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, and the Ozark foothills. Maybe Memphis??? A little here, a little there. Close enough to be doable. Interesting enough to be worth it.
It's all about appreciating how nice it is to live here, 'cause there's so much to do and see nearby.
Didja know? There's somethin' fishy about Perry County
Here's a fun fact to razzle dazzle your adoring guests at tea parties: There's a funny little fish about the size of a matchstick that you won't find anywhere in the world except in Perry County's caves. (God, we're cool.) It's the grotto sculpin. Scientists estimate the total population could be anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 fish, which is...not a lot of fish. Every grotto sculpin on Earth could get their own seat at Busch Stadium and still fill less than a quarter of the stadium (capacity: 46,700).
The grotto sculpin, working it. Public Domain photo taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
So what makes this tiny good-looker a big deal (besides how rare it is)? Scientists say its health can be used as an indicator of underground water quality for the systems that feed local drinking supplies. It's basically the canary in the coal mine. When it's doin' good, our water's doin' good. And when it's not doing so good...well. Whoops.
In December 2025, conservation partners acquired 80 acres above the Moore Cave System, home to one of only two known entrances to the grotto sculpin’s habitat. Protecting this land from development helps prevent contamination of the underground streams where our rare fish friend lives, and the water Southeast Missourians drink.
Credit where it's due. Info on the folks lookin out for us (and Grotto Scully): The land above the Moore Cave System was acquired by The Conservation Fund and is now stewarded by Ozark Land Trust, with support from MDC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Winter is the the time to experience this place. It's also the only time I've experienced this place... With the leaves down, you get all the big, cinematic views of the lake and swamps. It’s still eagle season, my Backroad besties. Nests are everywhere at Horseshoe Lake, and the bird activity is constant. We got up close and personal with bald eagles, mallards, snow geese, greater white-fronted geese, and kingfishers. So if you're a little bored with the action at your home feeder, get your birder butts in the car. Bring binoculars and bundle up. It gets windy out there.
Now we want to get kayaks to make this bird-watching freak show duo float. That's my new nickname for our marriage.
Horseshoe Lake, Alexander County, Southern Illinois, Jan 2026
For the Sake of Honesty
It's such a cliche to call something 'hauntingly beautiful', but Horseshoe Lake, I'll be that cliche for you, girlfriend. However, you'll also notice some rough edges: unreadable signs, aging fishing docks that are falling into the water, and trash. *Insert a sad trombone sound.Wah, wah, waaaaah. It’s a bummer, especially given how popular this place is with wildlife. It's like a waterfowl Coachella.
Eat Here: Horseshoe Bar & Grill
On the east side of the lake, you’ll find the Horseshoe Bar & Grill. It's a true hole-in-the-wall with darts, drinks, gaming machines, and a room full of regulars. The atmosphere leans dive bar for duck hunters, but the people are warm and welcoming, there's a lake view, and the food is awesome.
End with a Winter Walk on Island Road
After lunch, head to a gravel road on the northwest side of the lake called Island Road. When you get to the parking lot, there's another 2.8-mile out-and-back gravel road to the island (5.6 miles total) that is reserved for bikes and foot traffic. It runs along the east side of the island, and in winter, it’s lovely: sun on your face, lake views through bare trees, and a whole lot of quiet. Just know what you’re getting into:
It’s more gravel-and-grass road than traditional trail. Less hike, more walk
The path is fully exposed to the sun (GREAT in winter, brutal in summer)
Windy at times. Layers matter
There is also a grassy trail at a fork, but we didn’t test it. We only walked the gravel road.
Trails here are out-and-back; they don’t connect.
Island Road at Horseshoe Lake leading to the island, Alexander County, Southern Illinois, Jan 2026
Horseshoe Lake is also a public hunting area. It's hard for me to say anything about duck season without thinking of Looney Tunes. But I'll try: Sticking to the gravel road keeps you visible. Avoid early mornings and evenings, and wearing blaze orange is a smart move, even for a casual walk. Safety first. Fashion second.
Help Out & Pitch In
I know how much you love selflessly donating all your money and volunteering all your time, but this week, I’ve got a much easier lift. A two-minute way to support the Se/MO you love from your phone: vote!
Missouri Humanities is running its Small Town Showcase, where communities across the state are competing to become one of the Featured Five. Kinda sounds like a boy band. The prize? A professionally produced video, podcast episode, and statewide exposure.
Jackson, Perryville, and Sikeston are all officially nominated! Voting is open now, you canvote for all three, it’s free, and you can vote once per day until February 1 at 5pm.
That’s it. Just a few clicks to show the rest of Missouri that Southeast Missouri towns are worth paying attention to.
So vote now or misfortune will follow you starting at midnight. JK, do you remember those old unhinged early-internet chain emails?
If your Friday plans are currently “scroll, snack, spiral,” may we humbly suggest BINGO?
Every Friday (with the occasional exception), Friday Optimist Bingo takes over Cape Girardeau's Osage Center with the electric thrill of shouting and prizes. This is a 18+ situation, so line up a sitter.
How it works:
Doors open at 2:00pm
Paper & pull-tab sales start at 4:30pm
Early Bird games at 6:15pm
Regular Bingo kicks off 6:30pm
6 cards for $12 (a steal)
Free popcorn (other concessions available for purchase when popcorn won’t cut it)
Expect a classic community ambiance and welcoming, cutthroat regulars. It’s fun and delightfully old-school, in the best way.
Heads up: Bingo runs Fridays with the occasional schedule change, so check the dates before you go.
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.
This Weekend’s Happenings
Fri, Jan 16
Underground Jazz, Cape Girardeau, MO - This seated (doesn't that already make it appealing?), all-ages show at Scout Hall brings top-tier jazz musicians to downtown Cape, directed by SEMO’s Director of Jazz Studies. Featuring Michael Chapa. Doors 7pm. Show 7:30pm. Ticket prices at the link.
Opera Double Feature: Dido and Aeneas + Alcina, Cape Girardeau, MO - Southeast Opera Theatre presents two one-act operas in one evening at Bedell Performance Hall, pairing a tragic love story with an abridged operatic farce. Their words. Not mine. I'm not that articulate. Sung in English and Italian with supertitles. 7:30pm. Ticket prices at the link.
Sewing Circle, Benton, MO - Bring your current project or get a little help at this casual sewing meetup for all ages at the Benton Branch of Riverside Regional Library. 3:30-4:30pm.
Yacht Rock the Dock, Paducah, KY - Smooth sailing straight into nostalgia. Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, and Peter Beckett of Player team up for a night of sun-soaked soft rock and radio staples from the late 70s and early 80s. Expect “How Much I Feel,” “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Baby Come Back,” and plenty of songs you didn’t realize you know every word to. At The Carson Center.
Spectrum Record Lounge Live, Cape Girardeau, MO - Three out-of-town bands roll into Spectrum for a winter show. Devin Metzger and the CHS, The Heavy Change, and Black Patch Revival. $10. 21+. 8pm
Snow Goose Spotting, Cape Girardeau, MO - Travel through Southeast Missouri to observe snow geese near Otter Slough Conservation Area, with binoculars and spotting scopes. 6-11am.
American Oddities Museum Grand Re-Opening, Alton, IL - Explore a new location and larger space filled with unusual exhibits, relics, and displays. 12-5pm. $7 admission.
Stained Glass Class, Johnston City, IL - Learn the copper foil technique and create your own stained glass piece in this small-group, hands-on class. This workshop includes two studio days to finish your project, Saturday and Sunday (Jan 17-18). $250 includes supplies and instruction.
Comedy Night at Dry Ground Brewing Company, Paducah, KY - Local favorites take the mic before Nashville comic Matthew Blevins closes out the night. Free show (tips appreciated for the out-of-town talent), with some mature content. Show starts at 8pm.
Sun, Jan 18
Heartland Writers Guild Monthly Meeting, Cape Girardeau, MO - A gathering for writers of all genres, featuring snacks, conversation, a guest speaker, and connection with fellow writers. 2-4pm.
Opera Double Feature: Dido and Aeneas + Alcina, Cape Girardeau, MO - A second chance to catch Southeast Opera Theatre’s double feature of Purcell and Handel, blending drama, comedy, and live performance at Bedell Performance Hall. 3pm. Tickets at the link.
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise
The Not-So-Great Outdoorsmen Film Premiere, Cape Girardeau, MO - Red carpet premiere of a short comedy by East Prairie filmmaker Lawson Thresher about two campers whose weekend goes weird after a Bigfoot encounter. Screening at Marcus Cape West Cinema. Friday, Jan 31. Tickets $10.
Cooking Class at Encore Pizza, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn to make wood-fired pizza plus a surprise dessert during this hands-on class that comes with two complimentary drinks and a charcuterie board. Saturday, Jan 25, 12-3pm. $75.
Heartstrings and Buttercream Valentine’s Cake Decorating Experience, Cape Girardeau, MO - A hands-on Valentine’s cake decorating class featuring a pre-baked 6-inch heart-shaped cake, guided instruction, and light refreshments. Hosted by Sweet Celebrations by Dae. Saturday, Feb 7, 11am-1pm. Tickets $70 single or $130 for couples.
2026 Polar Plunge, Cape Girardeau, MO - Run, walk, or dramatically tiptoe screaming into icy water for a good cause at the annual Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Missouri. Expect costumes, music, regret, and then a sense of accomplishment and community. Saturday, Feb 7. Plunge at noon. Day-of registration 10am-12pm at Cape County Park North.
Little Grassy Winter Songwriter Retreat, Makanda, IL - A weekend-long, retreat for songwriters of all levels at SIU’s Touch of Nature, featuring workshops, feedback circles, and song jams in the Shawnee Forest. Friday, Feb 27 through Sunday, March 1. Weekend passes $315, student passes $215. Meals included, lodging separate.
Illinois Master Naturalist Spring Training, Benton, IL - A 10-week hybrid training for adults interested in environmental stewardship, covering topics like ecology, wildlife, rivers and streams, forestry, and conservation through online learning and in-person sessions. Fridays, March 13 through May 22, 9am-3pm. $250.
WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: CANOEING
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Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. Thanks again to VisitCape. The next time you're in their office picking up all the Se/MO things-to-do brochures, let them know you get your day trip itineraries from Backroad Weekly. They'll be thrilled to hear it.
Catch you down the road.
Caitlan Hester Publisher, Backroad Weekly
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