A waterfall, DIY for everyone, art galleries galore, and a 100-year-old highway
Day Trips for Southeast Missourians
Events, trails, shops, restaurants, museums. All an easy drive away. In your inbox, every Thursday.
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This week, we bask in waterfall mist, DIY the day away, stroll blissfully through local galleries, and leave our mark on a shared mural.
Long live the day trip! Long live the day trip! Long live the day trip!
Hickory Canyons Natural Area
What a great big world we must be living in when you can hide a waterfall somewhere between Farmington and New Offenburg, MO.
Punch Hickory Canyons Natural Area into Google Maps and trust it when it takes you down twisty roads to a small parking area. Across the road, there's a trail head for a one-mile trail. And on the parking lot side of the road is the trailhead for the short walk down to the falls. It's only about 0.25 miles downhill into the canyon. My fellow klutzes (fist bump) pack your walking sticks. Let's not give the folks graced with balance something to laugh about.
We were there Sunday (2/1) and the falls were still frozen. They were so stunning that if they were a person, they wouldn't need a personality.
The Backroad Weekly team at Hickory Canyons Natural Area February 2026. The smallest one is our Chief Operating Officer.
Important: If you're saving this one for later, you should know that in dry weather, these falls dry up. They're most impressive after rain (or a big frost). With temps on the rise and everything turning to mush, if you go soon, you might get to see water in the falls!
This site goes great with a day trip to Farmington, Ste. Genevieve, or Hawn State Park. Get your local-travel-loving buns out there.
Day Tripping - Arts, Crafts, and Cape Girardeau, MO
Board & Brush Workshop!
I've got a coupon code for you, my backroad buttercups! But I'll get back to that.
We traded trekking poles for paint brushes last weekend. By that I mean, we FINALLY did our first workshop at Board & Brush Cape Girardeau. And either I'm an art savant, or there were stencils and excellent instruction. Take your best guess.
Love how the aprons reveal who is a bigger mess. How symbolic. And I didn't even have one of those Blue Moons in the cooler.
If you've been living under a Southeast Missouri rock like me, and you haven't been yet: Board & Brush offers guided projects where you stain and paint a piece from start to finish.
Here's How
Go to the online calendar, pick a day, pick a project, show up, and an instructor with the patience of a glacier walks you through the process step by step. All materials provided.
The Nice-to-knows:
You don’t need any DIY or art experience. Each step is explained and help is nearby. So none of those "I'm NoT aRtSy" excuses. You gotta live life despite what you think about yourself.
It's perfect for catching up and hanging out with friends. And you get to avoid that annoying, "What sounds good to you?...I don't know, what sounds good to YOU" restaurant-decision paralysis.
You leave with something finished! You walk out with a completed piece you can keep or give as a gift. Baby growth rulers, signs, trays, and home decor are all options. And it's something you made! So satisfying.
Kids as young as five can do their own projects. Your kids get a hands-on experience, and you don't have to worry about your new kitchen table taking one for the team.
So, get out of the house. Spend time with someone. Buy a drink. Do something different.
Back to the coupon code: If you’re interested in trying it soon, there's a $25-off coupon code (WINTER25OFF) valid this weekend for the workshop on Friday at 6pm (which includes a drink). And there's one this Saturday at 2pm.
$25 off this weekend with code WINTER25OFF (to make it stand out for my skim readers)
You've driven to Cape. You've gone to all that trouble of putting pants and earrings on...maybe even, dare I say...ChapStick? You crazy thing. Keep the party going after (or before?) your Board & Brush workshop. What else can you do while you're out and about? Follow the theme.
Here's a particularly fun one: At the Painted Wren Gallery, you can browse the art, as per usche, AND you can participate in the newest paint-for-a-cause. Add to a mural celebrating 100 years of the Blues Highway. "Anyone, any age, any ability, can participate Tuesday-Saturday from 1-6 p.m." (Except this Friday, it will be at Scout Hall.) Pro artists are on site to guide you. The finished version will hang in VisitCape's office. It's massive. Take the kiddos and go leave your mark, so they can visit it one day and show their kids the part they painted. (sponsored)
Starting Feb 15th, there will also be an art exhibit again at the Crisp Museum.
Go get your art on. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to own a beret or use words like juxtaposition.
Cape artists and art lovers, what destinations am I forgetting?
Recognizing the Blues Highway*
If you’re wondering why the Blues Highway is suddenly everywhere (murals, exhibits, projects), here's our attempt at an explanation:
Earlier this year, the Missouri House of Representatives officially adopted a resolution recognizing U.S. Highway 61 for its historic, cultural, and economic significance to the state.
The highway runs along the Mississippi River and through Cape Girardeau, carrying with it a century of migration, music, and movement, including the Blues that traveled north from the Delta toward St. Louis and Chicago.
This year marks 100 years since Highway 61 was designated, and the resolution is essentially the state saying: this road is a part of our history, a part of us, and it matters.
The mural at Painted Wren is one piece of a broader centennial celebration happening throughout the year. VisitCape is helping track events, exhibits, and community projects tied to Highway 61’s history, so there’s more coming!
The official Missouri House resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of U.S. Highway 61.
*sponsored by VisitCape
Help Out & Pitch In
Junior Achievement in Southeast Missouri Trivia Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - If you enjoy yelling answers at your friends and doing a little good, this one’s for you. Junior Achievement of Southeast Missouri is hosting a trivia night to support programs that help local students learn about money, careers, and how the world works (before it hits them between the eyes). I joke, but it's a great org with a great cause that benefits us all.
It’s happening at The Barn at The Rusted Route, with games, raffles, prizes, and plenty of opportunities to feel very confident about answers you may or may not actually know. Teams of up to eight can sign up, bar food will be available, and there’s a cash bar on site.
Saturday, February 28. Doors open at 6pm, trivia starts at 7pm.
To add an event to a future issue, click here, and select 'Event Ad'.
This Weekend’s Happenings
Fri, Feb 6
The Missouri Big Band, Poplar Bluff, MO - A live big band jazz performance at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, featuring classic swing-era favorites and jazz standards. 7pm. $15.
Mix Tape Music Bingo, Scott City, MO - A free music bingo night at The Riverhouse where the squares are songs, not numbers. Registration required. All supplies provided. Singing not mandatory, but it'll happen.
Nature Center @ Night - Maple Syrup Mania, Cape Girardeau, MO - An evening program at the Cape Nature Center exploring how maple syrup is harvested and made, with crafts and activities included. 5pm-7:30pm. Free to attend.
Fly Fishing Discovery Station, Cape Girardeau, MO - A walk-up station at the Cape Nature Center where you can ask questions and learn the basics of fly fishing, from gear to local spots. Designed for beginners. 10am-11:30am. Free to attend.
Winter Dance Collection 2026, Cape Girardeau, MO - A dance concert at Bedell Performance Hall featuring original works by professional and student choreographers. 7:30pm. $21-$25. Free for enrolled SEMO students.
First Friday at Ebb & Flow Fermentations, Cape Girardeau, MO - A First Friday shindig at Ebb and Flow Fermentations featuring local singer-songwriter Jason Heeter. Music runs 7pm-10pm. All ages welcome. Free to attend.
26th Annual Children's Art Festival, Cape Girardeau, MO - The opening celebration for the annual Children’s Arts Festival, marking the start of Youth Art Month. See student artwork and live youth performances. 4pm-8pm. Free to attend.
Couples’ Salsa & Zumba Salsa, Cape Girardeau, MO - A Friday night dance at the American Legion Hall hosted by Cape Ballroom, starting with a short salsa lesson and followed by open dancing. Includes couples’ salsa and singles’ Zumba salsa, with mixed ballroom music throughout the night. Doors open at 6:45pm. Dancing from 7pm-9pm. $5 per person, cash only.
Friends of Stinson Winter Book Sale, Anna, IL - The opening evening of a 3-day book sale hosted by Friends of Stinson at Stinson Memorial Library. A good chance to browse early and snag some finds before the weekend rush. 4pm-6pm.
Sat, Feb 7
Bollinger County Quilt Show, Marble Hill, MO - Quilters! It's here! The annual quilt show at the Mayfield Event Center featuring hand-quilted and machine-quilted works, from traditional patterns to more modern designs. Lots of color, texture, and the possibility of saying “wow” as often as Owen Wilson. 10am-4pm. Free. Donations accepted (and probably appreciated).
Rummage & Bake Sale, Sikeston, MO - If you’re already itching for yard sale season, consider this a preseason preview. A community rummage sale hosted by the Church of the Nazarene, with a mix of donated goods and booth-style sellers.
The King’s Ball 2026, Ste. Geneviève, MO - A winter tradition rooted in Missouri French and Mardi Gras history, it's a regency-style community dance. Colonial attire is encouraged, but optional. I mean, how often do you get to wear your colonial attire? Doors open 6pm, dancing begins 7pm.
45 Grados Flamenco Performance, Park Hills, MO - A live flamenco performance at Mineral Area College Theatre featuring traditional dance, music, and song, with a short cultural history woven in. 2pm-3:30pm. $12.75.
Josh Blue Live Comedy Night, Perryville, MO - A live stand-up comedy show at American Legion Post 133 featuring comedian Josh Blue. Ticket includes dinner, with doors opening early and the show following. 21+ only. 6pm-8pm. $50-$70.
Seed Starting Workshop, Cape Girardeau, MO - A hands-on gardening workshop at Green’s Garden - Farm and Garden Center covering winter sowing and soil blocking techniques.
Winter Dance Collection 2026, Cape Girardeau, MO - Another evening performance of a multi-genre dance concert. 7:30pm. 7:30pm. $21-$25. Free for enrolled SEMO students.
Dawson Hollow with Ivan Surreal, Cape Girardeau, MO - A live show at Scout Hall featuring indie folk-rock band Dawson Hollow, joined by Ivan Surreal. Harmonies and high energy. Doors at 7pm, show at 8. $15 advance, $18 day-of. All ages.
Eagle Tours, Marion, IL - There will be 3 opportunities to explore the refuge with a knowledgeable guide. Registration is required. Tours at 8am, 11am, and 2pm. Free, donations appreciated.
Carbondale Bikes! Winter Ride, Carbondale, IL - The kickoff group ride for the new Carbondale Bikes! series, inviting cyclists of all levels to bundle up and ride together. A guided, no-drop group ride covering a 10-12 mile loop on paved paths, gravel sections, and city streets. Helmets required. Ride begins at 10am.
Used Book Fair, Cobden, IL - 2nd-annual book fair at Wichmann Vineyard where you can donate old reads and browse for new ones. Proceeds support the I Can Read SI program, and any unsold books will be donated to a local library. A feel-good excuse to refresh your shelves.
Friends of Stinson Winter Book Sale, Anna, IL - Day two of the winter book sale at Stinson Memorial Library, with shelves full of donated reads across genres. Come ready to linger and dig. 8am-2pm.
Sun, Feb 8
Bollinger County Quilt Show, Marble Hill, MO - The second day of this community quilt show turns the Mayfield Event Center into what organizers describe as a “museum made of cloth,” with dozens of quilts on display from local collections. 1pm-4pm. Free. Donations accepted.
Oliver House Museum Tours, Jackson, MO - Tour the Jackson Oliver House in historic Uptown Jackson, offering a look at daily life in the early 1800s. A light history stop that’s easy to pair with a stroll around downtown. $5 adults, $3 kids.
TEA Talks - Finding Your Revolutionary War Ancestors, Cape Girardeau, MO - A February installment of the James Reynolds House’s monthly TEA Talks featuring Dr. Bill Eddleman, with a focus on researching Revolutionary War ancestors. Optional tea service available by Mana Tea. (Sponsored)
Winter Dance Collection 2026, Cape Girardeau, MO - A matinee performance of a winter dance concert featuring original choreography by professional and student artists. 2pm. $21-25. Free for enrolled SEMO students.
Friends of Stinson Winter Book Sale, Anna, IL - The final day of the winter book sale at Stinson Memorial Library, perfect for last looks and end-of-sale surprises. If you’ve been meaning to stop by, this is your window. 1pm-3pm.
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise
Salsa Dance Classes, Perryville, MO - A six-week salsa dance session hosted by Perryville Parks & Rec, running Thursday and Friday evenings at the Perry Park Center. Open to ages 13+, with no partner required. Drop-in options are available, or register for the full session. Classes run February 20 through April 16, with select dates excluded. Registration required.
Hardwoods 8 Mile Trail Run, Poplar Bluff, MO - A challenging trail run through Mark Twain National Forest on the Ozark Trail, Victory Horse Trail section, with proceeds supporting local trail maintenance. An eight-mile course. Saturday, March 7. Race starts at 9am. $30 entry fee.
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.
Tour de Tunnel Bike Ride, Vienna, IL - A scenic, non-competitive bike ride on the Tunnel Hill State Trail featuring route options of 10, 20, or 40 miles, including a ride-through railroad tunnel on the longer routes. Hosted by Revive Vienna, with SAG stops along the way. Saturday, May 23. Ride starts at 9:30am. $35 registration.
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.
WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: PALETTE
Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. Thanks again to our sponsor, VisitCape, for helping us stay on the road and in your inbox.