An Antique Trail, a Dinosaur Flex, and a Very Merry Christmas to YOoOoUu
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Day trips, events, trails, history, community, and more—Every Thursday.
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Allow us to wish you a Merry Christmas now, because next week, we're going to publish one day late, on Friday the 26th.
Thanks for supporting local businesses, events, makers, and destinations this year. Thanks for showing up for small towns, side roads, and the people making this place special.
Merry Christmas, Southeast Missouri!
We’re proud to call this place home.
Day Tripping in Marble Hill, MO.
Marble Hill, MO.? More like Marble Hell yes! The merchants in this town aren't messing around. We thought we were stopping for lunch, but got sucked into a Missouri Antique Trail vortex. We emerged three hours later with disheveled hair and paper bags full of trinkets we "definitely needed".
Marble Hill Trade Co
Here’s what we did:
EC Reed’s Mercantile & Hotel - A luncheonette + soda shoppe + ice cream parlor + mercantile + hotel. All run by incredible people who act like they want you there. It’s the kind of spot that makes you text five people: “Have you ever been?!". This place is the whole reason we were in Marble Hill. Readers kept recommending it. And we must appease the masses. We're happy we did. Se/MO foodies, you know what to do. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Closes at 2pm.
Hometown Vibes - A cozy antiques/vintage/shabby-chic shop run by four sisters with local roots. Somebody give them a reality show.
Marble Hill Trade Co. - One cat, two floors, two moods. Upstairs leans classy/cozy/elegant, and downstairs leans man-cave American Pickers fantasy.
Here are the “We didn’t make it this time, but locals also recommend…”
Jay’s Bar-B-Que- Another one of Marble Hill's crown jewels, known for its pork steaks, generous portions, and friendly service. I'm starting to detect a pattern in Marble Hill on this friendly service thing. Even the cat, Cleo, at Marble Hill Trade Co let me pet it.
Castor River Conservation Area- Multi-use trails (hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding), primitive camping, bird watching, fishing, hunting, and a shooting range. Plus Blue Pondlives here. It's the deepest natural pond in Missouri (65+ feet), believed to have formed when a cavern collapsed (sinkhole!). Supposedly, it’s a moody little wonder, but the pics online make it look like a pretty normal pond, so I dunno🤷♀️. When we get the chance to check it out, you can bet your Backroad butts that I'll let you know.
With most of the good stuff clustered together along 1st St, this little Southeast town is the perfect day trip for a cold winter's day: warm, easy, and walkable. That's a (Marble) Hill we're willing to die on. (I thought of that all on my own, thank you very much.)
Missouri’s official state dinosaur is Parrosaurus missouriensis, a plant-eating, duck-billed dinosaur with more than 1,000 teeth that lived roughly 70-95 million years ago along an ancient shoreline in what is now Bollinger County.
Bollinger County...represent.
In 1942, a kid named Ole Chronister (pause to appreciate this name) noticed a geologist poking around clay near Glen Allen and casually mentioned that his family had found some strange bones while digging a well. Those bones became the first dinosaur remains ever discovered in Missouri.
The Chronister family sold the bones for $50, which they used to buy a cow.
Today, Missouri dinosaur bones live in the Smithsonian and the Field Museum in Chicago (Bollinger County, REPRESENT), and you can also see MO dino bones at the Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center.
I cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this AI-generated representation of Parrosaurus missouriensis.
Parrosaurus missouriensis remains the only dinosaur species ever found exclusively in Missouri.
"Join Caleb Hale, a working professional photographer, as he sets out to foster a collaborative group of practicing photographers. The group hopes to develop skills and techniques through collaboration and exploration. All skill levels are welcome. Whether you shoot with a smartphone, a digital camera, or roll film, you will want to come see what it is about and have a voice in shaping the collective!" This recurring event will be free to attend." - Shawnee Hills Art Council on Instagram
What do you get the Southeast Missouri explorers in your life?
We're on week 5 of listing ideas. This week, we went heavy on experience gifts.
Pottery Class - Encourage your beloved adventurers to explore a new hobby: A class or workshop at Riverside Pottery in Cape Girardeau. Hands-on, creative, and way more memorable than another candle.
Kayak Tour - A guided kayak tour on the Cache River through Cache Bayou Outfitters in Southern Illinois. Bald cypress trees, prehistoric swamps, and a dose of "omg, I did not know this adventure tour existed near me". They handle the logistics, which makes it a great gift.
Guided Hike - Nothing says "you're my best friend" like, "I booked us a guided hike with Hiking with Shawn". These hikes add local context, trail knowledge, and a little structure without sucking the fun out of it. See somewhere you wouldn't experience otherwise, and let someone else handle the logistics.
Movie Night - With all the amazing streaming options, it's easy to forget that the theater is an EXPERIENCE. Pick a theater and turn it into a plan. Options around the region include Marcus Cape West Cinema (Cape), Rock ’n’ Roll Drive-In (Chaffee),Malco Theaters (Sikeston), the Historic Rodgers Theatre (Poplar Bluff), and theaters in Carbondale, IL. You could be extra sweet and add some popcorn money.
Local Adventure Book - Pavement Ends: Mystery, History and Scenery in Southeast Missouri by James Baughn. This book is part guidebook, part storytelling, mixing local lore, history, photography, and real Southeast Missouri places you can still go explore. It’s a great winter read that naturally turns into spring and summer day-trip plans. Copies are available for $20 at the Cape Girardeau County History Center in Jackson, or you can call (573) 204-4240 for mailing instructions.
Dowsing Rods - The last time I was at the Glenn House in October, they had dowsing rods for sale. Throwing that out there, in case you have a friend who enjoys asking unseen forces yes/no questions. Your money goes toward preserving a local historic site.
For more gifts Se/MO day trippers will love, check out our issues from the last 4 weeks here.
🎄✨ Merry Christmas from all of us at VisitCape! ✨🎄
We wish you a holiday season filled with cozy moments, memorable meals, and safe travels. Thank you for helping make our region a place people love to experience year-round.
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, Dec 19
Mad Hatter’s Merry Hour, Cape Girardeau, MO - A Wonderland-themed happy hour with festive bites, curious cocktails, and holiday cheer at the historic Glenn House. These decorations are TOP NOTCH. 5:30-7:30pm.
Twinkle and Twirl Ice Skating, Cape Girardeau, MO - Go watch the ice skaters! Even though the event is booked, let's show our support and encourage the organizers to bring it back next year. 4-9pm.
Cape Living Nativity, Cape Girardeau, MO - This family-friendly event features live actors and animals acting out THE Christmas. Get some hot cocoa and share your Christmas wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Open to the public. 4-6pm.
Christmas Country Church Tour, Sikeston, MO - Have you ever thought, "I wonder what the inside of that church looks like?" This is an open-house style, self-guided church tour featuring decorated churches, greeters, and seasonal music or treats at select stops. 4:30-7:30pm
Authentic German Christmas Market, Sikeston, MO - A European-style Christmas market at Concordia Lutheran Church. Expect handmade gifts (soap, candles, quilts, woodwork, ornaments), baked goods, kids’ craft activities, and Saint Nick. Cash-only concessions; some vendors may accept cards. This event coincides with the Scott County Christmas Church Tour, so you can also step inside decorated historic churches nearby. 4:30-8:00pm.
Annual Christmas Tree Exhibit, Marble Hill, MO - Are you a Christmas tree superfan? Check out Mayfield Event Center’s annual Christmas Tree Exhibit. 6-8pm.
Christmas Country Church Tour, Perryville, MO - Choose from more than 35 participating churches across the region. A scenic, self-guided experience celebrating holiday décor, architecture, and local tradition. I mean, c'mon, you go to Europe and tour the churches. Why not do it at home? Ours are neat, too. 1-8pm.
Christmas Country Church Tour Trolley Ride or Caravan, Ste Genevieve, MO - Explore some of the region’s most beautiful churches on a guided Christmas tour, either aboard the Ste. Genevieve Trolley or by following in your own vehicle. Includes multiple historic church stops across southeast Missouri. $35 to ride the trolley or $35 per car. Starts at the Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center.
Christmas on the Square, Vienna, IL - Free community holiday celebration with carriage rides, Santa visits, candy cane hunt, caroling, Christmas stories, chili, hot dogs, and hot cocoa. 4:30-7:30pm. Vienna town square. Free.
Sat, Dec 20
Christmas Dog Costume Contest, Cape Girardeau, MO - West Park Mall’s first-ever Christmas dog costume contest. Limited to 20 registered dogs. All participants receive a $10 PetSmart gift card, with trophies for 1st-3rd place. And all viewers receive lots of cuteness in their eyeballs. Call 573-339-1333 with questions. 1-3pm
CGMO Rock Show, Cape Girardeau, MO - Need to break from the Christmas coziness? I get it. Here's a 21+ rock show at The Rude Dog Pub featuring Isabella, Flight Jacket, and No Reward. 9pm. $7.
Twinkle and Twirl Ice Skating, Cape Girardeau, MO - Fountain St is turning into Cape's own little Rockefeller Center. If you're out in Cape shopping and need a break, mosey over where locals will be ice skating and cheer them on.
Christmas Brass and Organ Concert, Cape Girardeau, MO - Festive brass and organ concert at Old St. Vincent’s Catholic Church. 7pm. Free.
Uptown Christmas Market, Jackson, MO - "Join us for the Uptown Merry Market—a festive shopping event featuring local vendors with coffee, sweet treats, fresh bread, and gifts. Shop small, sip something warm, and enjoy the merry vibes Uptown!" 10-3pm
Authentic German Christmas Market, Sikeston, MO - Day 2. Browse vendors selling handmade goods and soak up German Lutheran holiday traditions at this first-year market. A great daytime stop for families or anyone still hunting for last-minute gifts with a story behind them. 10:30am-3:00pm.
Holiday Celebration and Christmas Drone Show, Farmington, MO - A free, family-friendly holiday celebration in Historic Downtown Farmington featuring strolling Dickens carolers, a Santa Beard Contest at 4:30pm, a community Christmas sing-along, horse-drawn carriage rides, student choir performances, and a Christmas drone show.
Kool & the Gang, Paducah, KY - Legendary funk and soul icons live at The Carson Center. 7:30pm.
Sun, Dec 21
Oliver House Museum Christmas Tours, Jackson, MO - The historic Oliver House Museum is fully decorated for the season. Guided tours highlight festive holiday décor. 1-4pm.
An Ongoing Christmas Event:
Christmas Tree Display, Altenburg, MO - Follow the Star at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum, featuring about 50 uniquely decorated Christmas trees spread across three galleries. 10am-4pm through January 15.
Salsa Dance Classes, Perryville, MO - A six-week salsa dance series through Perryville Parks & Recreation. Free intro class on Dec 19, followed by sessions Jan 8 to Feb 19 (no class Jan 22). No partner needed. $45. 6-7pm. Thursdays and Fridays. Space available for 10 students. Register by Jan 7.
First Day Hikes, Southeast Missouri - Kick off 2026 with a guided First Day Hike at Missouri State Parks. Celebrate the New Year outdoors with ranger-led hikes across the state. Jan 1, 2026. Free. Check the link to see which stake park is guiding a hike near you.
Step Into the New Season, Cape Girardeau, MO - Guided winter hike exploring Maple Hollow, Wood Duck Swamp, and Tulip Poplar Hill at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center. Jan 3, 2026. 2-3pm.
If you’re enjoying Backroad Weekly, you can always revisit past issues at BackroadWeekly.com.
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Backroad Weekly and VisitCape wish you a Merry Christmas.
Catch you down the road.
Caitlan Hester Publisher, Backroad Weekly
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