Day trips, events, trails, history, community, and more—Every Thursday.
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Imagine this: I'm Missouri Aladdin, you're Missouri Jasmine. We just stepped onto my magic flying truck bed liner, and I started serenading you with, 🎵💫🎤"I can show you the Bootheel."🎤💫🎵
Today, you're being whisked away to the magical Miami of the Midwest, New Madrid, Missouri.
Someone needs to remove my ChatGPT access.
Day Tripping in New Madrid + East Prairie, MO
History on the Water
Okay, New Madrid isn’t exactly thrill-a-minute. It’s not the Perry County wild cave tour. It's not sunset kayaking on the Cache River or ziplining in Shawnee treetops.
But if you’re itching to get out of the house, take a drive, and show the Bootheel some love (especially if you like your history with a side of river), New Madrid is a neat day trip.
Things to do:
Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site: This pre-Civil War home still contains many of its original furnishings (guess they didn't let their pets on the couch) from back when steamboats ruled the Mississippi. There's a reenactment event going on this Saturday.
New Madrid Historical Museum: Tucked into an old saloon. The building may be small. The VHS videos may be grainy. But the exhibits tell big stories. The highlight is the impressively modern earthquake exhibit. It's so good, you might feel inspired to move away from the fault line.
The New Madrid Mississippi River Walk: Ol' Man River will always be an icon. Stroll the observation deck. Wander down the paved path to Riverside Park. Stand on the New Madrid Fault Line. Walk down to the riverbank. Look for a bygone fur trader's musket ball. Dilly dally. Stare blankly down the river like a forlorn Victorian widow.
It's hard to wrap your mind around how this quiet little farm town has seen so many stages of humans along the Mississippi: from the Mississippian people, to Spanish conquistadors, to French, Spanish, and Native fur traders, displaced Native American groups, frontier families, steamboat captains, river traders, enslaved African Americans, Civil War Soldiers, sharecroppers, and mill workers.
For more New Madrid info and day trip ideas, visit the town's tourism page and check out the Visitor's Guide.
On to BBQ & a State Park
New Madrid, I love yuh, but for those who aren't in the Bootheel often, add an extra 20 minutes of drive time to eat at Sandy Ridge Smokehouse in East Prairie. It’s a cozy small-town BBQ joint in a repurposed grain silo. Important detail: This place closes 2-5pm between lunch and dinner, so you gotta time it just right.
In another 20 minutes, you can be at Big Oak Tree State Park. Let the hunters have the conservation areas for now, we can go get our nature fix carefree at Big Oak Tree. (And you thought I was about to go a whole issue without talking about hiking. You'll have to pry my walking stick from my cold winter fingers.)
Potential Itinerary: Big Oak Tree State Park -> Sandy Ridge Smokehouse -> Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site -> New Madrid Historical Museum -> River Walk
Live, Local, Stage-breaking*
Today is National Hug a Musician Day, which, depending on who you know, might mean wrapping your arms around a metal drummer, a choir teacher, or that friend who brings a banjo to bonfires.
Either way, we’re using the holiday as a reminder to support your local music scene. Cape Girardeau’s got a rich one.
Musical Open Mic Night@ the Design Bar by Roost - 7-9:30pm. 21+. Performers get 15-minute slots, covers welcome! Nov 14
Karaoke for a Cause Vol. 5 @ Spectrum Record Lounge - You've been practicing in the shower. Your time has come, Simba. $5 minimum donation benefits SEMO Food Bank. Nov 15, 7pm, 21+
CGMO Rock Show@ the Rude Dog Pub - Featuring The Doubted, Unknown and Sailing, and Eternal Embers. Nov 15, 9pm, $7, 21+
Let us know who we're forgetting, and we'll add them to the list for future shout-outs. Until then, party on, Wayne.
*Sponsored by VisitCape
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, Nov 14
Moonlight Madness, Dexter, MO - You ever wanna explore a shop, but by the time you get off work, it's closed? Dexter shops will stay open late with special deals, treats, and good cheer this Friday, 5-9pm. Here's a list of participating stores.
Retro Night at the Drive-In, Chaffee, MO - Catch a double feature of Back to the Future and Jaws. Gates open at 5:30pm, and the first movie starts at 7. Prizes will be awarded for the best 1980s costume and shark costume. I'm not being silly. That's what it says.
Friday Night Dance & West Coast Swing Lesson, Cape Girardeau, MO - The evening starts with a 30-minute West Coast Swing lesson, then opens up to mixed ballroom and line dancing. $5 cash at the door. 7-9pm.
The Attic on Stage at Port Cape, Cape Girardeau, MO - River City Players present their season finale with a suspenseful community theater thriller. Dinner at 6:30pm, show at 7:30. $48 per person (includes dinner). Call 573-334-0954 for reservations.
Sat, Nov 15
Civil War Encampment & Storytelling, New Madrid, MO - All the fun without the typhoid fever. Spend Saturday in the 1860s at Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site. The Turner Brigade will recreate camp life with infantry drills and demos of daily life for Missouri Civil War volunteers. 10am-4pm. Free.
Parallel Pasts Walking Tour, Ste. Genevieve, MO - This one-hour walking tour explores how different people experienced Ste. Genevieve’s past in different ways. Space is limited to 15. Registration required.
Marble Hill Christmas Street Market, Marble Hill, MO - There's not much info on the Facebook events page, but I suspect you'll see local vendors, festive treats, and enough holiday spirit to make it through a work week. While you're in Marble Hill, somebody go try this reader-suggested lunch place: EC Reed's. It looks AMAZING.
Downtown Christmas Market, Fredericktown, MO - Spend some time in Fredericktown. Support local. Live that Hallmark Christmas movie life. And while you're in the area, visit some of the beautiful natural sites (like Amidon Memorial Conservation Area or Millstream Gardens). 10-4pm
Guided UTV Adventure, Ironton, MO - Choose a 10am or 1:30pm session and spend up to two hours tackling rocky terrain, scenic overlooks, and mountain trails on a guided UTV tour. You gotta be a bit of a thrill-seeker for this one. Only 10 vehicles per session, so spots are limited.
Sunset on Garrett Street, Advance, MO - This fall street fest offers live music, food, vendors, and an outdoor movie at dusk. Free haircuts for veterans! Grab a bite and soak in that small-town sunset magic 4:30-7:30pm. Here's my genius day trip idea: Mingo National Wildlife is only 25 minutes away. Go hike the Swampwalk Nature Trail, and hit this fall fest after.
Christmas Bazaar, Cape Girardeau, MO - I'd guess this event is going to smell like pine needles and cinnamon rolls. 8am-3pm, free. Shop more than 50 vendors offering handmade crafts, home décor, jewelry, woodworking, and sweets.
Fall Fair, Cape Girardeau, MO – The Cape Girardeau Public Library is throwing a party on the back lawn, and everyone’s invited! 12-3pm.
The Attic on Stage at Port Cape, Cape Girardeau, MO - It's the final weekend to catch The Attic, a suspenseful mystery by River City Players. Settle in with a great meal and watch secrets unravel on stage in this twisty, emotional thriller. Dinner at 6:30pm, show at 7:30. $48 per person (includes dinner). Seating is limited. Call 573-334-0954 to reserve.
Reel & Rake Bass Tournament, Murphysboro, IL - The Saluki Bassers host. Check-in starts at 5:45am, takeoff at 7am, and weigh-in at 3pm. $70 buy-in. Fish, fall colors, and friendly competition sound like a perfect day on the lake.
Cherokee Trail of Tears Talk, Makanda, IL - The Heritage Program Manager for the Shawnee National Forest and President of the Illinois Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will share how the Cherokee passed through southern Illinois, and what’s being done to preserve that history.
Birding Hike, Makanda, IL - Leaves-off-the-tree season is prime time for bird spottin' at Giant City State Park. Join the free guided hike on the Post Oak Trail 9:30-11:30am. Binoculars available, and the ⅓-mile trail is fully accessible.
Guided Hike, Hardin County, IL - The River to River Trail Society leads a rugged trek to Pot Belly Arch, starting 10am. Expect bushwhacking, SIX creek crossings, and steep slopes on this 4.5-mile out-and-back that’s as challenging as it is beautiful. This one’s for seasoned hikers in good shape. Free.
Sun, Nov 16
November Tea Talk, Cape Girardeau, MO - Join SEMO Historic Preservation student Sophia Voss for a talk on African American Stereotypes and their Reflection on Art & Pop Culture. Hosted by The James Reynolds House. Free and open to the public. 2-3pm
The Attic on Stage at Port Cape, Cape Girardeau, MO - If dinner theater isn’t your thing, don’t miss the matinee finale of The Attic. With dessert on your plate and drama on stage, this is the perfect Sunday outing to wrap the River City Players’ 2025 season. Call 573-334-0954 to reserve your table. Dessert at 1:00pm, show at 2:00, $30 per person (includes dessert).
Plan Ahead
The Fun You Can't Improvise
Historic Sites Christmas Tour, Jackson, MO - Sunday, Nov. 30, 2-5pm. Stroll through decorated house museums, private homes, and a winter garden. Expect live music, ornament-making, and small gifts at each stop on this self-guided holiday journey. Tickets are $25, and children are free with an adult.
Underground Jazz: Bossa Nova Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - Friday, Nov. 21, a special Bossa Nova Night featuring Brazilian-born vocalist Ana Catharina. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:30. All ages, indoor, seated event. Tickets: $10 student, $15 general admission, or $72 table for four.
GUESS THE IMAGE ANSWER: The KFVS Tower
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