Jefferson City: Recreation
Sightseeing
The State Capitol, which houses the Missouri State Museum, is the third state Capitol building, the first two having been destroyed by fires in 1837 and 1911. The stone building, built between 1913-1917, sits on a limestone bluff on the south bank of the Missouri River. A 1936 mural within the capitol building's House Lounge, painted by Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton, is entitled A Social History of the State of Missouri. The mural, which depicts average citizens involved in their daily activities, was at first criticized for showing a lack of refinement, but has since become a beloved visual record. Free guided tours of the building are
The Missouri Governor's Mansion is perched on a bluff within walking distance of the State Capitol. An outstanding example of Renaissance Revival style architecture, the mansion has been beautifully restored. The three-story red brick building is trimmed in stone and has an imposing portico with four stately pink granite columns, and its mansard roof is crowned by iron grillwork. The work of Missouri painters Thomas Hart Benton and George Caleb Bingham adorns the walls. The mansion is decked out as a haunted house at Halloween, and is ornately decorated at holiday time.
The Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is a complex of three historic buildings—the Christopher Maus House, the Lohman Building, and the Union Hotel—located just one block from the Capitol. They form the state's oldest remaining Missouri River commercial district. The buildings were restored in 1976 and serve as the Capitol complex's visitors center. The 1854 Christopher Maus House typifies the small, red brick residences of its time; the Union Hotel, built in 1865, houses a gallery with historical exhibits; and the Lohman Building, which serves as the visitor center for the Missouri State Museum, was once a store that supplied boat merchandise and general items to the local citizenry. Across the street, the Cole County Historical Society displays artifacts of the city's earlier days, including a collection of inaugural ball gowns of former Missouri first ladies.
The Runge Conservation Nature Center has a 3,000-square-foot exhibit hall that provides hands-on exhibits of Missouri wildlife habitats, and features a 2,400-gallon fish aquarium holding indigenous fish. Adjacent to the Runge conservation Nature Center are five hiking trails with self-guided exhibits. More than 3,500 veterinary artifacts and instruments, some more than a century old, can be viewed at the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Museum, along with old diaries and sample drug cases.
The Missouri State Information Center, which houses the State Records and Archives Division of the Secretary of State's office, is a must for genealogy buffs. Visitors to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Safety Education Center and Law Enforcement Museum can view old patrol cars, gun, drug, alcohol, and seat belt displays, and various law enforcement antiques.
Arts and Culture
The Little Theatre of Jefferson City, based at Lincoln University's Richardson Auditorium, stages musicals, drama, and comedy. Four major productions are presented annually. The Stained Glass Theatre Mid-Missouri, a non-denominational Christian theatre, stages seven shows per year. The Capitol City Players presents dinner theater entertainment ranging from traditional Broadway musicals to more contemporary fare.
The Jefferson City Symphony offers three annual concerts at Richardson Auditorium, in cooperation with the Community Concert Association. In addition, Lincoln University's University Vocal Ensemble, Dance Group, and "Share in the Arts" series invites members of the community the enjoy its theatre, music, dance, and poetry events.
Festivals and Holidays
Jefferson City keeps things lively with a number of annual events. January is highlighted by a bridal show and a boat show. In mid-March the Annual Ice Show provides a colorful extravaganza at the covered Washington Park Ice Arena. May brings the Collectibles and Antique Show and Antique Fair. The city welcomes Independence Day with the Salute to America, featuring musical entertainment, a parade, historical reenactments, arts and crafts, and fireworks. In September, the town celebrates the colors of fall with the Cole County Fall Festival, an arts and crafts fair; the Jefferson City Multicultural Fall Festival, focusing on the city's diversity; Art inside the Park, where contemporary artists create installations in Memorial Park; and the Annual JazzFest on the Capitol grounds. Oktoberfest celebrates resident's German heritage with a festival featuring a beer garden, wine, carriage rides, food, and home tours.
December is filled with holiday activities that begin during the first weekend with the Living Christmas Showcase downtown. It features music, carriage rides, hayrides, tours of historic buildings, and living window displays. Candlelight tours of the Governor's Mansion, decorated for the holiday season, are available. The Annual Christmas Parade takes place on the first Saturday of the month.
Sports for the Spectator
Both students and community members like to watch the Blue Devils in action during athletic activities that take place at Lincoln University. These events include women's basketball, softball, cross-country/track and field, and tennis, as well as men's basketball, baseball, cross-country/track and field, soccer, and golf. In 2005 the women's cross-country/track and field team won their third straight NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship.
Sports for the Participant
Ellis Porter Riverside Park offers 60 acres on a bluff overlooking the Missouri river. The park includes a 9,500 square-foot swimming pool, ball playing areas including a basketball court and three lighted handball/racquetball courts, trails, and an outdoor amphitheater. Binder Park, with 644 acres, is the city's largest park. It provides a 155-acre lake for fishing, a boat launch ramp, a campground, lighted softball fields, and two sand volleyball courts. Oak Hills Golf Center/Hough Park complex has an 8-acre lake with a boat launching area and an 18-hole golf course. Other parks in the city offer a variety of facilities including trails, horseshoe pits, ball fields, and an ice arena. Public and private golf courses in the area include Eagle Knoll, Railwood Golf Club, Turkey Creek Golf Center (public); and Jefferson City Country Club and Meadow Lake Acres Country Club (private).
South of Jefferson City, the Lake of the Ozarks State park offers more than 17,000 acres of camping, hiking, swimming, and boating facilities.
Shopping and Dining
High Street is the focal point of downtown shopping, with restaurants and galleries tucked among the brick-fronted shops. Shoppers may also browse at the Capital Mall, which offers dozens of stores, three department stores—Dillard's, Sears, and JCPenney—and a multiscreen cinema. Other local shopping areas include the Southside area, the Eastend with its many quaint shops, and the Westend area, which has more than 30 restaurants concentrated along Missouri Boulevard.
Local restaurants offer many opportunities to sample the cuisines of various cultures. Menus feature big Midwestern steaks and local catfish, as well as Greek, Asian, Mexican, Italian, and German offerings.
Visitor Information: Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 213 Adams St., Jefferson City, MO 65102; telephone (573)632-2820; fax (573)638-4892