Jefferson City Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Jefferson City, Missouri - MO, USA)

There are old, characterful buildings aplenty in Jefferson City, together with a healthy selection of museums and some very unusual tourist attractions, such as the Missouri State Penitentiary.

The extremely important Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is managed on behalf of the state by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It was in this spot where the original river landing took place, ultimately leading to settlement of the area.

The Runge Nature Center lies on the southwesterly outskirts of Jefferson City, where it offers a great way to escape into the country for the day. With extensive nature trails, other attractions include designated areas suitable for camping, caving opportunities and rafting along the tributaries of the Missouri River. There are also a number of enclosed viewing areas where you can go unnoticed while you spy on the wildlife.

If you are a tourist in the mood for an evening of culture, then consider booking up for a show at the Scene One Theater, which is to be found on East High Street, just a block away from the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site.

Jefferson Landing State Historic Site

Address: 100 Jefferson Street / Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), USA
Tel: +1 573 751 2854
Various interesting attractions are based around the landing site and date back to the end of the 1830s, such as the Christopher Maus House, the Jefferson Landing Building (also referred to as the Lohman's Landing Building) and the Jefferson City Amtrak station (previously the Union Hotel). The site remains the oldest of all the riverside landings still lying alongside the Missouri River and was once served by the adjacent railroad, allowing several prominent buildings to establish themselves in this part of the city.
Open hours: March to August, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Runge Nature Center

Address: Missouri Highway US-179, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65102, USA
Tel: +1 573 526 5544
Visitors to the Runge Nature Center will have the chance to see some giant sequoia trees (champion trees), ride a bike along conservation trails and even take a self-guided driving tour, starting at the Peck Ranch Conservation Area and most likely passing by the resident herd of elk. The fall season is an especially popular time to explore the Missouri countryside and autumn colors tend to last anywhere between four and six weeks, appearing between late September and early November.
Open hours: buildings, Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - 08:00 to 17:00, Thursday - 08:00 to 20:00
Area open: daily - 06:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

Scene One Theater

Address: 121 East High Street, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65101, USA
Tel: +1 573 635 6713
This small theater was established in the year 2002 and regularly stages low-cost productions, which focus more on the actors and acting, rather than elaborate sets and technical elements. There is seating for audiences of just 45 people, making any show a very intimate and memorable experience. Performances are staged here most months and include everything from short plays and comedies, to musicals and adult-only dramas.
Open hours: hours vary, most shows start at 19:30, doors open at 19:00
Admission: charge, sponsorship deals and discounted season passes available

Missouri State Penitentiary

Address: 115 Lafayette Street, Jefferson City, Missouri (MO), 65101, USA
Tel: +1 573 632 2820
Often referred to as simply 'The Walls', the Missouri State Penitentiary served as a major maximum security prison and operated between the years of 1836 and 2004, which actually makes it currently the longest prison in operation on the western side of the Mississippi River. The Penitentiary is now a popular tourist attraction in its own right and is perhaps best known for its infamous riot in 1954. This riot lasted for three days and was the result of overcrowding, continued violence and protesting. Tensions and violence continued for many years and upon its closing, it was replaced with the Jefferson City Correctional Center. Amongst the most famous prisoners were American bank robber Charles Arthur 'Pretty Boy' Floyd, kidnapper / murderers Bonnie Heady and Carl Hall, anti-war protester Kate Richards O'Hare, and James Earl Ray, who was convicted of assassinating Martin Luther King, Jr.
Open hours: guided tours, March to November by appointment
Admission: charge, minimum age for history tours is ten years old, minimum age for ghost tours is 14 years old