By Courtney Stackhouse
Jefferson City
Missouri
Missouri
Photo gallery
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Jefferson StatuePhoto By: David Shane - http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_shane/ -
Governor's MansionPhoto By: Paul Sableman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasa/ -
High Street in Downtown Jeff CityPhoto By: Paul Sableman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasa/ -
Missouri River Bridge at Jefferson CityPhoto By: MoBikeFed - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mobikefed/ -
Monroe Livingston Madison MemorialPhoto By: Paul Sableman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasa/ -
Cole County CourthousePhoto By: Paul Sableman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasa/ -
Meriwether Lewis StatuePhoto By: jennlynndesign - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennlynndesign/ -
State HousePhoto By: David Shane - http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_shane/
Jefferson City, or “Jeff City” to many locals, is the capitol of Missouri. It is located centrally in the state, next to the Missouri River, which makes for prime outdoor recreation opportunities, and beautiful river views from downtown. Its rich history and vibrant small-town culture make it a darling of the Midwest.
Columbia Regional Airport (COU) is the closest commercial airport to Jefferson City, and is about 25 miles north of the city via Highway 63. There is also the smaller Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF) that can service charter planes, but does not receive commercial traffic. EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) can help you book your travel arrangements today. Jefferson City also has a bevy of hotels, motels and inns ranging from local and colorful to the standard nationwide chains. EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl) would be happy to help you book your accommodations today.
For the history buffs, Jefferson City has plenty to offer. As a major stop in the voyage of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery, you will find reference to the two explorers all over the city. In fact, William Clark became the first governor of the Missouri Territory. Trailhead Plaza stands on the State Capitol grounds and pays tribute to the Corps of Discovery. The Capitol building and museum are open daily, and dotted around the grounds are numerous fountains and memorials to Thomas Jefferson, Missouri Veterans among others. Jefferson City also has the oldest penitentiary west of the Mississippi (for instance, when Alcatraz opened, Missouri State Penitentiary had already been open for 100 years), and while it was decommissioned in 2004, it is open to the public for hard hat tours. There are hundreds of civil war historic sites and historic buildings to visit in the city, but Capitol Ave, Jefferson, and East High streets will provide a sound jumping-off point.
EscapeWizard.com also recommends a visit to the Governor’s Mansion and the expansive Carnahan Memorial Garden located just behind the mansion. For more outdoor fun, visit Katy Trail State Park, with access in North Jefferson City. Katy is the nation’s longest Rails-to-Trails project and it stretches, east to west, almost across the entirety of Missouri. The Lewis and Clark Trailhead Monument, mentioned earlier, connects the Katy Trail to the capitol grounds.
Jefferson City’s walkable downtown area is centered on the beginning of High Street, only a block from the Capitol building. It has a Main Street feel, but boasts the amenities of any big city, with shops, restaurants and pubs to fill the nights with fun, and art collectives and theaters to give the days a bit of culture. On the east side of the city, there are quaint and independent shops scattered throughout this mostly residential area, and on the south side lies Old Munichburg, a historic area reflecting the Germanic influence of immigrants from Bavaria, who began settling in Missouri beginning in the 1840s. Old Munichburg is located on the southern side of Highway 50, boasts historical Germanic architecture and quaint shops, many with proprietors directly descended from settlers.
With its rich history, beautiful river views, shopping, parks, and museums to round out your trip, Jeff City is definitely worth a visit. EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) would be happy to assist you in your upcoming trip to Jefferson City, Missouri.
Columbia Regional Airport (COU) is the closest commercial airport to Jefferson City, and is about 25 miles north of the city via Highway 63. There is also the smaller Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF) that can service charter planes, but does not receive commercial traffic. EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) can help you book your travel arrangements today. Jefferson City also has a bevy of hotels, motels and inns ranging from local and colorful to the standard nationwide chains. EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl) would be happy to help you book your accommodations today.
For the history buffs, Jefferson City has plenty to offer. As a major stop in the voyage of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery, you will find reference to the two explorers all over the city. In fact, William Clark became the first governor of the Missouri Territory. Trailhead Plaza stands on the State Capitol grounds and pays tribute to the Corps of Discovery. The Capitol building and museum are open daily, and dotted around the grounds are numerous fountains and memorials to Thomas Jefferson, Missouri Veterans among others. Jefferson City also has the oldest penitentiary west of the Mississippi (for instance, when Alcatraz opened, Missouri State Penitentiary had already been open for 100 years), and while it was decommissioned in 2004, it is open to the public for hard hat tours. There are hundreds of civil war historic sites and historic buildings to visit in the city, but Capitol Ave, Jefferson, and East High streets will provide a sound jumping-off point.
EscapeWizard.com also recommends a visit to the Governor’s Mansion and the expansive Carnahan Memorial Garden located just behind the mansion. For more outdoor fun, visit Katy Trail State Park, with access in North Jefferson City. Katy is the nation’s longest Rails-to-Trails project and it stretches, east to west, almost across the entirety of Missouri. The Lewis and Clark Trailhead Monument, mentioned earlier, connects the Katy Trail to the capitol grounds.
Jefferson City’s walkable downtown area is centered on the beginning of High Street, only a block from the Capitol building. It has a Main Street feel, but boasts the amenities of any big city, with shops, restaurants and pubs to fill the nights with fun, and art collectives and theaters to give the days a bit of culture. On the east side of the city, there are quaint and independent shops scattered throughout this mostly residential area, and on the south side lies Old Munichburg, a historic area reflecting the Germanic influence of immigrants from Bavaria, who began settling in Missouri beginning in the 1840s. Old Munichburg is located on the southern side of Highway 50, boasts historical Germanic architecture and quaint shops, many with proprietors directly descended from settlers.
With its rich history, beautiful river views, shopping, parks, and museums to round out your trip, Jeff City is definitely worth a visit. EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) would be happy to assist you in your upcoming trip to Jefferson City, Missouri.