McClure IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near McClure, Illinois.
1. Cape Rock Park
SCENIC RIVER OVERLOOK
Cape Rock Park offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the mighty Mississippi River from its elevated position. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful setting with picnic facilities while watching barges and boats navigate the river below. The park also features historic significance as one of the earliest settlement sites in the region.
2. Century Casino Cape Girardeau
RIVERFRONT GAMING ENTERTAINMENT
Century Casino Cape Girardeau provides an exciting gaming experience with slot machines and table games in a modern riverfront venue. The casino complex includes multiple dining options ranging from casual to upscale restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Entertainment seekers can also enjoy live performances and events regularly scheduled at the venue.
3. The Rude Dog Pub
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS
The Rude Dog Pub serves as a popular local gathering spot offering hearty pub fare and an extensive selection of beverages. The establishment features a casual, welcoming atmosphere with regular live music and entertainment events. Patrons appreciate the friendly service and authentic pub experience that has made it a community favorite.
4. Pastimes Antiques
VINTAGE TREASURE HUNTING
Pastimes Antiques delights collectors with its carefully curated selection of vintage items and collectibles from various eras. The shop offers everything from furniture and home decor to jewelry and nostalgic memorabilia in a charming browsing environment. Knowledgeable staff provide insights about the historical significance and value of their unique inventory.
5. Missouri Wall of Fame
RIVERSIDE MURAL ATTRACTION
Missouri Wall of Fame showcases an impressive 500-foot-long floodwall mural depicting the rich history of Cape Girardeau and Missouri. The artistic installation features paintings of famous Missourians and significant historical events that shaped the region. Visitors can take a self-guided tour along the riverfront to appreciate this unique outdoor art gallery.
6. Shawnee National Forest
NATURAL WILDERNESS ESCAPE
Shawnee National Forest spans 280,000 acres across Southern Illinois, offering diverse landscapes from dramatic cliffs to lush woodlands and wetlands. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 403 miles of hiking trails, including the famous Garden of the Gods with its distinctive sandstone formations. The forest provides recreational opportunities for camping, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
7. Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
THRILLING FOREST ZIPLINES
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour offers an exhilarating zipline adventure soaring through the forest canopy of Southern Illinois. Visitors experience the thrill of gliding between platforms while guides share information about the local ecosystem and geology. The course features multiple ziplines that zig-zag through scenic bluffs and valleys, providing a unique perspective of the Midwest's premier national forest.
8. Trail of Tears State Park
HISTORIC MEMORIAL GROUNDS
Trail of Tears State Park commemorates the tragic forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation in the winter of 1838-1839, with many passing through this area. The park features interpretive exhibits and a memorial that honors the thousands who suffered and perished during this dark chapter in American history. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, camping facilities, and scenic views of the Mississippi River from the park's bluffs.
9. Fort Defiance State Park
HISTORIC RIVER CONFLUENCE
Fort Defiance State Park sits at the strategic confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, offering spectacular views of these mighty waterways meeting. The park occupies a site of significant Civil War history where Union forces established a critical stronghold. Visitors can explore the interpretive center, enjoy bird watching opportunities, and witness the unique natural phenomenon of the two distinctly colored rivers merging.
10. Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
PREMIER OUTDOOR RECREATION
Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area encompasses a 2,400-acre natural oxbow lake surrounded by cypress trees, creating a unique ecosystem in Southern Illinois. The area provides exceptional opportunities for fishing, with abundant crappie, bass, and catfish populations attracting anglers year-round. Bird watchers and wildlife photographers are drawn to the diverse habitats that support numerous species, including migratory waterfowl, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer.
11. Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
INTERACTIVE WILDLIFE EDUCATION
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center offers interactive exhibits showcasing the region's diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The facility features live animal displays, hands-on learning stations, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages. Outside, well-maintained trails wind through the surrounding woodlands, providing opportunities to observe native plants and animals in their natural habitat.
12. Giant City State Park
ANCIENT ROCK FORMATIONS
Giant City State Park features massive sandstone bluffs and unique rock formations that were created millions of years ago, resembling streets of a giant's city. Visitors can explore more than 12 miles of hiking trails that wind through lush forests and past dramatic geological features. The park's historic lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offers dining and accommodation in a rustic stone and timber setting.
13. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the remains of the largest pre-Columbian Native American city north of Mexico, which thrived from 1050-1350 CE. Visitors can climb Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, standing 100 feet tall and covering 14 acres. The interpretive center features exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that tell the story of this sophisticated ancient urban center that once housed up to 20,000 people.
14. Cache River State Natural Area
ANCIENT CYPRESS SWAMPS
Cache River State Natural Area protects one of the most remarkable wetland ecosystems in the Midwest, featuring ancient cypress-tupelo swamps with trees over 1,000 years old. Visitors can explore this unique landscape by canoe or kayak along the Cache River Water Trail, gliding through mysterious corridors of water surrounded by knobby cypress knees and hanging Spanish moss. The area supports tremendous biodiversity, including over 100 endangered or threatened species, making it a designated Wetland of International Importance.
15. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
DIVERSE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 44,000 acres of diverse habitats including woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and three large reservoirs. The refuge provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and over 700 species of plants, 245 species of birds, and numerous mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, photography, fishing, hunting, and hiking on designated trails throughout this expansive natural area in Southern Illinois.