Centralia MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Centralia, Missouri.
1. Centralia Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Centralia Historical Society Museum is housed in the 1904 former home of pioneer inventor industrialist, A. Bishop Chance. The museum exhibits and stores historic memories of Centralia, which was founded in 1857 as a stop on the North Missouri Railroad. Visitors can explore the town's rich history as it grew into a trade center for farmers moving onto the Missouri prairies from Kentucky, Tennessee, and other eastern states.
2. Chance Gardens
SCENIC BOTANICAL OASIS
Chance Gardens adjoins the Historical Society Museum, offering a beautiful half-acre of flowers, shrubs, rocks, water, and winding paths. Visitors can enjoy the tranquil environment while exploring the carefully cultivated landscape. The gardens serve as a peaceful complement to the historical exhibits in the museum.
3. Rose Garden
FRAGRANT FLORAL DISPLAY
The Rose Garden is located east of the Historical Society Museum in Centralia. This dedicated space showcases various rose varieties in a carefully maintained garden setting. Visitors can appreciate the colors and fragrances of the roses while enjoying this peaceful corner of Centralia.
4. Centralia Anchor Festival
ANNUAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Centralia Anchor Festival is an annual summer event organized and promoted by the Centralia Chamber of Commerce. The festival brings together locals and visitors for community celebrations, entertainment, and activities. Festival-goers can enjoy various attractions and events that showcase Centralia's community spirit.
5. Centralia Parks and Recreation
OUTDOOR FUN SPACES
Centralia Parks and Recreation offers various outdoor spaces and facilities for community enjoyment. Visitors and residents can participate in recreational activities, sports, and leisure pursuits within these parks. The parks provide green spaces and amenities for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor activities in Centralia.
6. IC Billiards
GAME AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
IC Billiards is a game and entertainment center in Centralia offering billiards and other recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy friendly competition and social interaction in a welcoming indoor environment. The center provides a place for locals and visitors to relax and have fun regardless of weather conditions.
7. Reclaimed Custom
SPECIALTY AND GIFTS
Reclaimed Custom is a specialty and gift shop located in Centralia that offers unique items for shoppers. The store features custom products and special gifts that can't be found in typical retail establishments. Visitors can browse and purchase distinctive items, potentially including locally made or repurposed goods.
8. Columbia
NEARBY METROPOLITAN CENTER
Columbia is a vibrant city located near Centralia offering numerous attractions, dining options, and cultural experiences. As the home of the University of Missouri, Columbia provides educational attractions, sporting events, and a college-town atmosphere. Visitors from Centralia can enjoy Columbia's amenities with just a short drive.
9. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
NATURAL KARST WONDERLAND
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park features a natural rock bridge, sinkholes, a cave, and underground stream just outside Columbia near Centralia. Visitors can explore the park's unique karst landscape through hiking trails and guided tours. The park offers opportunities for photography, nature observation, and outdoor recreation in a distinctive geological setting.
10. Finger Lakes State Park
OFF-ROAD RECREATION AREA
Finger Lakes State Park is a former coal mining area transformed into a recreation area with numerous finger-shaped lakes near Columbia. The park is especially known for its off-road vehicle trails and water recreation opportunities. Visitors from Centralia can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and motorized trail experiences at this unique outdoor destination.
11. Museum of Art and Archaeology
ANCIENT ART COLLECTION
The Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Missouri in Columbia houses an impressive collection of ancient artifacts and fine art. Visitors from Centralia can view items spanning thousands of years of human history and artistic achievement. The museum offers educational programs, special exhibitions, and a chance to explore global cultural heritage just a short drive from Centralia.
12. Shelter Gardens
CORPORATE GARDEN PARADISE
Shelter Gardens is a five-acre garden developed by Shelter Insurance in Columbia featuring over 300 varieties of trees and shrubs plus numerous flower beds. The gardens include a waterfall, stream, rock garden, and a replica one-room schoolhouse. Visitors from Centralia can enjoy this peaceful botanical space, which hosts summer concerts and provides scenic photography opportunities throughout changing seasons.
13. Stephens Lake Park
URBAN LAKE RETREAT
Stephens Lake Park is a popular 116-acre park in Columbia featuring a swimming beach, fishing lake, and extensive trail system. The park offers amphitheater performances, playground equipment, and picnic areas for visitors of all ages. Centralia residents can enjoy seasonal activities including winter sledding, summer swimming, and year-round walking paths in this well-maintained urban park.
14. Mark Twain National Forest
VAST WOODLAND WILDERNESS
Mark Twain National Forest covers portions of southern Missouri with sections accessible from the Centralia region. The forest offers hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing across its expansive natural areas. Visitors from Centralia can explore diverse ecosystems including oak-hickory forests, pine stands, glades, and clear-running streams within this federally protected wilderness.
15. Arrow Rock State Historic Site
PRESERVED 19TH CENTURY VILLAGE
Arrow Rock State Historic Site preserves a once-thriving 19th-century Missouri River community that played a significant role in westward expansion. Visitors from Centralia can explore original buildings, a visitor center with exhibits, and learn about the town's importance on the Santa Fe Trail. The site hosts the renowned Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and offers guided tours of this National Historic Landmark village.