Conway MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Conway, Missouri.
1. Highway 66 Welcome Center
ROUTE 66 INFORMATION STOP
The Highway 66 Welcome Center in Conway offers visitors a classic Route 66 motif and helpful staff providing information about the area and the Show-Me State. It features clean restrooms, vending machines for snacks and beverages, and travel brochures and maps. The center also offers a playground area, spacious picnic sites, and areas to walk pets.
2. Worlds Largest Gift Store
MASSIVE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
The World's Largest Gift Store in Conway is a popular stopping point for travelers along Route 66. This expansive retail space offers a wide variety of souvenirs, gifts, and unique items. Visitors often make this a must-see destination when traveling through the area.
3. Redmons Candy Factory
SWEET ROUTE 66 STOP
Redmons Candy Factory is a beloved attraction in Conway offering a variety of sweet treats for travelers. The factory allows visitors to watch candy-making processes while browsing their extensive selection of confections. This Route 66 landmark has been satisfying sweet tooths for years.
4. Route 66 Memorial Rest Area
HISTORIC HIGHWAY TRIBUTE
The Route 66 Memorial Rest Area is located along I-44 near Conway, dedicated to celebrating the historic Route 66. Its picnic tables are placed in buildings resembling classic Route 66 motels, garages, gas stations, and stores. The sign in front of the main building is a great reproduction of Lebanon's Munger Moss Motel neon sign.
5. Meramec Caves Barn Sign
ICONIC ROADSIDE ADVERTISEMENT
The Meramec Caves Barn Sign is a blue barn with a painted advertisement promoting Meramec Caverns on its roof. Located at 12555 Martingale Dr. in Conway, it stands as one of the last remaining barn advertisements in Missouri. This historic roadside attraction represents a classic form of advertising along Route 66.
6. Webster County Circuit Court
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Webster County Circuit Court is a notable historical building in Conway with connections to the Hubble Telescope. The courthouse serves as both a functioning government building and a point of interest for visitors. Its historical significance makes it worth visiting for those interested in local history.
7. Meramec Caverns
FAMOUS MISSOURI CAVES
Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile cavern system in the Ozarks near Stanton, Missouri, that has been a popular tourist attraction since 1933. The caverns feature colorful formations, underground streams, and a dramatic light show highlighting the natural beauty within. This cave system was once reportedly used as a hideout by Jesse James and his gang.
8. Bennett Spring State Park
PREMIER FISHING DESTINATION
Bennett Spring State Park is a popular fishing destination near Lebanon featuring one of Missouri's largest springs. The park offers outstanding trout fishing, hiking trails, and camping facilities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy the nature center, dining lodge, and picturesque scenery throughout the year.
9. Munger Moss Motel
ICONIC ROUTE 66 LODGING
The Munger Moss Motel is a historic Route 66 landmark in Lebanon that has been operating since 1946. Its distinctive neon sign has become one of the most photographed icons along the Mother Road. The motel preserves the classic roadside lodging experience that was once common during Route 66's heyday.
10. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
CASTLE RUINS AND NATURE
Ha Ha Tonka State Park features the stone ruins of a early 20th-century castle overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The park offers over 15 miles of trails through natural bridges, sinkholes, and caves formed by karst geology. Visitors can explore the castle ruins, hike through diverse landscapes, and enjoy scenic overlooks of the lake.
11. Lake of the Ozarks
POPULAR RECREATION DESTINATION
Lake of the Ozarks is a massive reservoir created by the Bagnell Dam with over 1,150 miles of shoreline for recreation. The lake offers excellent boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports opportunities throughout the warm months. Surrounding the lake are numerous resorts, restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues making it a complete vacation destination.
12. Fantastic Caverns
AMERICA'S RIDE-THROUGH CAVE
Fantastic Caverns is America's only ride-through cave, located near Springfield, where visitors tour aboard Jeep-drawn trams. The cave maintains a constant 60°F temperature year-round, making it a comfortable attraction in any season. Discovered in 1862, the cave features impressive formations including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.
13. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
WORLD-CLASS CONSERVATION SHOWCASE
The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield is one of the largest immersive wildlife attractions in the world. The facility features 1.5 million gallons of freshwater and saltwater habitats with thousands of live fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. This conservation-focused destination includes both a wildlife museum and an aquarium experience spanning 350,000 square feet.
14. Bridal Cave
LEGENDARY UNDERGROUND WONDER
Bridal Cave is a stunning natural formation beneath Thunder Mountain near Camdenton with a unique history of Native American wedding ceremonies. The cave features massive columns, delicate soda straws, and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours take visitors through the well-lit passages while sharing the geological and cultural history of this natural wonder.
15. Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
REGIONAL EVENTS CENTER
The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds is a major event venue in Springfield hosting the annual Ozark Empire Fair and numerous other events throughout the year. The grounds feature multiple buildings and arenas for livestock shows, concerts, exhibitions, and community gatherings. This versatile facility serves as an important cultural and entertainment hub for the region.