Crystal City MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Crystal City, Missouri.
1. Crystal City Underground
UNDERGROUND LAKE ADVENTURE
Crystal City Underground is a unique attraction featuring a spring-fed crystal-clear 150-acre underground lake. Visitors can take boat tours through this engrossing and foreign landscape to experience the underground caverns. The adventure also offers walking tours through the caverns, disc golf, volleyball, and a treasure hunt area for kids.
2. Clastique The Market Place
LOCAL MARKET EXPERIENCE
Clastique The Market Place is one of the top attractions in Crystal City, offering a unique shopping experience. Visitors can explore various local goods and products in this charming marketplace. The market serves as a community hub for both locals and tourists seeking authentic Crystal City merchandise.
3. Rusty Rooster Antiques & Collectibles
VINTAGE TREASURE TROVE
Rusty Rooster Antiques & Collectibles is a popular destination for vintage enthusiasts in Crystal City. The shop features a diverse collection of antiques and collectibles from various eras. Visitors can spend hours browsing through unique items and potentially finding rare treasures to take home.
4. Deranged
UNIQUE LOCAL SHOP
Deranged is a distinctive attraction in Crystal City offering visitors a quirky shopping experience. The shop features an eclectic mix of items that appeal to those looking for something out of the ordinary. Visitors often praise Deranged for its unique atmosphere and one-of-a-kind merchandise.
5. Quonset
HISTORIC BUILDING EXPERIENCE
Quonset is an interesting attraction in Crystal City known for its distinctive architectural style. The semi-cylindrical metal structure has been repurposed to serve as a local point of interest. Visitors can appreciate the historical significance of this type of building while exploring what it has to offer today.
6. Mina Sauk Falls
MISSOURI'S HIGHEST WATERFALL
Mina Sauk Falls is celebrated as the highest waterfall in Missouri with a dramatic 132-foot cascade. Also known as Evangeline Falls, it is allegedly referenced in Longfellow's poem of that name. The falls are located near Taum Sauk Mountain, making it a perfect stop for hikers exploring the area.
7. Taum Sauk Mountain
HIGHEST POINT ADVENTURE
Taum Sauk Mountain stands as the highest point in Missouri and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The mountain features hiking trails including the Taum Sauk Trail that passes near Mina Sauk Falls. Nature enthusiasts can explore the diverse flora and fauna while enjoying the elevation of more than 1,600 feet above sea level.
8. Elephant Rocks State Park
GIANT BOULDER FORMATION
Elephant Rocks State Park features massive granite boulders standing end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. The park offers a one-mile Braille trail that winds through the main area, allowing visitors to touch and climb these ancient formations. Dating back 1.5 billion years, these giant elephant-shaped rocks provide both geological interest and playful exploration opportunities.
9. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
NATURAL WATER PLAYGROUND
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park features a unique geological formation where the Black River cascades through a series of rocky shut-ins, creating natural water slides and pools. Visitors can swim, splash, and explore these natural water features during warm months. The park also offers hiking trails, camping facilities, and educational programs about the area's unique geology.
10. Mastodon State Historic Site
PREHISTORIC DISCOVERY SITE
Mastodon State Historic Site preserves the Kimmswick Bone Bed, where scientists discovered mastodon bones and the first confirmed evidence of humans hunting these prehistoric creatures. The site features a museum with exhibits displaying fossils, artifacts, and information about the Ice Age period. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails through the natural landscape where these discoveries were made.
11. Pickle Springs Natural Area
SANDSTONE WONDER TRAIL
Pickle Springs Natural Area offers a two-mile Trail Through Time that showcases spectacular sandstone formations, box canyons, and natural arches. The area is known for its unique geological features with whimsical names like the Double Arch, Slot Canyon, and Rockpile Canyon. Hikers will also encounter lush vegetation, seasonal waterfalls, and diverse plant communities that thrive in this microclimate.
12. Hawn State Park
PINE FOREST RETREAT
Hawn State Park is renowned for its pristine pine forests, sandstone canyons, and clear sand-bottom streams. The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Whispering Pine Trail that winds through the park's most scenic areas. Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, and wildlife watching in one of Missouri's most unspoiled natural environments.
13. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
HISTORIC WOODEN BRIDGE
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge is a historic structure originally built in 1872 and stands as one of only four remaining covered bridges in Missouri. The bridge was reconstructed after being destroyed by a flood in 1886, maintaining its original Howe-truss design. Today, it serves as the centerpiece of a charming state historic site where visitors can picnic and learn about transportation history.
14. St. Francois State Park
RIVER RECREATION PARADISE
St. Francois State Park encompasses 2,735 acres of beautiful forested hills along the Big River. The park offers excellent opportunities for canoeing, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking on its diverse trail system. Visitors can stay overnight at the park's campground and explore the Pike Run Trail or the Swimming Deer Trail to experience the area's natural beauty.
15. Missouri Mines State Historic Site
MINING HISTORY MUSEUM
Missouri Mines State Historic Site preserves the former St. Joe Minerals Corporation's lead mining operations that date back to the early 1900s. The site features a museum housed in the mine's former powerhouse, where visitors can view heavy machinery, mineral specimens, and learn about the area's rich mining heritage. Interactive exhibits demonstrate the process of mineral extraction and the importance of lead mining to Missouri's economy and development.