Evergreen MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Evergreen, Missouri.
1. Gateway Arch
ICON OF THE WEST
The Gateway Arch is the tallest arch monument in the world, standing at 630 feet high in St. Louis. Visitors can enjoy a unique vantage point over St. Louis and the Mississippi River from its observation deck. The Gateway Arch symbolizes the gateway to the west and commemorates Thomas Jefferson's role in expanding the United States.
2. Uranus Missouri Towne Center
QUIRKY TOURIST STOP
Uranus Missouri Towne Center is a unique attraction located in Evergreen. The center offers visitors an eclectic and humorous experience with various shops and exhibits. It has become a popular roadside attraction for travelers passing through the area.
3. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
SCENIC NATURAL WONDER
Ha Ha Tonka State Park features the stone ruins of a turn-of-the-century castle overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The park encompasses over 3,700 acres of karst landscape with sinkholes, caves, and a natural bridge. Visitors can explore more than 15 miles of trails that showcase the park's geological wonders and stunning lake views.
4. Bennett Spring State Park
PREMIER TROUT FISHING DESTINATION
Bennett Spring State Park is centered around a spring that produces an average of 100 million gallons of water daily. The park is renowned for its rainbow trout fishing, attracting anglers from across the country. Besides fishing, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring the park's natural beauty.
5. Titanic Museum
HISTORICAL INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
The Titanic Museum in Branson is a two-story museum shaped like the Titanic ship itself. Inside, visitors will find over 400 artifacts from the ship and its passengers displayed in 20 galleries. The museum offers an immersive experience where guests receive boarding passes of actual Titanic passengers and follow their journey throughout the exhibition.
6. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
MAGNIFICENT MOSAIC COLLECTION
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis houses one of the largest mosaic collections in the western hemisphere with over 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces. Construction began in 1907 and the cathedral was dedicated in 1914, though the mosaics weren't completed until 1988. The Byzantine and Romanesque style cathedral serves as the mother church of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
7. Grant's Farm
HISTORIC WILDLIFE PARK
Grant's Farm is a 281-acre wildlife park and ancestral home of the Busch family, famous for Anheuser-Busch brewing. The farm is named after Ulysses S. Grant who originally worked the land before becoming president. Visitors can see hundreds of animals representing more than 100 different species, including the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales.
8. Lake of the Ozarks
POPULAR RECREATIONAL WATERWAY
Lake of the Ozarks was created by the construction of Bagnell Dam, which was completed in 1931. With a surface area of 54,000 acres, it was once the largest manmade lake in the United States and remains a premier vacation destination in the Midwest. The lake features 1,150 miles of shoreline and countless coves, making it perfect for boating, fishing, and water sports.
9. Mark Twain Boyhood Home
LITERARY HISTORICAL SITE
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home is where Samuel Clemens lived from 1844 to 1853 and found inspiration for his most famous characters. The museum complex includes several buildings that preserve the early environment of America's most beloved author. Visitors can explore the whitewashed fence made famous in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and other landmarks from Twain's childhood.
10. Silver Dollar City
1880S-THEMED AMUSEMENT PARK
Silver Dollar City is an 1880s-themed amusement park featuring over 40 rides and attractions, including world-class roller coasters. The park showcases more than 100 resident craftsmen demonstrating traditional Ozark Mountain skills like glass blowing, blacksmithing, and pottery. Throughout the year, the park hosts six different festivals celebrating everything from bluegrass music to Christmas lights.
11. Cahokia Courthouse
HISTORIC FRENCH COLONIAL BUILDING
The Cahokia Courthouse is a historic French Colonial building that served as a courthouse and seat of government. Built around 1740, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Mississippi Valley. The courthouse was a stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail and now serves as a museum showcasing the area's rich history.
12. General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home
MILITARY LEADER'S HOMESTEAD
The General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home preserves the childhood residence of America's World War I military commander. The site features beautifully landscaped grounds, including a small memorial garden and walking trail. Visitors can learn about Pershing's early years and the landscapes that shaped his development before his distinguished military career.
13. Bagnell Dam
HISTORIC ENGINEERING MARVEL
Bagnell Dam was constructed between 1929 and 1931, creating the massive Lake of the Ozarks. The dam stands 148 feet high and stretches 2,543 feet across the Osage River. Visitors can drive across the top of the dam and explore the historic Bagnell Dam Strip, a mile-long stretch of shops, restaurants, and attractions.
14. Lewis & Clark Center
EXPEDITION HISTORICAL SITE
The Lewis & Clark Center commemorates the famous expedition's departure point in May 1804. The center features exhibits on the Corps of Discovery and their journey westward across the continent. Visitors can learn about the explorers' preparations, challenges, and discoveries through interactive displays and historical artifacts.
15. Missouri State Capitol
ARCHITECTURAL GOVERNMENT LANDMARK
The Missouri State Capitol building stands 238 feet tall with its iconic dome topped by a bronze statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Completed in 1917, the building houses murals by Thomas Hart Benton and other notable artists depicting Missouri's history and culture. The Capitol grounds feature monuments, memorials, and the Missouri Veterans Memorial, providing visitors with both historical and architectural points of interest.