Ewing MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ewing, Missouri.
1. Smurfwood Trails ATV Park
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE PARADISE
Smurfwood Trails ATV Park offers exciting off-road adventures for ATV enthusiasts in Ewing. The park features various trails with different difficulty levels suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike. Visitors consistently rate it highly, making it a must-visit destination for outdoor adventure seekers in northeast Missouri.
2. Wakonda State Park
LAKESIDE NATURAL RETREAT
Wakonda State Park provides a serene natural setting with beautiful lakes for fishing, swimming, and boating activities. The park offers camping facilities, hiking trails, and picnic areas for day visitors and overnight guests. Its diverse ecosystem makes it an excellent spot for wildlife viewing and nature photography throughout the seasons.
3. Gardner Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
Gardner Museum showcases the rich history of Ewing and the surrounding region through carefully curated exhibits and artifacts. The museum houses collections that document the area's settlement, agricultural development, and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the past through photographs, documents, and items that tell the story of this small Missouri community.
4. Cellar 21
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Cellar 21 offers visitors a delightful wine tasting experience in a charming setting in Ewing. The establishment features locally produced wines that showcase the flavors of Missouri's wine country. Its perfect 5-star rating reflects the exceptional service, ambiance, and quality products that keep guests coming back.
5. Villa Kathrine
EXOTIC MOORISH ARCHITECTURE
Villa Kathrine is a stunning Moorish-inspired mansion located near Ewing that transports visitors to another world with its unique architecture. Built in 1900, this cultural landmark serves as Quincy's tourist information center while preserving its historical significance. The villa features intricate details including a courtyard, reflecting pool, and ornate decorations that make it a photographer's dream.
6. Elephant Rocks State Park
GIANT GRANITE BOULDERS
Elephant Rocks State Park showcases enormous granite boulders that resemble a train of circus elephants, formed from 1.5 billion-year-old granite. The park offers a paved one-mile Braille trail that winds through these magnificent formations, making it accessible to visitors of all abilities. Visitors can explore stoneworkers' names carved into the granite and discover the area's rich quarrying history that provided materials for St. Louis streets and the Governor's mansion.
7. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
NATURAL WATER PLAYGROUND
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park features a remarkable natural water playground where the East Fork of Black River flows through narrow gorges of ancient volcanic rock. The park's unique geological formations create natural water slides and pools that are perfect for swimming during summer months. Visitors can enjoy canyon-like shut-ins, talus slopes, and open glades while exploring this extraordinary natural area not far from Ewing.
8. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
MISSOURI'S HIGHEST POINT
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is home to Missouri's highest point at 1,772 feet, offering impressive views of the surrounding Ozark landscape. A loop trail leads visitors to both the highest point and to Mina Sauk Falls, the state's highest wet-weather waterfall. The park connects to Johnson's Shut-Ins via the 12.8-mile Ozark Trail section, creating extensive hiking opportunities through diverse terrain.
9. Mina Sauk Falls
HIGHEST WATERFALL IN MISSOURI
Mina Sauk Falls stands as Missouri's highest waterfall, cascading dramatically when conditions are right. Located within Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, the falls can be reached via a scenic loop trail that showcases the natural beauty of the Ozarks. The waterfall's flow varies seasonally, making spring visits after rainfall particularly rewarding for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
10. Millstream Gardens Conservation Area
WHITEWATER AND WILDERNESS
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area offers a stunning natural setting featuring the St. Francis River rushing through granite shut-ins. The area hosts the Missouri Whitewater Championships each spring when river conditions are ideal for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails that provide spectacular views of the river and surrounding Ozark wilderness, making it a favorite destination for outdoor recreation.
11. Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site
LITERARY LEGEND'S BIRTHPLACE
Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site preserves the humble two-room cabin where Samuel Clemens was born in 1835. The site features a museum housing the original cabin within a modern interpretive center that showcases Twain memorabilia and artifacts. Visitors can learn about the early life and influences that shaped one of America's greatest literary figures through exhibits and educational displays.
12. Hannibal Historic District
TOM SAWYER'S HOMETOWN
Hannibal Historic District transports visitors to the world that inspired Mark Twain's beloved characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. The charming riverfront town features multiple attractions including the Mark Twain Boyhood Home, Becky Thatcher House, and Huckleberry Finn House. Visitors can explore museums, take riverboat cruises, and wander through preserved 19th-century streets that bring Twain's literary landscapes to life.
13. Thousand Hills State Park
LAKE RECREATION PARADISE
Thousand Hills State Park centers around the 573-acre Forest Lake, offering outstanding opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The park features camping facilities, cabins, and hiking trails that wind through forests and along scenic shorelines. Visitors can also explore ancient petroglyphs carved by Native Americans between 1,500 and 900 years ago, adding a cultural dimension to this recreational destination.
14. Wyaconda River Conservation Area
WETLANDS AND WILDLIFE
Wyaconda River Conservation Area encompasses over 1,000 acres of diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, and river corridors. The area provides excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation throughout the seasons. Birdwatchers particularly enjoy the area for spotting migratory waterfowl and resident woodland species in this natural sanctuary.
15. Gateway Arch
SYMBOL OF WESTWARD EXPANSION
The Gateway Arch stands as a proud symbol of America's manifest destiny and westward ambitions at an impressive 630 feet tall. Visitors can ride to the top of this architectural marvel for panoramic views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. The accompanying museum beneath the Arch explores the history of westward expansion, Native American cultures, and the engineering feat of constructing this iconic monument.