Foster MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Foster, Missouri.
1. Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR HISTORIC SITE
The Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site commemorates the first time that African American troops were engaged in Civil War combat, fighting for the Union in the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment. Visitors can explore interpretive trails that wind through the tallgrass prairie landscape where this significant historical event took place. The site offers educational exhibits that detail this important milestone in American military history.
2. Big Mouth
UNIQUE LOCAL LANDMARK
Big Mouth is a distinctive points of interest and landmark located in Foster that draws curious visitors. The attraction offers a quirky photo opportunity that has become popular with tourists passing through the small village. Visitors often stop to appreciate this unique local feature that adds character to the rural Missouri community.
3. Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL WILDLIFE HAVEN
The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge provides a protected habitat for numerous species of birds and wildlife near Foster. The refuge features diverse ecosystems including wetlands, forests, and grasslands that support a rich variety of flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, wildlife photography, and hiking through the natural landscapes that showcase Missouri's biodiversity.
4. Ralph Foster Museum
OZARK CULTURAL TREASURY
The Ralph Foster Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts with special emphasis on the history and culture of the Ozark Mountain Region. Spanning three floors of exhibits, visitors can explore antiques, dolls, clocks, music items, firearms, natural history specimens, and even the original truck from the Beverly Hillbillies television series. The museum, located on the campus of College of the Ozarks, provides an immersive 2-3 hour experience showcasing the rich heritage of the Ozarks.
5. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art showcases nearly 40,000 works from Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond, highlighting humanity's artistic achievements across centuries. The museum features extensive collections spanning various periods and cultures, offering visitors a comprehensive view of global art history. Its iconic outdoor sculpture garden, including the giant shuttlecocks installation, complements the impressive indoor galleries that draw art enthusiasts from around the world.
6. Cuivre River State Park
WILDERNESS RECREATION AREA
Cuivre River State Park offers a wilderness experience in the rolling hills of Lincoln County, not far from the Foster region. The park features rugged terrain with hiking trails through woodlands, streams, and scenic overlooks that showcase Missouri's natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, swimming, and wildlife observation in this diverse natural area that serves as a retreat from urban environments.
7. Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site
HISTORIC MOUNTAINTOP MANSION
Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site preserves the impressive 31-room, 12,000-square-foot mansion built by lawyer John Homer Bothwell between 1897 and 1928. The lodge sits atop a 120-foot bluff and was constructed around natural rock formations, offering unique architectural elements and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can tour the eclectic residence filled with original furnishings and learn about Bothwell's life while exploring the surrounding hiking trails and picnic areas.
8. Current River
SCENIC FLOATING DESTINATION
The Current River is one of Missouri's premier floating destinations that draws visitors from across the state and beyond. The crystal-clear, spring-fed river offers ideal conditions for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing through some of the most scenic landscapes in the Ozarks. Visitors can enjoy the cool waters, observe diverse wildlife, and camp along the river's edge for a complete outdoor adventure experience.
9. Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site
LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL
Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site preserves an important location where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped and documented their observations in 1804. The site features interpretive trails and overlooks providing panoramic views of the Missouri River and surrounding landscapes that have changed little since the explorers passed through. Visitors can connect with this pivotal moment in American exploration history while enjoying the natural beauty that captivated the expedition members over two centuries ago.
10. Echo Bluff State Park
MODERN OZARK GETAWAY
Echo Bluff State Park offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks. The park is centered around its namesake towering bluff and features Sinking Creek, which provides opportunities for wading, fishing, and wildlife observation. Visitors can stay in the contemporary lodge, cabins, or campgrounds while enjoying hiking trails, picnic areas, and organized interpretive programs throughout the year.
11. Confederate Memorial State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE
The Confederate Memorial State Historic Site preserves the grounds of a former Confederate Veterans Home that operated from 1891 to 1950. The site includes a chapel, cemetery, and museum that tell the story of the Civil War veterans who lived out their final years at this location. Visitors can explore the peaceful grounds with its century-old trees while learning about this chapter of Missouri's complex Civil War history.
12. Elephant Rocks State Park
GIANT GRANITE BOULDERS
Elephant Rocks State Park features massive pink granite boulders that stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants, creating one of Missouri's most distinctive natural landscapes. The park offers a one-mile Braille trail that winds among the elephant-shaped rocks, some of which reach over 20 feet tall and weigh more than 600 tons. Visitors can climb on the ancient formations, explore old quarry operations, and enjoy picnicking in this geologically fascinating area formed from 1.5 billion-year-old granite.
13. Kansas City Metropolitan Area Attractions
URBAN ENTERTAINMENT HUB
The Kansas City Metropolitan Area, which includes Foster within its extended region, offers world-class entertainment, dining, and cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy renowned barbecue restaurants, catch professional sports games with the Chiefs and Royals, or explore the vibrant Country Club Plaza shopping district. The metropolitan area's jazz heritage, numerous museums, and family-friendly attractions like Worlds of Fun amusement park provide endless entertainment options for visitors from Foster.
14. Bates County Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Bates County Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of Bates County, where Foster is located. The museum houses artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the region's development, from Native American presence through pioneer settlement and into the modern era. Visitors can explore exhibits highlighting local military history, agriculture, and daily life throughout the county's past.
15. Prairie State Park
TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE
Prairie State Park protects one of the last remaining tallgrass prairies in Missouri, offering visitors a glimpse of the landscape that once covered much of the state. The park is home to a free-ranging herd of bison and elk, allowing wildlife enthusiasts a chance to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Hiking trails wind through the sea of grasses and wildflowers, which change dramatically with the seasons, providing a different experience with each visit.