Leslie MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Leslie, Missouri.
1. Wine Country Wagon
EXPLORE WINE COUNTRY TOURS
Wine Country Wagon offers wine tours and tastings along with historical and heritage tours in Leslie. Visitors can explore the local vineyards and learn about the rich wine-making history of the region. The tour provides a unique way to experience Missouri's wine country with knowledgeable guides.
2. McKelvey Vineyards
WINE TASTING AND MUSIC
McKelvey Vineyards features live music, wine tasting, and hosts private events in Leslie. Visitors can also stay overnight at the Steeple View Manor farmhouse retreat for a complete wine country experience. The vineyard is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April through October.
3. Missouri Town Living History Museum
STEP BACK IN TIME
Missouri Town Living History Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the past with authentic historical recreations. The museum features period-accurate buildings, artifacts, and costumed interpreters who demonstrate daily life from Missouri's earlier days. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities and special events throughout the year.
4. Glore Psychiatric Museum
MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY
The Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the history of mental health treatment in America. Located near Leslie, this unique museum displays historical psychiatric treatments, patient artwork, and medical devices. The museum provides thought-provoking exhibits that educate visitors about the evolution of mental healthcare.
5. Big Joel's Safari Petting Zoo
INTERACTIVE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
Big Joel's Safari Petting Zoo offers an interactive experience with a variety of animals near Leslie. Visitors can feed and pet numerous domestic and exotic animals in a family-friendly environment. The zoo also features educational presentations, wagon rides, and special seasonal events.
6. Silver Dollar City
THRILLING THEME PARK
Silver Dollar City is a renowned 1880s-themed amusement park featuring rides, crafts, and entertainment. The park showcases Ozark culture with demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship and hosts seasonal festivals throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy thrilling roller coasters, family rides, shows, and authentic dining experiences.
7. Batesville Community Center and Aquatics
RECREATION AND SWIMMING
Batesville Community Center and Aquatics provides recreational facilities and swimming options for visitors of all ages. The center features indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, and splash areas perfect for cooling off during warm months. Additional amenities include fitness facilities, sports courts, and community spaces for events.
8. Russellville Aquatic Center
SWIMMING AND WATER FUN
Russellville Aquatic Center offers swimming and water recreation facilities for visitors seeking aquatic entertainment. The center includes swimming pools, water slides, and splash features suitable for all ages and swimming abilities. Visitors can enjoy lap swimming, water aerobics classes, and recreational swimming in a safe, supervised environment.
9. Leslie Parks and Trails
OUTDOOR RECREATION OPTIONS
Leslie Parks and Trails system provides outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the municipality. Visitors can explore scenic hiking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds surrounded by Missouri's natural beauty. The well-maintained paths offer options for walking, jogging, and nature observation for outdoor enthusiasts.
10. Meramec Caverns
FAMOUS UNDERGROUND WONDER
Meramec Caverns is one of Missouri's most visited cave systems, located a short drive from Leslie. The caverns feature spectacular formations, underground rivers, and colorful stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia. Guided tours share the cave's natural wonders along with its fascinating history as a hideout for Jesse James.
11. Maramec Spring Park
SCENIC NATURAL SPRINGS
Maramec Spring Park centers around one of Missouri's largest springs, pumping millions of gallons of water daily. The park offers excellent trout fishing, picnic areas, hiking trails, and a museum showcasing the area's iron works history. Visitors enjoy the crystal-clear blue-green waters and abundant wildlife in this peaceful natural setting.
12. Shaw Nature Reserve
DIVERSE NATURAL LANDSCAPES
Shaw Nature Reserve encompasses over 2,400 acres of diverse natural landscapes near Leslie. The reserve features woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and glades with miles of hiking trails winding through these various ecosystems. Visitors can observe native plants, wildlife, and participate in educational programs throughout the year.
13. Purina Farms
ANIMAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND FUN
Purina Farms offers interactive animal exhibits, demonstrations, and activities for visitors of all ages. The facility features a pet center with dog and cat shows, a barnyard with farm animal interactions, and educational presentations about animals. Families enjoy watching canine performances, petting farm animals, and learning about animal care and nutrition.
14. Mastodon State Historic Site
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
Mastodon State Historic Site preserves the Kimmswick Bone Bed, where scientists discovered mastodon bones and evidence of early human presence. The site features a museum with exhibits about the ice age, mastodons, and the archaeological significance of the area. Visitors can explore hiking trails that wind through the historic grounds where these important discoveries were made.
15. Daniel Boone Home
HISTORIC FRONTIER SETTLEMENT
The Daniel Boone Home is a historic limestone house where the famous American frontiersman spent his final years. The site includes the four-story Georgian-style home and surrounding historic village with period buildings depicting frontier life. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Daniel Boone's adventures and the challenges of early American frontier settlement.