Pickering MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Pickering, Missouri.
1. Mozingo Lake Recreational Park
OUTDOOR WATER RECREATION PARADISE
Mozingo Lake Recreational Park offers visitors a scenic 1,000-acre lake perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, and an 18-hole golf course for outdoor enthusiasts. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the natural surroundings of this popular recreational area.
2. Backyard Vine & Wine
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Backyard Vine & Wine provides a charming vineyard experience with locally produced wines in a rustic setting. Visitors can enjoy tastings of various wine varieties while learning about the winemaking process. The venue frequently hosts events and offers a relaxing atmosphere for guests to unwind.
3. Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS SANCTUARY
The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration monastery showcases beautiful architecture and peaceful grounds for spiritual reflection. Visitors can tour the historic buildings dating back to the late 19th century and learn about the sisters' traditional practices. The monastery is known for its handcrafted altar breads and soaps produced by the sisters.
4. Nodaway Valley Historical Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
Nodaway Valley Historical Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts depicting the rich history of Northwest Missouri. Exhibits showcase pioneer life, agricultural development, and notable events from the region's past. The museum is housed in a historic building and offers guided tours for visitors interested in learning about local heritage.
5. Falling Springs Mill
HISTORIC WATER-POWERED MILL
Falling Springs Mill, built between 1927 and 1929, once served multiple purposes including grinding corn, sawing shingles, and generating electricity. The mill is situated by a picturesque spring that pours from rocks as a small waterfall, creating one of the most photographed areas in the forest. Visitors can explore the mill, a 100-year-old log cabin, and enjoy the rustic picnic area surrounding the spring-fed pond.
6. Glade Top Trail
NATIONAL FOREST SCENIC BYWAY
Glade Top Trail is a 23-mile National Forest Scenic Byway known for the beautiful glades surrounding its ridge tops. The byway features multiple scenic stops including Haden Park, Smoke Tree Scene, Arkansas View, and Panorama offering stunning vistas. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography throughout this natural corridor.
7. Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park
OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION
The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features monumental outdoor sculptures set across expansive grounds. The park is famous for its iconic badminton birdies sculptures that have become symbols of the museum. Visitors can wander freely through this outdoor gallery space while appreciating the interplay between art and nature.
8. Caney Picnic Area
SCENIC OUTDOOR REST STOP
Caney Picnic Area offers a peaceful rest stop along the Glade Top Trail for visitors to enjoy a meal surrounded by natural beauty. The area provides tables, basic facilities, and access to scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors often use this location as a base for wildlife viewing and photography in the national forest.
9. Northwest Missouri State University
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS
Northwest Missouri State University features a beautiful campus with historic architecture and modern facilities open to visitors. The university's 240-acre campus includes an arboretum with over 1,700 trees and shrubs representing more than 160 species. Visitors can attend cultural events, sporting competitions, or simply enjoy the park-like grounds throughout the year.
10. McClurg Glade
NATURAL PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM
McClurg Glade preserves a natural prairie ecosystem with unique plant species adapted to the rocky, dry conditions of Ozark glades. Visitors can observe wildflowers, native grasses, and specialized wildlife that inhabit this distinctive environment. The area offers hiking opportunities and spectacular views from elevated positions along the Glade Top Trail.
11. Maryville Community Center
FAMILY RECREATION COMPLEX
The Maryville Community Center provides recreational facilities including an indoor pool, fitness equipment, and activity spaces for visitors of all ages. The center hosts various community events, classes, and sports leagues throughout the year. Travelers can purchase day passes to enjoy the amenities while passing through the area.
12. Nodaway County Courthouse
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Nodaway County Courthouse stands as an impressive example of historic architecture in downtown Maryville. Built in 1881, the building features distinctive design elements and continues to serve as a functioning government facility. Visitors can admire the exterior details and sometimes tour portions of this landmark structure.
13. Watershed Divide
GEOGRAPHICAL POINT OF INTEREST
The Watershed Divide marks an important geographical feature where water flows in different directions based on which side of the ridge it falls. This stop along the Glade Top Trail offers educational information about the region's hydrology and ecosystem. Visitors can appreciate panoramic views while understanding the natural forces that shaped the landscape.
14. Hangar Winery
AVIATION-THEMED WINE EXPERIENCE
Hangar Winery combines aviation themes with wine production for a unique tasting experience near Pickering. The winery offers a selection of locally produced wines in a distinctive atmosphere that celebrates flight. Visitors can enjoy tastings, special events, and purchase bottles to take home.
15. Nodaway River Access
WATER RECREATION SPOT
The Nodaway River Access provides entry points for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking on this scenic waterway. The river offers diverse aquatic habitats supporting various fish species including catfish, bass, and crappie. Visitors can enjoy peaceful water activities while surrounded by the natural beauty of rural Missouri.