Skidmore MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Skidmore, Missouri.
1. Backyard Vine & Wine
LOCAL VINEYARD EXPERIENCE
Backyard Vine & Wine offers visitors a charming vineyard experience in Skidmore. Guests can enjoy wine tastings featuring locally produced varieties while taking in the scenic rural Missouri landscape. The winery provides a relaxing atmosphere for both wine enthusiasts and casual visitors looking to unwind.
2. Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
BIRD MIGRATION HAVEN
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is a stunning natural sanctuary located near Skidmore that serves as a critical stopover for migrating birds. Visitors can observe hundreds of thousands of snow geese and other waterfowl during peak migration seasons, creating a spectacular natural phenomenon worth witnessing. The refuge features driving tours, hiking trails, and observation platforms that allow nature enthusiasts to immerse themselves in this unique ecosystem.
3. Mozingo Lake Recreational Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Mozingo Lake Recreational Park spans over 3,000 acres, offering visitors a wealth of outdoor activities near Skidmore. The park features a pristine 1,000-acre lake perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming, along with campgrounds and cabins for overnight stays. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, an 18-hole golf course, and various sports facilities throughout the expansive grounds.
4. Big Lake State Park
HISTORIC OXBOW LAKE
Big Lake State Park is centered around Missouri's largest oxbow lake, created by the shifting channels of the Missouri River. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming in the picturesque waters, or relax at the park's campgrounds and rental cabins. The park's diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, making it a popular destination for nature photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.
5. Skidmore Depot Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Skidmore Depot Museum preserves the rich history of this small Missouri town through an impressive collection of artifacts and memorabilia. Housed in the former train depot, the museum contains yellowed newspapers, community awards, typewriters, and photographs chronicling the town's past. Among its most intriguing exhibits is a 19th-century robbery note demanding one thousand dollars, offering visitors a glimpse into Skidmore's colorful history.
6. Nodaway County Historical Society Museum
COUNTY HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Nodaway County Historical Society Museum showcases the rich heritage of the region surrounding Skidmore. Exhibits feature pioneer artifacts, agricultural implements, and photographs that tell the story of the area's development over the centuries. The museum offers visitors a comprehensive look at local culture, from Native American history to early settlement and modern rural life.
7. Maryville Downtown Historic District
CHARMING MAIN STREET
Maryville Downtown Historic District features beautifully preserved architecture and a vibrant small-town atmosphere just a short drive from Skidmore. Visitors can explore locally-owned shops, restaurants, and cafes housed in historic buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The district regularly hosts community events, farmers markets, and festivals that showcase the region's cultural heritage and local products.
8. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
PRISTINE RIVER EXPERIENCE
Ozark National Scenic Riverways protects 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, offering some of Missouri's most stunning natural landscapes. Visitors can enjoy floating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the crystal-clear waters that wind through the picturesque Ozark hills. The park also features numerous hiking trails, caves, springs, and historic sites that showcase the region's unique natural and cultural heritage.
9. Meramec Caverns
FAMOUS UNDERGROUND WONDER
Meramec Caverns is one of Missouri's most visited natural attractions, featuring spectacular cave formations developed over millions of years. Guided tours take visitors through seven levels of ancient limestone caves adorned with colorful stalactites, stalagmites, and massive mineral deposits. The caverns are steeped in history, having served as a hideout for Jesse James and his gang in the 1870s.
10. Missouri Botanical Garden
WORLD-CLASS PLANT COLLECTION
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States, spanning 79 acres of horticultural displays. Visitors can explore diverse themed gardens including a Japanese garden, Victorian garden, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids. The garden serves as both a picturesque tourist destination and a center for botanical research and conservation efforts.
11. Gateway Arch
ICONIC NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch stands as an iconic 630-foot stainless steel monument commemorating the westward expansion of the United States. Visitors can ride a unique tram system to the observation deck at the top, offering spectacular views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. The surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial includes a museum detailing the history of the arch, westward expansion, and the role of St. Louis as the 'Gateway to the West.'
12. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
PREMIER ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses an encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity from around the world. The museum is particularly renowned for its extensive Asian art collection, European paintings, and modern sculpture garden featuring oversized shuttlecocks created by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Admission is free to the public, making this cultural treasure accessible to all visitors.
13. Good Time Charlie's
HISTORIC LOCAL GATHERING SPOT
Good Time Charlie's represents one of the few remaining businesses in downtown Skidmore, serving as a community gathering spot. The establishment stands amid buildings that once housed the town's grocery store, movie theater, Legion hall, and produce house during Skidmore's more prosperous days. Visitors can experience a slice of authentic small-town Missouri life while chatting with locals who remember when Saturday nights brought everyone to downtown Skidmore for entertainment and shopping.
14. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI CROSSING
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a historic mile-long pedestrian bridge spanning the Mississippi River with its distinctive 30-degree bend in the middle. Originally part of Route 66, the bridge now serves as a unique walking and cycling path offering spectacular views of the river and St. Louis skyline. Visitors can observe the chain of rocks formation that gives the bridge its name—a series of rock ledges that made this section of the Mississippi particularly treacherous for early river navigation.
15. Northwest Missouri State University
EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS EXPERIENCE
Northwest Missouri State University offers visitors a beautiful 370-acre campus featuring the Missouri Arboretum with more than 1,700 trees and shrubs representing over 160 species. The university hosts numerous cultural events, theatrical performances, and art exhibitions open to the public throughout the year. Sports enthusiasts can catch Bearcat football, basketball, and other NCAA Division II athletic competitions at the university's modern facilities.