Wentworth MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Wentworth, Missouri.
1. Gateway Arch
ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
The Gateway Arch is an extraordinary feat of engineering and design that stands as a beacon of progress in St. Louis. Visitors can ride its tram for unparalleled views, watch documentaries about its construction, or explore exhibits highlighting its historical significance. This stainless steel structure embodies both beauty and purpose, making it a must-visit attraction when in Missouri.
2. Missouri Botanical Garden
BOTANICAL OASIS
Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States, founded in 1859. Spanning 79 acres, it features exquisite horticultural displays, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden and the iconic Climatron geodesic dome conservatory. Visitors can explore historic architecture, rare plant collections, and interactive exhibits suitable for all ages.
3. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
ARTISTIC MASTERPIECES
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is internationally recognized for its exceptional collection ranging from Ming dynasty porcelains to American Indian dioramas. Its iconic badminton birdie sculptures are a highlight for visitors exploring the grounds. The museum offers free admission, ensuring accessibility to this cultural treasure for all visitors.
4. Harold Bell Wright Pierce City Museum
LITERARY HISTORY PRESERVED
Harold Bell Wright Pierce City Museum celebrates the legacy of the renowned author who lived and worked in the region. The museum houses a collection of Wright's personal items, first editions of his books, and historical artifacts related to his life and literary contributions. Visitors can gain insight into the life and times of one of America's most popular early 20th century novelists.
5. Newtonia Battlefield
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE
Newtonia Battlefield preserves the site of two significant Civil War engagements that took place in 1862 and 1864. The battlefield features historical markers, preserved structures, and interpretive displays that tell the story of these important military confrontations. Visitors can walk the grounds where soldiers from both sides fought, including unique battles where Native American troops participated on both sides of the conflict.
6. World's Largest Small Electric Appliance Museum
UNIQUE HISTORICAL COLLECTION
The World's Largest Small Electric Appliance Museum houses an impressive collection of vintage household devices spanning decades of American innovation. Visitors can view thousands of meticulously preserved items including toasters, mixers, coffee makers, and other everyday appliances that showcase the evolution of domestic technology. The museum offers a nostalgic journey through time, highlighting how these small machines transformed daily life throughout the 20th century.
7. Missouri Civil War Museum
CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION
The Missouri Civil War Museum offers an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits documenting Missouri's complex role in the American Civil War. The museum is housed in a restored 1905 building and features weapons, uniforms, personal items, and interactive displays that bring this tumultuous period to life. Visitors gain insight into Missouri's unique position as a border state where divided loyalties led to particularly bitter conflicts.
8. Myseum
INTERACTIVE FAMILY FUN
Myseum is an interactive science center designed specifically for children and families to learn through hands-on exploration. The facility features over 30 exhibits that encourage discovery in areas such as physics, biology, technology, and creative arts. Young visitors can conduct experiments, build structures, create art, and engage with educational games in this playful learning environment.
9. Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain
THRILLING AERIAL ADVENTURE
Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain offers exhilarating canopy tours through the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Visitors can soar through the treetops on multiple ziplines while expert guides share information about the local ecosystem and wildlife. The attraction also features suspension bridges, platforms with scenic views, and other outdoor adventure activities for nature enthusiasts.
10. Meramec State Park
NATURAL SUBTERRANEAN WONDER
Meramec State Park encompasses more than 6,800 acres of scenic Ozark landscape with the Meramec River flowing through the wilderness. The park is known for Fisher Cave, one of more than 40 caves in the park, where visitors can take guided tours to see impressive formations and learn about cave ecology. Exhibits in the visitor center interpret both natural features and cultural history, including the long occupation of the area by American Indian groups.
11. Wentworth Military Academy Museum
EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE LANDMARK
The Wentworth Military Academy Museum preserves the history of the military school that operated from 1880 to 2017. Exhibits showcase memorabilia, uniforms, photographs, and documents chronicling the institution's contributions to education and military preparedness. Visitors can explore the legacy of this once-prominent academy that shaped generations of cadets through its rigorous academic and military training programs.
12. Lexington Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVED
Lexington Historical Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history of this Missouri River town through carefully curated exhibits. The collection includes artifacts from early settlement, Civil War era relics, and items representing the town's commercial and cultural development over the centuries. The museum helps preserve the stories and heritage of Lexington's past for current and future generations to appreciate.
13. Lafayette County Courthouse
HISTORIC GOVERNMENTAL LANDMARK
The Lafayette County Courthouse stands as an impressive example of historic architecture and continues to serve as the center of county government. Built in a classical revival style, the structure features distinctive architectural elements that reflect its importance in the community. Visitors can admire both the exterior design and interior details while learning about the building's significance in local history and governance.
14. Battle of Lexington State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
The Battle of Lexington State Historic Site preserves the location of a significant 1861 Civil War engagement often called the "Battle of the Hemp Bales." Visitors can tour the Anderson House, which served as a field hospital during the battle and still bears scars from the conflict. The site includes a visitor center with exhibits, original battlefield grounds, and interpretive programs that bring this crucial Missouri Civil War battle to life.
15. Madonna of the Trail
PIONEER WOMEN TRIBUTE
The Madonna of the Trail monument in Lexington honors the pioneer women who played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States. The statue depicts a determined mother holding a baby with a young son clinging to her skirt, symbolizing the strength and resilience of frontier women. This monument is one of twelve identical statues placed along the National Old Trails Road by the Daughters of the American Revolution in the late 1920s.