Small Towns – Day 4

Although known as the capitol of Missouri, Jefferson City is a fun day trip or weekend getaway. There is a downtown district with shops, cafes, restaurants, parks, performance centers, museums, and historic landmarks. When we visited we stopped at the High Rise Bakery. The cafe is at the bottom of a multi-story brick building with tall ceilings and large windows. High Rise offers coffee, baked goods, and lunch options. When we visited we grabbed some coffee and baked goods, which were quite tasty! We then roamed around the downtown.

The capitol itself is a beautiful ornate structure with expansive grounds and it is open to visitors. Once inside the grandeur and detailed architecture continues. We enjoyed strolling around the building and looking around. There is also a portion that is a dedicated museum for visitors to explore that is part of the Missouri State Park system. The Missouri State Museum highlights the history of Missouri from the original inhabitants to present day.

Just below the capitol is the historic landing. The Jefferson Landing State Historic Site which is also part of the Missouri State Park system. There are very few landings that remain, and Jefferson Landing provides a unique opportunity to see a preserved landing. Inside the building shows what the it would look like when the city was developing in the 1850s.

A few blocks further from the main strip, is Prison Brews. The brewery is located in a nice brick building with a large patio to the side. As the name suggests, the inside the brewery has a jail theme. The brewery offers both beer and food. When we visited we got a flight and some food. It was a unique and fun stopping off point for a meal while visiting Jefferson City!