In the heart of the state of Missouri, just on the other side of the river, you’ll find the capital city, Jefferson City. I wasn’t born in Jeff City and I don’t live there now but I did spend many adult years as a Jeff City resident. My kids were born in Jeff City, we bought our first house there, my husband owns a business in Jeff City. So this small town/not so small town really does have a special place in my heart. The residents know how to work hard, play harder, love God and love each other. Read on to discover great ways to spend a FREE afternoon in the heart of Missouri!
1. Runge Nature Center
Going to the Runge is a favorite way for me to spend time with my kiddos. Part museum, part zoo, part outdoor adventure, there’s really something enjoyable for every child (and Mom or Dad if I’m being honest). Contained within the building itself, you will find tanks that house reptiles of every kind (turtles, snakes, lizards), a tree house for the kids to climb, interactive outdoor-themed learning activities, and some stuffed animals (and by stuffed I mean taxidermy animals). I would say a trip to the Runge would be good for kids anywhere from 2 years old to 10/11 years old. Kids age 4-7 are probably in the sweet spot age range. The highlight of your time at the Runge is likely to be the easy-to-hike trails. The trails are paved, pretty short so the kids don’t tire too soon, and provide a short reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday living. There’s a great replica of a fire tower on-site as well. You may not want to partake if you have a fear of heights, however. Just off one of the trails is a little pond that we found lots of frogs to watch for a while. The best part about the Runge: it’s FREE!
2. Missouri State Capital
I know you’re thinking that taking your kids to the State Capital should really be delegated to the schools for those lovely field trips that every middle schooler in Missouri has taken at some point, but going to the Capital can be fun! Last year in the Spring, the big kids and I (Olivia, 5, and Easton, 3 at the time) spent a couple hours roaming around the Capital grounds. Outside, there are never-ending staircases at the front and the back that my kids loved playing on. “Mom, watch how fast I can go up these stairs!” The best part of the trip was letting them splash in the fountains. And by splash I mean I let them stick their hands in and splash around; No, they did not immerse their bodies in the fountains, although they asked me if they could. The fountains at the back of the Capital, sit just alongside the Missouri River so there’s great views even further than the fountains themselves. There’s a military wall, if you’re feeling it, and I used that as an opportunity to educate my kids on the military. My Dad was unfortunately deployed to Vietnam and that experience has stuck to him in unimaginable ways. Without getting into the gory details about what war truly means, I thought a good word about America’s military was suitable. The fun doesn’t stop there, folks! Walk around to the front of the capital and there are yet more fountains to play in. To be honest, I don’t know if playing in the fountains is allowed but I don’t know that anyone would stop you and my kids were having so much fun I just didn’t want to tell them no. If you hit the Capital in the springtime, the tulips are out in full bloom and there are endless photo ops with your kids. Inside the Capital, you can walk around and enjoy some absolutely breathtaking views. It’s a truly magnificent building. I know they have a Missouri state museum in the Capital as well, but I’ve not been able to make it there yet. When we took our trip last Spring, my kids did not want to leave. And the best part about a trip to the Capital: it’s FREE!
3. Governor’s Gardens
Just one short block away from the Capital, you’ll find the pristinely manicured Governor’s Gardens. The gardens hold a special place in my heart; that’s where Robby and I said “I do.” It’s aptly named “The Governor’s Gardens” because it’s located just outside the Missouri state Governor’s Mansion, a beautiful building in it’s own right. During the Spring, there are rows of colorful tulips on every sidewalk, the fountain comes back to life and the grass has turned that wonderful shade of florescent green, that welcomes you to Springtime in the Gardens. I say this is a great place for kids because again, there’s a fountain that the kids love and a staircase to climb on, but the best part is when you walk 100 feet down the hill to the train station and let your little ones take in a view of the trains up close and in person. Just across the road from the Gardens, is another outdoor area with statues of Lewis and Clark amongst more waterfalls and fountains. At first glance, it may not look like a place for kids, but take them there and watch them play along the rocks and watch the joy on their faces when they stick their little hands into that water. And again, this is a great chance to tell them about the explorers, Lewis and Clark, and give them a glimpse into Missouri history.
4. Walk across the Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge
Several years ago, the city had started working on the Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge. I’ll admit, at first I was a bit of a skeptic about this whole deal. Why on Earth would we need a million-some dollar bridge just so people can walk across the river??? Well, my friends, I’ll tell you why. When the city puts dollars into activities the public can enjoy, it brings happiness into the lives of the residents. Give people a reason to get out and enjoy, give them a sense of town pride and a belief that the city spends time on community improvements. I took Olivia and my niece, Sydney, on a walk across the bridge for the first time, when Olivia was just 2 years old. The beauty of the walk across the bridge is that it’s incredibly safe, with high fencing on both sides. Watch the river barges hard at work, watch the train come into the station, and look at all nature has to offer; the beautiful way that the current sends the water from here to there. Unbeknownst to me, a trend started here on this bridge. If you’re familiar with the Locks of Love fence in Paris, you’ll know how this came to be. Residents that have walked the bridge, have locks attached to the fence, unable to be undone because the keys have been tossed into the river. Just a neat story to attach itself to such a great structure.
5. Parks and Trails
One of my favorite parks in Jeff City is McKay Park on the south side of town. McKay has two separate play areas; one for kids 3 and under and the other for kids older than 3. The ground material is made of a foam-like matting so the falls are so much easier on the knees (and easier on the Momma’s hearts!). It has everything a traditional park should plus a short, paved trail that lines the entire perimeter of McKay Lake. We like to bring our kids’ bikes and let them ride while we walk just behind them. My kiddos love watching the ducks play in the water too. On nice days, there’s no better place to play, than McKay Park.
When there was only an Olivia, and not an Easton or a Denver, I hitched up the bike trailer and her and I went on a great bike ride on the Jeff City Greenway from the intersection of Edgewood Dr and Wildwood Dr out to the Cole County Park. Olivia and I had a picnic lunch by the lake and afterwards, I let her and Chiyo puppy frolic in the lush, green grass while I rested my legs.
Binder Park is great if you want to do a little mountain biking, kayaking, or fishing. Robby and I fell in love with kayaking on Binder Lake. One of my friends let us borrow his kayaks for a day and we set out on Binder Lake, only to fall in LOVE with kayaking right then and there. We headed straight to the store the very next day to purchase our own kayaks. We have also taken the kids to Binder to do a little summertime fishing. We were lucky enough to be able to watch the Jeff City Sailing Club piddling around on the water.
So, Missourians, you don’t have to look far this Summer to spend a great, interactive days with those little ones of yours. What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids?
