It’s lists like these that remind me how lucky I am to call myself a Missourian. Our state is home to some of the coolest things, which sometimes may cause you to venture out a bit from your comfort zone to explore hidden places in Missouri. From hole-in-wall restaurants to beautiful springs, here are some of my favorite hidden gems in Missouri.

1. Smallin Civil War Cave - Ozark

3575 N Smallin Rd, Ozark, MO 65721, USA
Smallin Civil War Cave/Facebook
Even though Smallin was the first documented cave in the Ozarks, people sometimes forget about it. It is believed that the Union army hid artillery and ammunition in this cave while they were encamped on the Finley River. Today, visitors can go on a tour of the cave and learn more of its history.

Come along on a tour through this historic cave:

2. Museum of Military History - Jefferson City

2405 Logistics Rd, Jefferson City, MO 65101, USA
Museum of Military History/Facebook
At this intriguing museum, visitors can look through years of military history with some exhibits dating back from the Missouri militia in 1808.

3. Callaway Cabin- Marshfield

887 Madison Ave, St Paul, AR 72760, USA
Hidden Waters Nature Park -
Located inside the Hidden Waters Nature Park, lies Callaway Cabin. Visitors can take a tour of this historical cabin, built in 1853.

4. Castor River Shut-Ins - Fredericktown

Fredericktown, MO 63645, USA
Kat Stan/flickr
Johnson Shut-Ins are pretty well known among Missourians, but have you heard of the Castor River Shut-Ins? It's definitely worth a trip in my opinion. I'll let you be the judge in deciding which shut-ins are better.

Get an aerial view of this lovely place:

5. Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery - Dutzow

13699 South MO-94, Dutzow, MO 63342, USA
DAvid D./Yelp
This award-winning winery may not be a hidden gem for long. Though it draws a lot of local visitors, most of its clientele are making the trip from out-of-town. It's just that good.

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6. Bennett Spring State Park - Lebanon

65536, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA
Lojomu./TripAdvisor
Back in the day, this spring area was founded by pioneers and used for gristmills. Today, it's one of America's premier destinations for trout fishing.

Check out the beauty of Bennett Spring State Park:

7. Pinckney Bend Distillery - New Haven

1101 Miller St, New Haven, MO 63068, USA
Tina T./TripAdvisor
On the outside, Pinckney Bend may not look like. However, inside this small, unassuming brick front building, some of the best vodka in Missouri is being distilled and sold.

8. Prairie State Park - Mindenmines

128 NW 150th Ln, Mindenmines, MO 64769, USA
Bev R./TripAdvisor
When people think of prairies, their minds usually jump to Kansas. And while Kansas has a ton of beautiful prairies, Missouri has a few brag-worthy prairies, as well. Prairie State Park features easy hiking trails in which visitors can see wild buffalo out in the open.

9. Cementland - St. Louis

520 Scranton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63137, USA
Paul Sableman/flickr
Cementland was built as a public art exhibit. Unfortunately, the sculptor who started this project was killed during the area's construction. The 54-acre site of a former cement factory now stands stagnant and closed off, though visitors tend to sneak in to catch a peek from time to time.

10. A Slice of Pie - Rolla

634 S Bishop Ave, Rolla, MO 65401, USA
Alan Wong/Google
Not everyone makes pie as good as your grandma, but A Slice of Pie in Rolla may be an exception. This delicious sweet shop bakes fresh pies each day.

What is one of your favorite hidden gems in Missouri that you recently discovered? Let us know in the comments. Few things are better than taking a road trip through Missouri. Here are several adventurous road trips in Missouri for you to explore.

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More to Explore

Intriguing Attractions in Missouri

Will Suphan | December 07, 2023

What are the coolest underrated attractions in Missouri?

The coolest underrated attractions in Missouri include:

  • Seal Life. This Kansas City aquarium has over 30 exhibits that provide education about and interaction with many species of marine life.
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum. The famous “Little House on the Prairie” books were written here in this old home.
  • Lone Elk Park. Wildlife lovers flock here to see elk, deer, wild turkeys, bison, and much more. 
  • The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. If you like nostalgia, come to the largest collection of antique toys in America.

Discover more about the coolest underrated attractions in Missouri. 

What are the coolest hidden attractions in Missouri?

The coolest hidden attractions in Missouri include:

  • McBaine Burr Oak. Standing for over  300 years, this old oak is the oldest living tree in all of Missouri.
  • Hickory Canyons Natural Area. You’ll find this place near Ste. Genevieve, filled with waterfalls and beautiful hiking trails. 
  • Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. Japanese gardens are so exquisite and calming and this one is well worth a visit. 
  • Painted Rock Conservation Area. The magnificent views are well worth the hike it takes to get to them. 

Find out more about the coolest hidden attractions in Missouri. 

What are the strangest roadside attractions in Missouri?

The strangest roadside attractions in Missouri include:

  • Metal Dinosaur. This scrap metal dinosaur and metal warrior with a horned helmet in a hunting scene is a whimsical roadside attraction.
  • The Awakening. Whether he’s digging into the earth or climbing out of it, this is a truly intriguing display of art.
  • Castle Northmoor. This odd castle in Kansas City has a tower decorated with stone bear heads and paintings of knights.
  • Boathenge. The town of Easley holds this strange attraction of a Stonehenge made out of boats. 

Learn more about the strangest roadside attractions in Missouri. 

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