Guns, Rails and Girlfriends
Jefferson City, Mo. - You have done the traditional shopping and spa weekends with the girls and are looking for something new. Try a themed girlfriend weekend in Missouri. “Gunfights and Outlaws,” “A Walk Back in Time,” or “Riding the Rails” take your pick, book the trip and your girlfriends will think you are the most creative in the bunch!
“Gunfights and Outlaws,” something not typically associated with a girlfriend weekend, but a great adventure nonetheless. Start your trip on Sept. 16 with a presentation at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City on Ozarks Gunfights and Other Notorious Incidents. Author Larry Wood will share details of the shocking incidents that took place in the Ozarks from the late 1860s through the 1950s, including the showdown between Davis Tutt and Wild Bill Hickok.
The next day, drive north of Jefferson City for the day and take the Battles of Boonslick tour. Five Civil War Battles occurred in this area, including the Battle of Boonville, Battle near Rocheport, Battle of Marshall, Battle of Fayette and Battle of Glasgow. Blackwater, also a Boonslick community, offers the perfect afternoon refreshment at the Bucksnort Saloon. Step up to the period bar and order a sarsaparilla or one of the other old-time non-alcoholic beverages available.
Missouri State Penitentiary
Make sure you return to Jefferson City the following day to take in the Missouri State Penitentiary Tour. No, you won’t be mingling with prisoners; this is the historic facility that was decommissioned in 2004 and has been re-opened for tours. Older than Alcatraz, and with a more hands-on tour, there are three tour options available for visitors. The one-hour tour, referred to as the “Less walking, More talking,” a standard two-hour tour, and an in-depth four-hour tour. The four-hour tour offers more history and stories of the building and inmates, and access to additional areas of the prison not covered on the two-hour tour. The four-hour tour is only offered on select dates; please check the Web site for more information. Note: Book tickets well in advance, as all tours sell out quickly.
Don’t forget your souvenir, like the barred or bright orange t-shirts that read “I did time at the Missouri State Penitentiary,” available after each tour or at the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau office.
Hungry after all the walking? Stay with the prison theme and take a short walk to Prison Brews, a unique brewpub just four blocks from the penitentiary. Don’t worry about these prison gates shutting behind you, they are just for decoration. Their menu includes wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches (the grilled portabella sandwich is wonderful), steaks, seafood and pasta. Indoor and outdoor seating. Play a game of Bocce on the patio as you sip hand-crafted beer.
Need lodging while on the “Gunfights and Outlaws” tour? Book the Jailhouse Rock Package for you and your friends. The package includes a stay at the Capitol Plaza Hotel with an optional upgrade to include breakfast.
“Walk back in Time” and literally trace the steps of the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, in Independence. The 2.7 mile Harry S. Truman Walking Trail tells the Truman story through plaques imbedded in the sidewalk and a brochure that is available at key sites along the way.
Harry S. Truman Home National Historic Site
Now that you have walked the Truman walk, take a tour of the Harry S Truman Home National Historic Site and view a movie telling of the early life of Harry and Bess, his wife. The home was left as it was when Bess died, down to Harry’s hat, coat and walking cane hanging behind the door.
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
To see the more professional side of the president, visit the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum. Here you will find many audio visual exhibits, gather more information on major decisions made during his presidency, including the desegregation of the Armed Forces, the dropping of the Atom Bomb and the Korean War. The life-size re-creation of the Oval Office is a must see. In the courtyard, you can pay your respect to the President and First Lady at their gravesites.
Clinton Soda Fountain
Plan your trip during a September or October weekend and try your hand at the maze – a steam engine corn maze that is. After you conquer the corn maze, the Autumn Harvest offers a pumpkin patch, hay rides, plus a selection of craft items and fall mums.
Somewhere between all the walking and learning, stop by Clinton’s Soda Fountain. What’s the Truman connection here? This was where Truman found his first job in high school, sweeping floors and dusting counters for $3 a week. This is a great spot for lunch, refreshments (like a strawberry, chocolate or root beer phosphate), or an energy boosting shot of espresso.
Catch the Truman Trolley for a “buck” (Truman coined the phrase “The Buck Stops Here”) right outside Clinton’s Soda Fountain and ride it to various locations including many of the Truman attractions, Vaile Mansion, and the Mormon Heritage sites.
The quaint town of La Plata is just one stop on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief run, but it is the only stop between Fullerton, Calif., and Chicago, Ill., where riders actually encounter a manned Amtrak station. That’s right; you will find a real person or persons at the La Plata station. Stop and talk with this individual and you will be convinced to take a day to enjoy this train community. Your girlfriends will not be disappointed with this “Riding the Rails” theme either.
Of course, you can’t visit La Plata with a “Riding the Rails” theme and not stay at the Depot Inn and Suites. Themed after a 1800s depot, the hotel is filled train memorabilia both inside and out, including authentic luggage carts, a hand car and motor car. Upgrade from a standard room to one of the four themed suites, including the Pullman Suite and Sportsman’s Suite.
While at the Depot Inn and Suites, stroll (or ride in a golf cart) to the Train Watching Lookout Point, which is enclosed and heated, and watch some of the 80 trains that cross this track every day. When you return to the hotel, walk next door and explore the Exhibition of Amtrak History in a retired Amtrak Mail Handling Car. Next, head to the Silver Rails Gallery, one of the only standalone art galleries and museum spaces dedicated entirely to works of railroad-related art.
Walt Disney Hometown Museum
If you are up for a drive, head to Marceline, home to Walt Disney and the place where Disney’s train interest began. Just 50 miles southwest of La Plata you will discover the home that Disney and his family lived in, the Walt Disney Dreaming Tree under which his imagination soared, and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum situated in a train depot. Don’t forget to drive down Main Street USA, said to be the model for the Main Street in Disneyland.
So, you can stick with your shopping trips and spas, but if you are looking for something a little different try one of these themes or make one of your own. To find more information for girlfriend getaways, go to www.VisitMO.com; and order your free copy of the Missouri Travel Guide by calling 800-519-4800.
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Related Links:
Ozarks Gunfights and Other Notorious Incidents, visitjeffersoncity.com/event-calendar/september/
Blackwater, www.Blackwater-Mo.com
Missouri State Penitentiary Tours, www.MissouriPenTours.com/msp.html
Jefferson City, www.VisitJeffersonCity.com
Prison Brews, www.PrisonBrews.com
Independence Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.VisitIndependence.com
Harry S Truman Home National Historic Site, www.nps.gov/hstr/
Clinton’s Soda Fountain, www.ClintonsSodaFountain.com
Depot Inn & Suites, www.DepotInnAndSuites.com
Train Watching Lookout Point, raillookout.com/
Silver Rails Gallery, www.SilverRailsGallery.com
Depot Inn & Suites Autumn Harvest Celebration, www.DepotInn.com/autumnharvest.html
Walt Disney Hometown Museum, www.WaltDisneyMuseum.org
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Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Missouri Division of Tourism
573-522-5501
Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov
