Experience local historic attractions over a weekend that brings the past to life this spring.  We took care of the planning, all you have to do is show up and get ready to step back in time in Cape Girardeau!  Get your print-and-go PDF of the following attractions here.

Kick off your weekend Saturday morning with a tour of Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, home to a Civil War era four-story mill that grinds wheat and corn into flour and mill.  One of the only four remaining covered bridges in the state of Missouri stretches across the Whitewater River at this site, and the picnic tables under tall stately maple trees are a perfect spot for a snack.

Saturday afternoon, step inside the heavy, hand-carved doors of Old St. Vincent’s Church and learn about the unique architecture and spiritual significance of this “most holy place”.

Just down the street from Old St. Vincent’s is Crisp Museum, where archaeology, history and fine art come together.  The museum has several collections of prehistoric Native American artifacts, which illustrate aspects of the daily and ceremonial lives of the indigenous peoples who lived in southeastern Missouri from 13,500 B.C. to 1400 A.D., as well as exhibits detailing life along the river through the years.

After perusing Crisp Museum, stroll along the riverfront and check out the storyboards in front of each section of the Mississippi River Tales Mural, bringing Cape Girardeau’s history to life in vibrantly colored murals along the flood wall.

On Sunday morning, step back in time to a country divided, and experience the Civil War in our river city when you follow our Civil War Driving Tour and the southeast segment of the U.S. Grant Trail, both available for download.   Plan your visit around one of their living history encampments every Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, where you can experience cannon and artillery fire and camp cooking.

Sunday afternoon, see what the life of a well-to-do Cape Girardeau merchant during the turn of the century was like at the Glenn House.  This handsomely restored Victorian home is filled with period furnishings and the latest and greatest in Victorian tech.

Only 11 miles north of downtown Cape Girardeau, Trail of Tears State Park features over 3,400 acres of breathtaking scenery including an overlook with incredible views of the Mighty Mississippi.  The Visitors Center provides a high-quality film and exhibits detailing the forced removal of the Cherokee nation who crossed the river at this site in the winter of 1838 and 1839.

Download a handy print-and-go PDF of everything mentioned above here, with visiting hours included (the Glenn House and Old St. Vincent’s open for the season in May) and take advantage of a custom Google map referencing all of the above attractions and more here.   More historic attractions are detailed here.

Need a place to stay on your historic weekend?  Get a full listing of lodging options here.

Thanks for spending time with us in Cape Girardeau!  Share your back in time experience, tag your pictures with #VisitCape.