Some days just beg you to get outside, and this was one of them. Clear blue skies, sunshine, that crisp fall air. So Mom and I took a day trip to Jefferson City, Missouri’s capital, to soak it all in.
We planned a loose, easy day. Breakfast, a walk around the State Capitol, a peek inside, coffee downtown, some garden time and a little antiquing. It turned out to be one of our favorite day trips yet, and almost everything we did was free.
Here’s exactly how we spent the day, in order, so you can steal our itinerary.
Breakfast at First Watch on Missouri Boulevard
We started the day the right way: breakfast at First Watch on Missouri Boulevard. It’s an easy first stop before heading downtown.
Breakfast was pancakes piled with fresh strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar, plus a fruity, berry-pink drink that was almost too pretty to drink. Almost. It was the perfect fuel for a day of walking.
Tip: First Watch is a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot, so go earlier in the day if you want to start your trip there.
A Walk Around the Missouri State Capitol Grounds
From breakfast we headed downtown to the Missouri State Capitol. Even if you never step inside, the grounds alone are worth the drive. We spent a good while just walking, looking up and taking in the views.
Mom couldn’t resist a little wave from the Capitol steps.
The Fountain of the Centaurs
On the north side of the Capitol, overlooking the Missouri River, is the Fountain of the Centaurs by sculptor Adolph Weinman: two bronze centaurs wrestling a serpent in a big oval pool. Behind it is a bronze relief of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase.
The Missouri Veterans Memorial
We took a lot of photos here. The Missouri Veterans Memorial sits on the northeast side of the Capitol, with stone colonnades and a fountain pool engraved “Guardians of Liberty.” It was dedicated on Veterans Day in 1991, and its water display is designed to tell a story of war and, finally, peace.
Nearby you’ll also find a Gold Star Memorial honoring Gold Star families and a Liberty Bell replica under its own little pavilion.
River views and the bronzes out front
Walk to the edge of the grounds and you get a lovely view of the Missouri River and the railroad tracks below.
On the south side, the long lawn leads up to the grand stairway, flanked by Robert Aitken’s huge bronze figures representing the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The base reads “Admitted into Union 1821.” Stand next to one and you’ll see just how big they are. Look up, too: the carved stone friezes along the building are full of detail.
Across the way, the red brick Missouri Supreme Court Building and one of the Capitol’s stone fountains are worth a quick look too.
Inside the Missouri State Capitol
If you’re on the fence about going inside, go. The Capitol was completed in 1917, and the inside is every bit as grand as the outside. We walked in through the arched carriage entrance and went through a quick security check.
Look up: murals and the rotunda
The first thing that got us was the ceiling. Painted murals swirl across the domes and arches, and the rotunda, with its huge chandelier and gold railing, is stunning from every level.
The Hall of Governors
The Hall of Governors is lined with gold-framed portraits of Missouri’s governors. It’s a fun walk through history, and it’s neat to see how the portrait styles change over the years.
The Missouri State Museum
We didn’t expect a museum inside a working capitol, but the Missouri State Museum is right on the Capitol’s first floor, with displays on how Missourians made a living: manufacturing, river trade and more. The river exhibit, with its giant ship’s wheel and a model of the riverfront, is really well done.
The legislative library
Don’t leave without finding the Missouri Legislative Library. It’s on the third floor, on the north side, and you can look down into it from the balcony above. Eight huge columns rise to a domed ceiling, tall windows pour in light, and glass-front bookcases with rolling ladders line the walls. The collection includes legislative journals going back to 1837. Honestly, it might be the most beautiful room in the building.
Tip: The directory near the entrance notes that the Department of Natural Resources gives Capitol tours every day; ask at the tour desk for times. The Capitol is also home to Thomas Hart Benton’s famous murals in the House Lounge, so ask about those too. Missouri State Parks: Missouri State Capitol
Lattes at High Rise Bakery and Window Shopping on High Street
After all that history, we were ready for coffee. We headed over to High Rise Bakery on East High Street and grabbed lattes to enjoy on their patio. The patio has planters, string lights and a front-row view of downtown, and inside there’s a big lemon-and-greenery wreath on the wall that’s begging to be photographed.
Besides coffee, High Rise serves fresh pastries, monthly seasonal drink specials and breakfast items like quiche and bagels. It’s a morning-and-early-afternoon spot, so plan your visit before mid-afternoon.
Then we just wandered. Historic High Street is lined with brick storefronts, flags and trees, and the shops had fall displays and sidewalk racks out. We did a little window shopping, and nobody was in a hurry.
Carnahan Memorial Garden, the River Landing and a Passing Train
Next we headed back toward the Capitol to Carnahan Memorial Garden, right next to the Governor’s Mansion. It’s free, open to the public, and so peaceful: manicured lawns, beds of white and red flowers, stone steps, walkways and reflection pools, with the Capitol dome peeking through the trees.
The garden is named for Governor Mel Carnahan, and a bronze bust of him sits in the garden with one of his quotes: “I am still enough of an idealist to believe that public service is a calling worthy of our lives.”
Just down the hill is Jefferson Landing, one of the few remaining Missouri River landings. The 1839 stone Lohman Building and the 1855 Union Hotel sit right by the tracks, and the Union Hotel building is where Jefferson City’s Amtrak station is. Missouri State Parks lists the historic site buildings as temporarily closed, so check before you go if you want to see inside (Missouri State Parks).
And then, perfect timing: a bright yellow Union Pacific train came rolling right past the station.
Tip: Each stop has plenty of walking once you’re there, so wear comfy shoes and bring water on a warm day.
Lunch at Olive Garden and an Afternoon of Antiquing
We’d planned to go straight to an antique store, but all that walking made us hungry, so we stopped for lunch at Olive Garden first. Bonus: you can see the Capitol dome right from the parking lot.
Then it was time to hunt for treasures at Sunflower Antiques. Antiquing is one of our favorite ways to end a day trip, and we found shelves of vintage glassware, including a whole table of colorful spaghetti-string glasses in pink, orange and gold. So retro and so fun. If antique shopping is your thing too, add our Jamesport, Missouri day trip to your list. It’s packed with antique malls.
Our Jefferson City Day Trip Itinerary at a Glance
- Breakfast at First Watch on Missouri Boulevard
- Walk the Missouri State Capitol grounds: the Fountain of the Centaurs, the Missouri Veterans Memorial, the Liberty Bell replica and the river views
- Go inside the Capitol: the murals, the rotunda, the Hall of Governors, the Missouri State Museum and the legislative library
- Lattes on the patio at High Rise Bakery
- Window shopping on High Street
- Carnahan Memorial Garden next to the Governor’s Mansion
- Jefferson Landing and the Amtrak station by the river
- Lunch at Olive Garden, then antiquing at Sunflower Antiques
Is Jefferson City Worth the Detour?
Absolutely. For a one-day trip, Jefferson City packs in a lot: beautiful architecture, real Missouri history, gardens, river views and a walkable downtown with good coffee. Most of what we did cost nothing at all.
It’s an easy day for a mother-daughter outing, a girls’ trip or anyone who loves history and a good walk. Go on a sunny fall day like we did, and you’ll see why we loved it.
Have you been to Jefferson City? Tell us your favorite stop in the comments!
More Midwest Detours You’ll Love
- A Girls’ Day Out in Jamesport, Missouri: Amish country, antique malls, Heritage Days and loaded baked potatoes
- St. James Winery & Uranus: A Missouri Route 66 Day Trip: wine tasting, giant fudge and a dose of Route 66 nostalgia
- A Sunset Hot Air Balloon Ride in Columbia, Missouri: Mom’s bucket-list flight and the champagne tradition after landing
- A Quick Des Moines Getaway: GalaxyCon, the East Village and a stay at the Surety Hotel
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