It’s well-known that Route 66 is still alive and well in Crawford County. If you are lucky enough to be traversing that timeless travel-way, or you are on your way down Interstate 44 for some adventure in one of the nearby PARKS AND OTHER ADVENTURE SITES or OUTFITTERS AND RESORTS , be sure you check out Route 66 fan-favorites like Wagon Wheel Motel, Heartland Farms or Fanning Outpost. 

In a region so full of natural beauty, venues to celebrate beauty are a necessity. If you are an art enthusiast, you will want to explore Cuba as the Route 66 Mural City, Steelville Arts Council’s Gallery Zeke, The Luthiery Shop and The Meramec Music Theatre, all bringing you ART AND ENTERTAINMENT. 

We all know that hunger waits for no man, so why not make eating/drinking an EVENT. Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que, Frisco’s Pub and Grill, Rich’s Famous Burgers and Peaceful Bend Winery are but a few places in Crawford County to satiate the body and soul. Or you can check out one or more of these other delightfully delectable dining dwellings in the region at FOOD AND DRINK.

Just can’t get enough of Crawford County and need to extend your stay? The region offers plenty of unique, restful quarters for your 40 winks: Meramec Farm, RGM Farms, and Meramec Riverside Lodge & Retreat to name a few. A complete list is located here: SPECIALTY LODGING

In the mood for some shopping that doesn’t necessarily involve your phone or computer? Explore tons of unique shopping opportunities abound in the region. May we suggest: Half-Crocked Antiques, Countryside Farm + Market, and Creekside Fudge & Gifts. Check SHOPPING for more.

Wherever you go in our neighborhood, we wish you a delightful trip!

If you have the need to wander, make it worth your time and come wander through Washington county in south central Missouri. This area is one of the few left where you can travel a few miles and feel as if you have traveled back in time. Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of modern amenities to fill your needs as well. 

Caledonia comes to mind. This tiny village is chock full of antique, collectable and gift establishments such as the OLD VILLAGE MERCANTILE, EDEN FARM’S CREATIONS, MISS MOLLY’S SHABBY CHIC, PATTIE’S PICKIN’S AND SHABBY CHIC PAINTED ROOSTER. For more shopping options in the county, check here: SHOPPING.  

Thirsty? Local wineries/breweries include FYRE LAKE WINERY in Cadet and EDG-CLIF VINEYARD, WINERY & BREWERY in Potosi. 

If you need nutriment, a morsel or more can be found at some local culinary favorites in the area including: RUSSELL’S TRIANGLE CAFÉ, BLUE HAVEN CAFÉ and BLACKBIRD CAFÉ. Others at RESTAURANTS.

Unique your thing? You will be rewarded richly if you visit one (or all) of the following: THE STARLITE DRIVE-IN, offering vintage 2-screen outdoor cinema with first run films and digital projection, plus a concession stand;WASHINGTON STATE PARK which offers incredible scenery, plus petroglyph sites for viewing; and HUGHES MOUNTAIN NATURAL AREA with igneous glades and 3 types of forest. 

Cozy places to extend your stay, if you are so inclined, include: OLD CALEDONIA BED & BREAKFAST, FIVE-OAKS VACATION RENTAL, TWIN EAGLE LAKE ESTATES & HIDEOUT and YMCA TROUT LODGE. 

Right outside the county, you will also find Council Bluff Recreation Area, Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson Shut-Ins State Park AND, we are perfectly fine with you traveling through our county to get there! We will make you feel right at home, no matter where you are going.

Some places should just be soaked up a bit at a time. Dent County is one of those places. When you visit you will see why. Rich farmland, forests galore, rivers and streams, and unmatched views make it a place you will want to keep coming back to. There is only one incorporated city in the county, which tells you a great deal about the flavor of the area. Don’t fret, though. They have everything you need to make your stay well worth the drive, no matter where you come from. Drift on over and take in some sights you don’t often see by visiting MONTAUK STATE PARK. This is an extremely popular destination for trout fishing, super camping facilities and historical sites. Now, just a tad bit further down Highway 19 out of Dent County (but lucky enough to have a Salem address) is CURRENT RIVER STATE PARK, boasting hiking trails, two lakes, springs, caves and picnic sites. Other parks and recreation places may be found here: PARKS/RECREATION. If you want more information about the natural and/or cultural wonders of the area, be sure to visit BONEBRAKE CENTER OF NATURE AND HISTORY or OZARKS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER, both in Salem. The thought of drifting invokes many visions, but I’ll bet you didn’t think it could involve gravel roads, quick turns, dense forestry, and high-rising water crossings. Come to Salem in March and treat yourself to the annual 100 Acre Wood Rally where competitors bring their ride and race against the clock and all those hazards to the excitement of spectators. Speaking of rides, Salem has three very popular Auto Tours: Springs, Forest and Riverways. Each is designed to take you to unusual and exciting places in the Ozarks. They are a traveler’s delight, giving you tidbits of information about all the sites and sights on the travel way. Visit www.salemmo.com for more information. Great food is abundant in the area, also. Locals will direct you to JB MALONE’S,MAIN STREET COUNTRY CORNER CAFÉ or SPRING CREEK CAFÉ, among others RESTAURANTS. Quench your thirst at OZARK VIKING MEADERY. Delicious! After you satiate your culinary appetite, address your appetite for shopping at one of the nearby favs: A GYPSY'S DREAM, GATEWAY HOMETOWN MEMORIES, THE RUSTY PIG and LITTLE LAMB FLOWER FARM. Check out others, along with seasonal Farmer’s Markets at SHOPPING. For those of you who want to drift another day or so, check out traveler accommodations at CROSSROADS INN AND SUITES, RANCH MOTEL or REED’S CABINS. Happy drifting!

Phelps County is located strategically along I-44 about half-way between St. Louis and Springfield. It’s claims to fame include fantastic scenery and outstanding vino/brew options. Legendary locations include MERAMEC SPRING PARK, ST. JAMES WINERY,PUBLIC HOUSE BREWING COMPANY and JOHNNY’S ON RT. 66.  For more, visit PARKS AND OTHER WILDLIFE SITES and WINES AND BREWS. And FOOD—don’t get me started! Abundant palate-pleasing places include the famous A SLICE OF PIE, SYBILL’S,TATER PATCH and NaCL+H20. Check them out, along with many others: EATERIES What you may not know about Phelps County is that you can participate in some rather unusual outings. For instance, how about a class or guided hike featuring mushrooms at WILDWISE BOTANICALS, or a day in the summertime sunshine at FUGITIVE BEACH.  If you are in for a bit of art or amusement, you won’t need to go far. LEACH THEATRE and OZARK ACTOR’S THEATRE, among others (ARTS and ENTERTAINMENT), offer world-class entertainment throughout the year. If you decide you want to stay a while, schedule your Airbnb stay or camp with OZARK FARMS, THREE SPRINGS CAMPGROUND or MARAMEC SPRING CAMPGROUND. You can find a variety of overnight options included on our list LODGING. If browsing/shopping in unique establishments is your thing, the area provides places aplenty to binge on objects of your choice. Of note are SYBILL’S GIFT SHOP, TOTEM POLE TRADING POST, and RED DOOR GIFTS. Antiques and Collectables are found at ROLLA ANTIQUE MALL,PINEY RIVER ANTIQUE MALL,OUR CHECKERED PAST, and others. (SHOPPING)