Jefferson City, Missouri, the proud title holder of "Most Beautiful Small Town" in 2013, is a place where people talk about growing older and leaving, but they either stay forever, or they leave only to come back. For all its faults Jefferson City, more fondly referred to as "Jeff", has some pretty cool places that you won't want to miss out on.
1. Capitol Building
Did you know that Jefferson City is the capital of the state of Missouri? If you're not from Missouri, it's likely you thought St. Louis or Springfield was the capital, but you have been misled. The capitol building is typical of any other from the outside. But the inside is full of beautiful artwork and excellent accoustics. The dynamics of the building are so pleasing that the high school choir holds their annual Christmas concert there. There are guided tours of the building throughout the year by reservation.
2. Katy Trail
If you want to be one with nature, the best place in Jefferson City to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life is on the Katy Trail. Popular with bikers, hikers, and dog-walkers, the Katy Trail cuts through Jefferson City north of the Missouri River Bridge and continues most of the way across the state in either direction. There are wildflowers, idyllic forest scenes, babbling brooks, and old bridges to be enjoyed along the trail.
3. Central Dairy
"Fresh as a Missouri morning!" Central Dairy is more than a cute slogan--it's arguably the best ice cream place in the city. With an adorable welcoming store front and old timey charm, this ice cream parlor is famous across the state. It was originally founded an hour north of Jefferson City in Columbia but is now localized in the Capital. And the ice cream is to die for!
4. Arris Pizza
Greek pizza! Not something that rolls off the tongue, exactly, but Arris' with its 3 separate dining locations is quintessential Jefferson City food. It's just fancy enough to make you feel high class, but pizza enough to make you feel comfortable and at home.
5. Governor's Mansion
If you've ever been to a Homecoming or Prom in Jefferson City, you know that the gardens outside the Governor's Mansion are the perfect place for pictures. The gardens are also a great place to watch fireworks during the 4th of July celebration every year. The Mansion itself is beautiful and rich in history, and there are free guided tours every month of the year except August.
6. Missouri River Regional Library
The library is one of the coolest places in all of Jefferson City. They have a teen room set aside on the upper floor, loaded with video games (and books too) to keep after-schoolers out of trouble, and has become a hang-out spot for lots of teenagers. They have unemployment resources, an extensive magazine collection, and a travelling library system called the Bookmobile. Other than book related ventures, the library has oodles of other programming and really is the cultural hub for all of Jefferson City.
Next time you're craving pizza, or need some ice cream, if you want to brush up on your history, or just need a good book to read, Jefferson City has you covered.
