Tour Itinerary Planner

Photo: © Joel West Ray, M.D., F.A.C.S., WESTRAY Photography
C
ape Girardeau offers
a wide variety of
opportunities for tour
groups of all ages and
interests. Our spectacular natural
vistas, wide variety of shopping
experiences, sight-seeing
opportunities, historic past and
more will satisfy the interests of
each member of your group.
This convenient planner details
some of our most popular tours.
Select from any one of these,
change tour stops to better meet
your interests or schedule or
customize a tour all your own!
The Cape Girardeau Convention
& Visitors Bureau is ready to help.
Contact our Director of Sales
today at 800.777.0068 or
Sales @ VisitCape.com
Tour Itinerary Planner
GLENN HOUSE
Step Back In Time Tour
An example of a one-day outting to some of Cape
Girardeau’s most popular historic sites. Customize
the tour stops to fit your group’s interests!
BROCHURES
AVAILABLE FOR
MOST
ATTRACTIONS
OR CLICK
VISITCAPE.COM
BOLLINGER MILL & COVERED BRIDGE HISTORIC SITE
welcomed the expedition members at his
home, the Red House. The Center houses an
early 1800s exhibit that reflects the lives of
early settlers of the “Old Cape Girardeau
District”.
RED HOUSE
INTERPRETIVE
CENTER
9 to 10 am
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
our Bollinger Mill & Covered
Bridge Historic Site.A This 19thcentury gristmill processed grain
for area farmers until the mid
1940s. Waterpower is still used to
grind cornmeal on the original burrstones
during guided tours of the four-story mill. The
oldest covered bridge remaining in Missouri is
located adjacent to the mill.
T
Arrive at Bella Italia RistoranteC located in
historic downtown Cape Girardeau for a
delicious meal. Locally owned and operated,
Bella Italia will delight you with an enticing
Italian menu and warm ambiance and
friendly atmosphere. This is a dining
experience you won’t soon forget. They have
a private room that can hold up to 70 people.
10:30 to 11:15 am
Tour Old St. Vincent’s Church.D Built in 1853, it is a fine example
of 15th-century Renaissance architecture in Italy. It is
predominately built in Gothic style with some Roman influence.
An unusual feature is the medieval design plaster masks
portraying characters from the Miracle and Mystery Plays. On
the National Register of Historic Places, the Church is designated
as a Chapel of Ease.
Tour the Red House
Interpretive Center,B designed
to commemorate the visit of
Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark in November 1803.
“Don” Louis Lorimier,
Cape Girardeau’s
founder,
RED HOUSE
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
12:45 to 1:45 pm
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
CAPE GIRARDEAU
2 to 3 pm
Tour historic Glenn HouseE where visitors will follow a pathway
back in time. Restored rooms depict life around 1900, reflecting
a Victorian elegance. Completed in 1883, it has
been restored and placed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
OLD ST. VINCENT’S
3 pm
CHURCH
Depart for home.
OLD LORIMIER CEMETERY
WHILE YOU’RE HERE…
Discovery Playhouse:
A Children’s Museum
Ghosts of
Cape Girardeau
Tour
Cape Girardeau is indeed “Where the River Turns a Thousand (Chilling) Tales.”
Come experience some of Cape Girardeau’s most historic locations and learn
of the spooky tales and spirits that still lurk. So get cozy and prepare to take a
step back in time with these haunting tales of the ‘Ghosts of Cape Girardeau’.
Great Murals Tour
Running Itinerary
B
egin at the Cape Girardeau
Convention & Visitors Bureau. Make
your way downtown to Old Lorimier
Cemetery, where the stories are
endless. You may see a flickering
lantern or hear a mysterious ‘tapping’. You may
even ‘meet’ one of the cemetery’s inhabitants.
A ghost of the past may board your bus and
tell their story.
Continue on to the Minton House, now a
private residence, rumored to be haunted by
Civil War soldiers and
believed to have been
a smallpox hospital
during the Civil War.
Cape’s building is one of the oldest and most
historic in Cape Girardeau. It is located right
on the Mississippi River, and it is rumored that
Ulysses S. Grant had his headquarters there
during the Civil War. You will also go by the
Red House Interpretive CenterB as well as the
B’nai Synagogue, both of which are key to the
history of Cape Girardeau.
Next on the tour is the Captain’s Home, which
is a private residence today. This home was
built by a riverboat captain in the 1800s but he
never had a chance to live in it as he died
before its completion. The owner of this home
may even come on
board the bus to tell
the great tales this
house holds.
From there, you’ll
From here you will
make your way to the
tour the historic Glenn
campus of Southeast
HouseE which is an old
Missouri State
Victorian home that
University where you’ll
will transport you back
find Rose Theatre
in time with its
believed to be
timeless elegance and
haunted by the ghost
spooky stories.
of ‘Mary’ as well as a
man whose spirit lurks
The next stop will be
PORT CAPE GIRARDEAU
the hallways and the
historic Fort D Civil
G
seats. Cheney Hall is one of the oldest
War Site which is home to one of the Civil
buildings on the campus of Southeast Missouri
War battles fought in Cape Girardeau. You may
State University and is full of stories, one in
have fallen spirits of the past here to tell you
particular that will leave you with the chills!
their stories of war and their final resting place.
The tour will then proceed to Cape Rock
Scenic Overlook where Cape Girardeau was
founded. Here you will learn about the
‘woman in white’ as well as some of Cape
Girardeau’s richest history of its earliest days.
From here, the tour will proceed back into the
historic downtown area where you will hear
stories of Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine’s
building and the spirits that lurk there as well
as Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant. Port
From here your group will travel out to
Bloomfield Road where the tales of the past
include cemeteries hidden among farmland
and a headless horseman. This is supposedly
one of the most haunted places in the area as
it has garnered national attention from ghost
enthusiasts.
Then your tour will return to the hotel for the
night. Sleep if you dare! Or depart for your
next destination.
Lazy L Safari Park
Missouri’s Oldest
American Beech Tree
BOLLINGER MILL STATE HISTORIC SITE:
GRISTMILL AND COVERED BRIDGE
PORT CAPE
GIRARDEAU
Escape To Cape Tour
D A Y
Example of a two-day outting to some of
the area’s most popular attractions. Change
to best suit your group’s needs, interests
and schedule. The possibilities are endless!
T
MISSOURI WALL OF FAME MURAL
COMMON
PLEAS
COURTHOUSE
AND
CIVIL WAR
MEMORIALS
O N E
9:30 to 11:00 am
district, Mississippi River, Mississippi River
Tales Mural, Missouri Wall of Fame Mural
and other outdoor murals along historic
downtown district, Courthouse Park and
Common Pleas Courthouse, drive by the
home of Marie Watkins Oliver (designer of
the Missouri State Flag) and Southeast
Missouri State University, historic Fort D
Civil War Site and Cape Rock Scenic
Overlook.
our Bollinger Mill & Covered
Bridge Historic Site.A Take a
step back in time at this 19thcentury gristmill which
processed grain for area farmers
until the mid-1940s. Waterpower is still
used to grind cornmeal on the original
burrstones during guided tours of the
four-story mill. The oldest covered bridge
remaining in Missouri is located adjacent
to the mill.
Check in at hotel and enjoy an hour of
relaxation.
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
5 to 7 pm
3:45 to 4:45 pm
Arrive at historic Port Cape Restaurant
Explore Trail of Tears State Park.E Your
and enjoy the Scallywag Dinner
group can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy
TheatreH which will present The Mighty
the serene beauty of the natural
Mississippi Mellodrama…or Do I Smell a
surroundings. While having lunch, your
River Rat? The cast of villains, heroes,
group will enjoy a slide presentation of
heroines and grannies will make you
the history of Trail of Tears and stories by a
“Boo”, “Hiss” and
Native American
“Ah”— and the
storyteller, Chief
dance hall girls will
Paul Whiteagle. After
have you singing
the presentations,
along and tapping
your group may
your feet to the
wish to browse the
musical numbers.
Interpretive
Lunch theater
Center, visit some of
option is available,
the memorials or
too.
simply walk a trail
and enjoy the
7 pm
peaceful scenery.
Explore downtown
TRAIL OF TEARS STATE PARK
1:30 pm
Cape Girardeau.
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Take a leisurely,
Visit the Cape
after-dinner stroll along the Mississippi
Girardeau Convention & Visitors
Riverfront and view the Mississippi River
Bureau in historic downtown Cape
Tales Mural or stroll Main Street and do
Girardeau. Here you will meet your stepsome window shopping. You may also
on guide and receive a complimentary
want to have a refreshing night-time treat
welcome bag. Your group is welcome to
from the Port Cape Ice Cream Parlor. They
browse our Visitors Bureau and shop for
have several hand-dipped classic ice
souvenirs.
cream flavors that are sure to please.
2 to 3:30 pm
8:30 pm
Board the bus for the one-hour, guided
I
Board the bus and return to the hotel for
City Tour. This wonderful tour includes,
the evening.
but is not limited to: historic downtown
D A Y
T W O
8:15 am
Board the bus for a morning of site-seeing in
Cape Girardeau.
8:30 to 9:15 am
Tour the historic Glenn House.E Your group
will follow a pathway back in time. Restored
rooms depict life around 1900, reflecting a
Victorian elegance. Completed in 1883, it has
been restored and placed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
9:30 to 10:15 am
Tour the Rosemary Berkel & Harry L. Crisp
Southeast Missouri Regional MuseumG on
the beautiful River Campus. Groups can
experience the Crossroads Theatre which
features a 17-minute video on the region’s rich
natural and human history. Then
experience the Crossroads Gallery
full of exhibits and interactive kiosks.
Groups can also browse the
collections in the areas of
archaeology, history and fine art.
There is something for everyone in
this spectacular museum.
10:30 to 11:15 am
Tour the Red House Interpretive Center,B
designed to commemorate the visit of
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in
November 1803. “Don” Louis Lorimier, Cape
Girardeau’s founder, welcomed the expedition
members into his home, the Red House.
The center houses an early 1800s exhibit that
reflects the lives of early settlers of the “Old
Cape Girardeau District”.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE…
11:30 am to 12:45 pm
Enjoy a taste of Cape during lunch at one of
Cape Girardeau’s more than 120 great
restaurants.
1 pm
Arrive at My Daddy’s CheesecakeF for a tasty
afternoon treat. My Daddy’s awaits your visit,
where you can enjoy viewing part of the
manufacturing process of the
cheesecake through a glass window.
Enjoy four delicious
samples of cheesecake (1½”
squares) and a drink per person.
Capaha Rose Garden
in Capaha Park
2:15 pm
Depart for the Stars & Stripes
MuseumG in Bloomfield, MO where
the Stars and Stripes Military Newspaper began
during the Civil War in 1861. The Museum
houses military exhibits spanning every war of
U.S. military involvement since 1861. The
Museum is dedicated to preserving the history
of the United States armed forces military
newspaper at its birthplace.
4:15 pm
Depart for Cape Girardeau and enjoy dinner at
one of our more than 120 great restaurants.
Depart for home.
Cape Splash Family
Aquatic Center
STARS & STRIPES MUSEUM
BROCHURES
AVAILABLE FOR
MOST ATTRACTIONS
OR CLICK
VISITCAPE.COM
CRISP SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI REGIONAL
MUSEUM
Jones Heritage Farms
St. Louis Iron Mountain
and Southern Railway
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
TALES MURAL
CONSERVATION NATURE CENTER
Best of Cape Tour
Example of a one-day outting highlighting some of the city’s
cultural hot spots and more. Interchange tour stops to fit your
preferences. The Convention & Visitors Bureau will take care of
all the details!
9:30 to 10:30 am
S
top at My Daddy’s CheesecakeF for a tasty morning treat. My
Daddy’s awaits your visit, where you can enjoy viewing part of the
manufacturing process of the cheesecake through a glass window.
Enjoy four delicious samples of cheesecake (1½” squares) and a drink
per person.
10:45 am to 12 noon
Explore the Rosemary Berkel & Harry L. Crisp II
Southeast Missouri Regional MuseumG located
on the beautiful River Campus of Southeast
Missouri State University. Enjoy a 17-minute
video in the Crossroads Theatre which will
introduce visitors to the region’s rich natural and
human history. Then visit the interactive exhibits
and kiosks of the Crossroads Gallery. The Crisp
Museum collects in three thematic areas:
archeology, history and fine art. This is a cultural
and educational experience sure to please any
group!
Wild At
Heart Tour
Running itinerary you can
change to fit your interests!
TRAIL OF
TEARS
STATE PARK
12:15 to 1:15 pm
Arrive at historic Port Cape Restaurant and
enjoy the Scallywag Lunch TheatreH which will
present The Mighty Mississippi Mellodrama…or Do
I Smell a River Rat? The cast of villains, heroes,
heroines and grannies will make you “Boo”, “Hiss”
and “Ah” — and the dance hall girls will have you
singing along and tapping your feet to the
musical numbers. Dinner theatre option is
available, too.
1:30 to 2:30 pm
A step-on guide will meet your party at the
restaurant for the one-hour, guided City TourI
which includes, but not limited to: historic
downtown district, Mississippi River, Mississippi
River Tales Mural, Missouri Wall of Fame Mural and
other outdoor murals along historic downtown
district, Courthouse Park and Common Pleas
Courthouse, drive by home of Marie Watkins
Oliver (designer of the Missouri State Flag) and
Southeast Missouri State University, historic Fort
D Civil War Site and Cape Rock Scenic Overlook. A
complimentary welcome bag will be available for
each guest.
3 to 4 pm
Arrive at Trail of Tears State Park.J Tour the
Interpretive Center where you will hear the
story of one of the greatest tragedies in American
history. The Trail of Tears State Park is on the
National “Trail of Tears” where more than 16,000
Cherokee Indians marched in 1838. The pristine
3,415-acre setting creates a peaceful memorial to
between 3,000 to 4,000 Cherokee who died on
the forced march through North Carolina,
Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and
Arkansas into Oklahoma. The tour includes a
slide presentation of the
history behind the Trail
of Tears. Talk and
demonstration given by
Chief Paul White Eagle,
Cherokee storyteller.
4 pm
Depart for home.
JONES HERITAGE FARMS
RIVER CAMPUS OF
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
STATE UNIVERSITY
F
or group’s interested
in the ‘wild’ side of
Cape Girardeau, this
tour features some of
the area’s newest
attractions including Lazy L
Safari Park and Jones
Heritage Farms. Explore
nature in an all-new way at
the Conservation Nature
Center, Trail of Tears State
Park and Interpretive
Center. Enjoy lunch at
Buffalo Wild Wings.
Other tour stops can include
Capaha Rose Garden,
Nature’s Landing, Missouri’s
oldest American Beech tree,
Cape Rock Scenic Overlook,
Old Mississippi
River Bridge
Overlook, Scenic
Mississippi River
Drive and a hike of
any one of Cape
Girardeau’s trails
including the new
Riverwalk Trail
along the
Mississippi River or
Cape La Croix
Recreation Trail.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE…
FORT D CIVIL
WAR SITE
Nearly 20 Antique Stores
Civil War Tour
Running itinerary that can be customized!
T
his tour begins with Lieutenant John W. Powell’s Fort D and site of Fort A, B and C and
travels on to the Common Pleas Courthouse sitting high atop a hill overlooking the
historic downtown area and offering a spectacular view of the mighty Mississippi River.
Stop at the Confederate War Memorial and Union Monument and Fountain at
Courthouse Park, the site of the Battle of Cape Girardeau, St. Vincent’s Seminary at
the beautiful River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University and past the Longview House
and Minton House. Enjoy lunch at Port Cape Girardeau, located right on the Mississippi River
and rumored that Ulysses S. Grant had his headquarters there during the Civil War. Discover a
treasure trove of antique stores while in historic downtown Cape Girardeau. Explore Old Lorimier
Cemetery, keeping watch over the unknown and unnamed soliders interred there in unmarked
graves. Enjoy the view at Cape Rock Scenic Overlook.
FORT D CIVIL WAR SITE
Five Beautiful Golf Courses
CAPE ROCK SCENIC OVERLOOK
Old Mississippi River Bridge
Scenic Overlook
COMMON PLEAS COURTHOUSE
All tour stops are scheduled by the Convention & Visitors Bureau unless otherwise noted.
For assistance, contact Sarah Vickery at 800.777.0068 or [email protected].
A
$4 per person. Check payable to Bollinger Mill.
$3 per person. Check payable to Red House Interpretive Center.
Not scheduled by the CVB. Call Christopher or Mark at (573) 332-7800 for group arrangements.
D $3 donation per person. Check payable to Old St. Vincent’s Church.
E $5 per person. Check payable to Glenn House.
F $3 per person. One check per group. Payable to My Daddy’s Cheesecake.
BROCHURES
G Free admission.
AVAILABLE FOR MOST
H All inclusive$24.95 per person. Check payable to Port Cape.
ATTRACTIONS OR CLICK
For dining arrangements, call Doc or Abby at (573) 334-0954.
I $30 fee per step-on guide. Check payable to Cape Girardeau CVB.
VISITCAPE.COM
J $100 donation. Check payable to Paul Smith.
B
C
Riverfront Park
Photo: © Joel West Ray, M.D., F.A.C.S., WESTRAY Photography
Customization options
Cape Girardeau
There is so much to see and do in Cape Girardeau. Adjust your itinerary
to best suit your group by considering these popular attractions.
Ask the CVB for brochures or click VisitCape.com to learn even more!
Bollinger Mill & Covered Bridge
State historic site. $4 per person.
Capaha Rose Garden
Great Murals Tour
Jones Heritage Farms
90 acres of pristine farmland.
Including the geese of Capaha Park.
Cape River Heritage Museum
Exhibits dedicated to the city’s early history.
$2 per person.
Cape Rock Scenic Overlook
Guided City Tour
An hour-long, guided tour includes, but is not limited
to: historic downtown district, Mississippi River,
Mississippi River Tales Mural, Missouri Wall of Fame
Mural and other outdoor murals along historic
downtown district, Courthouse Park and Common
Pleas Courthouse, drive by home of Marie Watkins
Oliver (designer of the Missouri State Flag) and
Southeast Missouri State University, historic Fort D
and Cape Rock Scenic Overlook. $30 fee per step-on
guide.
Common Pleas Courthouse
Including Confederate War Memorial, Union
Monument and Fountain and Courthouse Park.
Conservation Nature Center
Hands-on exhibits, scientific research laboratory,
aquariums and indoor wildlife viewing area.
Lazy L Safari Ranch
Filled with hundreds of exotic animals. $5 per person.
Phone:
800.777.0068
Email:
[email protected]
Along floodwall in historic downtown.
Missouri’s Oldest American
Beech Tree
My Daddy’s Cheesecake
Address:
400 Broadway, Suite 100
Cape Girardeau MO 63701
1,100-foot-long mural on the flood wall.
Missouri Wall of Fame Mural
Tour with samples. $3 per person.
Old St. Vincent’s Church
National Register of Historic Places. $3 per person.
Old Lorimier Cemetery
Old Mississippi River Bridge
Scenic Overlook
Red House Interpretive Center
Early 1800s exhibit. $3 per person.
Crisp Museum & Gallery
Crossroads Theatre with 17-minute video on region’s
rich natural and human history and Crossroads
Gallery full of exhibits and interactive kiosks.
Scallywag Lunch/Dinner Theatre
National Register of Historic Places. $5 per person.
Director of Sales
Online:
VisitCape.com
CapeStorytelling.com
Facebook.com/VisitCape
Twitter.com/VisitCape
Pinterest/VisitCape
Mississippi River Tales Mural
Riverfront Park & Riverwalk Trail
Fort D Civil War Site
Glenn House
CONVENTION &
VISITORS BUREAU
Hours:
Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
Free brochures available
24/7 in lobby
Radio:
Tourism information
at 1250 AM
Fax:
(573) 334-6702
Including Welcome to Cape Mural.
All inclusive. $24.95 per person.
Scenic Mississippi River Drive
Trail of Tears State Park
Including Interpretive Center.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Rush Limbaugh Hometown Driving Tour
Sites To See Self-Guided Driving Tour with audio CD and detailed map
Civil War Sites of Cape Girardeau Driving Tour
Available for your
added convenience…
~ Visitors Center
~ Official welcome
~ Welcome bags
~ Information resource packets
~ Free brochures
~ City map with attraction
locators
~ Group identification items
and much more!