Birthplace of Jesse James. One of the largest collections of James family artifacts; Jesse’s original gravesite; the family home; and a slave cabin. Tour includes: an interpretive video about the life of Jesse and Frank James; galleries of artifacts and memorabilia; a guided tour of the James Family homestead. Books, gifts and Civil War souvenirs sold at the museum store.

Exhibits reflect the culture of this ever-changing river town, from the Mississippian Indian period through the great earthquakes of 1811 and 1812; from New Madrid's role in the Civil War through the early 20th century. Displays cover pre-historic Indians; French explorers; riverboat traders; earthquakes; and Civil War battles. Located in the circa 1886 Kendal Saloon building. Admission: $2.50; ages 6-12, $1.

Life-size bronze statue honoring the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry, the first uniformed all Black American unit to fight in the Civil War. The unit fought in the October 1862 Battle of Island Mound, also known as the Battle of Fort Toothman.

In September, 1856, the steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City with 200 tons of cargo bound for towns in the west. In 1988 the Arabia excavation began, resultting in the astonishing discovery of pre-Civil War artifacts which are now on display. This unique museum has been featured in national television programs and magazines, and in numerous newspapers.

Closed: 1 January; Easter; Thanksgiving; 24 and 25 December.

Tour this 19th century village in a seven-passenger tram. Stops include the restored 1837 home of artist George Caleb Bingham and the Victorian home and gun shop of J.P. Sites.

April-May, September-October, Saturdays and Sundays only. June-August, daily. Tours at 10 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Closed November-March. Price: $5; Younger than 12, $1.50.

This fully restored 1901 courthouse is on National Register of Historic Places. It is made of Carthage marble. See the moonface clock tower, catwalk, statues of Lady Columbia and Lady Justices, tile quilt-pattern floor. View the 1863 Order No. 11 picture and murals.

At this site, Union troops defeated the pro-south Missouri State Guard in 1861; it was the northernmost Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. The site features camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing and boating. History tours from one to six hours in duration are available. Guided natural history tours and hikes lasting up to two hours are offered. The site is located 10 miles north of Kahoka.

The site offers basic and electric campsites from April through November. Water is available in the campground through October. Enjoy picnicking, hiking, fishing, boating and history tours. At this site, Union troops defeated the pro-south Missouri State Guard in 1861. Located on Route CC.

This is the location of the final confrontation of a 12-hour Civil War battle on July 5, 1861, where 6,000 Southern troops forced Union soldiers to retreat to Sarcoxie. An interpretive shelter explains the history of the battle. The site is unmanned and is managed by Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar.

The museum offers visitors several rooms of exhibits and information related to the Civil War, The Battle of Fredericktown, and other events of local historic significance. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

The site features the Civil War battlefield and the Anderson House, which was used by both sides as a field hospital during the September 1861 battle. Highlights include a visitor center with exhibits, an interpretive, self-guided trail on the battlefield and guided tours.

Shaded, pull-through, full-service RV sites in a park-like setting beside I-44 at exit 29. We have a tent camping area, a 1.5-acre private fishing pond, propane filling station, modern restrooms and shower houses, and coin-operated laundry machine.

Camping, floating, and live entertainment are offered along a half-mile of riverfront on the Black River. Electric sites are available. Camping includes firewood and entertainment. Day passes are offered. Camping packages and group discounts are available. Wheelchair accessible toilets and showers. Music and entertainment weekends. Canoes, rafts and tube rentals. General store on-site. Located 20 minutes from Johnson's Shut-ins; 15 minutes from Taum Sauk Mountain State Park; 35 minutes from Elephant Rocks State Park; 30 minutes from Fort Davidson State Historic Site.

A rustic, secluded log cabin with loft; sleeps six. It has a European style, two-story fireplace, indoor Jacuzzi brand tub, outdoor hot tub and a large front porch. Bear Cub Cabin is smaller, but also sleeps six. The three-bedroom lodge sleeps ten; it has a red granite, woodburning fireplace, large deck and outdoor hot tub. All units have kitchen and bathroom. The lodgings offer half a mile of private Black River beach front access. Float trips and weekend entertainment are available at Bearcat Getaway Resort. Located 20 minutes from Johnson's Shut-ins; 15 minutes from Taum Sauk Mountain State Park; 30 minutes from Elephant Rocks State Park; and 25 minutes from Fort Davidson State Historic Site.

Small motel with daily, weekly, and monthly rates. Park at your door.

Two story house at the top of a hill. The house has been restored, including the original hand carved oak and beveled glass entrance. We have wrap-around porches on both levels; a perennial and water garden; a private hydrotherapy hot-tub with a bi-level deck; a terraced yard; and a pool and deck. The library is filled with books, magazines and games; a color TV; DVD and VCR. Fresh coffee and tea for early risers; snacks and refreshments baked fresh. Shops, restaurants, museums, wineries, a brewery and an Irish pub are two blocks away. Located 17 miles north of Kansas City Airport; I-29, exit 20; north on Route 273.

We are a full-service RV park located on the banks of crystal-clear Big Creek. All 40 of our big-rig friendly sites have 30- and 50-amp electric, water, and septic hookups, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. We fill propane tanks on-site. We have private shower suites, an on-site laundry, a game room and a meeting hall to serve all your needs. Big Creek is good for wading, catch-and-release fishing, or swimming on hot days. The nature trail that runs along the creek is good for walking and enjoying the Ozark outdoors.

Built in 1852 along the 1846 alignment of the Santa Fe Trail, this estate was owned by George Caleb Bingham, famed Missouri Civil War artist. Home to the Waggoner family, 1879-1978, owners of the Waggoner Gates Mill. Original furnishings and paintings. Tours offered daily. See Web site for event schedules.

Open April thru October, and from the day after Thanksgiving thru December 30; group tours available year-round by appointment.

This cementery holds 150 markers of soldiers who died during the Civil War. Each marker includes a brief account of where, when and how that soldier died.

The four guestrooms share three bathrooms. Rooms are decorated with oak and walnut antique furniture. The sitting room contains books and games for your enjoyment; the one TV tunes in the local channels. Cinnamon rolls are a specialty; they are served with eggs, bacon and fried apples.

Step back into a period 1890s store, located in Historic Blackwater. This trading company features an herbal counter, where you will find native herbal teas, bath products and balms. We also feature: Missouri-made pickles, sauces and mixes; brightly colored textiles, rugs and saddle blankets; hand-weaved baskets, carved wooden baskets, bowls and walking canes; hats for men, women and children; silver and turquoise jewelry and native-made pottery. The book and music section is surrounded by art originals and prints. We also have living history supplies for Mountain men, Civil War and Native American crafts. Local musicians play on many weekends. We are children and pet friendly. Located in Historic Blackwater, three miles north of I-70 at exit 89.

The Bushwhacker Museum and Jail is a regional history study center that serves as a repository of more than 150 years of Vernon County History. Visitors experience for themselves the cell room of medieval malevolence in the circa 1860 stone jail and the restored sheriff's home. The Bushwhacker Museum, housed in a renovatd 1920s garage and Ford agency, offers exhibits on the history and heritage of the region. Learn why the first inhabitants welcomed the first white settlers and eventually left the region. Discover why Nevada was called The Bushwhacker Capital by Federal troops during the Civil War and how the community survived and eventually thrived. Find out what life was like for the POWs at Camp Clark during WWII. Open May-October; Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5; Ages 12-17, $2; Younger than 12, $1.

The park has 90 level pull-thru sites and 12 tent sites. Each site has water, sewer, electric and free cable TV and wireless Internet.  There are handicap sites available. We have two bath houses, a laundromat, game room, miniature golf, swimming pool, and a two-acre fishing pond all on-site. There is also a recreational center available with seating for up to 120 people. We are open all year and have daily, weekly and monthly rates available. We are located 1.6 miles east of I-55 at exit 99.

The updated portion of the Cape Girardeau walking/biking trail will connect us to the water park and the Missouri Conservation Nature Center - both within one mile of our campground. Three restaurants are also adjacent to our RV park.  Please visit our Web site for additional information.

The Common Pleas Courthouse was completed in 1854. It sits high atop the hill overlooking the downtown area. It played a big part in our history, from Indian council meetings to the Civil War. The “dungeon” was used to jail southern sympathizers and perhaps confederate soldiers. On the west side of the courthouse stand three memorials. A cast of a Union soldier, who sits atop a fountain way, was presented by the Women's Relief Corps in 1911. Another, made from Georgia silver gray marble, was presented to the city in 1931 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The third is a Vietnam Memorial.

Stop by for maps, brochures and information about Cape Girardeau businesses, events and attractions. Call for a Visitor and Dining Guide. The CVB gift shop has souvenirs or and coffee table books by local authors.