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| D-man Bird Watching at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center |
Welcome to Summer Friends, I know our summer is fully running
with softball games, fishing, and summer school. Yes, I am one of those mean moms that make my
kids go to summer school, with good reason of course!
If you are like me summer means you are trying to entertain a
gang on a budget, so I have created a list of a few great places that will keep
you and your kiddos intrigued and busy!
Cape Girardeau
Nature Center- Rather it is a quick break for the afternoon or check
out all the awesome programs they are having the Cape Girardeau Nature Center
is often our sanctuary from the heat. We can stop in and check out the animals,
entertain ourselves with interactive exhibits, and if I am lucky, my wild ones
might actually learn something. The nature center is good for all ages REALLY,
even I find myself gazing at the latest artwork displayed.
Cape River
Heritage Museum -- Learn the Cape Girardeau River Heritage, the
history of what Cape Girardeau use to be, and just check out some awesome
artifacts from the Cape Girardeau's past. This museum is good for all curious
ages, but it is a museum of history, so your visit is what you make it. My kids
loved the Pilot House and Fire Truck, of course who wouldn't be.
Rosemary Berkel
and Harry L. Crisp II Museum -- Discovery stories of the Native
Americans, the Mississippi River, the boats, the railroad, and much more. Crisp
museum is a great for a short afternoon outing kids are always intrigued by the
talking exhibits and you never know they may learn a bit of history.
Discovery
Playhouse -- Need I say more than Discovery Playhouse, well of
course I do! Discovery Playhouse is full of interactive displays, bright
colors, and ways to keep those little imaginations turning. Discovery Playhouse
also host weekly programs like music morning, check their website for more
information. I am going to throw my Momma opinion here, Discovery Playhouse is
PERFECT for my little man that is four, but my little woman who is almost 9
does tend to get bored about thirty minutes after we get there. Now do not get
discouraged by that keep in mind that every child is different and if you have
never visited your older kids may love it.
LeBounce --
The giant indoor bounce house also now offers Bazooka Ball. Hours of fun, leads
to hours of peace and quiet....I speak from experience! Follow their facebook
page as they often offer special prices and daily deals!
Southeast
Missouri State Aquatics Center -- I know it is summer and we
are suppose to be laying beside the pool working on our tan, well let's just
face it when it is 106 outside the last thing I want to do is lay on a hot pool
deck. Catch your waves inside; they even have an indoor zip line!
Creative Ewe
Pottery- Express your artistic side and beat the heat. You set your
price and design your own keepsake...this is perfect time to stock up on hand
painted Christmas gifts for them special folks in your life.
Bollinger County
Museum of Natural History -- This museum is the
"little" museum that could, or at least that is what I am going to
call it. BoCo Museum of Natural History also known as the Home of the Missouri
Dinosaur is more than just a museum this summer, have tons of special programs
happening to help you beat the heat. Check their website or facebook page for
all the latest information.
Bootheel Youth
Museum- This museum is a little bit bigger than Discovery Playhouse
in Cape Girardeau and from a Momma's point of view a little more age diverse.
Exhibits here are interactive for all ages, but seem to intrigue the older ones
just as much as the little ones.
Sikeston Depot
Museum and Art Gallery -- located in downtown Sikeston this
1916 depot doubles as the keeper of the area's history and culture. Did you
know that Sikeston is the farthest north cotton is grown, or that the
mechanical horse was invented in Sikeston? Well you can discover facts like
this at the Sikeston Depot Museum.
A few New Places that I have not
"adventured" at, but caught my eye in the latest Missouri Tourism
Guide.
The Space Museum
in Bonne Terre, MO -- Open Friday & Saturday 9 am -- 5 pm,
and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Admission is FREE (donations accepted) and features
interactive displays on space exploration.
Stars and
Stripes Museum in Bloomfield, MO -- Open Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm. In
1861 Stars and Stripes newspaper started here, the museum focuses on the people
who produced this legendary publication over the years.
Lutheran
Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg, MO -- Open daily 10 am
to 4 pm Admission is FREE (donations accepted). This museum interprets the
1838-1839 Saxon Lutheran immigration.
MO-Ark Regional
Railroad Museum in Poplar Bluff, MO - Open weekends only 1 pm --
4pm, not sure on admission call ahead at 573-785-4539. This museum preserves
and displays the history of the railroad in Southeast Missouri and Northeast
Arkansas. Housed in the historic 1928 Frisco Depot has a 30-foot model train
layout, train shop, two cabooses, and a baggage car.
Of course, there are the everyday places that we
all often forget it about, or pass by and don't realize that we could hide out
stealing their air conditioning and wasting our kid's precious time.
The Library- you would think I am a schoolteacher (I am not) as many times as I
hound people to take their kids to library. Well my reason is it is pretty much
free plus you get the rewards of educating your kids without them know
it....shhhh don't tell them. All surrounding counties have a local library and
most of the libraries have some awesome summer reading programs.
The Art Gallery- Depending on where you live and the age of your kiddos, but the
Art Gallery can be a great stop in to enlighten those little brains. I have
happily taken my kids to many of the local galleries especially ones that offer
programs for youth, your best way to discover if your area has, an art gallery
is check with the visitor's center or local chamber of commerce.
Happy Adventures,
Becky
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