Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
145 mi1 mi
Jefferson City, Here We Come!
Most of today you'll be discovering the state capitol of Missouri, Jefferson City, which is less than an hour's drive south of Columbia.
With a belly full of Missouri BBQ, you'll drive along a scenic backroad to the great outdoors park of Clifty Creek Natural Area.
The day ends with an overnight in Lebanon, home to the Route 66 Museum.
With a belly full of Missouri BBQ, you'll drive along a scenic backroad to the great outdoors park of Clifty Creek Natural Area.
The day ends with an overnight in Lebanon, home to the Route 66 Museum.
08:1515 min
Missouri State Capitol
The Missouri State Capitol building is a majestic site to behold! Have a nice look around the exterior and capture some photos before heading on to visit the Missouri State Museum next door.
If you'd like to divide your time into shorter segments you could visit the capitol and the museum.
Whatever you do, don't miss snapping a photo of the Thomas Jefferson statue on the front steps.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 – 17:00 Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 – 16:00
Missouri State Capitol
If you'd like to divide your time into shorter segments you could visit the capitol and the museum.
Whatever you do, don't miss snapping a photo of the Thomas Jefferson statue on the front steps.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 – 17:00 Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 – 16:00
Missouri State Capitol
0.1 mi
5 min
09:001 hr
Missouri State Museum
A visit to the Missouri State Museum offers a chance to fully immerse yourself in the culture and history of the "Show-Me-State".
The museum houses an extraordinary amount of Native American artifacts as well as exhibits of the state's natural abundance.
Don't miss the replica of the Liberty Bell!
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 – 17:00 Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 – 16:00
Plan your visit here.
The museum houses an extraordinary amount of Native American artifacts as well as exhibits of the state's natural abundance.
Don't miss the replica of the Liberty Bell!
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 – 17:00 Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 – 16:00
Plan your visit here.
0.3 mi
10 min
11:001 hr
Sweet Smoke BBQ - Downtown
If you've never had Missouri BBQ, you don't know what you're missing! Today you'll have the chance to feast on some of the best at Jeff City's Sweet Smoke BBQ.
Get ready to stuff yourself silly with a delicious combo of ribs, chicken and pork all smothered with their secret, tangy BBQ sauce.
For something entirely different, try their "I Love Texas Tacos!"
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 – 20:00 Friday and Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00 Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
Reserve your table here.
Get ready to stuff yourself silly with a delicious combo of ribs, chicken and pork all smothered with their secret, tangy BBQ sauce.
For something entirely different, try their "I Love Texas Tacos!"
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 – 20:00 Friday and Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00 Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
Reserve your table here.
0.8 mi
15 min
12:502 hrs 30 min
Missouri State Penitentiary
A history tour of a penitentiary? That's right!
With riots, escape attempts, dungeons and more, there's a lot that happened here.
You might be surprised to find out that the Missouri State Penitentiary is one of the most-visited places in the state thanks to its famous incarceration history as well as rumors of being haunted.
Today, as you learn about the history that took place inside these massive walls, will you also feel the presence of ghosts from the past…?
Your 2-hour History Tour starts promptly at 13:00 (don't be late!) and must be pre-booked.
Book your tour in advance here.
You might be surprised to find out that the Missouri State Penitentiary is one of the most-visited places in the state thanks to its famous incarceration history as well as rumors of being haunted.
Today, as you learn about the history that took place inside these massive walls, will you also feel the presence of ghosts from the past…?
Your 2-hour History Tour starts promptly at 13:00 (don't be late!) and must be pre-booked.
Book your tour in advance here.
52.4 mi
1 hr 10 min
16:3030 min
Clifty Creek Natural Area
After a gorgeous drive through the scenic hillsides, you'll find yourself at the beautiful Clifty Creek Natural Area.
This is a perfect place to get out, stretch your legs and work off some of that BBQ lunch!
The easy 2.5 mile loop takes you from the conservation area parking lot, over the bridge and back.
Opening Hours: Sunday: 04:00 – 22:00 Monday – Saturday: 04:00 – 22:00
Clifty Creek Natural Area
You'll follow Route W east until the pavement becomes gravel. The parking is at the end of the gravel road.
This is a perfect place to get out, stretch your legs and work off some of that BBQ lunch!
The easy 2.5 mile loop takes you from the conservation area parking lot, over the bridge and back.
Opening Hours: Sunday: 04:00 – 22:00 Monday – Saturday: 04:00 – 22:00
Clifty Creek Natural Area
You'll follow Route W east until the pavement becomes gravel. The parking is at the end of the gravel road.
34 mi
50 min
17:5045 min
Tesla Supercharger
You can charge your car here
Type: Tesla Supercharger 8 stations, 8 plugs Power: 150 kW
Type: Tesla Supercharger 8 stations, 8 plugs Power: 150 kW
56.9 mi
1 hr
19:351 hr
El Charro Mexican Restaurant
Missouri is chock full of excellent and authentic Mexican restaurants and El Charro is no exception.
While your car is charging down the street, relax with a margarita or imported beer at this casual eatery. You'll have more options for dinner than you can eat with standards like fajitas, tacos, burritos alongside specialities such as enchiladas and carne con queso.
There are also a number of vegetarian dishes available.
Phone (417) 732-2806
Opening Hours Monday – Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00 Sunday: 11:00 – 20:00
El Charro
While your car is charging down the street, relax with a margarita or imported beer at this casual eatery. You'll have more options for dinner than you can eat with standards like fajitas, tacos, burritos alongside specialities such as enchiladas and carne con queso.
There are also a number of vegetarian dishes available.
Phone (417) 732-2806
Opening Hours Monday – Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00 Sunday: 11:00 – 20:00
El Charro
2.1 mi
10 min
22:0010 hrs
Hampton Inn Lebanon
You'll be spending the night at the Hampton Inn and tomorrow morning heading out to Osage Beach and the famous Lake of the Ozarks.
This modern hotel has customized beds and an outdoor (seasonal) pool. Enjoy the included buffet breakfast or request a breakfast bag to go.
This modern hotel has customized beds and an outdoor (seasonal) pool. Enjoy the included buffet breakfast or request a breakfast bag to go.