Jefferson City: It is Missouri's capital, home to the State Capitol, which the bureau lists first among its attractions. Below are 7 places to visit, each read on its own official or visitor-bureau page.Facts read October 30, 2026 from the pages linked beside each one. Hours and prices change; confirm before you drive. Region is our own county grouping.
- Central MissouriRegion
- visitjeffersoncity.comVisitor Site
- 7Places to See
- 1Place Pages Here
Why Go to Jefferson City
- It is Missouri's capital, home to the State Capitol, which the bureau lists first among its attractions. (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- The Capitol houses Thomas Hart Benton murals in the House Lounge. (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- The Missouri State Penitentiary operated for 168 years before closing in 2004 and now offers tours. (missouripentours.com)
- The Governor's Mansion has been the official residence of Missouri governors since 1872. (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- The city promotes the Katy Trail, museums, dining and boutiques. (visitjeffersoncity.com)
See and Do
| Place | What It Is | Hours or Price as Printed |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri State Capitol | Government building with public art including Benton murals; the state museum is inside. | free admission; self-guided 8-5 weekdays, 8-4 weekends and holidays; guided tour needs reservation (as printed on Visit Missouri) |
| Missouri Governor's Mansion | Official governor's residence offering short guided tours. | free; 2026 fall tours Sept 15-Oct 29, Tue-Thu 10am-1pm; reservation 72 hours ahead; candlelight tours Dec 4 and 7 |
| Missouri State Penitentiary tours | History and ghost tours of the decommissioned prison, including housing units, upper courtyard and gas chamber. | 2-hour history tour from $30; ghost tour from $40; hours not stated; 115 Lafayette Street |
| Missouri State Penitentiary Museum | Museum with a replica cell and displays on prison industries, contraband and inmate craftsmanship. | not stated |
| Katy Trail State Park | 240-mile rail-trail from Clinton to Machens along the Missouri River. | hours and fees not stated |
| Jefferson Landing / Lohman Building | Historic 1839 river-landing building that has been a grocery, warehouse, tavern, telegraph office and hotel. | not stated |
| Capital Region Amphitheater | Venue hosting summer events including dancing and outdoor movies. | not stated |
Place Pages on This Site
A Little History
- The Governor's Mansion was completed in December 1871 and has been the governors' residence since 1872. (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- The seat of government moved to Jefferson in 1826. (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- The Capitol completion year differs by page: 1917 on the CVB blog, 1918 on Visit Missouri (https://www.visitmo.com/things-to-do/missouri-state-capitol). (visitjeffersoncity.com)
Events in Jefferson City
- Capitol Caroling: listed Dec. 8 in the bureau's 2026 events (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- Christmas Tree Lighting: 21st annual, listed Dec. 3 (2026) (visitjeffersoncity.com)
- Candlelight Tours of the Governor's Mansion: Dec. 4-7 per homepage; mansion page says Dec 4 and Dec 7 (visitjeffersoncity.com)
Coming Up Near Jefferson City
Nothing on our checked calendar yet. We list only events whose dates an organizer has published. See all Missouri events.
Getting There
- Amtrak Missouri River Runner runs between Kansas City and St. Louis; the page says two international airports and one regional airport serve the area (near Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis). (visitjeffersoncity.com)
Plan Your Visit
| Visitor Information | visitjeffersoncity.com |
|---|---|
| Visitor Center Address | 700 E Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
| Phone | (573) 632-2820 |
| Drive Times | Missouri drive times |
| Events Nearby | Central Missouri events |
More
What We Could Not Verify
Not confirmed
- population
- county
- highway routes
- Museum of Missouri Military History own page (listing URL 404)
- mostateparks.com pages for the state museum and mansion (404)
- CVB listing pages for Capitol and Penitentiary had no body text
- Our region grouping is not an official designation.
Questions People Ask
What is Jefferson City, Missouri known for?
It is Missouri's capital, home to the State Capitol, which the bureau lists first among its attractions.
How do I get to Jefferson City?
Amtrak Missouri River Runner runs between Kansas City and St. Louis; the page says two international airports and one regional airport serve the area (near Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis).
Where can I find visitor information for Jefferson City?
The visitor site we read is visitjeffersoncity.com. The address it prints is 700 E Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
What are the main things to see in Jefferson City?
Missouri State Capitol, Missouri Governor's Mansion, Missouri State Penitentiary tours, Missouri State Penitentiary Museum are the first four on the list above.
Sources
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjeffersoncity.com, read October 30, 2026
- missouripentours.com, read October 30, 2026
- missourimansion.org, read October 30, 2026
- visitmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- mostateparks.com, read October 30, 2026
Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: Jefferson City, itsmissouri.com (https://itsmissouri.com/destinations/jefferson-city-missouri/), checked 2026-10-30. Free to quote with a link.