Looking for a city rich in history and heritage? Cape Girardeau has been built around its history, allowing visitors to go back in time and explore the past.

In 1733, a young Frenchman, Jean Baptiste Girardot, established a trading post at a significant headline that jutted into the Mississippi River. After staying there for a few years, Girardot decided to continue on rather than settling at his post. By 1793, Frenchman Louis Lorimier arrived with a large grant given to him by the Spanish government. This large grant gave him the title this land throughout the entire region, allowing Lorimier to be the communities true founder. Although Lorimier had the title to land and established another trading post south of Girardots, the community still associated the area as the “Cape” or “Girardot” ultimately naming the city Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau is surrounded by 250 years of history and heritage. You could spend the day strolling through the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Cape River Heritage Museum, Glenn House, or the Crisp Museum. If you want to dive deeper into the history of Cape Girardeau, make sure you visit the historic sites of Red House Interpretive Center, Old St. Vincent’s Church, and the famous Fort D. Looking for the main attraction? Visit the Cape Girardeau MS River Wall. It was built for flood protection, but has since been painted to pay tribute to the history of the area.

Are you bringing the kids and looking to keep them busy? Well, the little ones will have fun at the Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center, Discovery Playhouse or Melaina’s Magical Playland! Rather play with the animals? Come visit Lazy L Safari Park, filled with hundreds of exotic animals, or Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

With all the fun, we know you’ll be hungry. Take a break at any of the local wineries, RiverRidge or The Riverhouse, then fill your belly at Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant or Bella Italia before you finish your trip!

For Airport Information, click here.