Recreation and Tourism in Audrain County, Missouri

Recreation and Tourism in
Audrain County, Missouri

Vandalia

Vandalia, located at the northeastern edge of Audrain County, is home to Water’s Furniture, known as the “Missouri’s largest small town furniture store.” Customers from throughout Missouri and Illinois visit every year…many are third and fourth generation shoppers.

Vandalia, has a motel and a newly built shopping mall, with additional shopping downtown on Main St. and scattered about the city. Also, Vandalia has a bowling alley 2 city parks – one with a swimming pool and tennis courts. There is a 9 hole golf course just 5 miles east of town and good fishing and hunting just minutes away.

Vandalia also has the following attractions:

Historic Lutheran Church:

Built in 1875, the Historic Lutheran Church is located in the South Railroad Park and houses historic records. Open by appointment through City Hall.

Alexander Family Cabin:

Located at C.G. Daniels Park on Highway 54, this log cabin was built about 1860 by Joseph and Louisa Alexander, early settlers to the Vandalia area.

Vandalia Lake:

Vandalia Lake is a 44 acre lake that has a lot of good fishing, stocked with bass, crappie, blue gill, & catfish. Free camping sites, open pavilion, and toilets available for your convenience.

Annual events:

World Championship Brick Skidding Contest
Vandalia Area Fair

For Information:

Vandalia City Hall
www.vandaliamo.com
573-594-6186

Mexico

Mexico with six motels and a bed and breakfast inn offers accommodations to fit every budget. We also have a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Mexico’s downtown Village Square with the Audrain County Courthouse in the center, offers a variety of shops.
Numerous antiques and collectibles are available within walking distance of the square. Mexico also has two additional shopping areas.

With a bowling alley, Hillside Mini Golf, and 14 city parks offering everything from swimming to fishing to tennis to skateboarding and one 18-hole and one 9-hole golf courses…the athletically inclined will keep busy. Camping facilities are also available at two city parks.

Mexico also has the following attractions:

Audrain County Historical Complex:

“Farmland,” and 1857 Greek Revival home features historical furnishings, clothing and exhibits of the past. The American Saddle bred Horse Museum includes equestrian displays, while the one room Audrain Country School depicts education as it used to be. The Country Church is being restored and features an “Akron Style” setting from the late 1800’s. Included on the grounds is a gazebo and a walking path with gardens featuring flowers and landscaping reminiscent of the early 1900’s.

Missouri Military Academy:

Campus tour and demonstrations are available at this award winning educational institution. Campus tours require advanced reservations.

Presser Hall:

Theatrical and musical presentations year round in this restored auditorium at the old Hardin College Campus.

Annual Events:

Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant
4-H Fair
Clay Days, USA
Audrain County Fair
Soybean Festival
MS 150 Bike Tour
Streetmasters Brick City Fun Run

For Information:

Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce
www.mexico-chamber.org
1-800-581-2765

OTHER AUDRAIN ATTRACTIONS

Western Audrain County:

The Amish Community, located near Clark, MO., welcomes visitors to some of their farms. With no electrical or telephone lines, take the side roads for a step back in time…horse drawn carriages and farm implements, smiling children and friendly smiles from the field. The Amish are friendly to outside visitors. Stop at the farms with signs indicating goods for sale and purchase a map indicating other family farms and items for sale.

Audrain County has numerous communities where you could stop, take a rest at local eating spot, visit with the residents. Laddonia, Benton City, Martinsburg, and Farber with its restored Railroad Car and Depot would be great rest areas.

Audrain County is adjacent to Mark Twain Lake Recreation Area, about 15 minutes north of the County, less than an hour from Hannibal, about 45 minutes from Jefferson City the State Capitol and approximately 45 minutes from Columbia. If you want to get off the interstate and avoid staying in the metropolitan areas, Audrain County is a great place for an overnight stay on your way to Chicago, or Michigan lake area or to Branson, MO.