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A Look at Yesterday
From the moment you first step into our city, you'll feel the rich history of our heritage. Founded in 1860, Sedalia began as a rough frontier town in the new west. When the Pacific Railroad arrived a year later. Sedalia boomed as it began its evolution into the Queen City of the Prairies.

As you will soon discover, Sedalia still offers a view of her glorious past in the 19th century architecture visible throughout the city. From our Historic Downtown Business District to our tree-lined boulevards, a visit to Sedalia is a trip back in time.  Sedalia is far more than bricks and mortar. Whether you are coming for the festivals or the fairs, for the history or the hospitality, we look forward to your visit, and we welcome you to Sedalia.

Attractions
Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site
John Homer Bothwell was one of Sedalia's greatest benefactors. His country estate, Stonyridge, is located north of the city on Highway 65 and showcases his home, Bothwell Lodge, a massive stone structure built in sections between 1897 and 1928.

The surrounding Bothwell Lodge State Park is open daily from 8 am to sunset, and features picnic areas, a hiking trail, playground and recreational equipment. For information call 660-827-0510 or visit us at www.mostateparks.com/bothwell.htm.

Bowling & Roller Skating
We'll bowl you over at Broadway Lanes bowling, 2119 West Broadway, and let you skate the night away at The Wheel Thing Skate Center, 3600 South Grand.
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Cinemas
If it's movies you enjoy, you'll find Galaxy Cinemas, located on West Highway 50.   www.sedaliamovies.com/
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Daum Museum of Contemporary Art
Nestled on the State Fair Community College Campus, 3201 W. 16th Street, is the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art. Named for collector and benefactor Dr. Harold F. Daum. The museum contains nine galleries dedicated to the exhibition of art from the last 30 years. As you enter, the three story glass atrium wall enables visitors to preview the interior space and its contents. A floating, cantilevered stairway connects the three story building, allowing visitors to actually view galleries from five levels.

St. Louis architect, Brian Smith of the firm Gunn & Smith designed the building to be clean and uncomplicated to influence the museum experience for all visitors. A permanent collection of paintings, prints, drawings, and works in clay are on display by some of America¹s most celebrated artists including works by Robert Motherwell, Andy Warhol, Rudy Autio, Betty Woodman, and regional art by Michiko Itatani, Harold Gregor, and Keith
Jacobshagen.

Self guided tours are available free of charge, as well as guided tours upon request at 660-530-5888. For an exhibition listing, access their web site at www.daummuseum.org.

Hours: Tuesday - Friday — 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m • Saturday & Sunday — 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.       Return to top of page.

Arcade and Go-Carts
You can enjoy two 18-hole outdoor mini golf courses; an indoor arcade and go-cart track at Leisure Park, 3208 South Ingram.
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Katy Depot Heritage Site
Sedalia¹s Katy Depot, located at 600 E. Third Street, is one of the largest depots between Kansas City and St. Louis. It has been renovated by the Department of Natural Resources and is occupied by the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Facility is located near the center of Sedalia and links the north and south trail heads for the Katy Trail State Park. The Depot serves as an official Welcome Center for visitors. A rest area and area information are available at the site.

The Railroad Heritage Exhibit located inside the Depot was completed June 2003 and represents a nontraditional approach to Sedalia¹s Railroad Heritage. Period buildings serve as exhibit cases that put a face on Sedalia¹s heart and history. Each building contains graphic panels and artifact windows telling the story of the railroads¹ influence on Sedalia. Included in the exhibit is a working telegraph, audio visual theatre, youth activity room and life-size cast figures in the women¹s waiting room dramatizing life in Sedalia in 1904.

The Sedalia Heritage Foundation sponsors several events and educational programs throughout the year. For a complete listing or for more information, visit www.sedaliakatydepot.com or call 1-800-827-5295 or (660) 826-2222. Please contact us in advance to arrange a guided tour for your group. Self guided tours are available at no cost.

Katy Trail — Sedalia
Katy Trail State Park is a "Rails to Trails" linear park where the whole family can hike, bike and study nature. The Sedalia Depot links the north and south trailheads for the Katy Trail. The Trail currently detours through Sedalia using City Streets which are marked with Katy Trail Symbols painted on the streets and signs posted along the route. The depot serves as an official Welcome Center for Trail visitors.  A rest area, and information area are available at the site.

Katy Trail State Park is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad (better known as the Katy).  When the railroad decided to cease operation on its route from Machens in St. Charles County to Sedalia in Pettis County in 1986, it presented the chance to create an extraordinary recreational opportunity—a long-distance hiking and bicycling trail that would run over 250 miles across the state.

The opportunity for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to acquire the right-of-way was made possible by the National Trails System Act, which provides that railroad corridors no longer needed for active rail service can be banked for future transportation needs and used on an interim basis for recreational trails.  Because of a generous donation by the late Edward D. "Ted" Jones, the department was able to secure the right-of-way and construct the trail. In 1991, the Union Pacific Railroad donated to the state an additional 33 miles of rail corridor from Sedalia to east of Clinton. Additional purchases and donations have been added. Today, Katy Trail State Park is open for 262 miles from St. Charles to Clinton and is operated by the Department of Natural Resources as part of the state park system. From the west Sedalia trailhead at the State Fairgrounds to Calhoun, some 25 miles, horses are permitted.

The trail allows users to travel through some of the most scenic areas of the state. The majority of the trail closely follows the route of the Missouri River so hikers and bicyclists often find themselves with the river on one side and towering bluffs on the other. The trail travels through many types of landscapes including dense forests, wetlands, deep valleys, remnant prairies, open pastureland and gently rolling farm fields. In the spring, the trail is brightened with flowering dogwood and redbud, while the fall is colored with the rich reds and oranges of sugar maple, sumac and bittersweet.

With so many types of habitats, wildlife is abundant, especially birds. Chickadees, nuthatches, robins, orioles, and many types of woodpeckers are common.  Red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures are often seen soaring above the trail, and bald eagles are common in the winter. Because of its location along the Missouri River flyway, migrating birds and waterfowl can be seen frequently. Watch for great blue herons, sandpipers, Canada geese and belted kingfishers.

Katy Trail State Park also takes users through a slice of rural history as it meanders through the small towns that once thrived along the railroad corridor. From the area known as "Missouri's Rhineland" that portrays the heritage of the German migrants to the historic town of Rocheport that dates from before the Civil War, these towns reflect the rich heritage of  Missouri. These Communities make great places to stop and explore during a ride on the trail.

Although the scenery often changes, the trail remains fairly level and constant as it meanders through the countryside. Trail heads, which provide parking areas and other amenities, are located periodically along the trail. Many communities also offer services to trail users.

The Section of trail between St. Charles and Boonville has been designated as an official segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the entire trail is part of the American Discovery Trail.

for map of Sedalia Trailheads.
For a map of the Katy Trail from St. Charles to Clinton
Click here for Katy Trail Mileage Charts   
Click here for Missouri State Katy Trail State Park Web Site
Click here for BikeKatyTrail.com
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Pettis County Historical Society

The Pettis County Historical Society was founded in 1943 to preserve the rich and vast history of Pettis County, Missouri. For almost 60 years the Historical Society maintained displays of historic items in the Pettis County Courthouse until their move into a new facility in 2004.

The Pettis County Museum was opened to the public in 2006. The Museum, which is located at 228 Dundee Ave. in Sedalia, is open from March 1st through October 31st. During that time the public can view its historic displays from Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 to 4 pm each day. The museum can be open other times by appointment. There is no admission fee, but the Historical Society asks visitors to leave donations to help maintain the facility. Group tours are welcome, though we ask they please contact us in advance.

The Pettis County Historical Society also holds meetings in the months of September, November, January, March, and May, usually on the last Monday of those months. Meetings are open to the public, and are usually accompanied by a history related program. Other programs and fundraisers are also held throughout the year.

Membership in the Pettis County Historical Society is $5 per person or or $8 per family, and includes an informational mailing during the months in which meets are not held.

For more information on joining the Pettis County Historical Society, or for information on the museum, please contact the museum at (660) 829-3102. Pettis County Historical Society Museum. Contains local historical artifacts and exhibits.         Return to top of page.

Sedalia Parks
With its seven beautiful parks, Sedalia has plenty to offer for your recreational needs. Our three largest parks, Clover Dell, Centennial and Liberty, feature tennis courts, softball and soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, shelter houses, playgrounds,two lakes for fishing, basketball courts and plenty of picnic areas. Centennial and Liberty Parks also have new aquatic swim facilities for all ages. Katy Park is home to the new skateboard park which opened in the fall of 2003.

If you¹re a walking or jogging enthusiast, Centennial, Hubbard, and Katy Parks have trails you will enjoy. Additionally, the Fred E. Davis Walking Track on West 16th Street, and Jennie Jaynes Stadium at Third and Highway 65 are both open to the public year-round. For more information, call (660) 826-4930 or visit www.sedaliaparks.com.       Return to top of page.

Sedalia's Heritage Trail
The whistle is blowing, the signals are flashing so walkers, bicyclists and motorists, it¹s time to travel down the great Sedalia Heritage Trail, where a trainload of treasures await your pleasure. Choose a few whistle stops along the way to enhance your enjoyment and feel free to stop and gaze anywhere your heart desires. There is a lot to see and much to enjoy. Stop by the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce, 600 East Third Street and pick up your free trail brochure to guide you along the way. Visit us on-line at www.sedaliaheritage.com.      Return to top of page.

Shopping
If shopping is your recreation, Sedalia offers everything you need. We are honored that the Downtown Sedalia business district has been named to the National Register of Historic Placesand DREAM Community. Enjoy a leisurely walk while you shop and sample the variety of businesses and services available. Downtown is located on Ohio between Highway 50 and Main Street. Specialty shops, art galleries, craft shops, floral shops, recreation, furniture selections, a variety of food services, and a burgeoning source of antique finds are there to be explored.

State Fair Shopping Center at 16th Street and Highway 65, includes retail stores, laundry services, groceries, cards and gifts, cinemas, books, a vision center, discount center, a sports center and a clothing store.

Thompson Hills Shopping Center, at Thompson Boulevard and Highway 50, includes department stores, jewelry and accessories, discount shops, furniture and housewares, footware, a travel agency, restaurants, a book store and much more.

We know our merchants can meet your needs! Click here for the shopping page.      Return to top of page.

Surrey Rides
Surrey Rides: Take a nostalgic scenic tour of historic downtown Sedalia in a horse-drawn carriage. Call Any Occasion Surrey Co. at (660) 827-3515.
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Wineries
Wineries within a 60 mile radius of Sedalia —

Bristle Ridge Vineyards
Jct. P Hwy. & 50 Hwy. • Montserrat, MO 65336
1-800-994-WINE (9463)

Buffalo Creek Winery
29003 Possum Trot Road • Stover, MO 65078
573-377-4535 • www.buffalocreekwinery.com

Eichenberg Winery
103 North Olive • Cole Camp, MO 65325
660-668-3511 • www.eichenbergwinery.homestead.com

Grey Bear Vineyards
25992 Highway T • Stover, MO 65078
Phone/Fax : 573-377-4313 • www.greybearvineyards.com

Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Inc.
PO Box 118, I-70 & Highway BB • Rocheport, Missouri 65279
Phone: 573 698-2133, Fax: 573 698-2174 • www.missouriwine.com

Montserrat Vineyards
104 NE 641 • Knob Noster, MO 65336
660-747-WINE (9463)
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Events

Missouri State Fair
The Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2003 W. 16th Street, and its 396 acres of exhibit areas, 2,200-site campground and historic facilities have become one of the hallmarks of Sedalia. Besides offering one of the largest 11 day fairs in America, the Fairground also hosts many other events throughout the year...livestock shows, camping events, sporting events, horse and car racing and truck pulls.

The most modern convention and agricultural facilities in the state are found on the Fairgrounds. From the Varied Industries Building, built in 1903, to the Missouri Department of Conservation building finished in 2005, the nationally recognized architecture on the Fairgrounds is unduplicated. The Womans Building, built in 1910, is home to the Missouri State Fair Museum, operated by the Missouri State Fair Foundation. The Museum is open year-round and showcases Missouri State Fair history, memorabilia, and other nostalgic mementos. Please contact us in advance at 660-827-8120 to arrange a guided tour for your group. Museum hours are Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Weekends by appointment. www.mostatefairfoundation.org.

For more information about the Missouri State Fair or its facilities, please call 660-827-8150, 800-422-FAIR or visit us online at www.mostatefair.com.      Return to top of page.

Robert Woolery Memorial Pow-Wow
Held each July, this authentic intertribal American Indian gathering features three days of native American culture — dancing, food, and arts and crafts, including silver jewelry, furs, poetry and paintings.  The event is held on a Friday night, Saturday and Sunday on the Missouri State Fairgrounds' west campgrounds.  Plenty of parking and camping are available, plus concessions.   (Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets!) For more information, call coordinator Robert Woolery, Jr. at (660) 826-5608.      Return to top of page.

Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival
Ragtime music, the first original composition music America can call its own, is characterized by its jaunty rhythms and whimsical mood. Americans first heard ragtime in 1893 at the World¹s Fair in Chicago. At the same time the music was first receiving public notice, the future King of Ragtime, Scott Joplin, moved to our own Sedalia.

Every June, Sedalia honors Joplin¹s contributions to its history and commemorates the birth of Ragtime by sponsoring ragtime music and symposia during the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. The only pure classical Ragtime Festival in the world, Sedalia¹s Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival draws musicians and visitors from all over the globe.

The Festival¹s daily schedule consists of numerous indoor and outdoor venues, featuring concerts, dance lessons, and musical symposia. Each day of the Festival offers jam-packed opportunities to hear all of the musicians at free concerts under tents, on street corners, in the parks. Ticketed concerts are held in climate controlled indoor music halls.

In May 1994, Kansas muralist Stan Herd completed a mural of Scott Joplin on the north wall of the Wilken Music Co. at 207 South Ohio in downtown Sedalia. The pastel mural features Scott Joplin at the piano, probably playing his most famous rag, the Maple Leaf Rag, composed and published in Sedalia. It was the first piece of printed music to sell one million copies and is still recognized as the most popular Rag of all time.

One of the highlights of a visit to Sedalia anytime is the Ragtime Store, 321 S. Ohio, where you¹ll find the best collection of ragtime music and merchandise available.

For more details about the festival call the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation at (660) 826-2271 or (866) 218-6258 or visit them on line at www.scottjoplin.org.      Return to top of page.

Sedalia Lions Club Blues and BBQ Festival
State champion BBQ contest and Blues Music Festival held in June at the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Lots of family entertainment and great BBQ.

Sunrise Optimist Tractor Cruise
“Drivers, Start your Tractors!” The first full weekend of June comes alive with the sound of tractors.  From near and far, from Allis Chalmers to John Deere, tractors and their drivers make their way to Sedalia to embark on a two day journey. For further information contact Annette Ray at 800-827-5295 or 660-826-2932 ext. 16.

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"Christmas in July!" Art Show & Sale
Join the Liberty Center Association for the Arts for their annual "Christmas in July" art show and sale in July. This well-attended show features "The Best of Missouri Hands" artisans as well as many other exciting regional artists.

Purchase art directly from these professional artists or watch one of the interesting demonstrations throughout the day. For more information, call 660-827-3228 or visit us at www.libertycentersedalia.org.       Return to top of page.

Black History Month Celebration
A celebration of Black History during the month of February can be seen thru out the community with displays of art, artifacts, and presentations. For complete information contact 800-827-5295 or view monthly activities on the calendar of events.        Return to top of page.

Mid Missouri Ag Expo
During February the Mathewson Exhibition Center at the Missouri State Fairgrounds is the location for the annual display of Mid-Missouri’s best in Agriculture. For complete information on this 2 day event call 660-826-2932 X10 or 800-827-5295.        Return to top of page.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration
In March Downtown Sedalia hosts an annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with a Bagpipe Band, Bed Races, Parade and more. For dates and complete schedule contact 660-827-7388.
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Thanksgiving Lighting & Fireworks Extravaganza
Enjoy traditional Christmas music prior to the lighting of Downtown Sedalia. A synchronized to music fireworks display will be displayed form the top of the Historic Hotel Bothwell. Call: 660-827-7388.        Return to top of page.

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Sedalia Convention and Visitors Bureau
600 East Third, Sedalia, MO 65301
information@visitsedaliamo.com

All listings on this Website (and links to other Websites) are for information purposes only. No endorsement by the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau is intended or implied. The information here was believed to be accurate when compiled. However, it is subject to change without notice. We recommend that you call the organizations to confirm details. The Sedalia Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. We welcome any corrections, additions and comments you may have to improve the completeness and accuracy of our listings. To contact us, email info@visitsedaliamo.com.

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