Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Marshfield, MO

  • Published 2022/09/10

The whole family will enjoy a weekend visit to Marshfield, as most leisure activities are geared toward families and are enjoyable.

At 1,490 feet above sea level, Marshfield is Missouri’s highest county seat in the Ozark Mountains.

Marshfield was established in 1856 and served as a geological separation between the Missouri and Arkansas Rivers.

The city is also the home of the Webster County Fair, held annually since 1938; this family-friendly festival celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage.

This exciting event involves tractor and truck pulls, musical shows, delicious food, and competitions.

If that sounds like your cup of tea, check out more of the best things to do in Marshfield, Missouri!

Discover the Beauty of Hidden Waters Nature Park

Hidden Waters Nature Park is a magnificent hidden gem on West Hubble Drive.

When flowers such as zinnias and cosmos bloom in the park, it comes alive with soothing colors.

Concealed behind a forest, the park offers its visitors a place to meditate and relax in nature.

You can also walk along its trails and wonder at the different sceneries you will pass through, such as waterfalls, gardens, and stunning plant life.

Hidden Waters Nature Park also houses the Callway Cabin, one of the remaining buildings that survived the deadly 1880 tornado that hit Marshfield.

Catch a Show at Marshfield Community Theatre

Marshfield Community Theatre features shows like Peter Pan, The Great Gatsby, and The Little Mermaid.

When you are in the city during the summer, you can catch one of their big productions.

Smaller shows are also available at other times of the year.

The performing arts theater conducts auditions and workshops, where they partner newbies with adult mentors to help them hone their talents.

Marshfield Community Theatre is located on McNabb Road.

Get Yourself a Coffee Mug at J. Rae Pottery & Gallery

J. Rae Pottery & Gallery is a great place to buy a coffee mug or any other type of pottery.

Located on McNabb Road, it features a wide range of products that will catch your fancy, including an extensive collection of plates, vases, and baskets.

Gallery owner Jennifer Farr’s passion for pottery developed during her junior high school years, leading her to grow J. Rae Pottery & Gallery into a successful business.

The gallery boasts functional items, such as different bowls, candlesticks, vases, ewers, and famous mugs, the most famous of which are Missouri mugs.

J. Rae Pottery & Gallery also offers a custom order service; you can choose your piece’s shape, size, and glaze, and they will make it for you.

Try Horseback Riding at Cliff Hartman Farms

If you are interested in horseback riding, Cliff Hartman Farms on Quarter Horse Drive is the place to go.

The farm welcomes riders of all levels of expertise, from novices to seasoned equestrians.

A family-run enterprise, Cliff Hartman Farms has been operating for over 35 years, offering programs, lessons, boarding, and training.

The farm, situated on 1,000 acres in an Ozarks mountainside, provides indoor and outdoor boarding for your horses.

You can explore the many trails around the area, including the James River crossings.

Get a Glimpse of the past at the Webster County Historical Society Museum

History buffs will never run out of places to visit in Marshfield, and the Webster County Historical Society Museum on South Clay Street is one of them.

The Webster County Historical Society acquired the former Carnegie Library building to house the museum, which opened to the public in 1997.

You’ll find a variety of exhibits, including ones that display the history of nearby communities.

With the Hubble Exhibit, you can get to know Astronomer Edwin P. Hubble and his Hubble Telescope.

Girl power is also given importance with the Women’s Exhibit, which focuses solely on the history of local women and children.

A display on President George H. Bush’s 1991 visit to Marshfield, including the podium from which he delivered the Independence Day address, is also found on the main floor.

While exploring the basement, you’ll discover the Marshfield Room, which showcases several objects from throughout the city’s history.

Walk around the Webster County Historical Society Museum, and you will see a replica of a rural schoolhouse, as well as peruse hundreds of images and photographs documenting the history of local schools in the area.

Play a Round of Golf at Whispering Oaks Golf Course

If you are interested in practicing and perfecting your skills, Whispering Oaks Golf Course is the place for you.

Previously known as Marshfield Country Club, the course is situated along historic Route 66 and provides golfers of all ability levels with a chance to play a delightful game.

The 18-hole course was constructed in 1952 and is one of the most beautiful in Southwest Missouri.

Whispering Oaks Golf Course has a 69.2-course rating, a 108 slope rating on Zoysia grass, and well-kept bentgrass greens.

It also takes pride in its immaculate, well-maintained facilities.

The attraction is located on Golf Course Road.

Bask in the Serenity of Shackelford Spring Park

Shackelford Spring Park is a serene and beautiful place to take a stroll, picnic, or enjoy peaceful surroundings.

This magnificent memorial park on East Bedford Street is filled with rock formations that can arouse the curiosity of the young and old alike.

The park has a playground for the kids and a pavilion that can be rented out for special occasions.

Marvel at the trees along the brook that flows through the area, or relax on one of the benches located throughout the park.

An essential water source for early Webster County inhabitants, the park’s spring can give you peace of mind while you gaze at the green surroundings.

Shackelford Spring Park is divided in half by a stone wall, and some old concrete watering troughs still stand, which gives it a rustic charm.

Play with Your Dog at Frisco Ball Field

Visit Marshfield’s Frisco Ball Field on Second Street if you want quality family time.

The field is an excellent place for the kids to play with their dogs and get that hard-to-come-by physical activity.

It features a softball field with bleachers, refreshments stands, and a scoreboard.

The facility was used for baseball and softball games and other recreational activities such as picnics.

You can go to Frisco Ball Field in the evening to watch or join a game or two.

Have a Blast Picnicking at Massey Park

Massey Park is nestled on West Burford Street and is a gorgeous area peppered with history, making it a must-see for anyone visiting Marshfield.

It’s more than just a place for people to have a picnic; it’s also perfect for those who want to breathe fresh air and escape the city’s hustle and bustle.

The park boasts an open field and basketball court, so you can play games with picnicking friends or have an excellent time relaxing and chatting.

It’s also a great place to take your kids so they can spend up pent-up energy on the playground equipment.

Massey Park also boasts handicap accessibility, so no one will be left out when it comes to enjoying the amenities this lovely place offers.

A large pavilion with a grill is also available, perfect for hosting events or birthday parties.

Attend a Social Event at Jubilee Theater Center

You can have an elegant venue for your social events at Jubilee Theater Center.

It’s perfect for hosting baby showers, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, class reunions, birthday parties, and business meetings.

This place has 1,300 square feet of event space, a large auditorium, and a complete sound system.

Jubilee Theater Center has also served as a venue for the MCT Award Show Gala and some Marshfield Community Theatre shows.

The space is located on Commercial Street.

Break a Sweat at CFC Fitness

CFC Fitness is a state-of-the-art fitness facility that offers various services to help you achieve your fitness goals.

They offer personal training, group fitness classes, and nutrition counseling.

The facility boasts more than 100 LED lights in the gym’s interior and 100 more in the parking lot.

You’ll also feel safe with more than 40 CCTV cameras and eight 24/7 intelligent cameras for your protection.

CFC Fitness is located on West Washington Street.

Bring Out Your Sporty Side at Rotary Park

A multi-sport complex on South Marshall Street, Rotary Park has several sports facilities that will let your sporty side come out.

Its facilities include basketball courts, sand volleyball, baseball fields with bleachers, and horseshoe pits.

The park has a playground with slides, swings, and see-saws fenced in by tall lush trees making it an ideal place for kids to play.

It’s also a great place to take a walk or jog as it has a walking trail that goes around its perimeter.

Rotary Park’s activity areas are accented by various trees and plants that offer seating and shade for those who need a rest.

Along with being the home of the WWI Memorial, this park also hosts the Heritage Celebration trails and Arbor Day celebrations.

Step Back in Time at Walnut Springs Farm

Walnut Springs Farm is a pioneering dairy farm in Southwest Missouri.

Established in the 1880s, it was part of the massive Hosmer Dairy Farm, the largest butter dairy farm in Missouri, starting in 1916.

You can tour two turn-of-the-century barns, included in the National Register of Historic Places, and find out how the buildings used mortise and tenon joinery back then.

The barns are also home to a sizable collection of horse-drawn agricultural equipment, wagons, and hand tools.

Another site you can examine is the first silo built in Webster County, erected in front of the barn in 1908.

Walnut Springs Farm is perched on Old Wire Road and was originally a key route for Indians and settlers.

Make a Splash at the Dr. Tommy Macdonnell Aquatic Center

The Dr. Tommy Macdonnell Aquatic Center features a cutting-edge swimming pool that will delight you and your kids.

You can play on custom-made structures, float carelessly on the current channel or ride down the slides.

The aquatic center also installed LED light system, with the lights changing colors, making it stand out at night.

Diving boards are available, and a splash area for children is equipped with a play structure for non-stop fun.

The Dr. Tommy Macdonnell Aquatic Center is located on North Elm Street.

Take a Tour of the Route 66 Landmarks

When coming from Niangua River, you can drive towards Red Top to pass through the Route 66 landmarks.

The first landmark you will encounter is Route 66 Park, which is still in its early stage; go past it, and you will arrive at the Skyline Cafe, a one-story building that has existed since 1931.

After taking some snaps, you can drive westward and visit the County Courthouse constructed in 1941.

Continue down the Central Square until you find the Replica of the Hubble Telescope; the telescope was named after Edwin Hubble, an astronomer who discovered that the universe is constantly expanding.

At the corner of Clay Street and West Madison, you’ll find the Old 1880 Building, the home of Smokey J’s Restaurant.

Take a selfie at the Missouri Walk of Fame, which starts in front of the Webster County Historical Society Museum and is filled with more than 100 brass stars, each representing a Missouri celebrity.

End your Route 66 tour at the Marshfield 66 Mural and take a photo with the mural as your background.

Check Out Webster County Fairgrounds

Located in Marshall St, Webster County Fairgrounds is the annual Webster County Fair venue.

The Webster County Fairgrounds also hosts several other events, including Independence Day Rodeo, Independence Day Parade, Harvest Day, and Christmas Parade.

The Webster County Fair has been held at the Webster County Fairgrounds since 1938, and it is one of the longest county fairs in Marshfield.

The Webster County Fair is a family-friendly event that features a variety of attractions and activities for all ages.

There is something for everyone at the Webster County Fair, which commences every third week of July.

It is one of the most anticipated happenings in Webster County and attracts people from all over the state.

The fair features a wide variety of food options, as well as some rides and games.

Several live entertainment acts also perform at the fair each year.

Final Thoughts

There are many places to visit in Marshfield, each showcasing one of the city’s many charms.

Check out the best things to do in Marshfield, Missouri for an unforgettable travel experience.

You’ll surely have a blast and create memories that will last you a lifetime.

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