Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Warrensburg, MO

  • Published 2022/06/15

Warrensburg is the administrative center of Johnson County, Missouri.

Siblings John and Martin D. Warren established the city in 1835.

In the 1870s, Warrensburg was famous for mineral springs.

Likewise, it was a hub for agricultural activities.

Warrensburg city is also home to the University of Central Missouri and many other notable educational institutions.

The city has a population of over 20,000.

Visit the place for its history, culture, and attractions.

For a complete experience, visitors usually explore Warrensburg Main Street, which is great for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Moreover, the Civil War Museum is terrific for a historical tour.

Here are the best things to do in Warrensburg, MO:

Visit the University of Central Missouri

Field stadium at University of Central Missouri

Cvanlue25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The University of Central Missouri is in Warrensburg and is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

The university offers a variety of academic programs and Athletics Arts, ranking high in overall academic quality, both in regional and national categories.

Established in 1871, this university is one of the oldest universities in the state.

The campus is home to various facilities, including the James C. Kirkpatrick Library, the most extensive academic library in central Missouri.

The library contains more than 12,000 books and has a particular collections room that houses rare books and manuscripts.

Visitors who love arts will want to check out the university’s performing arts center, as it hosts events throughout the year.

For sports fans, you can catch a game of the university’s Division I athletics teams.

Explore the Hidden Gems on Warrensburg Main Street

Main Street is a great place to start exploring all Warrensburg offers.

The area is filled with hidden gems, including antique shops, local boutiques, and art galleries.

Warrensburg Main Street hosts more than 70 events annually, so there’s always something going on.

If you love shopping, you can find everything from clothes to home goods to books.

Those who love to collect antiques and vintage items will want to check out the shops on Main Street.

When you get tired, satisfy your appetite at one of the many restaurants.

After shopping, visit some art galleries or take a leisurely walk.

Rediscover the Great Outdoors at Cave Hollow Park

Cave Hollow Park is one of the best places to rediscover the great outdoors.

The park allows access to activities including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and more.

There are also several caves on the property that you can explore.

You can even try looking for faces on the rock formations.

Cave Hollow Park is a great place to spend a day, whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a stroll.

The park is also great for kids with its playground, nature, and hiking trail.

Revisit History at the Johnson County Historical Society Museum Complex

The Johnson County Historical Society Museum Complex is on Warrensburg Main Street.

It’s a beautiful place to know Warrensburg’s history.

The complex features buildings, including the historic courthouse circa 1855 and the jail used until 1975.

The museum complex also includes several exhibits on the history of the city, a research library, the Elm School, and the Culp Building.

The Mary Miller Smiser Heritage Library and Museum is also found in the Museum Complex.

It’s a research library and museum that aims to preserve Johnson County’s history.

The Johnson County Historical Society Museum Complex is a great place to learn about the history of Warrensburg.

The museum complex is in the historic courthouse, open from Tuesday through Saturday.

Grab Fresh Ingredients at the Buckeye Acres Produce

The Buckeye Acres Produce in Warrensburg is a great place to get fresh fruits and vegetables.

Jim and Jeanne Counts established Buckeye Acres Produce in 1982.

They wanted to provide the community with fresh, locally grown produce.

The farm offers fruits and vegetables and a pick-your-own option for those who want to experience picking their produce.

The Buckeye Acres Produce also has many other items, such as honey, jams, and jellies, made from locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The Buckeye Acres Produce also offers Missouri-based products perfect for trying local flavors.

Find Your Zen at the Blind Boone Park

The Blind Boone Park is a great place to spend a day and chill out.

The park features several amenities, including a playground, pavilion, and walking trails.

The park pays tribute to John William “Blind” Boone, a pianist and composer born in Warrensburg in 1864.

John William Boone was blinded at a young age due to brain fever.

However, he would grow up to become one of the most successful African-American musicians.

The park is named after him and features several sculptures and plaques that honor his life and work.

The Blind Boone Park was established during segregation; today, it’s one of the few parks in the city open to everyone.

The Park is a great place to relax, take a walk, or enjoy the scenery.

After restoration in 2008, the park added a reflexology park, a wind harp, and a scent garden.

Explore the Warrensburg Community Center

The Warrensburg Community Center is worth a visit.

The center lets you play basketball and volleyball, explore an indoor walking track, and visit a senior center.

The community center also has many meeting rooms you can rent for events, such as business meetings, family reunions, or hanging out with friends.

It also features indoor attractions, such as an indoor pool, a gymnasium, an award-winning Fitness Center, and an aquatic center.

In 1977, the Warrensburg Community Center opened, becoming the gathering spot for the community.

See a Race at the Central Missouri Speedway

The Central Missouri Speedway is 3.5 miles north of Warrensburg.

Thanks to its exciting races, the speedway is where you get your adrenaline fix.

The speedway presents stock car racing, go-kart racing, and more.

It is made of high-banked clay oval and features several grandstands that can accommodate more than 2,000 people.

The Central Missouri Speedway is one of the most popular attractions in Warrensburg.

Make a Splash at the Nassif Aquatic Center

The Nassif Aquatic Center is a great place to cool off during the summer.

The center features a 50-meter pool, a diving well, a water slide, lazy rivers, and cabanas.

The Nassif Aquatic Center also has locker rooms, showers, and a concessions stand, perfect for people planning to stay there for the day.

Enjoy the clear water, slide, and lush landscaping, or chill and enjoy the scenery from the benches.

The Nassif Aquatic Center is a great place to bring the family to bond and have some fun.

Bring Your Furry Friends to Old Drum’s Best Friends Dog Park

Old Drum’s Best Friends Dog Park is a great place to bring your furry friend.

The park features a fenced-in area, a shelter, a water station, a walking trail, an agility course, and a splash pad.

Old Drum’s Best Friends Dog Park is also a great place to socialize your dog and meet other dog owners in the community.

Established in 2006, the park gets its name from Old Drum, the most famous dog in Missouri.

The park also has some rules.

Always leash your dogs, and always clean up after your pets.

Win a Game at the UCM Union Bowling Center

Located on the University of Central Missouri campus, the UCM Union Bowling Center is great for fun.

The UCM Union Bowling Center features ten lanes and offers different events for kids, seniors, newbies, and professionals.

It is also a great place to host a birthday party or other special event and bond with your friends and family.

The UCM Union Bowling Center features a DJ and a light show to add some weekend fun.

The said bowling center is a great place to have fun, roll some strikes, or practice for future tournaments.

Explore Warrensburg Parks & Recreation

The Warrensburg Parks & Recreation is a great place to explore the outdoors, spanning more than 1,000 acres.

The park offers various sports programs for people of all ages and various outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and picnicking.

The Warrensburg Park & Recreation also features picnic shelters, aquatic centers, basketball and tennis courts, meeting rooms, and the WCC Fitness Center.

It is also home to three award-winning parks: the Shepard park, Grover Memorial Park, and Cave Hollow Park.

Warrensburg Park & Recreation also has a skate park and a dog park.

The Warrensburg Park & Recreation is a great place to explore the outdoors and have fun.

Discover Vintage Finds at Those Were the Days

Those Were the Days is a great place to find vintage items, hosting over 200 antique booths.

The store offers many items, including furniture, jewelry, glassware, and even books.

Those Were the Days is a great place to find a unique item, as each dealer offers different selections depending on the season.

You can discover various antique finds if you browse three floors of exciting vintage items.

Immerse Yourself in the Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area

The Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area boasts crystal clear water perfect for canoeing.

Constructed in 1987, the Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area is in east-central Missouri.

Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area also lets you join its catch-and-release fishing program, where you can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.

You can also explore the different hiking trails in Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area, presenting enthralling views of the lake and the surrounding area.

The Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area is great for spending time with family and friends.

The Hazel Hill Lake Conservation Area is a quiet place, perfect for meditation.

Go Birdwatching at Lions Lake

Sitting at 8 acres, Lions Lake offers a gateway to your nature exploration in Warrensburg.

Mostly serene and captivating, this lake features a boat ramp and picnic pavilions.

If you’d like to traverse the waters on a boat, you can do so with both a motor and a non-motor one.

The place is a go-to site for fishing.

Some of the common fish species you can catch include crappies, sunfishes, and black basses.

Bring your binoculars, too, to see the native and rare birds in flight who consider this lake their home.

Lions Lake is adjacent to Culp Park and its family-friendly amenities on South West Boulevard.

View the Current Art Exhibitions at the UCM Gallery of Art & Design

Make your art excursion along Warrensburg more memorable with a drop by the UCM Gallery of Art & Design on Clark Street.

This gallery is a department of the University of Central Missouri.

Its gallery sections include the Main Gallery, the Outer Gallery, and Gallery 115.

And all of them showcase artworks and art installations from local, national, and global artists.

Sign up for a workshop or an artist lecture while you’re there to make the most of your visit.

You don’t have to worry—you don’t have to pay an admission fee!

The UCM Gallery of Art & Design also hosts the annual Four Gallery Kids event.

Take a Picture of the Old Drum Statue

Daytime view of the Old Drum Statue

Photographer Abernaki Sculptor Unknown, but Work for hire commissioned by Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

To fully get into the interesting history of Warrensburg, make a stop by the Old Drum Statue in front of the Johnson County Courthouse.

This statue commemorates the tragedy of a dog with the same name in 1869.

Old Drum died of a gunshot wound fired by a ward of his owner’s neighbor.

The incident went to trial, and Charles Burden—Old Drum’s owner—won.

While Old Drum’s body remained in Cass County, his monument stood tall and proud on North Holden Street in Warrensburg.

So, if you’re exploring Warrensburg’s historic downtown district, keep the Old Drum Statue on your itinerary.

Explore Old Video Game Machines at Retrograde Charitable Toy and Videogame Museum

Retrograde Charitable Toy and Videogame Museum has everything you need to know about retro entertainment.

This museum hosts a vast collection of arcade games, pinball machines, and board games.

For the more classic collectors, there are vintage toys, accessories, and some rare oddities here and there.

You can sign up for a tour of the place every 15 minutes for a more immersive trip down memory lane.

Retrograde Charitable Toy and Videogame Museum also gathers the youth for tabletop gaming and chess.

You can find this museum on East Market.

Feel at Home with a Burger at Stone House East Pine Pub

One of the eccentric establishments in Warrensburg is Stone House East Pine Pub.

With a run-down brick-walled exterior, this hole-in-the-wall features a rustic atmosphere.

It takes pride in its extensive menu, including its bestseller burgers and tasty cocktails.

This restaurant has a patio ideal for hang-outs and a homey fireplace you can rest in front of during the colder months.

Head over to East Pine Street to get to Stone House East Pine Pub’s entrance.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Behold the Wonders of Nature at the Knob Noster State Park

Knob Noster State Park is a great place to behold the wonders of nature, as it features more than 3,934 acres.

Find it in Knob Noster, Missouri, 14 minutes from Warrensburg.

Its name means “our hill.”

The Knob Noster State Park was built in 1936 in west-central Missouri.

Knob Noster State Park is home to various plant and animal life, perfect for bird watching and wildlife photography.

Those who love adventure will have a good time in Knob Noster State Park as it offers different fishing, biking, horseback riding, and camping activities.

Knob Noster State Park is also an excellent place for picnics, with several shelters and picnic tables for families and large groups.

The Knob Noster State Park also has an oxbow slough, an excellent place for fishing and canoeing.

Final Thoughts

Touring a new place is always an adventure.

Warrensburg is a great place to explore, offering a variety of activities for anyone looking for exceptional vintage items or outdoor spots.

Whether you want an adventure or relaxation, Warrensburg is the perfect place for you.

Book your trip today!

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