573 Magazine loves visiting our area towns. We've been discovering and highlighting awesome people, cool places, and amazing passions throughout the region for over 15 years now. Of course there's always something new to explore waiting just around the bend, but we've learned much about this area in our time, and really feel like we know a lot about the 573. One thing we know for sure is that we’re always bound to find something cool happening in Cape Girardeau, no matter what we’re feeling in the moment.
Cape Girardeau has been a happening hub of social activity ever since the first trading post was established there by Jean Baptiste de Girardot in 1733.
Cape Girardeau has been a happening hub of social activity ever since the first trading post was established there by Jean Baptiste de Girardot in 1733. Today it remains one of the biggest and most traveled to destinations in the 573 area. Many people in the region and surrounding communities visit Cape for shopping, eating, and entertainment. From all over Southeast Missouri when you're feeling hungry, stylish, adventurous, and down right happy—you're feeling Cape. So we decided to make a video about how we feel about Cape. Let it rip!
It took an entire day to make our Come Feel Cape video. We hope you like it.
Not just a local hub anymore, Cape is now becoming a prominent tourist destination. With historical renovations, cool new businesses popping up throughout the area, multiple art and cultural programs, and the most recent projects to beautify the downtown area, Cape Girardeau is attracting people from across the country and around the world to come visit and strengthen our economy. Here's just a few of our favorite Cape destinations that are a must when you're in the area.
When You're Feeling Frisky
Sometimes you just gotta GET OUT THERE! The call of the wild rings loud and clear. Whether you run, bike, kayak, or hike answer Mother Nature's call right here in Cape Girardeau. With a number of different parks, landmarks, and natural areas to explore you can get in shape and reconnect with your natural playful frisky self in Cape.
Cape Rock Park is one of the top outdoor destinations to check out while in Cape.
Cape Rock Park is one of the top outdoor destinations to check out while in Cape. Located on E. Cape Rock Drive (less than 10 minutes from Downtown Cape Girardeau) is a park dedicated to the location of the original trading post established by Ensign Jean Baptiste de Girardot. Surrounded by 21.3 acres of forest and with a magnificent view of the Mighty Mississippi, this park is mainly undeveloped in an effort to promote the large natural area located on the west side of the property. Although, the blacktop drive that encircles the Cape Rock monument is an awesome place to jog, power-walk, or even skate.
When You're Feeling Hungry
Cape Girardeau has a plethora of fantastically flavorful food fan favorites. A melodic melting pot of cultural cuisine, no matter what you're craving, you're sure to find it in Cape Girardeau.
Bistro Saffron delivers excellent entree like their Pad Woon Sen, pictured here. With grilled shrimp, glass noodles, egg, cabbage, tomato, scallions and onions it hits all the right spots!
The delicious St. Louis Roll at Bistro Saffron consists of Tuna, O Shinko, avocado, Masago, and scallions. Served with Nagori Sake, this is the perfect meal to impress dates and business cliental alike!
A jewel in Cape Girardeau, Bistro Saffron is a fine-dining restaurant with a California casual kind of atmosphere. Bistro Saffron has been the home for Pan-Asian cuisine in Southeast Missouri since 1996. The menu weaves modern flare into traditional Asian dishes—creating unique, unexpected flavors. Great for a girl's night out, a casual business lunch, or to impress on date night, Bistro Saffron in Cape Girardeau is an ideal dining destination for any occasion.
And the dessert was to die for! Deep fried wonton wrapped banana served with a honey sesame dipping sauce and a glass of Black Station Chardonnay...YUM!
Here's a few more of 573 Magazine's favorite Cape eateries!
When You're Feeling Chilled
Need a little ME time? A place to melt away the cares of the day, or the month, or even the year? Everybody needs a break every now and again. Whether you hit the gym, the salon, or have a full spa day, treating yourself to a little me time helps to reduce stress, build self confidence, and maintain your drive.
From massages to facials, makeup, hair, nails, bridal events, and everything in between - Eden strives for perfection.
Located in historic, Downtown Cape Girardeau, Eden Spa and Salon is the ultimate spa destination. From massages to facials, makeup, hair, nails, bridal events, and everything in between - Eden strives for perfection. With many spa and salon services to enjoy, Eden provides a private, beautiful and peaceful setting.
Eden goes the extra mile to give that personal touch. They listen, and they care.
The highly skilled, trained, and intuitive licensed professionals at Eden perform services to fit every person with any array of needs. Eden goes the extra mile to give that personal touch. They listen, and they care. Schedule an appointment to indulge yourself in the ultimate spa experience today!
When You're Feeling Stylish
If its fashion you're after, look no further than Cape Girardeau! Cape has a vast collection of jewelry shops, outfitters, and clothing stores sure to help you look and feel your best no matter what the occasion. With department stores, shopping malls, and boutiques dotting the uptown business district and downtown area, you're bound to find whatever style you're looking for.
Inspiring feelings of joy, peace, and a trending spirit, Aesthete Boutique will renew your excitement to shop again!
Aesthete Luxury Boutique is one of the premiere boutiques of Cape Girardeau. With both classic and cutting edge fashion and accessories, high end retail, and top shelf resale, Aesthete Luxury Boutique is overflowing with style and sophistication. Aptly named, this shop is one of the most aesthetically pleasing stores you'll ever step into. Not only are the products all amazing, unique, eye catching pieces, but the store decor itself is a treasure to behold. Inspiring feelings of joy, peace, and a trending spirit, Aesthete Boutique will renew your excitement to shop again!
Here's a few more of 573 Magazine's favorite places to find the latest fashions and vintage treasures!
When You're Feeling Lucky
Adulting can be hard sometimes. It's good to have places to go and hang out when you just want to have some fun. After all playing games isn't just for children! In fact, feeding that playful side of you is what keeps you young, alert, and full of energy. There's a wide variety of places to go in Cape Girardeau when you're in a fun and playful mood, but only one that has the potential of really paying off when you win!
Century Casino Cape Girardeau offers a full range of table games in a lavish and friendly surrounding. Take advantage of 19 hot tables that are guaranteed to draw you in, with your choice of Blackjack, Craps No More, and Mini Baccarat! Or try your hand at Century Casino's newest game, Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Out on the gaming floor excitement abounds with every spin!
Looking for a little more flash and fun? Out on the gaming floor excitement abounds with every spin! Century Casino Cape Girardeau has an almost endless choice of your favorite games. The recently reconfigured slot machines are now arranged for easier navigation with premium seating that allows for more elbow room and comfort while playing your favorite slot machines. Be sure to check out the newest themes at Century Casino such as Ultimate Fire Link, Wonder 4 Boost, Coin-O-Mania and Video Blackjack.
Here's a couple more of 573 Magazine's favorite adult places to play in Cape Girardeau!
When You're Feeling Curious
There are a million ways to satisfy your curiosity in Cape Girardeau. With a variety of education and exploration based events, activities and destinations, you can have fun making new discoveries about the world around you.
While visiting the nature center, you can explore two miles of nature trails that wind through rolling river hills with sinkholes, ravines, and deep hollows.
Located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center showcases the rich cultural history and diverse natural resources of Southeastern Missouri. While visiting the nature center, you can explore two miles of nature trails that wind through rolling river hills with sinkholes, ravines, and deep hollows. Fish from one of the fully stocked ponds. Enjoy the wildlife-viewing areas and see how native plants provide habitat for various wildlife species.
Enjoy interactive exhibits featuring habitats found in southeastern Missouri, and learn where to go for your own adventure.
Encounter natures wonders through hands-on exhibits, a children's play area, and freshwater aquariums. Visit Paul Corbin's collection of Native American artifacts. Enjoy interactive exhibits featuring habitats found in southeastern Missouri, and learn where to go for your own adventure. You can join one of the public programs or special events, or schedule one for your own organized group. Best of all, no fees are charged at the nature center. You can visit for free!
When You're Feeling Artsy
Looking to inspire your creative side? Cape Girardeau has an abundance of art and cultural entertainment to offer inspirational bliss to the most artistic souls. With the downtown sculpture walk, the SEMO River campus, and a number of different galleries to gaze, Cape will keep the artist in you well fed and happy!
Educating the public about the arts is something that the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri believes is an important part of creating a sustainable artistic community.
The mission of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is to provide a forum for residents and artists of the Southeast Missouri region to explore, experience and share in the diversity and excitement of the arts. Educating the public about the arts is something that the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri believes is an important part of creating a sustainable artistic community.
They host free monthly programs at their gallery, which features demonstrations, lectures, and Q & A sessions with locals who are involved with the arts in various capacities, across many disciplines. They partner with local organizations who serve underprivileged and underserved youth, to provide after-school art educational programs (such as EPIC). And they keep local newspaper and other media outlets informed of upcoming events and projects so that they may disperse the information to others in our area while keeping members and patrons informed about workshops and opportunities for continuing their education in the arts.
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is always striving to bring the artistic community and the public together through new experiences and beautify our area with the expansion of that community here in Cape Girardeau.
When You're Feeling Happy
Cape Girardeau is a great place to go to get those positive vibes. Whether you cruise down Broadway to window shop, meet up with friends for a pub crawl, hike out in the hills and bluffs in the parks, or just take a nice a stroll along the Mississippi River, you're sure to find your happy place in Cape Girardeau.
The flood wall in Cape Girardeau has become much more than just a protective barrier for the downtown businesses. With the addition of several breathtaking and many lifelike murals and dedications it has become one of Cape's most famous works of art.
Covering nearly 18,000 square feet, this 1,100-foot-long mural features 24 historically-themed panels that vividly portray Cape Girardeau’s rich history and heritage
The Mississippi River Tales Mural is the largest and most dramatic of Cape Girardeau’s murals and is located on the northern portion of the downtown flood wall. Covering nearly 18,000 square feet, this 1,100-foot-long mural features 24 historically-themed panels that vividly portray Cape Girardeau’s rich history and heritage; descriptive markers provide an explanation of each panel.
From President Harry S. Truman to acclaimed author Mark Twain...
The Missouri Wall of Fame Mural on the Southern side of the downtown flood wall features 47 individuals who were born in Missouri or achieved fame while living in the state. The mural was originally designed by local artist Margaret Dement in 1995 and retouched in 2006 by Randol and Thomas Melvin. From President Harry S. Truman to outlaws Frank and Jesse James, from famed sports broadcaster Jack Buck to acclaimed author Mark Twain, you’ll find these historic figures and more famous individuals who were born in Missouri or achieved fame while living in the Show Me State.
Whatever you're feeling in the mood for, be it fun, food, excitement, entertainment, or just to relax in a calm and positive bliss, you'll find what you need in Cape Girardeau. After all, when you're feeling those frisky, chilled, curious, artsy, happy vibes...you're feeling Cape!
GET OUT THERE!
words: aj koehler
pics and video: t. smugala
