Just passing through for a day or two? Check out these itineraries for Your Benton County, MO Visit!

One Day Trip – Itineraries for Your Benton County, MO Visit

9 AM Arrive in Warsaw at Harry S Truman Visitor Center and Pioneer Village 

(Restrooms are available and group tours by appointment) – no charge

This visitor center is one of only a handful of Class A visitor centers in the US, sitting atop Kaysinger Bluff. It provides a spectacular view of Truman Dam and Resevoir. Additionally, exhibits within the visitor center provide information about the rich history of the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks Valley from pre-civilization to modern day.

Waterfowl, bald eagles and turkey can routinely be observed from the observation deck.  Also, wildlife, history and water safety videos are available by request for viewing in the 67-seat theater.

10 AM Community Building (Drake Harbor) 

(Restrooms available) – no charge

11 AM Explore downtown shopping and Drake Harbor recreational area/riverfront trails / Chamber of Commerce to pick up literature – no charge

Take some time to visit the quaint shops for one-of-a-kind shopping experiences.  There you will find antiques from yesteryears, hand-crafted quilts and other heirloom gift ideas. Also, new and upscale clothing and items are plentiful as well. Additionally, sip a glass of wine or craft beer at The Landing Bistro (overlooking Drake Harbor) or the new Drake Harbor Trading Company. Also, Primitive Olde Crowe is a great choice for a glass of their signature wine.

Take a stroll along the boardwalk overlooking the harbor and enjoy the picturesque views of our abundant nature and beauty.  Walk over to the Joe Dice Swinging Bridge, one of the three “swingers” used in the Warsaw area. It was built in 1904 and placed on the National Historical Register the “upper bridge”. Additionally, it is the last of 15 swinging bridges that once crossed the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks.  Today the bridge is a favorite for visitors and locals to walk or bike.

12 PM Lunch at Common Ground Cafe

(M-F 10:30am-8pm and Su 12-8pm)

Be sure and get a scoop of homemade ice cream or dessert at Cosmic Cafe or pick up some homemade treats at Sweet Tooth Fudge Factory – don’t miss out on these tasty treats!

1:30 PM Benton County Museum Group tours by appointment

$3 adults, $2 seniors, and children 4-12

Experience Benton County’s rich history at the museum, where you can take a tour. You’ll find out what it was like to ride the rivers with their extensive steamboat history section.  Visit the 1800’s in the parlor, school, shops and more.  Learn about the countries military history through the clothes and keepsakes of our fighting men and women. Furthermore, you can also relive America’s history with the historic timeline from 1835-1985.

2:30 PM Lost Valley Fish Hatchery Group tours by appointment

(Restrooms available) – no charge

The hatchery is a 2,000 square foot visitor center and home to the largest state-owned warm-water fish hatchery in the State of Missouri.  The hatchery boasts a 12,700-gallon aquarium displaying native Missouri fish species, along with a variety of exhibits. These include an oversized native Missouri mussel model, a model of hatchery water flow, fish-measuring demonstrations and aquatic-themed computer games.

3:30 PM Travel through Lincoln on North Highway 65 and visit the Lincoln Municipal Airport.

This is the smallest grass strip airport in Missouri.  While you’re in Lincoln – stop at the antique malls conveniently located off of the highway.

4:30 PM Continue on Highway 65 north to Hwy 52 and visit Cole Camp

Rich in German history and heritage, the city hosts unique festivals and events annually.  Cole Camp prides itself on its neatness and well-kept homes, as well as the unique shopping available. Check out the German Table Restaurant as it offers authentic german cuisine and hospitality.

Cole Camp is one of the oldest communities in west central Missouri and on the National Register of Historic Places, with the first settler arriving in 1829 and where one of the first battles of the Civil War was fought.

Visit the Cole Camp Museum (private and group tours available by request – open on weekends) and experience the german history offering visitors a walk through the earliest geological beginnings to World War II, presenting items from the community.

We hope you enjoy your visit.  For more information on scheduling your group tour, please contact Lynette at 660-438-2090 or email lstokes@visitbentoncomo.com.

Two Day Trip – Itineraries for Your Benton County, MO Visit

Day 1
9 AM Arrive in Warsaw at Harry S Truman Visitor Center and Pioneer Village 

(Restrooms are available and group tours by appointment) – no charge

This visitor center is one of only a handful of Class A visitor centers in the US, sitting atop Kaysinger Bluff. It provides a spectacular view of Truman Dam and Resevoir.  Additionally, exhibits within the visitor center provide information about the rich history of the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks Valley from pre-civilization to modern day.

Waterfowl, bald eagles and turkey can routinely be observed from the observation deck.  Also, wildlife, history and water safety videos are available by request for viewing in the 67-seat theater.

10:30 AM Community Building (Drake Harbor) 

(Restrooms available) – no charge

Explore downtown shopping and Drake Harbor recreational area/riverfront trails / Chamber of Commerce to pick up literature – no charge

Take some time to visit the quaint shops for one-of-a-kind shopping experiences.  There you will find antiques from yesteryears, hand-crafted quilts and other heirloom gift ideas. Also, new and upscale clothing and items are plentiful as well. Additionally, sip a glass of wine or craft beer at The Landing Bistro (overlooking Drake Harbor) or the new Drake Harbor Trading Company. Also, Primitive Olde Crowe is a great choice for a glass of their signature wine.​

Take a stroll along the boardwalk overlooking the harbor, enjoy the picturesque views of our abundant nature and beauty.  Walk over to the Joe Dice Swinging Bridge, one of the three “swingers” used in the Warsaw area. It was built in 1904 and placed on the National Historical Register the “upper bridge”. Additionally, it is the last of 15 swinging bridges that once crossed the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks.  Likewise, today the bridge is a favorite for visitors and locals to walk or bike.

1 PM Lunch at Common Ground Cafe overlooking Drake Harbor / Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks

(M-F 10:30am-8pm and Su 12-8pm)

Be sure and get a scoop of homemade ice cream or dessert at Cosmic Cafe or pick up some homemade treats at Sweet Tooth Fudge Factory – don’t miss out on these tasty treats!

2:30 PM Benton County Museum Group tours by appointment

$3 adults, $2 seniors, and children 4-12

Experience Benton County’s rich history at the museum, where you can take a tour and find out what it was like to ride the rivers with their extensive steamboat history section.  Visit the 1800’s in the parlor, school, shops and more.  Learn about the countries military history through the clothes and keepsakes of our fighting men and women. Furthermore, you can also relive America’s history with the historic timeline from 1835-1985.

3:30 PM Lost Valley Fish Hatchery Group tours by appointment

(Restrooms available) – no charge

The hatchery is a 2,000 square foot visitor center and home to the largest state-owned warm-water fish hatchery in the State of Missouri.  The hatchery boasts a 12,700-gallon aquarium displaying native Missouri fish species, along with a variety of exhibits. These include an oversized native Missouri mussel model, a model of hatchery water flow, fish-measuring demonstrations and aquatic-themed computer games.

Overnight accommodations available for most group sizes.  Details can be found here.

​Day 2
9 AM Breakfast at Cosmic Cafe-

(reservations recommended for large groups)

10 AM Travel through Lincoln on North Highway 65 and visit the Lincoln Municipal Airport.

This is the smallest grass strip airport in Missouri.  While you’re in Lincoln – stop at the antique malls conveniently located off of the highway.

11:30 AM Continue on Highway 65 north to Hwy 52 and visit Cole Camp

Rch in German history and heritage, the city hosts unique festivals and events annually.  Cole Camp prides itself on its neatness and well-kept homes, as well as the unique shopping available.

12 PM Arrive in Cole Camp

Cole Camp is one of the oldest communities in west central Missouri and on the National Register of Historic Places. It boasts the first settler arriving in 1829 and where one of the first battles of the Civil War was fought.  Lastly, visit all of the unique shops downtown and the German Immigrant Memorial.

1 PM Lunch at Wine Antiques & More

(reservations recommended for groups)

2 PM Visit the Cole Camp Museum

(private and group tours available by request – open on weekends)

Here, you will experience the german history offering visitors a walk through the earliest geological beginnings to World War II, presenting items from the community.

We hope you enjoy your visit.  Don’t forget we are here to help with your Itineraries for Your Benton County, MO Visit. Lastly, for more information on scheduling your group tour, please contact Lynette at 660-438-2090 or email lstokes@visitbentoncomo.com.