JEFFERSON CITY, MO. - Springtime in Jefferson City brings a return of warm weather along with plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to the Capital City.

  

Back on the Katy Trail 

Bikers and hikers can end their winter hibernation as they enjoy the warm sun and bright spring colors along the Katy Trail State Park.  The forested sections of the trail will be dotted with flowering dogwoods, redbuds and the vibrant green of new leaves, as grassy sections of the trail bloom with wildflowers.  This beautiful park is the nation's longest "rails-to-trails" conversion, using the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT, also known as "Katy") Railroad line.  The Katy Trail stretches 240 miles across the state, offering scenic views and services and activities in the communities along the way.  The sections near Jefferson City run between towering limestone bluffs and the wide Missouri River, taking hikers and bikers through rolling farmlands and shady, dense forests.  For more information about the Katy Trail, go to www.MOStateParks.com.

 

Dining Under the Umbrellas  

Many of Jefferson City's restaurants combine great food and great spring weather, offering outdoor seating to diners.  In downtown Jefferson City, brightly colored umbrellas bloom like spring flowers along the sidewalks, making it easy to see why Rand McNally named Jefferson City "America's Most Beautiful Small Town." Under the umbrellas, diners can relax and enjoy everything from coffee and frozen yogurt to steaks, pasta and salads.  After a meal or snack, they can stroll to nearby shops, the historic State Capitol Building or other Capital City historic sites.  For more information, go to www.VisitJeffersonCity.com. 

 

New Restaurants Offer Traditional Favorite Foods 

Sometimes, a person just wants good old-fashioned "comfort food."  Two of Jefferson City's newest restaurants offer that and much more.

  

There is no more traditional family restaurant in Jefferson City than Veit's, which has recently reopened in a new location as Veit's Pub and Grill.  Veit's Diamond Restaurant fronted a small hotel, conveniently located along U.S. Hwy. 50, in the 1940s and 1950s.  The restaurant featured good food and travelers could also fill up the tank at two gas pumps out front.  Those two iconic pumps now stand outside the new location at 2314 Lorenzo Greene Parkway, which once again offers good food in a homey atmosphere.  Owner Sean Veit is the grandson of the original owners of Veit's and features some of the family's favorite recipes.

  

Near Jefferson City's historic Old Munichburg area, the new Hoxton Tavern and Grill, 418 West Elm St., serves traditional favorites including thick burgers and thin-crust pizzas.  It is a family-friendly place to watch your favorite sports events.

 

Both of the new restaurants offer live entertainment on weekends and have patios for warm-weather seating.  Check out both restaurants on Facebook.

 

Bed and Breakfasts Offer All the Comforts of Home

For a change of pace from a hotel stay, visitors to the Jefferson City area can choose a room at one of two historic bed and breakfast homes. 

   

The Cliff Manor Inn sits atop a bluff, at 722 Cliff St., overlooking the Missouri River.  This gracious home is near the Jefferson City Pedestrian and Biking Bridge that connects the city to the Katy Trail for bikers and hikers.  The inn is "bike friendly," offering amenities such as secure bike storage.

 

Built in 1866, Cliff Manor is a Jefferson City historical landmark and has two suites with private baths and two additional guest rooms with a shared bath.  It is within walking distance of the State Capitol Building and Jefferson City's downtown area.  For information or reservations, visit the website at: www.CliffManorInn.com.

The newest bed and breakfast in the area is The Colonel Bolton Home, located just south of Jefferson City near the community of Wardsville.  This charming bluff-top home sits overlooking the Osage River, providing the feel of country life in mid-Missouri, but with an easy drive to all of the attractions in Jefferson City.

 

The 1833 limestone home offers two guest suites with private baths, perfect for a romantic getaway or a girlfriend getaway.  The first floor of the home has meeting space for small groups, making it a comfortable location for a weekend retreat or family event.  Behind the home is an event center accommodating up to 200 people.  Packages are offered for weddings inside the historic home or outdoors on the beautiful grounds.  For more information or reservations, visit the website at: www.TheColonelBoltonHome.com.

 

These inns make Jefferson City feel like home, for a night or longer.

 

Get "Sprung" From the Penitentiary This Spring  

Environmental concerns forced tours of the Missouri State Penitentiary to cease in September 2013.  With renovations and repairs well underway, the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau expects to resume tours of the historic prison in the spring.  Thousands of visitors have toured the prison since 2009, learning what life was like "behind the walls" at the institution that began securing criminals a hundred years before the opening of Alcatraz.  MSP offers a wide variety of tours including historical tours, ghost tours and ghost hunts.  For more information about 2014 tours, visit www.MissouriPenTours.com.

 

Coming Up ... 

 

For more information about the sights, sounds and activities of Jefferson City, call the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-769-4183, or visit  www.VisitJeffersonCity.com. You can also find more information on the city's  Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest pages.