Cape Girardeau was recently named #4 for 2025's Best US Cities for New College Grads. Cape offers many great opportunities for personal, social, and academic growth. There is always something fun going on around town. Here are some ways to make the most of your time in Cape Girardeau!

Explore Local Attractions

Visit museums, historical sites, and other attractions in the area. Attend local festivals, concerts, and events to immerse yourself in the community. 

The City of Cape has events for everyone from foodies, to crafters, to music lovers! Many concerts and events take place in Cape Girardeau all throughout the year. There is never a dull moment!

The annual SEMO District fair is in September! This is a great event to go enjoy food, music, and meet new people. 

The Show Me Center is always having events that  students are sometimes lucky enough to get tickets to at a discounted price when they show their student ID. Be on the lookout for that!

The annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is every August in Sikeston, MO. If you love bull riding, bull fighting, and country music, this event is for you. Fun fact: this past August some of our football players had the chance to hang out at the Rodeo grounds!

There is so much history all over Cape Girardeau. In 1861, four Civil War forts were built around the city of Cape Girardeau, of the four forts, only Fort D still exists and is now a city historic site people can visit and learn more about the town's history. 

The Glenn House is another Cape Girardeau attraction that offers an opportunity to learn. The Glenn House is a restored historic museum where visitors can tour and learn more about earlier generations. It is also said to be haunted and was featured on the show Ghost Hunters.

Support Local Businesses

Cape Girardeau is home to a wide variety of small businesses and restaurants. Checking these places out is a great way to learn about and feel closer to the community!

Some local restaurant favorites are Burrito-ville, Top of the Marq, El Sol, Speck Pizza, Port Cape, and Mary Janes!

Farmer’s Markets are a big deal in Cape! Make sure to check them out to join your community and support local business. People come from across Southeast Missouri to shop for fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, organic body products, enjoy live music and so much more. You are bound to find something to enjoy! 

The Cape Farmer's Market takes place in the back parking lot of West Park Mall, every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting in April and running through the Thursday before Thanksgiving.

Cape Riverfront Market takes place at 35 S. Spanish Street, every Saturday from 8 a.m to noon.

Thrifting is very popular in Cape Girardeau! Make sure to check out the small businesses located downtown!

Plato's closet is a retail store that adheres to your buying and selling needs! Full of trendy secondhand clothing for teens & young adults.

Annie Laurie’s is an antique store that features vintage finds and new merchandise. They also have a wide selection of fresh plants and floral for any occasion. 

Indy house is a collaborative retail space featuring independent businesses including Better Days Studio, Fudio, Pluck Boutique, Megan Kathleen Boudoir, Harlow Creative and El Kolibri Coffee and Curiosities. This unique buisness is located at 605 Broadway. You never know what you are going to find!

Travel and Exploration

Explore the location of your college town, and nearby cities during weekends or breaks. Cape Girardeau is located right between St. Louis and Memphis. Take a weekend trip and so do some sightseeing and shopping or stay local and grab some friends and enjoy a picnic by the river. Go out and explore the wide variety of hiking trails near town like the Trail of Tears!