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Kirksville, Missouri, Comes Alive in Summer

AAA Staff Writer
AAA Staff Writer 2 Min Read
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Kayaking Forest Lake by Brendon Wilson. Missouri. VisitMO.com logo. Photo courtesy of Kirksville Tourism. Photo by Brendon Wilson.

Come visit Kirksville this summer, where the historic downtown square and energetic community come alive for the season. Kirksville is the shining star of Northeast Missouri, nestled in a beautiful and under-the-radar region of the state. You’ll find a small-town atmosphere mixed with the vibrance of a college town. Come take a weekend trip to see for yourself. 

Thousand Hills State Park is just a short drive from the city. Enjoy excellent fishing, boating, and swimming at Forest Lake. Exceptional trails go across the park and around the lake. Take a trip back 1,500 years and see petroglyphs left by the area’s previous inhabitants. Multiple campgrounds are available, but if you don’t want to rough it, there are cabins that offer great views of Forest Lake. And that’s not the only lake around. Hazel Creek Lake offers an equally great recreational experience. 

Kirksville’s downtown square is the place to be during the weekend. With pizza, pasta, sushi, coffee, and some of the best burgers you can find, you won’t be hungry for very long. There are plenty of establishments to handle your thirst, too. 

Great food isn’t all downtown Kirksville has to offer. If you’re looking for a souvenir, there are several clothing and antique stores on the square. Grab a homemade candle, get a massage, or visit the oldest record store in the Western Hemisphere. 

There are free outdoor concerts every Friday night during the summer. Then come back Saturday morning to check out the Kirksville Kiwanis Farmers Market, which runs every Saturday from May through October. Get yourself some fantastic and locally grown plants and produce, plus handmade products. 

Kirksville goes big for the Fourth of July with a day full of events before fireworks. Get some pancakes for breakfast, check out some classic cars, watch the parade, then have some great local food and hear some music just before the fireworks go off. 

The Kids Mini Mud Mile happens in August and continues to make a big (and messy) splash. Bring your kids, and a change of clothes, to tackle this muddy obstacle course. 

In September is the Kirksville Art Association's Red Barn Arts & Crafts Festival. Thousands take to the square to buy handcrafted items, grab a bite to eat, or just walk around. Come October, take advantage of Urban Gardens Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze.  

Whatever you’re interested in, make sure Kirksville is in your travel plans.

Visit Kirksville

Summer in Kirksville, Missouri: Lakeside adventures, local eats and small-town charm

Discover summer in Kirksville, Missouri! Enjoy lakeside adventures at Thousand Hills, vibrant downtown dining, live music, festivals, farmers markets, and more all season long.

Learn more

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