Chillicothe Missouri

Silver Moon Plaza in Downtown Chillicothe, which features special events all year

1 of 8

A sign welcomes visitors to the eclectic Kelly Poling Arts District in Downtown Chillicothe

2 of 8

The Grand River Historical Society Museum exhibits an original commercial bread slicer from 1928

3 of 8

Enjoying a day of play at Chilli Bay Water Park

4 of 8

The Chillicothe Trolley gives a fun and informative tour of town

5 of 8

The Home of Sliced Welcome Center, housed in the old Chillicothe Baking Company building where sliced bread was first offered for sale

6 of 8

Exhibits inside the Home of Sliced Welcome Center display the history of Chillicothe and Livingston County

7 of 8

A foggy morning on Green Hills Golf Course, one of Chillicothe's many sports facilities

8 of 8

Major Airports:

Kansas City International (MCI)

Columbia Regional (COU)

Kirksville Regional (IRK)
States:

Missouri

Discover the quirky history that put charming small-town Chillicothe on the map

For a quick weekend getaway, an enjoyable stop on a road trip or the main destination of your vacation, Chillicothe, Missouri, needs to be added to your future travel plans. Surrounded by idyllic landscapes of rolling hills in northern Missouri, the cute town bursts with artistic expression, cultural sites, an always-growing dining scene and locals welcoming tourists with warm smiles. Known as the “Home of Sliced Bread,” since the food staple was first sold here, Chillicothe will delight visitors with creature comforts in its walkable downtown, outdoor exploration of little-known gems and unexpected treasures found in the nearby countryside.

A Town Center Full of Culture

Make sure one of your first stops in town is the Home of Sliced Bread Welcome Center – made easy to find with a sculpture of sliced bread on its roof. Housed in the old Chillicothe Baking Company building, the welcome center provides guests with travel materials to help you make the most of your time here. Learn about the history of the town with informative exhibits at the center. Dive deeper into Chillicothe’s past at the Grand River Historical Society and Museum, which houses over 100 years of local artifacts and has free admission. The Cultural Corner Art Guild provides gallery space for an ever-changing collection of works by local and regional artists. Once you’re good and inspired, sign up for a hands-on workshop to create your own masterpiece.

Outdoor Pursuits

Spending time outside is a wonderful way to spend your days in Chillicothe. Take a relaxing stroll downtown to admire historic buildings built in the 1800s, many of which now house local boutiques and cafes. Creativity spills onto the streets with a collection of over 30 murals that you can admire on a self-guided tour. Enjoy some fresh air at seven public parks scattered throughout town. At Simpson Park, wander the walking paths under the shade of hundreds of trees to enjoy wood carvings, picnic areas, a playground and athletic courts. In the summertime, cool off in the park’s Chilli Bay Water Park with swimming pools, slides and a special area just for kids. Tee off at Green Hills Golf Course, a top-tier institution with well-maintained fairways.

Nearby Excursions

Venture to neighboring towns for more northern Missouri delights. Walt Disney spent some of his formative years on a farm in the small town of Marceline, just a 45-minute drive east. Learn about the famous animator at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, with its collection of over 4,000 artifacts, including original works, Disney memorabilia, family artifacts and photographs. A replica of his childhood barn is open for tours just north of town. World War I General John J. Pershing is another native of the area; learn about him and late-1800’s life at his state historic site in Laclede (about 30 minutes from Chillicothe).

Chillicothe is an official destination on two can’t-miss cultural trails. Road trip on Missouri Highway 36, which stretches the entire width of the state from St. Joseph to Hannibal. The highway is known as “The Way of the American Genius,” due to stops associated with creators and developments that embody the spirit of innovation. Chillicothe’s link to sliced bread makes the town one of many notable stops along the way. Others include Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home in Hannibal and the National Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph. Missouri Highway 36 also has multiple stops on the state’s Quilt Trail. Sewists can stop into local hobby stores like Cuts and Bolts in downtown Chillicothe, or head to neighboring town Hamilton, which bears the nickname “Quilt Town USA,” for even more inspiring shops.