**Originally Posted at: http://visitcape.com/blog/where-would-you-take-your-parents-in-cape.html


Where Would You Take Your Parents in Cape?

During my internship at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau my favorite project has been working on the CVB’s presence at the Southeast Missouri State University Welcome Back Picnic, happening August 22nd. When I started school at Southeast, I was unfamiliar with Cape Girardeau. Thinking back to those early days in my student career, I thought many of the students during “Welcome Back” would want tips on where to go in Cape. I thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of the top ten places to take parents during family weekend, and so, after talking with friends and fellow students from Southeast, I compiled a list.

Games
My friends had very different ideas of what their families would enjoy. During Parents Weekend, it’s important to give the “rents” a chance to see the good old town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and everybody has a different idea of what to showcase. Spencer Day, a junior at Southeast, and a Sigma Tau Gamma would take them to a Southeast baseball game. In my mind there’s no better opportunity to show the parents that the sporting events at Southeast are filled with spirit and great love for the game!



Kick Back

Southeast Senior, Tony Machiran, a historic preservation major, would take his parents to D'Ladiums, for $5 dollar pitchers. This is a place where you can watch a game at the bar and enjoy a couple pitchers with the family. Not to mention that the bar represents a little piece of Cape history, as it used to be Dormeyers' Pharmacy.



Trail of Tears State Park

However, this isn’t the place for all parents. If you’re looking for a more low-key atmosphere, Courtney Frueauf recent Alumni, Class of 2010, believes that “family bonding during a hike at Trail of Tears State Park is a must.” Packed with beautiful scenery, you can check out the Mississippi River and on the way back to campus, and stop at Hunter Valley Winery, about a mile from Trail of Tears, to enjoy a bottle of wine. If you’re one of those outdoorsy-type families that enjoys getting back to nature, you should try it.



Walking Trails

Kimmie Brandt another Alumni, Class of 2010, would suggest grabbing an ice cream cone from Port Cape, then crossing the street and take a walk along the Riverwalk Trail. Enjoy the river, look at the murals and watch the barges go by. Speaking of walking, Stephanie Blest a senior in Advertising Club would advise an evening walk at the La Croix trail, a visit to Cape Rock for river views, a stroll around the Capaha Park lagoon to feed the ducks, or a tailgate session at a game.

River Campus

Kara Lea Brown, a senior in Sigma Alpha Iota, the music fraternity of Southeast, would take her parents “to the River Campus to see the great Fine Arts facilities and to see the awesome view of the Mississippi River and the bridge.” There’s no better way to give your parents an idea of the new campus facilities plus catch a glimpse of the scenic beauty Cape has to offer.

Dining and Mural Gazing

Other ideas include Nolan Ryan’s suggestion. Nolan’s a senior in a fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, and would take his family to Belair for some classic Belair potatoes and to hear some live music on the great outdoor patio. Schylon Lane, recent alumni who was a participant in Student Government, would take her parents to see The Mississippi River Tales murals along the floodwall as a great way to learn about the history of Cape. After checking out the murals, they would go to Outback Steakhouse. According to Schylon, “Outback has a great filet mignon sandwich!”

Dining and Shopping

Hannah McCormick, a junior in the organization of Southeast Students in Action (SSIA), would take her mom to Annie Laurie’s Antiques since they enjoy shopping. “We always go there to find new and exciting things! And, then go to Port Cape. The food there is amazing, and the history of the restaurant just adds to the great food.” While Hannah would be at Annie Laurie’s Anthony Werner, a senior in Sigma Nu, would take his family to Broussard’s. Anthony feels like it “captures a real part of Cape’s downtown dining,” and they really enjoy the great Cajun food.

No matter what type of fun you and your parents enjoy, there’s always something to do around Cape Girardeau. Cape is a city where you can share great memories and enjoy making new ones.

So, where would you take your parents if they were in town?

The Amazing Summer RoadTrip

**Side Note: i am about to insert pictures for the first time into my blog :) YAAA!

This road trip was with a great friend, Robin, this past summer we road tripped to Caretta, West Virginia, a 12 to 14 hour trip for our alternative spring break helping out the community there. This mini road trip, at least we thought it was going to be mini, turned out to be an all day event!

When Robin first got in the car, I had previously picked 3 destinations of brochures I had picked up at the CVB (Cape Giraradeau Convention and Visitors Bureau). Elephant Rock State Park, Bollinger Mills, and Trail of Tears.  And we of course decided on going to a place neither one of us have been to and the farthest away.  The Drive out to ELEPHANT ROCK! was supposed to take us a near 1 hour and 40 min. starting our drive at 12:30 in the afternoon we ended at our destination at 4:30ish that day!

On the way... we stopped off at an antique shop!... HUGE 3 buildings and lots of old fun stuff to look at I would recommend it! :)

After that stop... we made it to the Pilot Knob Visitors Bureau and stopped in to get a map and find out exactly where the state park was located and found other destination's on the way to stop into. (by the way. never follow the directions of where YOU think your going... one should always follow the map.) We got lost about 3 or 4 times trying to find the state park but before that we had to find swimsuits to wear at the near by park we thought we could swim at! Very excited we decided to stop off at a local discount department store. This took us quite a while to decide what to wear because there were little to NO swimsuits there.

After we found some tanks and shorts, we moved onto the next part of the road trip... finding the good old Elephant rocks!

After going down the wrong road, having to stop in at the fire station to get new directions of where we needed to go... we FINALLY made it to our destination!

This was finally where we changed into the clothes that would be better to climb the huge rocks in Pilot Knob, at the Elephant Rock State Park! 

The big rocks in the beginning of the park to take awesome family pictures at!!

The beginning of the search of some awesome scenery!!

Much more to see and do while at Elephant Rock State Park.     

1.walk around with the family and kids to have awesome picture opportunities like this one.

2. let the kids climb on the rocks to get some energy out of the kiddos (remember the first aid kit just in case!)

3. bring WATER! the day that Robin and I went out there it was about 100 degrees outside which caused the rocks to be a little toastier then normal creating a heat to come off of them.

4. Climb Climb Climb... and have fun!

5. There is a path available for those wanting to take it and read plaques ... but I would recommend going off the beaten path! :)

6. Bring a journal and be inspired by the gorgeous scenery!

Robin and I on the Rocks!

Are you thinking you should explore yet??

If there is a place where you visited this summer comment and tell me about it! :)