Attractions
Local GemScott Joplin International Ragtime Festival
$25–$50An annual downtown Sedalia festival of ragtime concerts, dance and symposia honoring composer Scott Joplin.
AttractionsFamily FavoriteQuirky FunRainy-Day Pick
Stark Caverns
125 Cave Dr · Eldon, MO
Why you should go…
Stark Caverns is a show cave located 6.5 miles east of Bagnell Dam near Eldon, Missouri, open since 1950. The paved, lit, mostly handicap-accessible cave features an underground lake, cave formations, and Native American artifacts, and is a mild 57 degrees year-round. Visitors can take a one-hour guided tour, a black light tour, or try the country's only in-cave escape room, along with hiking trails, gem mining and a gift shop on site.
- #cave
- #tour
- #family
- #escape room
- #ozarks
Good to know
General attractions guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
Book the time slot, not just the ticket
Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.
Grab the daily schedule on arrival
Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.
The first hour is the quietest
Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.
Budget past the ticket price
Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Stark Caverns, ordered by straight-line distance.
