10 Things to do in Sedalia/Warrensburg This Summer!

As someone who was born and raised in Sedalia, I have heard it more often than not that there is nothing to do in this town. What is really comes down to is what you are looking to do and who you are looking to share the experience with. Sure, if you compare Sedalia activities with that of New York City; you are going to be disappointed no matter how you turn it. However, if you are open minded you might be surprised to find just how many gems are right here under our noses that won’t even take up a tank of gas.

1. Start your engines! With a world of racers surrounding you there are all kinds of fast paced car experiences you can check out this summer. Central Missouri Speedway, Sweet Springs Raceway and of course, the Missouri State Fairgrounds Raceway are fun activities for the whole family and won’t break the bank! Plus, with summer here with us you can catch tons of tractor pulls, truck shows and motorcycle rides that will keep your adrenaline pumping all summer long.
2. Ready, Set, Get Wet! With temperatures comfortably hanging in the 90’s, one of the best summer activities is to keep you cool! You can save gas and money by going to one of the area pools like Liberty, Centennial or the Warrensburg Nassif Aquatic Center with yourself or your whole family! Or if you are ready to experience something a little different, there are several area water parks to check out like; Schlitterbahn, Big Surf, Fugitive Beach and CoCoKey’s Resort! Grab your gear and beat that heat!
3. Explore your World (no matter your age)! We never get too old to explore the world around us and while we instill this in our kids, as adults we tend to drift away. While Sedalia and Warrensburg Parks and Recreation Departments have tons of exploring activities for kids, adults can join in on the fun too. Go for a hike at The Bothwell Lodge State Park, explore deep at places like Bridal Cave and Fantastic Caverns and tap into your wilderness side as you camp at the Harry S. Truman Lake! Exploring is right around the corner!
4. Strap Up and Go Spelunking! Believe it or not, Missouri have 6,400 caves and has ever deemed the name “Cave State”! You can enjoy this lower side of your home state in numerous state parks and tour sites! Tons of these sites are within a short drive from your house and really make you appreciate the unseen beauty that our state holds right below us! Check out the Missouri Cave Association for a list of all 6,400 sites and plan your day.
5. Educate and Embrace at area Museums! The days of the old, musty museums are wearing thin and while they used to be just for boring field trips; museums are now paving a new way for entertainment. It doesn’t matter if you are into art, theater, history, sci-fi, the unexplained or even tiny miniature dolls because in truth, there is a museum for you! With area attractions like the Daum Contemporary Museum of Art, Railroad Museums, Warrensburg’s History Museums and the weird and bizarre at Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum; you won’t ever be without a new museum to visit in your home state! Try something new and visit a local museum!
6. Run Forrest, Run! This summer stretch your legs and test your endurance by running a 5K for a cause, cure or just for yourself! With races like The Color Run, Run the Burg, and the 5K Glow Run/Walk for the whole family, there are plenty of opportunities to get your heart rate pumping! Most races will require registration so be sure to check out each of their sign up sites and remember, if you don’t want to run in the event yourself, volunteers are always needed and appreciated! 2016 seems like a good year to complete your first 5K!
7. Don’t wine, have a great time! Missouri is famous for several wineries and if you are from the Show Me State then you are awfully proud of the grapes and brews we create here. When I was 23 one of the most fun times I had vacationing in my home state was going on an action packed Missouri Wine Tour! You can follow the premade trails to each incredible winery or you can pick the ones you want and make your own Missouri Wine Tour! Les Bourgeois, St. James, Stone Hill and Wildlife Ridge are all excellent stops for one of a kind tastes and an experience you won’t forget.
8. When you can’t relate, CREATE! As a mother of two small toddlers, I quickly came to realize that I view the world differently than my kids. What started out as craft time to keep them occupied, slowly turned into a world of learning and creating. As adults, we get so lost in “adulting” properly that we jip ourselves out of this creative time. When you allow yourself to sit down and drawn, color, paint, hot glue crafts or even write a story, you can escape without ever really leaving our home. For those of you who say you aren’t creative, I say look to your children. While they make not be a Rembrandt or Picasso, they see the world in a much more beautiful way that we adults should learn to see and appreciate. So grab some crayons, clay, building blocks or paints and start creating your own fun this summer!
9. See what crops up, at the 2016 Missouri State Fair! I feel very fortunate to be raised in Sedalia, home of the state fair, so I could see just how crazy people get over Missouri for 2 weeks out of the year. While the Show Me State can be proud of inventing the stapler all throughout the year, the MO State Fair definitely demands attention while it’s here. In one day you can experience animal shows, brilliant artwork, carnival food, pig races, a concert from a huge name is music, dancing, auctions, games and even the infamous children’s barnyard! Even if you have just one day to experience the fair, Sedalia makes it possible! So grab the family and see what crops up at this year’s MO State Fair!
10. Gain oodles by giving back! I think as humans we get so caught up in our own lives that sometimes it’s hard to see what is going on around us. Plus, with my generation slowly taking over and refusing to put down their cell phones, it is getting more challenging to spread the good love! As a kid, I loved animals so I used to volunteer at the animal shelter, help pulls weeds and the cemeteries, visit the elderly in the facilities and do anything I could to give back to my community. Even if it is your first time volunteering, it’s a great first step toward making our state even better! You can find local causes or organizations here and make your summer kick off with caring and putting positive vibes out there!

So next time you hear a teenagers or even a 20 –something like myself complain there is nothing to do in Pettis County, point them this way. Adventure awaiting outside our front door each and every day and I think this is your year to answer the door and accept the challenge!

For more information on local events check out the calendar and have a safe and happy summer!