Travel
Spend a Weekend in Rocheport, Missouri
Plan a trip to Rocheport, Missouri to take in a sweet town, a beautiful winery and the state’s most famous trail.
By Katie Pollock Estes
Jun 2021
Photo courtesy Missouri Convention & Visitors BureauRocheport offers the perfect weekend getaway with trails, wineries and art shops.
1. Ride the Trail
The longest recreational rail trail in the country, the Katy Trail, stretches the width of the state and passes right by Rocheport. It has a gravel path and beautiful Missouri River views. There’s a charming tunnel along the trail in Rocheport, and nearby Boonville has a historic depot that’s worth a visit as well. A 12.4-mile bike ride along the trail from one city to the other will give you a chance to see both.
2. Grab a Meal
Are you feeling a little hungry after that trek down the Katy Trail? Stop at Meriwether Café and Bike Shop (700 1st Street, Rocheport), just steps off the trail. The cafe is nice and cozy inside with a sprawling outdoor patio. Grab a stack of pancakes, a glass of wine, a locally-roasted cup of coffee or a B.L.T.—they have it all, made with local ingredients. Meriwether also has adult and children’s bikes for rent if you can’t bring your own.
3. Shop for Art
Historic downtown Rocheport is a cute place for a little post-meal walk. Be sure to stop by Art Off the Trail (203 Central St., Rocheport). The art gallery and studio features paintings and artwork by local artists and makers. You can find handmade pieces for things other than your walls, too, such as clothing items, art glass and more. Plus it’s located in a sweet historic brick building.
Photo courtesy LG Patterso, Les Bourgeois Vineyards and Missouri Convention & Visitors BureauLes Bougeois Vinyeards is a draw not just of Rocheport, but of Columbia, too. Sip a glass of Missouri wine and check out the vineyards from which your glass came.
Photo courtesy LG Patterso, Les Bourgeois Vineyards and Missouri Convention & Visitors BureauArt off the Trail is the perfect art gallery to view pieces after a day of biking and hiking trails.
Photo courtesy LG Patterso, Les Bourgeois Vineyards and Missouri Convention & Visitors BureauRocheport is about 3 hours north of Springfield, so it may be best to turn this trip into an overnighter. Just be sure to pack your bike and corkscrew.
4. Visit a Winery
Round out your day in Rocheport with a trip to Les Bourgeois Vineyards (14020 W. Highway BB), a winery on a bluff that has sweeping Missouri River views. You’ll want to spend some time at the Les Bourgeois A-Frame, a spot where you can pause for a picnic or stay a while to enjoy the outdoor summer music series.
5. Rest Your Head
Round out the day (or weekend) with a stay at School House Bed & Breakfast (504 Third St.). This stately brick building is on the National Registry of Historic Places and once served as a public school, hence the name. Grab a multi-course breakfast in the common room before heading out in the morning for your next adventure in the area.
