Along the Mississippi River about 115 miles south of St. Louis, the city of Cape Girardeau is home to around 40,000 people but with a culture all its own. There's plenty of outdoor recreation, lively entertainment and a historic downtown, setting apart the town from its eastern Missouri neighbors. “We are a small town, but we have all the amenities of a large city—music and theater—without the traffic or the people,” says Brenda Newbern, the executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Blue Diamond Sports Bar is a place to socialize with friends and play a game of pool or darts in Cape Girardeau.
Established in 1733, Cape Girardeau sits along the Mississippi River beginning as a trading post.
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Historic homes and modern subdivisions
The median sale price for a home in Cape Girardeau is $208,250, about half the national median. Homes downtown tend to be older than in other parts of the city, with Craftsman styles, bungalows and cottages lining the streets. “In the historic districts, you have traditional homes, but we also have apartments and new subdivisions with modern styles,” says Newburn. The city's five historic districts often require a level of preservation, and permissions must be granted before significant changes or renovations can be made. Major employers include St. Francis Medical Center, Mercy Hospital Southeast and Procter & Gamble, which operates a paper-products factory on a 1,300-acre site north of town.
The quaint craftsman style homes are common in downtown Cape Girardeau.
Bungalows and small cottages line many streets in Cape Girardeau.
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Threaded with trails and peppered with parks
“Our parks are beautiful, and the trail system is unbelievable,'' Newburn says. "The Shawnee Trail runs the length of the city.” Cape Girardeau is home to 25 parks, spanning over 600 acres and seven scenic trails, including a riverfront walk. “You can bike on it, you can skateboard on it, and there are terraces where you can just sit and watch the barges go by.” Other popular spots include Cape Girardeau County Park South and Trail of Tears State Park, the latter of which is just outside the city in neighboring Jackson. Golfers can book a tee time at Dalhousie Golf Club. Locals can also catch a show at the Show Me Center, Southeast Missouri State University's destination for sporting events and live entertainment. Downtown, the historic Rose Theater puts on plays and musicals.
Families and kids enjoy the playground at Cape Girardeau County Park South.
Trail of Tears State Park stands as a memorial to those Cherokee Native Americans who died on the Cherokee Trail of Tears.
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Dinners in the historic downtown and shopping at The West Park Mall
Though restaurants and shops can be found throughout the city, most are concentrated downtown and along Blues Highway. Downtown, in particular, is known for its restaurants and antique stores, which are clustered together in historic buildings. “The food— oh, my goodness,” says Newburn. “We have every restaurant you can think of in this small town. I think we have something like 77 restaurants— everything from chains to independent, and all types of food.” The West Park Mall, located on the west side of the city, is being renovated and expanded to include new shops.
The West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau offers name brand shopping and a cozy place out of the elements to socialize.
Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant is a popular place for dinner downtown.
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The Cape Girardeau School District
The Cape Girardeau School District serves the city. Scoring a B on Niche, the district maintains five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Blanchard Elementary School ranks particularly high, earning an A-minus from Niche. At Franklin Elementary, class sizes are relatively small, with an average student-teacher ratio of 8-to-1.
Southeast Missouri State University, a four-year public institution, serves about 7,000 undergraduate students.
Franklin Elementary School is located at 1550 Themis Street.
Cape Girardeau is a college town, home of SEMO, Southeast Missouri University.
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Travel in Cape Girardeau and beyond
Interstate 55, State Route 74 and State Route 177 run through the city, providing a direct route to St. Louis. Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority operates fixed-route bus service and paratransit transportation. Cape Girardeau Regional Airport provides daily flights to Chicago under the federal Essential Air Service program. The St. Louis Lambert International Airport is 130 miles north and offers a broader selection of airlines and destinations.
Climate and Environment
Cape Girardeau experiences a humid subtropical climate, with humid summers and mild winters. Stormwater pollution is a concern, as most of the city’s stormwater ends up in the Mississippi River, which is a major drinking source for the community and surrounding areas. Prevention efforts include Cape Girardeau’s Storm Drain Stenciling Program, which remind residents and business operators that storm drains lead to the river.
Barge traffic can be seen traveling the Mississippi River that serves as the water source for many towns in this areas including Cape Girardeau.
Mild winters in Cape Girardeau allow students a comfortable commute to classes.
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Crime
According to FBI data, the rates of reported violent crime and property crime in Cape Girardeau over the last five years trend higher than the Missouri and national averages.
Written By
Stephanie Davison
Photography Contributed By
Dana Dieckmann
Video By
Victoria York
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Cape Girardeau, MO sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Cape Girardeau, MO over the last 12 months is $655,000, up 111% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Now offered under $300,000, this spacious 4-bedroom Cape Girardeau home sits on approximately 1/3 acre in a quiet north Cape neighborhood and features a heated and cooled workshop and pool. Inside, multiple living areas provide room to spread out and gather comfortably. The expansive family room features a cathedral ceiling, wet bar, large storage closet, and gas fireplace with insert replaced in
STUNNING ALL-BRICK RETREAT in Alma Schrader! This 4-bed, 3-bath gem is the ultimate blend of luxury and function. Start your mornings in the breathtaking sunroom, then head to the open-concept kitchen featuring sleek granite countertops. Relax by the built-in electric fireplace upstairs or retreat to the lower-level family room with its cozy gas fireplace. The massive master suite is a true
ATTENTION: SELLER is offering up to $10,000 in SELLER CONCESSIONS! CALL TODAY FOR AN APPT!!MUST SEE THIS STUNNING EXECUTIVE NEW BUILD! Located within the beautifully landscaped neighborhood of DALHOUSIE...this lovely 4BR/2.5BA home awaits its future FAMILY. This exquisite home boasts elegant features, including a GREAT ROOM with a lovely fireplace for those chilly fall/winter evenings. The
Welcome to this incredible opportunity at 1330 N Sprigg St Apt. 8 in Cape Girardeau. Situated on a spacious ±1-acre lot, this property offers exceptional flexibility for both investors and homebuyers. The expansive lot provides ample potential for future development—whether adding another rental unit, creating a small complex, or simply enjoying the extra outdoor space as a private
1.5-story vinyl-sided three-bedroom, one bath home with detached garage-workshop area.Minutes from Semo University and the amenities of town. This home could serve multiple purposes, such as a college rental for an investor or for parents looking for college housing, or a single-family residence that would make a great starter home for a first-time homebuyer.
Tract# 2 of this newly split acreage for residential development consists of a 4.33+/- acre urban timbered residential building lot, but with the country feeling of privacy & seclusion. Located with an entrance off W Cape Rock Rd, this exclusive upscale property has some limited deed restrictions to maintain its long-term upscale integrity. Just outside of the Cape Girardeau city limits, the
Welcome home to this completely renovated 4-bedroom, 3-1/2 bath residence located in a quiet Cape Girardeau neighborhood. With 2,619 sq ft of finished living space, this home blends modern updates with a highly functional layout designed for everyday comfort. The upper level features all four bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with a private attached bathroom, creating a true retreat.
Tract# 4 of this newly split acreage for residential development consists of a 7.67+/- acre urban timbered residential building lot, but with the country feeling of privacy & seclusion. Located with an entrance off Old Sprigg Street Rd, this exclusive upscale property has some limited deed restrictions to maintain its long-term upscale integrity. Just outside of the Cape Girardeau city limits,
This 4 bedroom, 1 bathroom single family home is an excellent option for first time buyers, investors or families looking for some bang for their buck! Updated in 2023- features a modern kitchen! New stove installed December 2025! This home is tenant occupied and is part of a package! Can be bought individually or pieced together-
This is your opportunity to live within one of the top ranked private golf clubs in Missouri. With a limited number of homesites available, you can design and build your dream home surrounded by the beauty and prestige of Dalhousie Golf Club. City water, city sewer, electric, gas, and Spectrum cable/internet have been installed and ready for your build. Dalhousie’s award winning course -
Spectacular Home in Northfield Subdivision!Nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this stunning home sits on a beautiful lot that truly feels like your own private oasis! Step through the front door into a grand entryway with wood floors that lead into a gorgeous living room featuring a gas fireplace and custom built-ins. The kitchen is a showstopper with stainless steel appliances,
**Rustic Turnkey Cabin – Perfect for Airbnb or Your Own Mountain Getaway** Escape to this charming **rustic cabin**, crafted with **extra-large logs** and rich natural finishes that offer both warmth and character. This property is **great to operate as an Airbnb rental** or serve as your personal retreat. Step inside to an **open concept living space** that blends cozy comfort with modern
Beautiful home in a location convenient to schools and shopping. This 3 bed 2 bath home offers open concept living and a split bedroom floor plan. The kitchen has a large island, shaker style cabinets, and granite countertops. The sliding doors in the dining room walk out to the patio, ready for entertaining or morning coffee. Full unfinished basement also offers room to grow.
Welcome to the Highlands of Dunvegan! Located near Dalhousie, this 46 acre subdivision is ready for you to build your next home. There are 17 lots ranging from 2.5 acres to 3.24 acres in size. All the streets have been installed along with electric and Spectrum. Shared wells will be installed as the lots are sold and each home will install their own septic system. These large lots provide
The District at Cape near SEMO University is a unique, inclusive community offering the best of the best living in Cape Girardeau. Whether you're a college student, retiree, single professional, or family of four, you'll find the perfect fit with one of our one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans. At The District at Cape, you'll enjoy carefree living at its finest in your new
Check out our fully-furnished apartments in Cape Girardeau. Cape Trails offers spacious two- and four-bedroom apartments complete with high-speed internet and in-unit laundry. Our pet-friendly community has the amenities that make student life easy like a study lounge, a computer center with printing, planned social events, and a resident shuttle. Not to mention, our prime location is situated
These luxury townhomes offer a seamless blend of comfort and style. Designed with a fully equipped kitchen which include a stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator. Each unit comes with a washer and dryer for added convenience. Residents enjoy access to a 24-hour fitness center, a saltwater pool, and a clubhouse, making this townhome an ideal choice for anyone seeking a practical yet
Elevate your living experience at Hawthorne Place! We are thrilled to announce the availability of our new 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath homes for lease. This home boasts modern designs and high-end finishes, including quartz countertops and backsplash, a spacious walk-in pantry, premium Kitchen-aid appliances, and elegant wide-plank LVP flooring. Located in the vibrant heart of Cape Girardeau and adjacent
4 Bedroom Roommate Matching Available Now! We still have a few units available for August move ins -- don't delay!! Visit our website for a virtual tour of the perfect place to call home!Welcome home to Hawks Landing Apartments in Cape Girardeau, MO! Our vibrant community offers multiple floor plan styles, with options for both furnished and unfurnished homes. We can’t wait to show you
Property Id: 1464061Must see 2 bedroom 1 bathroom located within walking distance to SEMO Campus and Show Me Center. Water , sewer and trash are included.
Property Id: 1451960This 5 bedroom 3 full bathroom is available June 1 2025. It is 4 blocks from the SEMO campus. There are 4 fairly large bedrooms and 2 medium sized bedrooms. Two bedrooms have walk in closets. There is new exterior siding, insulation, new energy efficient windows with argon gas, new cabinets, new countertop, fixtures, new electrical service. Appliances include
Property Id: 1196394Come home to this charming single family home in Cape Girardeau! Featuring modern amenities such as dishwasher, washer, dryer, solar panels, updated bathrooms and kitchen. This property also offers off-street parking, a large yard, and is conveniently located near the park and Clippard Grade School. Don't miss out on this ideal living space!
Property Id: 2018622Located inside the River Oaks building in historic downtown Cape Girardeau, this one-bedroom apartment blends original character from the 1800s with modern finishes designed for comfortable everyday living.The living space opens into the bedroom, creating a bright and airy layout, while the original decorative fireplace adds a unique architectural focal point
Property Id: 17967256 months or month to month term to end in September.Located in a peaceful cul-de-sac this charming residence, only 3 years young, offers a blend of modern comfort and convenient location. Situated near a local elementary school, college campus, hospitals, and downtown amenities, it ensures a lifestyle of ease and accessibility. This cozy 3
Property Id: 1660345Welcome to Themis Apartments! Nestled in a peaceful wooded setting, features two bedroom style apartments, and provides a parking lot. We are conveniently located just 5-10 mins west of Downtown Cape Girardeau. Our central location provides you with access to a wide array of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Enjoy privacy/security of smart locks on each
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