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:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Cape Girardeau, MO sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Cape Girardeau, MO over the last 12 months is $215,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This little doll house affords wonderful outside entertainment space and sits on a .698 acre lot! It has a fireplace both up and down, all wood floors or ceramic on main level. Add a window to the bonus room in the walkout basement for a 3rd bedroom to go with family room and bath. Interior doors are solid 6-panel oak on both levels. The deck off the dining area has steps down to a
If you’re looking for a fantastic property that’s off the beaten path with a bit if backyard privacy, you wont wan to miss this quaint Bungalow in the heart of Cape. You can literally get anyhere in town in less than 10 minutes & to any Downtown loacation in about 5 minutes. The property features almost a half acre lot with most of the ground primarliy open to the backyard that includes a wooded
You'll love the warmth of the original hardwood flooring and the convenience of a main-level primary suite and laundry and yes, the washer and dryer stay! The exterior has seen a full refresh with new vinyl siding, windows, soffit, roof, gutters, and stylish new doors. Inside, the kitchen is a showstopper with quartz countertops, sleek ceramic tile, soft-close cabinetry, stainless steel
Charming 3-Bedroom Home with Modern Upgrades in Cape Girardeau!Welcome to this beautifully updated two-story home featuring 3 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a fully fenced-in yard—perfect for pets, play, or entertaining. Recent upgrades include brand-new siding, new windows, new gutters, a new metal roof, and stylish new flooring throughout, offering peace of mind and modern appeal.
This 3,824 sq ft spacious brick beauty offers room for everyone with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, half bath, a 3-car tandem garage tall enough for an RV or boat. The main level boasts a huge kitchen, formal dining room with butler’s pantry area, and a generous living room with fireplace. A dedicated office features built-in shelving (could easily be converted into a bedroom with ensuite, and the
Investor Alert! Cashflowing quadriplex located on Lorimier tucked neatly away on a corner lot in downtown Cape Girardeau. Currently two of the four units are c leased: Unit #1: 2-bed/1-bath [vacant/$800 projected rent]; Unit #2: 1-bed/1-bath at $525/month; Unit #3: Studio[vacant/$525 projected rent]; Unit #4: 1-bed/1-bath at $625/month w/ 1-car garage. Central heat and air, gas water heater
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 home!
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
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 all of the exciting amenities and features we offer! Indulge in late-night study cookies in our study room after a workout in our fitness center. You can also relax and find some time to unwind in
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