Farmington: History, Trails and Recreation

When looking for a hotel in Farmington, a clear travel focus can help: the city offers historic sites, options in Historic Downtown, as well as trails, parks and recreational facilities. Consider whether history and local shops or outdoor activities should shape your stay. The following places provide specific starting points for your plans.

History and Historic Downtown

The Historic Long House was built in 1833 and is the oldest house in Farmington, Missouri. In 2024, it was certified as a historic site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Tours typically take place on the first weekend in June as well as on selected days during the holiday season. If you would like to visit the house, check the specific tour dates before your trip.

The St. Francois County Jail also tells the story of the town’s past through its long history of use: the building was constructed in 1870 and operated continuously as a jail for more than 125 years. In Historic Downtown, historic buildings are still used by locally owned shops and as residences. This is where historic architecture and modern uses come together.

Options in Historic Downtown include local shops, dining, a coffeehouse, antique stores, boutiques, a park, and regional art and crafts. If you are planning a stay with an interest in small shops or regional art, you will find several different options there. The Factory adds to the offerings with a 45,000-square-foot, climate-controlled shopping center with specialty shops and restaurants. Individual shops and providers may change.

Trails, Parks and Recreation

The Downtown Loop of the Stanley M. Overall Bikeway Trail System is 1.1 miles long and runs through Historic Downtown Farmington to Long Park. The stated distance and destination give you a concrete framework if you would like to include a bike ride in your plans. In the surrounding area, the Oak Ridge Trail Head Spur of the same Bikeway Trail System also leads to St. Joe State Park.

The nearby St. Joe State Park offers off-road vehicle trails, four lakes, swimming beaches, horseback riding trails, hiking and biking trails, a waterway, and campgrounds. The selection ranges from land-based trails to water-based opportunities. If you plan to include the park, you can use these options to decide which activities are of interest for your trip.

In Farmington, 17 parks provide opportunities for fishing, walking, hiking, disc golf, skateboarding, gardening, birdwatching and picnicking. There is a specific disc golf course in Engler Park: it has 18 holes and is par 62. Since course layouts can change, check the details before your visit if this information is important for your plans.

The Farmington Civic Center offers two indoor pools, a 1/8-mile indoor track, three full-size courts, and a fitness center. The Farmington Water Park adds to the recreational options with water slides, a lazy river, and an interactive play area. Since the facilities are seasonal and features may change, check the current information before a visit.

Events and Seasonal Offerings

The St. Francois County Fair gives local 4-H and FFA groups, as well as the public, the opportunity to showcase their projects each year. A public swap meet also takes place at the St. Francois County Fairgrounds, and anyone can participate. Check event dates before planning your stay around them.

The First State Community Center hosts live comedy, musicals and tribute shows. In 2026, the Baby Boomer Reunion Concert also took the stage there for the 24th year in a row. If you are interested in motorsports, the Farmington Empire Speedway offers a racing experience. So in addition to historic sites, there are also various forms of entertainment to choose from.

Seasonal activities include blueberry picking at Liberty Blueberry Farms, a 40-acre berry farm. Plan your visit around the respective picking season. Whether you focus your stay on history, outdoor recreation or events, the specific offerings in Farmington help you determine the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bonne Terre, Park Hills.

For the broader travel overview: St. Francois County.