Kirksville has many opportunities to engage in local recreation. The links below will take you to the various options Kirksville has to offer. While many options are presented here, this list is non-exhaustive.
Whether you’re interested in swimming, boating, hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities, Thousand Hills is a great place to spend some time. This state park has interesting activities such as bird spotting, with a checklist of 183 birds, and guided nature walks. Thousand Hills is located about 5 miles west of Kirksville on MO-6 West.
From the Parks and Recreation site, you can learn about programs, events, shelters, ball fields, and trails available in the area. Registration for various sports and camps can be completed here, as well as reservations for parks and other facilities. Parks and Recreation also hosts movie nights and block parties.
Recreational and educational swimming opportunities can be found at the Aquatic Center. Group swim lessons, water aerobics, private pool rentals, and American Red Cross training are all available through the Aquatic Center. There are indoor and outdoor pools for year-round operation.
Located on A.T. Still University’s campus, their Osteopathic Museum has a number of collections and exhibits to peruse. With a collection of over 80,000 objects, documents, and books, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest. Educational tours and lectures are available at the museum. The museum has over a dozen professional partners from around the world that help maintain and grow the museum’s history and mission.
All of Kirksville’s local parks can be found here. There are ten parks in total. Among the standard parks, Kirksville has one dog park, one disc golf course, one skate park, and a few sports parks listed with addresses and hours of operation.
An overview of dining, lodging, shopping, and local activities can be found here. This resource is great for finding seasonal and annual events. Hunting, fishing, and visitors guides can be found here.
Community Band, Chrous, and Orchestra information can be found through the Kirksville Arts Association. The Sue Ross Arts Center is located downtown near the square (215 S. Franklin St.). Workshops and events can be held at this venue. Activities include Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival, Summer on the Square, and the annual Art Walk are sponsored by the Kirksville Arts Center. See their calendar of events for all upcoming events.
The NEMO Fairgrounds is home to many activities throughout the year. The site has a multi-purpose building, 4-H FFA building, rodeo arena, livestock complex, and campgrounds. Music festivals, craft shows, public auctions, livestock shows, receptions, and reunions are only a few of the activities on the grounds. The regional carnival is usually also held on the NEMO fairgrounds.
The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce is involved with many of the activities in the community. Kirksville Young Professionals Group and the Kirksville Leadership Institute are both part of the Chamber of Commerce. If you’re looking for an event but you’re not sure where to look, try searching the Chamber’s community calendar. Most local events can be found on this aggregate calendar. The Chamber also offers networking and advertising opportunities, as well as seminars and forums.