Overview
Lebanon is a city of 15,000 people (2019) in Central Missouri on the historic Route 66. It is a good base for exploring Bennett Spring State Park. As the home of several factories, it has been dubbed the "Aluminum Fishing Boat Capital of the World", a claim that has not been challenged by any other town.
1 sights · 6 things to do · 1 places to eat · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lebanon
Route 66 Museum
The Laclede County Historical Society operates the historic jail (built in 1876, with living quarters for the sheriff added in 1913) as a museum.
Bennett Spring State Park
Dining lodge, campgrounds, cabins, hiking trails and a spring branch stocked daily with rainbow trout for fishing.
Alpaca Ranch: Whirlwind Ranch
High Prairie Bird Hunts
In addition to trap, skeet and clays and bird hunting, there is also a catfish lake and archery ranges.
Midway Speedway
Races and a swap meet.
Ritz 8 Theatre
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TBN Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport-Forney Field, Fort Leonard Wood — 29 mi away. Directions
- SGF Springfield Branson National Airport, Springfield — 50 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 145 mi away (major hub). Directions
From I-44, exit on Millcreek Road to return to Route 66.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $42–$42 a night (typical $46), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$120, comfortable ~$210.
Options are grouped as Independents, National chains in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Route 66 Museum, Alpaca Ranch: Whirlwind Ranch
- Lunch Wrink's Market
- Afternoon Midway Speedway, Starlite Lanes
Day 2
- Morning Bennett Spring State Park, High Prairie Bird Hunts
- Afternoon Ritz 8 Theatre
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Lebanon was founded in 1849 and named after Lebanon (Tennessee), the home of many of its original settlers. I-44 bypassed Route 66 in this area in 1957.
During the heyday of the Mother Road, Lebanon had many independent motels and roadside businesses – some of which are now gone. The owners of a now-defunct Munger-Moss Sandwich Shop moved their business from Devil's Elbow to Lebanon at the end of World War II and added a motel in 1946 as their old location was to be completely bypassed by the new road. Oddly, their former location survived as the Elbow Inn (which is rebuilding after 2017 flooding) but the sandwich shop in Lebanon is now gone.
Get in
From I-44, exit on Millcreek Road to return to Route 66.
See
Do
Do High Prairie Bird Hunts
In addition to trap, skeet and clays and bird hunting, there is also a catfish lake and archery ranges.
Eat
Eat Wrink's Market
Small independent grocer who made sandwiches while you wait. Near the US66/Millcreek Road and I-44 crossroads. Established by Glen Wrinkle in 1950, it operated until his death (age 82) in 2005. His son re-opened it in 2007, but closed in 2009 during the Great Recession. For nostalgia's sake, his granddaughter re-opened it again in 2017 because some Route 66 traditions stubbornly refuse to die.
Sleep
Independents
Stay Historic Route 66 Inn
Stay Munger-Moss Motel
Vintage auto court with patio, outdoor pool, established 1946 in the heyday of US Route 66. Some individual rooms are decorated with photos on specific Route 66 themes; the huge illuminated sign was installed in the 1950s to compete with major chains then entering the market. Wi-fi, coffee. Office and Route 66 souvenir shop open 6:30AM-10PM.
National chains
Nearby
Conway
City / town · 4 listings · 15 mi away
Camdenton
City / town · 5 listings · 23 mi away
Buffalo
City / town · 12 listings · 24 mi away
Marshfield
City / town · 7 listings · 27 mi away
St. Robert
City / town · 18 listings · 31 mi away
Osage Beach
City / town · 32 mi away
Lake Ozark
City / town · 1 listings · 36 mi away
Lake of the Ozarks
Park · 18 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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