New Haven brings together the Missouri River and a local history reflected in museums, historic places and the development of the town’s name. Along the river, New Haven Access has a boat ramp, and fishing is possible along the adjacent riverbank. A short riverside walking trail also runs along the levee in the town center. Culture enthusiasts can explore a range of exhibition topics, from a furnished classroom built to scale to a timeline of early history. You can plan your stay around the river, local history or a recurring December event.
Missouri River and Riverside Walking Trail
New Haven Access provides access to the Missouri River at river mile 82 in New Haven. It has a single-lane concrete boat ramp, and fishing is possible along the adjacent riverbank. A scenic ¼-mile riverside walking trail runs along the levee in the town center. If you’re looking for a short walk, you can plan to take the trail as a compact stroll; the boat access and bank fishing offer different ways to enjoy the river.
Miller’s Landing and Lewis and Clark
New Haven’s history is closely connected to the Missouri River. Philip Miller established a wood yard for steamboats on the river; this became Miller’s Landing, later named New Haven. The “Steamboat Room” documents this origin story with models, paintings and photographs. The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed by the present-day site of New Haven. The town’s history thus has two distinct points of reference: the development of its name on the river and the expedition’s passage by the present-day site.
Museums and Exhibitions
The Springgate Museum displays china from New Haven’s historic Central Hotel. The “New Haven School Days” exhibition features a furnished classroom built to scale. Another exhibition, “The Journey Begins,” presents a timeline covering early Indigenous culture, Lewis and Clark, fur trappers and early settlers. The John Colter Museum and Visitor Center in New Haven features exhibits with artifacts from Indigenous peoples of North America and is named after a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The exhibits take different forms: china and a furnished classroom are complemented by a thematic timeline and artifact displays.
Anna Bell Chapel
Anna Bell Chapel is located at 225 Selma Street on a hill overlooking the Missouri River. Built in 1893, the church served New Haven’s African American community for more than 100 years. Its view across the river adds a tangible connection to the landscape to the Chapel’s social history.
December Event and Museum Visits
New Haven’s Candlelight Christmas House Tour has been held annually on the first Sunday in December since 1988. New Haven’s museums are open to the public by appointment. Check in advance whether an appointment is available for your preferred visit dates.
Discover more destinations: Saint Clair, Villa Ridge, Pacific, Sullivan, Union
For the regional travel overview: Franklin County.
