Plunge Deep into the Wonders of Uranus, MO
Picture yourself riding along the Missouri stretch of Route 66. It’s a beautiful day, the weather’s perfect, and the miles just roll by.
But suddenly, you realize your motorcycle has entered Uranus.
Just a heads-up, if Uranus contains a stick instead of a whole heaping helping of juvenile humor, you’ll probably want to keep riding on (and maybe go read another one of our Destination articles). This isn’t a place to be taken very seriously—except that it is.
Uranus, MO, isn’t a town. Instead, it’s a roadside attraction and pit stop on Route 66, located in an unincorporated area outside St. Robert.
The proud owner of all the various things in Uranus is Louie Keen. The Honorable Mayor of Uranus, he’s usually around, dressed either in his red-white-and-blue mayoral regalia or in a janitor’s suit as he fixes leaks and sweeps floors.
Uranus used to be a strip mall catering to the nearby Fort Leonard Wood Army training facility. It had such wonderful establishments as a strip club, an adult bookstore, and something called “Cap’n Poupy’s.”
However, Keen, who purchased the mall, wanted to turn it into something more sophisticated. He had a vision (reportedly while intoxicated) of a bizarre roadside curiosity, the kind he cherished as a child when traveling with his parents. Started replacing the previous stores in 2013.
Although he appreciates Route 66 history, Keen was a little bummed that every establishment along the road keeps endlessly milking nostalgia. Where’s the new stuff for today’s travelers? He decided he would provide it himself—in exactly as juvenile a package as he wanted to.
In 2015, the brown stuff started flowing out of Uranus when the Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store opened. It sells everything you’d expect from a Route 66 gift store, from T-shirts to keychains, alongside its famous fudge.
If you’re hungry for more sweet treats from Uranus, try the Uranus Ice Cream Co. It’s open seasonally, and surprisingly, they sell other flavors besides chocolate.
The Uranus Sideshow Museum is a bit more educational. It showcases the lives and stories of the stars of various freak shows and traveling carnivals of yesteryear.
Riders who prefer more active off-the-saddle entertainment can try getting it smoothly into the hole at the Putt Pirates mini golf facility. For a more cerebral activity, you can put your puzzler to the test at Escape Uranus escape room. Can you get out, or will you be stuck forever?
On a more serious note, you should also go check out the nearby Devil’s Elbow Bridge. It’s one of the two remaining Route 66 bridges with a curve (the other being the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, MO) and the only one open to traffic. The curve’s not as dramatic as the Chain of Rocks, but it’s there.
Look, you shouldn’t roll into Uranus expecting some kind of highbrow experience. It’s dumb, it’s puerile, and it’s kind of fun.
Get your butt off the saddle, pull the stick out of there, and start exploring Uranus. Missouri.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Uranus Fudge Factory
- Devil’s Elbow Bridge
- Uranus Sideshow Museum
- Putt Pirates
Nearby Roads
The main motorcycling road near Uranus is—naturally—Route 66, which takes you there in the first place. The Missouri sections of the Mother Road are relatively well maintained and there are plenty of small towns and businesses for you to visit.
East of Uranus lies SR 19, also known as the Spine of Missouri. This curvy two-lane road goes through the western parts of Mark Twain National Forest, with plenty of twists and elevation changes amidst peaceful farmland and deep forest.
You can also head south to SR 125, which slithers its way southward from Bradleyville. The section north of Rueter is twisty and entertaining, and proceeding into Arkansas lets you ride the Peel Ferry.
Recommended Lodging: Comfort Inn St. Robert/Fort Leonard Wood
Not everyone would describe chain hotels as nice, but the Comfort Inn of St. Robert is about as nice as they come. It offers you a predictably comfortable overnight experience with a convenient location and affordable price.
If you’ve ever visited a chain hotel, you’ll know what to expect here. The rooms are decently sized for your gear, the parking space is ample, there’s a heated pool, and a hot breakfast gets you ready for the road in the morning.
There are plenty of restaurants within both a short walk and a short ride, giving you a lot of options on what to chow down on.
Food & Dining
- The Hub: Missouri has a deep German heritage, and you can grab a taste of that history at The Hub. Try one of the various schnitzels or the Bavarian sausage plate, and wash it all down with a good German beer. Find it at 777 VFW Memorial Dr, St. Robert, MO.
- Route 66 Diner: St. Robert’s Route 66 diner features a classic, all-American menu and a delightful interior, decorated in a retro 1950s style. It’s a Route 66 diner, alright. Find it at 126 St. Robert Blvd, St. Robert, MO.
Best Time to Travel
For motorcycling, Missouri is at its best in fall, from late August to late October. The weather is mild, with little rain and easily tolerable temperatures, and you get to marvel at nature’s color show with the fall foliage.
If your motorcycle is primarily a vehicle to get you to outdoor activities, though, go in June. The weather is warm but not overwhelmingly hot—which means you can spend a long time digging around Uranus.