Excelsior Springs may be the Kansas City area’s best kept secret. Located only 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City in a picturesque valley, visitors will enjoy a setting that looks more like the Ozarks than the big city.

It’s unique history is well preserved in the Hall of Waters and Cultural Museum (an Art Deco masterpiece built in the 1930’s) and the 100-year old Elms Resort and Spa (a 150-room historic hotel). Both are listed on the National Historic Register.

The Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives, located in the historic Clay County State Bank, has a 20,000-pound vault door you can move with one finger. Excelsior Springs has over 120 acres in parks including walking trails, a skateboard park and a beautiful 18-hole golf course built in 1912.

Enjoy great food from a variety of eating establishments and treat yourself to unique shops throughout the Hall of Waters Historic District, downtown and nearby shopping centers.

Ongoing events throughout the year provide guests with many forms of entertainment such as: Gatsby Days in the spring, the annual Waterfest in June, BBQ Contest in August, and Wine and Jazz Festival in October. The Wabash Blues Garden opens on weekends May through September. Excelsior Springs features live theater at the Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre and Kiwanis Broadway Musical Production.

Fall activities include the Mayor’s Tree Lighting, Hall of Trees, Home Tour, Progressive Taste of Christmas and the Annual Mineral Water Bowl game.

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