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Day Trips from Kansas City
By Lisa Waterman Gray
While the Kansas City metropolitan area offers entertainment to suit every age and taste, there's nothing like a road trip for a fresh perspective and new adventures. These four towns are well worth exploring and located within an hour's drive of Kansas City, MO.
History and Hauntings – Atchison, KS
The spirit of Atchison's favorite daughter, Amelia Earhart, lives on at the 1860 Amelia Earhart Birthplace, located atop a gorgeous bluff near the Missouri River, and in artist Stan Herd's “crop portrait” of the aviator at Amelia Earhart Earthworks at Warnock Lake. You'll also find a stone marker in the adjacent International Forest of Friendship, with etched portraits of the Columbia space shuttle crew.
Atchison offers a lovely and spirited step back in time. Find out more
Healing Water and Culinary Therapy – Excelsior Springs, MO
Splurge on a decadent red velvet cake truffle or pecan turtle at Oooey Gooey Chocolates and then sample from among 14 Missouri wines and beers at Willow Spring Mercantile.
Indulgence doesn't get much better than this. Find out more
Shop and Learn – Lawrence, KS
Visit animal dioramas from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and a massive mosasaur skeleton at the Natural History Museum and Renaissance art or modern photography at The Spencer Museum of Art. Across town, learn about American Indian history at Haskell Indian Nations University and Cultural Center. Then shop Massachusetts Street, from cinnamon bun candles at Waxman Candles, to kitchenware galore at The Bayleaf. Find the perfect ride at Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop or European cheeses at au Marché.
Educate and entertain yourself in this university town. Learn more
Town and Country – Weston, MO
Sample award-winning libations at Pirtle Winery or McCormick Country Store—part of the nation's oldest continuously operating distillery, and enjoy patio dining at The Vineyards Restaurant or Weston Brewing Company. Find hand-rolled cigars at Weston Tobacco, natural-fiber women's clothing at Missouri Bluffs Boutique, and Western-inspired items at Back Roads Art, Cactus Creek, Hawk's Nest Western Décor, or Buffalo Ranch Rustic Home Furnishings.
This small, historic town provides hours of options. Learn more
For more ideas on day trips around Kansas City, visit KCDestinations.com.
Other Great Day Trip Destinations
Several unique and interesting communities are located just outside Kansas City. These charming areas make great day trips from Kansas City.
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Arrow Rock, Missouri
Type: History | Location: East
In 1829, the town of Arrow Rock was founded on the bluff above the ferry crossing. Its situation on the Missouri River and Santa Fe Trail meant that large numbers of travelers heading west passed thro...
Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Regional
Follow the Lewis & Clark Trail to birthplace of Amelia Earhart. Historic river city 50 miles NW of KC. Quaint shops, Victorian homes, museums, art gallery, trolley tours, bed & breakfasts, railroad he...
Cass County Historical Society
Type: Visitor Centers | Location: Regional
The 1835 Sharp-Hopper Log Cabin is one of few structures in the "Burnt District" to survive the Kansas-Missouri Border War and serves as the Cass County Information Center. The Margaret Wade Archives...
City of Liberty, MO
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Near Worlds of Fun
Come experience hometown dining and shopping in historic Liberty, Missouri. With so much to offer including festivals, museums, specialty shops and the charm of the historic downtown square, Liberty i...
Clay County Parks-Tourism Division
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Northeast
Come see come do in Clay County, just north of downtown Kansas City, you´ll find a place where urban meets country. A place where there´s something for everyone. Internationally known attractions, cha...
Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Regional
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 Ozar...
Greater Chillicothe Visitor Region
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Regional
A delightful collection of charming communities. An hour north of Kansas City, the Chillicothe area makes a perfect day trip. Visit the home of sliced bread, Missouri's largest Amish community, the ...
Historic Downtown Liberty
Type: Shopping Centers & Malls | Location: Northeast
Liberty, Missouri ... Ideally located at the northeast threshold of Kansas City, Liberty offers all the advantages of a small town while enjoying easy access to the amenities of the big city. Founded ...
Independence, MO Tourism Department
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: East
- Independence, MO Tourism Department has a Video
From pioneers to presidents, Independence played a key role in shaping our nation's future. Minutes east of Kansas City, it offers several heritage attractions within a short distance of the downtown ...
Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: West
- Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. has a Video
Welcome to Kansas City, Kansas,the hottest tourist destination in the Midwest! From world-class racing and grand-scale shopping, to distinctive dining and lodging, Kansas City offers visitors unique e...
Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Northwest
The City of Lansing is a progressive community located 25 minutes from Kansas City International Airport. We are living up to our motto "The City with a Future" with a growing population, business di...
Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau
Type: Antiques | Location: West
- Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau is a Visitor's Choice
Just 45 minutes west of KC and known for its cultural ambiance, historic downtown district dotted with fine shops, galleries, unique restaurants, outdoor cafes & coffeehouses, the University of Kansas...
Leavenworth Convention & Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Regional
"First City of Kansas," founded in 1854. Features numerous vintage homes, antique stores, C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, Carroll Mansion, historic riverfront downtown, Landing Park, Fort Leavenworth and...
Lecompton Historical Society
Type: Museums | Location: Regional
Visit Historic Lecompton -- "Birthplace of the Civil War, Where Slavery Began to Die."
Lecompton -- located one hour west of Kansas City, just off I-70 -- was the official Territorial Capital of Ka...
Lenexa Convention and Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips
Lenexa Barbeque Battle, Lenexa Spinach Festival, Williams Foods Chili Challenge and Waterfest. Minutes from all major Kansas City attractions. Lenexa Conference Center is a unique meeting facility f...
Louisburg Chamber of Commerce
Type: Convention Bureaus / Chambers / Area Info | Location: Southwest
Louisburg is a small charming town with friendly people located 20 minutes south of the Kansas City metro area. The local restaurants, shopping, parks and attractions are worth a day trip visit for ca...
Merriam Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Southwest
Explore Merriam, a quaint community nestled just ten minutes from downtown Kansas City. Discover treasures in our downtown shops or visit nearby attractions. Check out our community center art gallery...
Miami County, KS
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Southwest
A blend of the urban with the rural, Miami County offers families a unique getaway. Choices include viewing the stars from the largest public telescope in five states to watersports, making apple cide...
Olathe Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Southwest
"Experience Yesterday" at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farmstead -- the only stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail open to the public. Experience life of the 1860s at this living history farm; or...
Osawatomie Chamber of Commerce
Type: Convention Bureaus / Chambers / Area Info | Location: Southwest
Osawatomie is nestled between two rivers: the Marais des Cygnes (Marsh of the Swans) on the North and the Pottawatomie on the South. The Marais des Cygnes is part of the Osage River system. Osage and ...
Ottawa/Franklin County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Regional
Antiques. Historic buildings. Quaint shopping. Mom-and-pop restaurants. Soda fountains. Agriculture. Museums. Bike trails. Special events and festivals. The list goes on ...
There is something for ...
Overland Park Convention & Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Southwest
- Overland Park Convention & Visitors Bureau has a Video
Visitors to Overland Park find an inviting and sophisticated community featuring some of the Kansas City area's finest shopping, dining and entertainment. A variety of lodging accommodations provide e...
Paola Chamber of Commerce
Type: Convention Bureaus / Chambers / Area Info | Location: Southwest
Paola is a charming community with 150 years of history. It is located about twenty minutes south of the Kansas City metropolitan area on US Highway 169 in Miami County, the second fastest growing co...
Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Type: Area Destinations / Day Trips | Location: Northwest
Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau has been rated 1 out of 5 stars
Explore all that Platte County has to offer!
Shop & dine in the historic river towns of Parkville and Weston. Visit Kansas City's newest retail, dining and entertainment destination, Zona Rosa. Try y...
Spring Hill Kansas - Historic Downtown
Type: History | Location: Southwest
The State of Kansas recognized this area for its significance to the community. The one-block district includes buildings built as early as 1896. The area was developed as the community's second down...
