Day Trip: St. Joseph, Missouri
I’ll be honest - St. Joseph wasn’t on my radar the way it should have been. It’s one of those cities that sits just close enough to Kansas City that you assume you already know everything about it, so you keep putting it off. I finally went up for a quick filming day, told myself I’d be in and out in a few hours, and ended up spending a full 24 hours there - and somehow that still wasn’t enough for me! St. Joe has layers and there is truly something for everyone - legitimate history, a stand-out cocktail and brewery scene, antique and vintage shops, and some of the most gorgeous architecture I’ve ever seen. By the time I left, I was already planning a full weekend trip back to actually do it justice.
Here’s how I would spend a day in St. Joseph, plus everything you’d add on if you decide to stay the weekend. And at just one hour from Kansas City, there is no excuse to miss this gem of a city!
The Day Trip Itinerary
Here is exactly what I would do if I only had a day to spend in St. Joseph.
MORNING — KRUG PARK
Start here and you’ll immediately understand why St. Joe locals are so proud of this place. You pass some of the most beautiful homes in America on the drive up to the park, so make sure to drive slowly and plan on gawking! In the park, there are ruins of a stone castle (with a drive through tunnel!), a waterfall, winding wooded paths - it looks like something out of a European city. Go early for the best light and fewest crowds.
Open daily 5am–12am · Free
MORNING — MT. MORA CEMETERY
I know “cemetery” sounds like an odd stop on a travel itinerary, but stay with me. Mt. Mora is one of the most stunning spots in all of St. Joe with rows of elaborate Victorian mausoleums, ancient oaks, and headstones dating back to the 1800s. Head straight to Mausoleum Row. It’s peaceful, atmospheric, and the architecture is genuinely to die for (I couldn’t resist the pun!). They have guided tours depending on the time of the year, but you can just explore on your own any time.
Open daily 9am–4pm · Free
MORNING — ALBRECHT-KEMPER MUSEUM OF ART
The Albrecht-Kemper punches well above its weight for a regional art museum! When I saw a Degas in their impressive permanent collection, I was absolutely stunned (in the best way). The collection is outstanding, they bring in stellar rotating exhibitions, and it’s housed in a beautiful historic mansion. Budget about 45 minutes and go right when it opens. A great cultural counterpoint to all the outdoor and history stops. This immediately became one of my favorite places in the entire state.
Tue–Fri 10am–4pm · Sat–Sun 1pm–4pm · $10 for an adult ticket
MIDDAY — GLORE PSYCHIATRIC MUSEUM
If you only visit one museum in St. Joseph, make it this one. The Glore Psychiatric Museum is one of the largest psychiatric museums in the world, and it sits right next to a still-functioning state hospital which sets the tone immediately. The exhibits walk you through the full, unflinching history of mental health treatment in America: lobotomy tools, restraint devices, ice baths, a human hamster wheel that patients were made to walk in to pump water. It's equal parts fascinating and deeply sobering, and I read every single placard. Also housed in the same building are a Native American history exhibit and a Black archives collection that are absolutely worth your time too.
Open daily 10am–5pm · $12 for an adult ticket
LUNCH — RC’S LUNCH CAR
I fell in love with RC’s at first bite. The menu is creative without being pretentious - think smoked bologna sandwiches, birria grilled cheese, and absolutely amazing burgers. I will be thinking about the french fries and house ketchup until the end of time!
Opens 11am Tue–Sat · Closed Sun–Mon
AFTERNOON — HUNTERLAND ANTIQUE MALL + THE LUCKY TIGER
These two are close enough to do back to back and cover the full spectrum of St. Joe’s vintage scene. Hunterland is the classic antique mall experience done right - organized booths, fair prices, and lots of treasures to discover. The Lucky Tiger is a curated vintage clothing shop with real personality: great vinyl, jewelry, and clothing that feels handpicked. The owner wrote little notes on most tags about what she likes most about each piece. I spent an hour here and could’ve stayed even longer!
Both open 10–11am · A few blocks apart on Edmond St
LATE AFTERNOON — RIVER BLUFF BREWING + PARKWAY DISTILLERY
These two are right next to each other on Frederick Ave and make for the perfect late-afternoon stop. River Bluff Brewing has incredible energy. It is housed in a rustic historic building, there is live music on weekends, and the beer is exceptional. Pop across the street to Parkway Distillery. They have exceptional cocktails and a setting you’ll want to hang out in all night.
Both open 3pm weekdays · 11am Sat–Sun
BEFORE YOU GO — SAINT JOSEPH RIVERWALK
End your day at the Riverwalk on the Missouri River. The south entrance puts you right at the water’s edge with views of the Riverwalk Bridge and it is the perfect way to end your day in St. Joe. You don’t need more than 15 minutes if you’re on a tight timeline, but I recommend timing your visit so you can see the river as the sun starts to set.
Open daily 5am–12am · Free · Park at the south entrance
ON YOUR WAY OUT — JESSE JAMES HOME & CHERRY MASH
Two St. Joe icons to send you off right. The Jesse James Home is right on your route out of town and even a quick stop for exterior photos is worth it. This is the actual house where Jesse James was shot and killed in 1882 and the bullet hole is still in the wall! Go inside if you have time ($5 for the full tour), but even five minutes in the parking lot counts.
Then before you hit I-29, grab a Cherry Mash. This chocolate-covered cherry candy has been made in St. Joseph since 1918 by the Chase Candy Company and it is the official edible souvenir of the city. I tried one and immediately became obsessed. You can find them at gas stations and shops all over town, so there is truly no excuse to leave without one. Consider yourself warned: you will want to buy some to bring home!
Fri–Sat 9am–4pm · Thu 12:30–4pm · $5 full tour (Jesse James Home)
Make It a Weekend
Already falling for St. Joe? Same. A single day barely scratches the surface so you should consider making it a weekend trip. You can slow way down, do the full Jesse James tour, wake up for breakfast at Betty’s Cafe, and work in the spots that didn’t fit the day trip.
Here’s the full weekend itinerary:
DAY 1: AFTERNOON ARRIVAL — DOWNTOWN, DRINKS, + DINNER
Arrive in the early afternoon and head straight to the Glore Museum. Later, you’ll walk Edmond St, pop into Hunterland and The Lucky Tiger, then follow the evening into River Bluff and Parkway Distillery for drinks. End the night at First Ward House.
Glore Psychiatric Museum
Hunterland Antique Mall
The Lucky Tiger vintage shop
River Bluff Brewing
Parkway Distillery
Dinner at First Ward House - First Ward House has been around for over 100 years and it is a must stop! The wings are smoked then fried, the burgers are delicious, and the atmosphere of this historic bar is irreplaceable.
DAY 2: MORNING — BETTY’S, HISTORY, + ART
Betty’s Cafe is the reason to stay the night. It’s the kind of small-town diner that people drive out of their way for. It opens at 5am and their pies sell out daily. Do not sleep in and miss this! After breakfast, take your time through the history and art stops you rushed through on day one.
Breakfast at Betty’s Cafe — opens 5am, closed Sun + Mon
Krug Park at morning golden hour
Jesse James Home full tour ($5)
Mt. Mora Cemetery stroll
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art
Lunch at RC’s before heading home
The Bottom Line
St. Joseph completely snuck up on me. I went for a day trip and left making actual plans to come back for a full weekend. The history is impressive, the vintage shopping alone is worth the drive, and the people are some of the friendliest I've encountered anywhere. One hour from Kansas City and it feels like a completely different world - in the best way. Don't sleep on St. Joe!
