TOP 5: BEST DAY TRIPS FROM KC

Benedictine College Campus in Atchison, KS

Although Kansas City is our home and there is ALWAYS a new restaurant to try, a show to catch or a place to explore, sometimes we all just need a little escape, a change of scenery. Thankfully, not far away from the metro, there are several places that you can drive to and spend a whole day at, or even a night.

Being a spur-of-the-moment kind of person myself, I often times find myself waking up on my day off being like, “huh, where should I go today?” This happened yesterday so I decided to hit the road and go explore a lovely little town that you’re going to read about down below.

Here are five quaint little towns that I’ve visited on multiple occasions throughout the years just to get away from the city and to enjoy the country/small town vibe. Hopefully, this inspires you to check them out if you haven’t already and go support small local businesses as well as enjoying a breath of fresh and brisk air.

#5 Ottawa, KS

The little town of Ottawa is a short 50 minute to an hour drive south of Kansas City. All you have to do is hop on I-35 south and go past Olathe and Gardner. Shortly after, you will be arriving at this very relaxed and quiet town by the Marais des Signes River.

Its name derives from the Ottawa tribe of Native Americans. In 1864, the land was obtained from them at the same time as the founding of Ottawa University.

Without a doubt, the most interesting attraction here is the Plaza 1907 cinema, which hold the Guinness World Record for being the oldest operating cinema in the WORLD. Yes, you read that right, not just the Midwest or the country, but the whole world.

Cool thing, is that you can get some tickets, popcorn and a pop and enjoy a movie but also, you can rent the whole thing for private screenings and parties! You can’t miss it because it is very colorful and located right in the middle of downtown Ottawa.

But that’s not it, Ottawa also has great boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and coffee shops. I recommend you check out the Old Depot museum, have an amazing burrito at Maria’s Mexican, enjoy an amazing beer at Not Lost Brewing (my favorite is the Mango Wheat but the Chocolate Milk Stout is fire too) and end the day with a movie at Plaza 1907.

#4 Parkville, MO

Parkville is the closest to Kansas City on this list. Only a twenty-minute drive from downtown KC, Parkville makes for a fun day trip. According to the post office, the town was established in 1841 for settler George Park.

There are several reasons why Parkville is such a cool spot. For starters, it is home to Park University, which has one of the coolest college campuses I’ve seen. Mackay Hall sits at the top of a hill and looks like a castle you can find in Eastern Europe, absolutely stunning.

Mackay Hall at Park University

Besides the university, Parkville is located on the banks of the Missouri River alongside train tracks, which make for a beautiful walk that ends in downtown Parkville where you can find murals, shops, restaurants and bars as well as a mini golf course!

If you are feeling like hiking, Parkville is also known for its Nature Sanctuary, which is an easy and relaxing trail where you can feel and smell the fresh air going through the woods while listening to the waterfall. This hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour and is located next to Park University’s softball field.

#3 Atchison, KS

I just visited Atchison for the first time in my life last week and let me tell you, I loved it. It is a small riverside college town right on the border of Kansas and Missouri about an hour northwest of Kansas City.

Without a doubt, the coolest part about it is that this was Amelia Earhart’s hometown and you can visit her home, which is now a museum as well as the hangar museum. In case you are unaware of who she was, she was an aviator and the first woman to ever fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932 among many other accolades.

Waggener House

However, there is way more to Atchison like for example the fact that it is HAUNTED af. Every year, lots and lots of paranormal activity hunters visit Atchison to explore and hopefully experience some creepy stuff at sights such as the Sallie House as well as many other 150+ year old homes. Plan in advance and check out the trolley tours!

Benedictine College has a lovely campus and there are several great spots to grab a bit like Paolucci’s, a traditional Italian diner where I had some of the best nachos I’ve had in my life and I’m not exaggerating.

#2 Excelsior Springs, MO

If there is a small town outside of Kansas City that I know pretty well, it definitely is ol’ little Excelsior Springs. I absolutely love and recommend you visit E-Town at least once. There are plenty of things to do and places to visit and best yet, it’s only about 35 minutes from KC.

First and foremost, you have to check out The Elms Hotel & Spa. Not only is it an architectural gem, but this 125-year-old building is full of history. Throughout the years, it has hosted celebrities and politicians and it is said that even Al Capone would frequent it a lot back in the day. The Elms has undergone a massive renovation and it makes for a perfect weekend stay. Also, it’s haunted. I’m not kidding, I have heard many stories from friends and family who have worked and stayed there. So cool!

Excelsior Springs also features several attractions such as the Hall of Waters and the Fence Stile Vineyards, which you can check out before having lunch at either La Ventana or the Willow Smith Mercantile, both those restaurants have outstanding food.

Before moving on, I can’t forget to tell you that if you visit Excelsior Springs, you cannot miss Wabash BBQ! This place smokes some of the best barbecue in the world. They are an award-winning establishment and also host some blues shows so check out their schedule. Do yourself a favor and try their turkey or their ribs, they are to die for.

#1 Weston, MO

Last but certainly not least is Weston. This little town located about 35 minutes northeast of KC was founded in 1837 and was the first settlement in the Platte Purchase, a six-county area ceded to Missouri by the Sac and Fox Indian tribes.

In downtown Weston you will find a plethora of antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars, which you can explore in a couple of hours. I recommend you have lunch at Avalon Cafe followed by a walk along Main St. Check out also Beers To You, a cozy saloon where you can play pool and enjoy an ice cold beer. However, if you’re feeling like you need a healthy and spiritual day, you have got to visit the Weston Bend State Park.

Weston is full of history. There are so many couple-century old spots in this Irish town that survived the prohibition but none as popular and amazing as O’Malley’s. This pub is hidden almost 60 feet underground in the cellars of what was, in the19th century, the Weston Brewing Company. The space has functioned as brewery on and off since its 1842 inception and though it was forced to close when Prohibition was signed into law.

O’Malley’s has live music on Friday and Saturday nights and an amazing selection of cocktails and house beers. It is here where in my opinion, you can try two of the best things you’ve had in your life: their Cream Ale and their mashed potatoes. Either get the Bangers and Mash or simply a side order, but you have to try them.

If you want to learn more about the prohibition era or alcohol, be sure to visit the Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard, McCormick Distilling and the Holladay Distillery.