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St. Joseph

· St. Joseph, MO

Why you should go…

St. Joseph is the seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, on a bluff above the Missouri River northwest of Kansas City. It was the eastern starting point of the Pony Express in 1860 and later the site of Jesse James's death in 1882, both preserved today in dedicated downtown museums.

  • #pony express
  • #jesse james
  • #missouri river
  • #history

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to St. Joseph, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Platte County

    Free

    A Kansas City-area county along the Missouri River, home to the region's international airport.

    21 mi awayMore like this

  • Eat & Drink
    Family Favorite

    Dave & Buster's Kansas City

    $25–$50

    A restaurant, sports bar, and arcade in the Village West district of Kansas City, Kansas, with dining and hundreds of games.

    38 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Worlds of Fun

    $50+

    KC's classic theme park: 100+ rides including the Mamba and Prowler coasters, plus Oceans of Fun waterpark.

    38 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Arabia Steamboat Museum

    Under $25

    200 tons of pristine 1856 frontier cargo, dug from a steamboat buried 45 feet under a Kansas cornfield.

    41 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Kansas City

    Free

    A Missouri River metro known for jazz and barbecue history, hundreds of fountains, and a walkable downtown.

    41 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    KC Streetcar

    Free

    A free, frequent streetcar linking River Market, Power & Light, Crown Center, Union Station and the Plaza.

    41 mi awayMore like this