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St. Joseph, Missouri: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Come in August for the Trails West Festival. That is when this town tells its own story out loud, with the blacksmithing, the pottery, a cornhole tournament and a BBQ competition. February is the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, and there is a crawfish eating contest in it. The museums do not care. The lobotomy kit at the Glore Psychiatric Museum is on display in every month of the year.

Welcome to St. Joseph, Missouri. This city is full of history, culture and things worth doing. Local after a weekend or a visitor working the area, St. Joseph covers both. From museums and historic sites to time outdoors and good food, you will not run short of things to do here.

St. Joseph carries a history going back to the mid-1800s. As the starting point of the Pony Express and the place where Jesse James died, this city is full of stories and landmarks. But history is not the only reason people come. The city also holds parks, art galleries, theaters and festivals that mark the local culture. And the food scene earns the trip, with barbecue, craft beer and local specialties that send you back.

So get ready to work the things to do in St. Joseph, Missouri. History follower, outdoor type, or somebody who eats seriously, you will find plenty here. Let’s get into it.

Key Takeaways

• St. Joseph is a city full of history, culture, and fun things to do.
• From famous museums and historic sites to outdoor adventures and delicious food, there’s something for everyone in St. Joseph.
• Whether you’re a local or a visitor, St. Joseph is a great place to explore and discover new experiences.

A Brief History of St. Joseph, Missouri

St. Joseph, Missouri carries a history worth telling. You might know it as the birthplace of rapper Eminem and TV news anchor Walter Cronkite, or as the place where outlaw Jesse James was killed. But did you know St. Joseph took a central part in the Westward Expansion of the United States?

In the mid-19th century, St. Joseph ran hard on commerce and wealth. It was a major outfitting point for pioneers heading west on the Oregon Trail, and it was also a key player in the Pony Express, which carried mail from St. Joseph to Sacramento, California on a ten-day run.

But St. Joseph’s history is not all easy reading. The city was hit hard by the Civil War, with both Union and Confederate forces working for control of the area. St. Joseph was the site of several skirmishes and battles, the Battle of Kirksville among them.

Despite that, St. Joseph carried on after the war. The city became a center for fashion and design, with many clothing manufacturers setting up here. And today, St. Joseph holds a number of museums and historical sites that put the city’s own history in front of you.

So the Pony Express, Jesse James, or the Westward Expansion of the United States, St. Joseph runs all three. Come and work this city, and take the history sitting inside it.

Famous Museums and Historic Sites

If you follow history, St. Joseph, Missouri is where to be. The city holds several museums and historic sites that put you back in another century. Here are the museums and historic sites not to miss:

Pony Express Museum

Saddle up for the Pony Express Museum. Here you work the riders who risked their lives carrying mail across the country. The museum runs interactive exhibits, artifacts, and a restored Pony Express stable. You come out of it with the prairie still under you.

Jesse James Home Museum

If you follow the Wild West, do not miss the Jesse James Home Museum. This is the house where the outlaw was shot and killed by Robert Ford. The museum runs artifacts and exhibits carrying the story of Jesse James and his gang. You get a window into the life of an outlaw whose name outlived him in American history.

Glore Psychiatric Museum

Step inside the Glore Psychiatric Museum and the ground shifts under you. This museum sets out the history of mental health treatment in America. You will see artifacts such as straightjackets, electroshock machines, and a lobotomy kit. It is a hard and absorbing look at how mental illness has been handled over the years.

Patee House Museum

The Patee House Museum earns the stop for anybody interested in the history of St. Joseph. The building was once a luxury hotel that put up guests such as Mark Twain and Jesse James. Today it is a museum setting out the city’s history. You will see exhibits running from the Pony Express to the Civil War.

Robidoux Row Museum

Step back at the Robidoux Row Museum. This historic site is a row of four buildings dating from the 1840s. The buildings once held fur traders and merchants. Today they have been restored and turned into a museum. You will see artifacts and exhibits carrying the story of St. Joseph’s early days.

Wyeth Tootle Mansion

The Wyeth Tootle Mansion is a serious example of Victorian architecture. The mansion was built in 1879 and has been restored to what it was. Today it is a museum setting out life in St. Joseph during the late 1800s. You will see original furnishings, artwork, and a Tiffany chandelier.

History follower or simply somebody after a good afternoon, St. Joseph’s museums and historic sites cover both. From the Wild West to mental health treatment, there are plenty of exhibits here that stay with you.

Outdoor Adventures

If you follow the outdoors, St. Joseph runs plenty. From biking trails to rose gardens, everybody is covered. Here are the outdoor options in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Remington Nature Center

If you follow the natural world, the Remington Nature Center earns the stop. Sitting on the Missouri River, this center opens out over the water and the ground around it. You can work the exhibits and displays on the history of the Missouri River and its wildlife. The center also holds a butterfly garden and an aquarium, which makes it work for a day with the family.

Biking Trails

St. Joseph runs some of the strongest biking trails in the state. You can rent a bike and work the trails that wind through the city’s parks and landmarks. The trails are kept properly and run at a range of difficulty levels, so you will find one that fits. Beginner or experienced rider, St. Joseph has a trail for you.

St. Joseph Parkway

The St. Joseph Parkway is a green space winding through the heart of the city. You can take a slow walk or a ride along the parkway with the city’s landmarks and water opening out around you. The parkway also holds rose gardens, which makes it a place to sit down.

Saint Joseph Riverwalk

The Saint Joseph Riverwalk is a walking trail running along the Missouri River. You can take a slow walk with the river and the city’s landmarks in front of you. The trail is kept properly and runs benches and picnic areas, which makes it work for a day with the family.

St. Joseph, Missouri runs plenty for anybody who follows the outdoors. A ride with the country around you or a slow walk through a park, you will find both here. So pack your bags, grab your bike, and get out into it.

Art and Culture

If you want culture in St. Joseph, you will not be disappointed. From historic theaters to serious art museums, this city runs it all. Here are the spots for anybody who follows art and culture:

Missouri Theater

The Missouri Theater is a historic venue that has been putting on shows for St. Joseph since 1927. The theater has been through several renovations over the years, but what it was has been kept. Catch a movie or a live performance in this room and the years come off.

Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art

The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art is the one most people walk past in St. Joseph. This museum runs a serious collection of American art, with work by John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer. Art follower or simply somebody who looks, do not miss this one.

Walter Cronkite Memorial

St. Joseph is the hometown of Walter Cronkite, among the best-known news anchors in history. Visit the Walter Cronkite Memorial to work his life and career. The memorial runs exhibits and artifacts that show you the work behind broadcast journalism.

Student at Missouri Western State University or simply passing through, do not walk past St. Joseph’s cultural arts scene. From the Missouri Theater to the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art to the Walter Cronkite Memorial, there is plenty here to work.

Go to the Glore Psychiatric Museum first, because nothing else on this list will follow it. Straightjackets, electroshock machines and a lobotomy kit, all of it laid out. Then the Jesse James Home Museum, which is the actual house where Robert Ford shot him. Then the Pony Express Museum, where the mail left for Sacramento.

Sports and Entertainment

Looking for something with more in it in St. Joseph? The sports and entertainment side runs plenty. From baseball games to scavenger hunts, everybody is covered.

Phil Welch Stadium

If you follow baseball, do not miss a game at Phil Welch Stadium. Home to the St. Joseph Mustangs, this stadium works on a warm summer evening. With affordable tickets and a room that gets going, you will get your night out of it. And the stadium sits near downtown St. Joseph, so you can eat or take a drink before or after.

Kansas City Chiefs Games

If football is more your thing, you are in luck. St. Joseph sits a short drive from Kansas City, home to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. A game at Arrowhead Stadium stays with you, with the crowd, the food and everything around it. Make a day of it and work Kansas City before or after the game.

Scavenger Hunts

Want a way to work St. Joseph that you have not tried? Take a scavenger hunt. There are several companies in the area running them, where you solve clues and complete challenges as you work the city. It is a way to see the sights and take the history and culture of St. Joseph at the same time. And it works for a group of friends or family.

Whatever kind of sport or entertainment you follow, St. Joseph runs it. So grab your friends and family and take the day or the evening.

Food and Drink

On food and drink in St. Joseph, you will not be disappointed. From local diners to smarter restaurants, everybody is covered. Here is what to work through:

Dining Options

The Fredrick Inn Steakhouse:

If you want a smart dinner, this is where to go. The building dates back to 1895 and carries its own history. The steak comes out right, and the sides hold up.

Felix Street Gourmet:

This works for lunch or a quick bite. They run a range of sandwiches and salads. And the room is small and easy to sit in.

Ground Round Grill & Bar:

This works for a family dinner. They run a kids’ menu and plenty of options for adults. And they run a full bar if you want a drink.

Local Bars

If you want a drink, St. Joseph runs plenty of options. Here are the local bars to check out:

Felix Street Pub:

This works for a beer and some live music. They run a strong selection of local beers on draft, and the room stays busy.

The Tiger’s Den:

This is where the college students go, but anybody is welcome. They run a range of drinks and the prices are fair.

The Tiger’s Lair:

This is another one the college students go to. They run drink specials through the week, so check what is on.

Speak Easy

If you want something you will not get elsewhere, check out the Speak Easy. This is a hidden bar in the basement of a building downtown. You need a password to get in, so do your research first. Once you are inside, the years come off. The room is small and easy, and the drinks hold up.

St. Joseph runs plenty on food and drink. A smart dinner or a quick bite, you will find something that fits.

Festivals and Events

St. Joseph, Missouri runs deep on history and on culture. There are several festivals and events through the year worth working. Here are the strongest:

Trails West!® Festival

Every August, St. Joseph hosts the Trails West® Festival, which marks the city’s heritage and culture. This festival runs everything from live music to food vendors and arts and crafts. You can also watch demonstrations of blacksmithing, pottery and other traditional crafts. And if you are competitive, you can enter the cornhole tournament or the BBQ competition.

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl

In February, St. Joseph puts on a Mardi Gras Pub Crawl worth turning up for. You work the city’s nightlife with drink specials at participating bars. And if you are brave, you can enter the crawfish eating contest.

Juneteenth Celebration

St. Joseph marks Juneteenth every June with a festival for the end of slavery in the United States. This festival runs live music, food vendors and educational exhibits. You can also enter the 5K run and walk or the basketball tournament.

Other Festivals and Events

St. Joseph runs plenty of other festivals and events through the year, the Apple Blossom Festival in May and the Holiday Parade in December among them. Check the city’s events calendar to see what is coming up.

History follower or somebody who wants a night out, St. Joseph runs both. So pack your bags, grab your friends, and head to this Missouri city.

Visitor’s Guide

Welcome to St. Joseph, Missouri, where the past is still standing in the street. First-time visitor or seasoned traveler, there is plenty here to see and do. Here is a quick guide to get more out of the visit:

Self-Guided Tours

If you want to work St. Joseph at your own pace, there are plenty of self-guided tours. One people take is the Pony Express National Historic Trail, which runs you through the city’s history. You can also take a walking tour of the historic downtown area, where you get Victorian-era architecture and the city’s part in the westward expansion.

Specialty Shops

St. Joseph holds a range of specialty shops for every taste. If you read, check out the Southside Philosopher’s Stone, a bookstore working in rare and used books. For vintage, there is the Rusty Chandelier, which sells antique and vintage items you will not get elsewhere. And if you want something sweet, head to the Candy House Gourmet Chocolates, where you find a broad selection of chocolates, fudge and more.

On transport, St. Joseph runs a range of options. If you are flying in, the Kansas City International Airport is a short drive away. Once you are in the city, you get around by car, bike or on foot. And if you need to stay connected, there is free Wi-Fi at many of the city’s public spaces.

So come and visit St. Joseph and work everything this city runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a night out in St. Joseph, MO?

If you want a night out in St. Joseph, MO, there are plenty of options. You can catch a show at the Missouri Theatre or take a night of bowling at Belt Bowl. If you want live music, check out Cafe Pony Espresso or The Rendezvous. And if you want a drink, the Tiger’s Den or Hi-Ho Bar & Grill will do the job.

Where can I find the most delicious food in St. Joseph, MO?

St. Joseph, MO runs plenty on food. For classic American fare, check out Ground Round Grill & Bar or Bandana’s Bar-B-Q. If you want something different, try the sushi at Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse or the Mexican cooking at El Maguey. And grab something sweet from The Donut Stop or The Cupcake Company.

What are some unique and fun things to do in St. Joseph, MO?

St. Joseph, MO is full of things you will not get elsewhere. Take a stroll through Krug Park or visit the historic Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. For something with more in it, try axe throwing at The Axe Factor or mini-golfing at Joe Town Mini Golf. And for the one you will talk about afterwards, visit the Glore Psychiatric Museum or the Remington Nature Center.

Are there any quirky museums to visit in St. Joseph, MO?

Yes, St. Joseph, MO runs some odd museums. Check out the Glore Psychiatric Museum for the history of mental health treatment. Or visit the Patee House Museum for life inside a 19th century hotel. And if you follow history, the Pony Express Museum earns the stop.

What are the top events to attend in St. Joseph, MO?

St. Joseph, MO runs a range of events through the year. The Trails West Festival marks the history and culture of the American West. The St. Joseph Farmers Market is where to find fresh produce and handmade goods. And if you want a scare, the Haunted Corn Maze at Faulkner’s Ranch earns the trip over the Halloween season.

Can you recommend any fun mini golf courses in St. Joseph, MO?

Yes, St. Joseph, MO runs some strong mini golf. Joe Town Mini Golf has two 18-hole courses with themes such as a pirate ship and a castle. And for something older, Cool Crest Garden Golf holds up with its classic course design.

Frequently asked questions about St Joseph, Missouri

What exactly is it that sits inside the Glore Psychiatric Museum over there in St Joseph, then?

The history of mental health treatment in America, laid out without any softening of it at all in that place. Straightjackets, electroshock machines, a lobotomy kit. Difficult. It is also the thing that you will end up talking about for a long time afterwards.

Is the Jesse James Home Museum actually the real house itself, then, really now?

Yes, it is the actual house where Robert Ford shot and killed him at the end of it. The museum runs artifacts and exhibits on James himself and on the whole of his gang as well. The Patee House Museum is right next door to it, and Mark Twain himself once stayed there too. James too.

What exactly is at the Pony Express Museum over there in St Joseph these days, then?

The riders who carried the mail from here right out to Sacramento over in California. There are interactive exhibits, artifacts and a restored Pony Express stable in there as well as that. St Joseph was the starting point of the whole of that run out to the west. It began here.

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