CITY SPOTLIGHT:

YOUR GUIDE TO ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI

dog playing in a field

Know Before You Go: About St. Joseph

Planning a trip to St. Joseph? Find out how to pack, how to get around and what to see once you get here.

A majestically alluring city along the Missouri River, St. Joseph offers some of the best flavors in the state. Pay a visit to the location where Jesse James was shot and killed, and the sites of several local historical homes and the Pony Express Museum. There are so many wonderful things to do here with both friends and family. Missouri’s St. Joseph just has a great vibe.

Show Me the Seasons

Weather in St. Joseph varies pretty dramatically from season to season. Without any ocean waters nearby to help moderate the changing temperatures, summer months in the area can be extremely hot and humid, while the winter season can be freezing. But unlike the riders of the Pony Express, you can take shelter indoors if a storm or heat wave breaks out.

Show Me the Entertainment

See artifacts from the life of Jesse James at the Patee House Museum, or where he was killed at the Jesse James Home on 12th Street. Check out fun-filled exhibits like an 1860s coin collection and a life-size wagon and oxen at the popular Pony Express National Museum. Head out to the Black Archives Museum to browse through displays that detail the Underground Railroad, or take the kids to the Remington Nature Center where there's a new scavenger hunt each month.

Show Me the Money

Although St. Joseph is known for its historical significance, its biggest industry is the creation of things. Manufacturing and production employ about 20,000 people in the area—and when you consider that less than 80,000 people call St. Joseph home, that's pretty significant. Health care is also a major industry, and not just for humans—veterinary care and research represents a big chunk of St. Joseph's business, something both you and your four-legged friend can appreciate.

Show Me the Way

The Kansas City International Airport is the main airline hub for the region, just 40 miles south of town. If that distance seems a bit too far, just think how long it would’ve taken Jesse James to cover that same distance on horseback. The closest Amtrak station is also in Kansas City, but Greyhound has a station in St. Joseph. Get around town by car or public transit.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in St. Joseph.

Things to Do in St. Joseph

Get your fill of prime rib at the Frederick Inn Steak House or delve deep into the region’s history by visiting the museums and historic sites.