Missouri's northwest region provides visitors with a variety of places to see and things to do.
There are historic landmarks, museums, state parks, water parks, theaters, festivals, golf courses, art galleries, antique shops, Riverfront shopping, fine dining, casinos, wineries, and more. You can go camping, boating, hunting, biking, fishing, hiking, and more. Every year, adventurers enjoy Missouri's outdoors.
The key cities in Northwest Missouri are Kansas City, Independence and St. Joseph.
There are so many historical sites and museums that it would be impractical to list of them. So, I have choosen to present the highlights.
Arrow Rock offers guided tours of the town's historical sites. See the J.P. Sites gun shop and house, the prin shop, the Old Tavern and the Dr. Sappington's museum. Then go north on I-70 on Rt. 4 to see the Arrow Rock State historic site where the Santa Fe Trail crossed the Missouri river.Visit the artist George Cleb Bingham's house, the 1834 Huston Tavern, Academy Boarding house, the museum and visitor center. Bring a picnic and camp out. Afterwards, go to Boone's Lick State Historic site and learn about Daniel and Nathan Boone's adventure in making salt. Bring along a picnic lunch and enjoy the trails. Fifteen miles west of Arrow Rock, tour an antebellum country home at Oak Grove Historic House or tour a 1849 Greek Revival southern mansion at Prairie Park Historic house. Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site is 5 miles south ofArrow Rock on Rt. AA. It is the burial place of prominent Arrow Rock citizens.
Experience what it would have been like to live in an 1855 Missouri town at Blue Springs. Visit the outdoor indoor living history museum with original structures. Guides and interpretors wear period clothing to set the stage. Special events are scheduled frequently.
Civil War had a significant impact on northwest Missouri. Tour a variety of Civil War sites. The Battle of Lexington was fought in 1861 and is now a historic site preserving the 100 acre battlefield and antebellum mansion on the ground. General Price's hometown in Keytesville honors his memory with a statue and a museum. The Confederate Memorial State Historic site in Higginsville is where Willion Quantrill is buried. Jesse James family home is located in Kearney. There are other Civil War sites throughout the region too.
Independence MO has many historical sites and museums. Visit the 1827 Log Courthouse, the 1859 Jail and the Harry S. Truman National historic site. See the Mormon Visitors Center for displays on Mormon history from 1831-1839. Tour the National Frontier Trails museum for fascinating stories of early pioneers traveling the Sante Fe, Oregon and California trails that all began in Independence. Explore a Pioneer Spring Cabin to get a glimpse at life in the 1800s. Take a horse drawn tour of Independence square and listen to stories of pioneers. Attend a puppet show at the Puppetry arts institue. Discover Victorian architecture by touring the Vaile Victorian Mansion, built in 1881.
Tour Amish Country in Jamesport. Discover Amish customs. Enjoy baked goods. Shop for Amish handcrafted items and antiques. Tour with guideds to learn about Amish customs, history and religion.
Kansas City has many museums and historic sites to see. You can gamble at one of the area's casinos. Shop at unique stores and boutiques. Attend the theater for Broadway shows, ballet, opera, plays and other fine entertainment. Listen to Jazz and explore the history of Jazz at the American Jazz museum. Visit more than 40 art galleries in the Crossroads Arts District. See candles made at Creative Candles. Stroll through public gardens. Go ice skating outdoors at the Ice Terrace. Tour the Harley Davidson Factory tours to see the motorcycle is assembled. Discover the stars at the Kansas City museum's planetarium. See the Kansas City Royals play baseball. Watch wildlife at the Kansas City Zoo. Marvel at the beauty of artwork by renown artists at Kansas City art museums and galleries. Enjoy the Riverfron Park along the Missouri River in downtown. Buy fresh fruite at Stephenson's Orchards. Ride roler coaters and other rides at the World of Fun amusement park. Shop at Zona Rosa for a unique shopping experience.
St. Joseph has many historical sites and museums. Tour the Barnard House 1877 for an interesting glimpse of life in the last 19th century. See the Buchannan County courthouse built in 1873 where the Ford brothers were tried for the murder of Jesse James. Then, go see Jesse James home and grave. Discover fire fighting equipment from the mid 1860s to the present at the Fire Museum. Learn about the history of psychiatric medicine at the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Tour the Hall Street Historic Homes District and discover the golden age. Check out the Pony Express National Museum for information on frontier mail service. Visit art museums and galleries. The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art has over 3000 pieces of artwork from the 18th, 19th and 20th century. The museum also offers art. classes. Shop for bargains at outlet stores. Listen to the symphony play at a renovated historic theatre. Gamble at the casino. Play Volleyball at a sports complex.