Quick Summary:

  • Kansas City is Missouri’s largest city, known nationwide for its rich jazz music heritage and world-famous barbecue.
  • The following towns and attractions make the perfect day-trip getaway from Kansas City, showcasing famous historic sites, unique art collections, and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor exploration.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Atchison ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Atchison | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Atchison Kansas FB Page

2. Carthage ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Carthage | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of PeekCC - Fotolia.com

3. Dalton Gang Hideout

Dalton Gang Hideout | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Dalton Gang Hideout

4. Excelsior Springs

Category: Activities
Excelsior Springs | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Downtown Excelsior Springs, Missouri FB Page

5. Florida, MO

Florida, MO | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Missouri State Parks

6. Hermann

Hermann | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of Leia - Fotolia.com

7. Independence, MO

Independence, MO | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of gnagel - Fotolia.com

8. Lake Jacomo

Category: Activities
Lake Jacomo | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of Tommy Brison - Fotolia.com

9. Lawrence

Lawrence | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of jzehnder - Fotolia.com

10. Leavenworth

Leavenworth | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of Jon - Fotolia.com

11. Lecompton

Lecompton | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Historic Lecompton

12. Louisburg

Louisburg | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Mayor Travis Thompson

13. Lucas

Lucas | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Kansas Sampler Foundation

14. Missouri Town 1855

Missouri Town 1855 | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Friends Of Missouri Town 1855

15. Mushroom Rock State Park (Kansas)

Category: Activities
Mushroom Rock State Park (Kansas) | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of pop_gino - Fotolia.com

16. Powell Gardens

Category: Activities
Powell Gardens | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of RukiMedia - Fotolia.com

17. Prairiefire

Prairiefire | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Prairiefire

18. Somerset Wine Trail

Category: Activities
Somerset Wine Trail | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Courtesy of robynmac - Fotolia.com

19. St. Joseph

St. Joseph | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Visit St. Joseph, Missouri

20. Weston

Weston | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Weston MO Chamber of Commerce

21. Ha-Ha Tonka State Park

Category: Activities
Ha-Ha Tonka State Park | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Larry/stock.adobe.com

22. Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Goddard, KS

Category: Activities
Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Goddard, KS | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Tanganyika Wildlife Park

23. Roaring River State Park, Cassville, MO

Category: Activities
Roaring River State Park, Cassville, MO | Day Trips from Kansas City
© Kyle Spradley/stock.adobe.com

24. Wild Animal Safari, Strafford, MO

Wild Animal Safari, Strafford, MO | Day Trips from Kansas City
© eyeworld/stock.adobe.com

25. Indian Cave State Park, Shubert, NE

Category: Activities
Indian Cave State Park, Shubert, NE | Day Trips from Kansas City
© GCapture_Aska/stock.adobe.com

Summary & FAQ Atchison Carthage Dalton Gang Hideout Excelsior Springs Florida, MO Hermann Independence, MO Lake Jacomo Lawrence Leavenworth Lecompton Louisburg Lucas Missouri Town 1855 Mushroom Rock State Park (Kansas) Powell Gardens Prairiefire Somerset Wine Trail St. Joseph Weston Ha-Ha Tonka State Park Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Goddard, KS Roaring River State Park, Cassville, MO Wild Animal Safari, Strafford, MO Indian Cave State Park, Shubert, NE

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