KCRag Forum

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but the new forum search is a bit limited and I wasn't able to find anything. If anyone can point to an old thread, I'll happily merge.

Anyway, one of the few things I don't like about KC compared to other cities is our relative lack of nearby destinations. In the upper Midwest, one is only a couple of hours from at least another city of consequence. We're a 3 hour drive from Omaha and a long trek to St Louis. If you're going somewhere for the weekend, you're flying.

So, lacking large cities within a day trip range, what are some of the smaller ones worth visiting? I'm thinking of the place you ride your bicycle 50 miles to have breakfast, or the weekend drive to spend an afternoon in a quaint town. When I rack my brain for ideas, I don't come up with much.

Weston is the default choice but its charms are limited. Leavenworth and Atchison don't seem to offer much. Lawrence is a little too familiar. On the Missouri side, it feels like the metro has eaten up smaller cities within reach, and cities like St Joseph don't retain their historic feel very well.

So, what am I overlooking? What great parks, towns, diners, museums, etc, are a quick trip from KC?

the flint hills offer a plentitude of options. we stayed at a converted barn B&B outside of manhattan and hiked around the area. others are more knowledgeable about the flint hills, and i defer to their expertise, but it's a beautiful area and i think there are some decent towns sprinkled throughout. my sister in law used to live in emporia and it seems okay.

perhaps obvious, but columbia/rocheport/hermann etc. are good for a weekender.

I know people who take day or weekend trips driving around the Ozark area. This includes both lakes. Go through Sedalia one time and then through Clinton. There are a few Amish-type communities that have some good restaurants, if you like that style of food.

It may not be the "cities" you are looking for but it is a way to get away from it all.

Pick a town on the Katy Trail, Rocheport or Booneville. We did a day trip to Lexington once, antiques and a fair size town square.

abilene! the eisenhower library is great! also, nebraska city.

most of the missouri river towns have something worth a visit, even if it's just to soak up how those towns embrace a riverfront.

we are pretty isolated. it feels like i've already exhausted the options. have you checked out the "day trips from kansas city" book?

DaveKCMO wrote:abilene! the eisenhower library is great! also, nebraska city.

most of the missouri river towns have something worth a visit, even if it's just to soak up how those towns embrace a riverfront.

we are pretty isolated. it feels like i've already exhausted the options. have you checked out the "day trips from kansas city" book?

Nebraska City is a good one, but unfortunately that is going to be a longer trip for awhile.

I haven't been to Abilene. That is a good idea. I'll look into it.

...and I've heard of that book, but had forgotten it. Maybe I'll jaunt to the library over lunch and see if I can find it. Thanks for the suggestion!

If you're up for a drive, many believe it's worth a jaunt to Salina for some Cozies.

I really enjoy day trips around KS and MO. There is really nothing extraordinary in this area but the roads are nice and this time of the year rural driving is the best. I have plenty of trip reports on my blog but not everyone likes my style. (feel free not to click, I am not really posting these for traffic)
http://kcmeesha.com/2011/09/04/roadtrip ... rn-kansas/
http://kcmeesha.com/2010/04/19/letting- ... ocsaloosa/
http://kcmeesha.com/2010/03/08/where-ra ... ses-trail/
http://kcmeesha.com/2010/09/19/the-home ... ain-folks/
http://kcmeesha.com/2009/03/20/postcard-from-topeka/

For a normal and extremely complete listing of Kansas sites and restaurants check out this site:
http://www.kansastravel.org/
amazingly this is a personal site and not the state tourism listing.