A Weekend Getaway to St. Joseph

It took horseback riders 10 days to deliver mail across the often-treacherous terrain between St. Joseph – the starting point of the Pony Express – and Sacramento, California. At the Pony Express National Museum, learn about the significance of the innovative mail relay system, the brave men who took on the 2,000-mile journey and the dangers they faced. Tour the restored stables, and a replica of a one-room schoolhouse.

Established in the mid-1800s as a luxury hotel, the Pattee House served as the headquarters for the Pony Express. The Patee House Museum is a true time capsule, containing relics dating back to the Old West. Climb aboard an 1860 train, ride a vintage carousel, and explore a collection of antique furniture and toys. One wing of the museum recreates the streets of St. Joseph in the 1860s-1880s. Next door is the Jesse James Home, where the infamous outlaw was gunned down by Bob Ford, a fellow gang member.

The menu at Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood includes an assortment of Cajun-inspired dishes like etouffee, crab bisque, fried alligator, boudin and jambalaya. Sides include Cajun mashed potatoes and Cajun mac and cheese with sausage and crawfish.

Locals look to The Cabbage Roll for authentic German dishes. Choose from a variety of specialty schnitzel accompanied by hot German potato salad. And, of course, you’ve got to try the cabbage rolls. A rotating selection of desserts includes German chocolate torte, lemon mouse torte, bread pudding and peanut butter pie.

A reservation-only, fine-dining establishment, the J.C. Wyatt House immerses guests in Victorian ambiance while lavishing them with expertly prepared food. Diners choose an entrée, such as roasted salmon or lamb chops, from a seasonal menu in advance to give the chef plenty of time to craft a culinary masterpiece.

Try the famous spinach salad and slow-roasted prime rib or a custom-cut steak at the Fredrick Inn Steakhouse. You'll also find a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads. Don’t miss the freshly made dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls and more than a dozen desert options.

Examine society’s evolving attitudes toward mental health and the historical treatment of mental illness at the Glore Psychiatric Museum, the largest psychiatric museum in the world. Exhibits include treatment equipment from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries; surgical tools; and doctors’ personal notes. Patient artwork, such as pottery, paintings and needlework, show how patients faced their challenges and expressed themselves through their art. The museum is located in a complex that is also home to the Black Archives Museum, Doll Museum, Native American Galleries and History Galleries. Explore all the museums for one admission free.

The Walter Cronkite Memorial tells the story of America’s most-trusted news anchor, known for his coverage of historic events and his famous sign off, “And that’s the way it is.” The museum is located on the campus of Missouri Western State University.

Admission is free.

Boasting 40 rooms, the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion is a prime example of the Victorian architecture found in St. Joseph. The mansion design was inspired by the castles located along the Rhine River in Germany. The restored residence, now a museum, features intricate woodwork, hand-painted ceilings and imported stained glass. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays, April through October.

The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art serves as a cultural arts center for northwest Missouri. The museum houses an impressive collection of rare artwork from the 18th through the 21st centuries. It also offers workshops and hosts special exhibits and art history lectures.

Originally a 1920s “movie palace,” the Missouri Theater features performances by the Saint Joseph Symphony and the Robidoux Resident Theatre company. Guided tours of the theater, showcasing its Art Deco and Moorish architectural design, are available by appointment.

Exhibits at the Remington Nature Center highlight animal habitats and regional history. Explore the grounds, including native wildflower areas, on a paved walking trail that surrounds the nature center./p>

Take a trip to Schweizer Orchards to browse their indoor market and pick fresh fruit – blueberries, raspberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins – in season. Sitting on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, the family-owned orchards have been producing apples for four generations.

Take in panoramic views of the Missouri River at Huston Wyeth Hill, a westward-facing scenic overlook sitting high on the river bluff. Pioneers crossed the Missouri River at this point on their way west. In the fall, the changing leaves add to the beauty.

Known as both The Parkway and The Boulevard, The St. Joseph Parkway green belt runs throughout the city. The route, popular with hikers and cyclists, consists of approximately 26 miles of paved paths and wide sidewalks. It includes more than 2 miles of Riverwalk along the Missouri River, from Heritage Park to downtown St. Joseph.

Located on “Millionaires’ Row, Shakespeare Chateau Inn and Gardens and Bed and Breakfast offers luxury accommodations in Old World surroundings. The inn sits high atop a bluff looking down across St. Joseph and the Missouri River. The impressive structure is part of Joplin’s historic district, filled with elaborate mansions that date back to the 1870s.

Experience the grandeur of the Gilded Age at the Vineyard Mansion and Carriage House. The imposing 23-room mansion, built in 1890, is one of only six Romanesque Revival style homes left in St. Jospeh. Guests can enjoy all the common rooms on the first floor, including the rear parlor, dining room and kitchen.

Filled with period furniture, the Whiskey Mansion Bed and Breakfast remains authentic to its Italianate design with Queen Anne details. The mansion’s name was inspired by the original owners, who produced and distributed whiskey in the late 1800s.