Kansas City Is A Great Place To Live And Visit, With Its Rich Culture, History, And Cuisine.
But Sometimes, You Might Want To Escape The Hustle And Bustle Of The City And Explore Some Of The Amazing Destinations Nearby.
Whether You’re Looking For A Relaxing Day Trip, A Fun Weekend Getaway, Or A Longer Adventure, There’s Something For Everyone Within A Few Hours Of Kansas City.
Here Are 11 Of The Best Road Trips You Can Take From Kansas City In 2023, Ranging From Nature And Wildlife To Art And Entertainment.
1. Smithville Lake, Missouri
Distance From Kansas City: 30 Miles (35 Minutes)
Why You Should Visit: If You’re Looking For A Quick And Easy Escape From The City, Smithville Lake Is The Perfect Destination.
This Scenic Lake Offers Plenty Of Activities For Outdoor Enthusiasts, Such As Swimming, Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Biking, And Camping.
You Can Also Enjoy The Amenities Of The Lake’s Two Swim Beaches, Picnic Areas, Showers, And Restrooms.
Smithville Lake Is Also Home To A Variety Of Wildlife, Including Bald Eagles, Deer, Turkeys, And Waterfowl.
What To Do: You Can Rent A Boat Or Kayak From One Of The Marinas On The Lake And Explore The Water At Your Own Pace.
You Can Also Fish For Bass, Catfish, Crappie, And Walleye From The Shore Or From A Boat.
If You Prefer To Stay On Land, You Can Hike Or Bike Along The 26-Mile Paved Trail That Circles The Lake, Or Explore The 7,200 Acres Of Natural Areas That Surround It.
You Can Also Camp At One Of The Four Campgrounds On The Lake, Or Stay At A Nearby Hotel Or Bed And Breakfast.
2. Weston, Missouri
Distance From Kansas City: 35 Miles (45 Minutes)
Why You Should Visit: Weston Is A Charming Historic Town That Will Transport You Back In Time.
Founded In 1837, Weston Was Once A Thriving River Port And A Stop On The Santa Fe Trail.
Today, It Preserves Its Heritage With Its Well-Preserved Buildings, Museums, Shops, And Restaurants.
You Can Stroll Along The Brick-Lined Main Street And Admire The Architecture Of The 19th-Century Homes And Businesses.
You Can Also Visit Some Of The Town’s Attractions, Such As The Weston Historical Museum, The Weston Brewing Company, And The Mccormick Distillery.
What To Do: You Can Learn More About The History Of Weston At The Weston Historical Museum,
Which Features Exhibits On The Town’s Role In The Civil War, The Santa Fe Trail, And The Steamboat Era.
You Can Also Tour The Weston Brewing Company And The Mccormick Distillery, Which Are Both Among The Oldest In The Country.
You Can Sample Some Of Their Products At Their Tasting Rooms Or Pubs.
If You’re Looking For Some Nature And Adventure, You Can Head To Weston Bend State Park, Where You Can Hike, Bike, Picnic, Or Camp Along The Missouri River.
3. Omaha, Nebraska
Distance From Kansas City: 190 Miles (2 Hours And 45 Minutes)
Why You Should Visit: Omaha Is A Vibrant City That Offers Something For Everyone.
Whether You’re Into Art And Culture, Family Fun, Or Nightlife Entertainment, You’ll Find It In Omaha.
You Can Visit Some Of The City’s Top Attractions, Such As The Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium, The Joslyn Art Museum, And The Old Market District.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Of Omaha’s Famous Steaks At One Of Its Many Restaurants Or Catch A Live Show At One Of Its Theaters Or Music Venues.
What To Do: You Can’t Miss Visiting The Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium, Which Is One Of The Best Zoos In The World.
You Can See Over 17,000 Animals From Across The Globe In Habitats Such As The Desert Dome, The Lied Jungle, And The Scott Aquarium.
You Can Also Experience Some Thrills At The Skyfari Aerial Tram Or The Lozier Imax Theater.
If You’re More Into Art And Culture, You Can Check Out The Joslyn Art Museum, Which Features Works By Artists Such As Monet, Renoir And Degas.
You Can Also Explore Omaha’s History At The Durham Museum Or The Union Pacific Railroad Museum .
For Some Shopping And Dining Options , You Can Head To The Old Market District , Where You Can Find Boutiques , Antiques , Cafes , And Bars In A Historic Setting .
You Can Also Enjoy Some Nightlife Entertainment At One Of Omaha’s Many Clubs , Casinos , Or Comedy Venues.
4. Mark Twain National Forest
Distance From Kansas City: 200 Miles (3 Hours)
Why You Should Visit: Mark Twain National Forest Is A Vast Wilderness Area That Covers Over 1.5 Million Acres In Southern Missouri.
It’s Named After The Famous Author Who Grew Up In The Nearby Town Of Hannibal.
The Forest Offers A Variety Of Outdoor Activities, Such As Hiking, Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, And Horseback Riding.
You Can Also Explore Some Of The Forest’s Natural Features, Such As Caves, Springs, Waterfalls, And Rock Formations.
What To Do: You Can Hike Or Bike Along Some Of The Forest’s 750 Miles Of Trails, Which Range From Easy To Challenging.
You Can Also Camp At One Of The Forest’s 28 Campgrounds, Or Rent A Cabin Or Lodge. You Can Fish For Trout, Bass, Or Catfish In Some Of The Forest’s Streams, Rivers, And Lakes.
You Can Also Hunt For Deer, Turkey, Or Squirrel In Some Of The Forest’s Designated Areas.
If You’re Feeling Adventurous, You Can Explore Some Of The Forest’s Caves, Such As Round Spring Caverns Or Onondaga Cave.
You Can Also Admire Some Of The Forest’s Scenic Views, Such As Greer Spring Or Elephant Rocks.
5. Lake Of The Ozarks
Distance From Kansas City: 165 Miles (3 Hours)
Why You Should Visit: Lake Of The Ozarks Is A Popular Vacation Destination That Attracts Millions Of Visitors Every Year.
The Lake Is One Of The Largest Man-Made Lakes In The Country, With Over 1,100 Miles Of Shoreline And 54,000 Acres Of Water.
The Lake Offers A Variety Of Recreational Activities, Such As Boating, Fishing, Swimming, Water Skiing, And Jet Skiing.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Of The Lake’s Attractions, Such As Golf Courses, Amusement Parks, Wineries, And Shopping Centers.
What To Do: You Can Rent A Boat Or A Jet Ski From One Of The Lake’s Many Marinas And Have Some Fun On The Water.
You Can Also Fish For Bass, Crappie , Or Catfish In Some Of The Lake’s Hot Spots .
You Can Swim Or Sunbathe At One Of The Lake’s Many Beaches , Or Visit One Of The Lake’s Water Parks , Such As Big Surf Or Timber Falls.
You Can Also Play Golf At One Of The Lake’s 15 Courses, Or Enjoy Some Family Fun At One Of The Lake’s Amusement Parks, Such As Miner Mike’s Or Funlake.
You Can Also Sample Some Local Wine At One Of The Lake’s Wineries, Such As Shawnee Bluff Or Seven Springs.
You Can Also Shop For Souvenirs At One Of The Lake’s Shopping Centers, Such As Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace Or Stonecrest Mall.
6. Bentonville, Arkansas
Distance From Kansas City: 220 Miles (3 Hours And 30 Minutes)
Why You Should Visit: Bentonville Is A Small But Vibrant City That Is Best Known As The Birthplace And Headquarters Of Walmart.
But There’s More To Bentonville Than Just The Retail Giant.
The City Is Also A Cultural Hub That Boasts Some Impressive Museums, Art Galleries, And Festivals.
You Can Visit Some Of The City’s Attractions, Such As The Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art, The Museum Of Native American History, And The Scott Family Amazeum.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Of The City’s Dining And Nightlife Options, Which Range From Casual To Upscale.
What To Do: You Can Marvel At Some Of The Artworks By Famous Artists Such As Warhol,
Rockwell , And O’keeffe At The Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art , Which Is Housed In A Stunning Building Designed By Moshe Safdie.
You Can Also Learn More About The History And Culture Of Native Americans At The Museum Of Native American History , Which Features Artifacts From Various Tribes And Regions.
You Can Also Have Some Fun With Your Kids At The Scott Family Amazeum , Which Is A Hands-On Museum That Offers Interactive Exhibits And Activities.
You Can Also Sample Some Of Bentonville’s Cuisine At One Of Its Many Restaurants, Such As The Hive Or Tusk & Trotter.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Live Music Or Comedy At One Of Bentonville’s Bars Or Clubs, Such As Meteor Guitar Gallery Or The Forge.
7. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Distance From Kansas City: 180 Miles (3 Hours)
Why You Should Visit: Ha Ha Tonka State Park Is A Unique And Beautiful Park That Features A Variety Of Natural And Man-Made Attractions.
The Park Is Named After A Phrase That Means “Laughing Waters” In The Osage Language.
The Park Is Home To Missouri’s 12th Largest Spring, Which Feeds Into The Lake Of The Ozarks.
The Park Also Features Some Impressive Geological Formations, Such As Sinkholes, Caves, Bluffs, And Natural Bridges.
One Of The Park’s Most Striking Features Is The Ruins Of A Stone Castle That Was Built By A Wealthy Businessman In The Early 1900s.
What To Do: You Can Hike Along Some Of The Park’s 15 Miles Of Trails, Which Offer Scenic Views Of The Lake, The Castle, And The Spring.
You Can Also Explore Some Of The Park’s Caves, Such As Island Cave Or Turkey Pen Hollow Cave.
You Can Also Visit The Castle Ruins, Which Are Perched On A Bluff Overlooking The Lake.
You Can Learn More About The History Of The Castle And Its Owner At The Visitor Center.
You Can Also Picnic Or Camp At One Of The Park’s Designated Areas, Or Stay At A Nearby Lodge Or Resort.
8. Wichita, Kansas
Distance From Kansas City: 200 Miles (3 Hours)
Why You Should Visit: Wichita Is The Largest City In Kansas And A Cultural And Economic Hub Of The Region.
The City Offers A Variety Of Attractions And Activities For Visitors Of All Ages And Interests.
You Can Visit Some Of The City’s Museums, Such As The Wichita Art Museum, The Museum Of World Treasures, And The Exploration Place.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Of The City’s Parks And Gardens, Such As Botanica, Sedgwick County Zoo, And Old Cowtown Museum.
You Can Also Experience Some Of Wichita’s Nightlife And Entertainment Options, Such As Bars, Clubs, Casinos, And Theaters.
What To Do: You Can Admire Some Of The Artworks By Local And National Artists At The Wichita Art Museum, Which Features Collections Of American Art From Various Periods And Styles.
You Can Also Discover Some Of The Treasures From Around The World At The Museum Of World Treasures, Which Displays Artifacts From Ancient Civilizations, Medieval Times, And Modern History.
You Can Also Have Some Fun And Learn Something New At The Exploration Place, Which Is A Science And Discovery Center That Offers Interactive Exhibits And Shows.
You Can Also Relax And Enjoy Nature At Botanica, Which Is A Botanical Garden That Showcases Over 4,000 Species Of Plants In Themed Gardens.
You Can Also See Over 3,000 Animals From Different Continents At Sedgwick County Zoo, Which Is One Of The Largest Zoos In The Country.
You Can Also Step Back In Time At Old Cowtown Museum, Which Is A Living History Museum That Recreates A 19th-Century Frontier Town.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Nightlife And Entertainment At One Of Wichita’s Many Bars, Clubs, Casinos , Or Theaters , Such As The Cotillion , The Loony Bin , Kansas Star Casino , Or Orpheum Theatre.
9. Branson, Missouri
Distance From Kansas City: 240 Miles (4 Hours)
Why You Should Visit: Branson Is A Popular Tourist Destination That Is Known As The “Live Music Show Capital Of The World”.
The City Offers Over 100 Live Shows Every Day, Featuring Music Genres Such As Country, Rock, Gospel , And Broadway .
The City Also Offers A Variety Of Attractions And Activities For Families , Such As Theme Parks , Water Parks , Museums , And Shopping Centers .
What To Do: You Can Watch Some Of The Live Shows That Branson Is Famous For , Such As Dolly Parton’s Stampede , Legends In Concert , The Haygoods , Or The Presleys’ Country Jubilee.
You Can Also Have Some Fun At Some Of Branson’s Theme Parks , Such As Silver Dollar City , Which Is A 1880s-Themed Park That Offers Rides , Shows , And Crafts .
You Can Also Cool Off At Some Of Branson’s Water Parks , Such As White Water , Which Features Slides , Pools , And Waves .
You Can Also Learn Something New At Some Of Branson’s Museums , Such As Titanic Museum Attraction ,
Which Is A Replica Of The Famous Ship That Displays Artifacts And Stories From Its Passengers And Crew.
You Can Also Shop For Souvenirs At Some Of Branson’s Shopping Centers , Such As Branson Landing ,
Which Is A Waterfront Complex That Offers Shops , Restaurants , And A Fountain Show.
10. Eureka Springs
Distance From Kansas City: 280 Miles (4 Hours And 30 Minutes)
Why You Should Visit: Eureka Springs Is A Quaint And Charming Town That Is Nestled In The Ozark Mountains.
The Town Is Known For Its Victorian Architecture, Natural Springs, And Artistic Vibe. You Can Stroll Along The Historic Downtown District And Admire The Buildings That Date Back To The Late 1800s.
You Can Also Visit Some Of The Town’s Attractions, Such As Thorncrown Chapel, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, And The Great Passion Play.
What To Do: You Can Marvel At Thorncrown Chapel, Which Is A Stunning Glass-And-Wood Structure That Blends With Its Natural Surroundings.
The Chapel Was Designed By E. Fay Jones And Has Won Several Architectural Awards.
You Can Also See Some Exotic Animals At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Which Is A Sanctuary For Rescued Big Cats Such As Lions, Tigers, Leopards, And Cougars.
You Can Also Watch The Great Passion Play, Which Is A Live Performance That Depicts The Life, Death, And Resurrection Of Jesus Christ.
The Play Is Performed In An Outdoor Amphitheater That Seats Over 4,000 People.
You Can Also Relax And Rejuvenate At One Of Eureka Springs’ Spas, Such As The New Moon Spa Or The Palace Hotel And Bath House.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Of Eureka Springs’ Nightlife And Entertainment Options, Such As Bars, Clubs, Theaters, And Galleries.
11. Denver, Colorado
Distance From Kansas City: 600 Miles (9 Hours)
Why You Should Visit: Denver Is The Capital And Largest City Of Colorado And A Gateway To The Rocky Mountains.
The City Offers A Mix Of Urban And Natural Attractions, Such As Museums, Parks, Gardens, And Ski Resorts.
You Can Visit Some Of The City’s Landmarks, Such As The Colorado State Capitol, The Denver Art Museum, And The Denver Botanic Gardens.
You Can Also Enjoy Some Of The City’s Sports, Culture, And Cuisine Options, Such As Stadiums, Theaters, Breweries, And Restaurants.
What To Do: You Can See Some Of The City’s Landmarks At The Colorado State Capitol, Which Is A Neoclassical Building That Features A Gold-Plated Dome And Offers Tours And Views Of The City.
You Can Also Admire Some Of The Artworks By Local And International Artists At The Denver Art Museum, Which Features Collections Of Native American, Asian, European , And Modern Art .
You Can Also Relax And Enjoy Nature At The Denver Botanic Gardens , Which Is A 24-Acre Oasis That Showcases Over 15 , 000 Species Of Plants In Themed Gardens .
You Can Also Watch Some Of The City’s Sports Teams At One Of Its Stadiums , Such As Coors Field , Which Is Home To The Colorado Rockies Baseball Team .
You Can Also Experience Some Of The City’s Culture And Entertainment At One Of Its Theaters , Such As The Buell Theatre ,
Which Is Part Of The Denver Performing Arts Complex And Hosts Broadway Shows , Musicals , And Concerts .
You Can Also Sample Some Of The City’s Cuisine And Drinks At One Of Its Breweries Or Restaurants,
Such As Great Divide Brewing Company Or Snooze An A.M. Eatery.