Saint Joseph

St. Joseph is a city mostly in and county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, United States. A small portion of the city extends north into Andrew County. Wikipedia.
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Saint Joseph Trip Planner

Saint Joseph Trip Planner

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Top attractions in Saint Joseph

Patee House Museum
1. Patee House Museum
4.7
(796)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Former Pony Express headquarters & Civil War Union outpost, now a showcase for Western artifacts.
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We enjoyed it greatly. Lots of historical artifacts from the history of the museum and the town of St. Joseph of course. If I recall correctly there was 3 flrs to the museum area. There was an elevator but not sure if it was in service as we walked up the staircase which there are two. Plenty of history information of famous visitors to the hotel, and displays of early communication, travel, crime & services in Joseph, Mo.. really nice and very inexpensive. There's even a train in the building and a carousel you can ride. I rode the Go-rilla on it, the wife road the shark I belive and the 17yr old grandkid rode the Pegasus.
This place has everything- full locomotive, an entire house indoors, and a large ball of string. The stairs are terrifying, more so because of the placard signifying where a poor soul fell to their death, but the elevator got stuck during our visit so recommend the stairs. I really did enjoy this museum, but it was almost *too* big and overwhelming. Someone approached the front desk while we were there to ask if it was appropriate for kids. I think kids would love to run through the streets of St. Jo exhibit, the locomotives, carousel, and saloon. However there isn’t anything hands on for kids to do except for a “what doesn’t fit” game, which elementary kids might enjoy.
The Patee House Museum and old Pony Express Office is one of the finest old west museums we have ever visited. This place is huge and packed full of great items. The building is the Old Patee House Hotel and the third floor is retained as the original rooms. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the exhibits are just great.
I loved this museum! It reminds me of the Smithsonian American history museum in Washington D.C. So many excellent displays and artefacts. Their was a huge train engine, a replica stagecoach, Pony Express office, antique fire trucks and cars, little historic shops, antique toys, telephones, antique tools, etc. You can't really see the museum in just one visit. There were only a few people when I visited that day, which surprised me given the low price of admission and historic treasures here. I will return to see more!
Self-guided tour so you can go at your own pace. Ample information placards that explain what is being seen and why it's significant. Great variety of displays. This is an amazing and well curated museum.
We happened across the Patee House Museum when in town and loved it... this place is amazing and so much fun... The carousel is antique and hand carved... and it is still in running order... offering rides... Rhe first floor is amazing offering many antique items from the period... there was so much to see we did not finish the first floor... Since there is a second and third floor full which I understand are amazing as well we will definitely be back next time we are in the area...
Awesome museum! Nice train and cute carousel. And three floors of displays inside an epic hotel!
The museum is amazing the staff was horrible lady at the frt was rude and the man that ran the carousel. Was extremely rude and shut the lights off on us. When we still had 20 minutes left before they closed. And when asked why he said because they don't wait till the last minute to do things around here. The museum is fantastic.Amazing.Great , but the staff acted like they were put out just because you walked in the door
Pony Express Museum
2. Pony Express Museum
4.6
(738)
Museum
History museum
Exhibits detailing the legendary cross-country mail delivery service via horse & rider in the 1860s.
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Amazing museum. They have awesome first hand accounts from the riders which was one of my favorite things. The movie is cool too. I loved trying out the saddles and Machias. The well was cool too. Kid would love doing the souvenir penny, the kids room, and the rubbing. The Stamps are cool too!
The Pony Express National Museum is a hidden treasure that brings one of the most legendary chapters of American history to life. From the moment you step inside, you're transported back to 1860, when brave young riders risked everything to deliver the mail across the frontier. The exhibits are immersive, well-designed, and packed with fascinating artifacts and stories. You get a real sense of the grit, danger, and determination it took to ride for the Pony Express. The museum does a wonderful job blending education and entertainment—it’s perfect for both adults and kids. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the history they’re preserving. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of the Old West, or just looking for something unique to explore, this museum is well worth the visit. Don’t miss it when you’re in St. Joseph!
The Pony Express National Museum is a really fine collection of memorabilia from the brief life of the Pony Express and inside the original building where it was operated. This is a great collection and the museum is run by knowledgeable and helpful people. There was far more here than we expected and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Cute little museum! A little expensive for how small it is, but the kids play space was wonderful! My kids ages 1 to 13 all had fun and played for about half an hour. Some very nice information and visuals, plus great interactive displays for kids and adults. Plus, there's a nice little playground right across the street.
Great place to learn about how our country grew and met the communication needs of those who were moving west. Buckling Station is in Weeks Nevada...a town that is so small the name is on both sides of the same sign 😀
A really cool museum on the history of the Pony Express! We didn't originally have this on our itinerary but decided to stop when we had some time to fill and I'm so glad we did. The museum is packed with info using unique and interactive exhibits. There is a fun scavenger hunt game for the kids and a really cool children's area. Don't pass up this museum if you're in St. Joe!
Great small single purpose museum. Guided tours provide plenty of information.
How the WEST was won, communication. Before the telegraph spanned the continent there was the 10 day Letter maIl system from St. Joe, MO to Sacramento CA. Young men 14-20 rode horses to carry the mail at a price much higher than we pay for post today
Glore Psychiatric Museum
3. Glore Psychiatric Museum
4.6
(1170)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Museum of mental-health treatment with surgical tools, equipment & artwork made by asylum patients.
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A friend recommended Glore Psychiatric Museum to us while we were down in Atchison. What a fantastic museum. I was intrigued the minute we walked in. The video at the beginning was so informative and seeing all the different types of mental health therapy in the past was, well, shocking! We were on a time crunch so we went through it a little fast but I will definitely visit again at a slower pace to take it all in.
So my school offers us to go for extra credit, I had no idea this was a place until my school told me about it. Let me tell you the guided tour was amazing! You learn so much about mental health and how far we have come. I brought my kiddos and they are decently little, they were entertained and kept busy with all the tings to look at and do. They incorporate new age with old age and it is very much so well worth the go. They also have an optical illusion bathroom that you need to make a pit stop at! The wall will get ya!
Amazing place with an equal amount of incredible history! Very impressive collection of photos and personal stories that make up the storied history and brutal nature of lunatic asylums. The displays are fantastic along with very vivid descriptions of what each piece of equipment was utilized for. A must see if you're in St Joe! Also included is the native American exhibit and black archives which are equally interesting and filled with amazing history.
The Museum had a lot of information on outdated practices and where some research stemmed from. The basement where the morgue was, definitely freezing. There was a lot to look at.
So this is a little different. Recently I visited the Glore Psychiatric Museum during a class trip; the institution was beautiful. Our tutor guide, Sarah was very knowledgeable in her studies around the entire building and beyond the surrounding areas. Highly recommended coming here if bored in ST Joseph Missouri this place will really put into perspective why the rest of the state calls this city their ghost town of the state. For how cramped this place was everywhere I looked there was something new to be studied as I stared in awe of these magnificent exhibits.
You'll see much more here than the history of psychiatric treatment. There are exhibits of Native Americans and black history. They also have many random exhibits. It's a cool place to spend a few hours.
Very interesting exhibits. There are more than just psychiatric exhibits. There are black and American Indian heritage exhibits from the St. Joe are. It was all very interesting to read about and see!
I've been wanting to visit for years and we finally got around this weekend and it was worth it. The exhibits were visually appealing and informative. I want to go back for the ghost hunt on Halloween. The tour is self lead so you can go at your own pace.
Jesse James Home and Museum
4. Jesse James Home and Museum
4.5
(461)
Museum
Historical place museum
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The Jesse James Home Museum is the original home where Jesse James lived with his family and where he was murdered. The home was moved from another spot in Saint Joseph to here to preserve it. The museum is loaded with personal effects and the gentleman in charge is super interested and informative. A really interesting experience.
I really enjoyed my visit to the Jesse James house and museum in St Joseph. The volunteer was very informative and the displays and arterfacts were outstanding. The original site of the home is located several blocks away. It is located at 1318 Lafayette street and I have included a photo of the site.
This is a great museum ! There are lots of great artifacts & and it's just really cool to be standing in this house! If you're a fan of history, Wild West & Jesee James! You'll love this museum & a great price of $5! Also the staff was very knowledgeable & friendly!
It was like being in a spaceship and going back in time. We loved it. Saint Joseph is full of history.
Old and creepy museum but very interesting, only 5 dollars to in, and 2nd museum hidden behind 🥰🇺🇸
Well worth the time and money. So much history in a very small house. But, it goes well beyond just the James family and has displays of his body being exhumed to check DNA. It is him in the grave. A history of his family and especially his mother.
If you love the old west, this is a must visit! As this is the famous outlaw Jesse James actual home, where he was shot, and killed! The location of his home doesn't sit in it's original place. But still a very exciting place to visit! Well, if you're an old west nut like myself, it's very exciting.
From the second you walk up, your pumped up to go inside. Though its very small. Its big enough to tell the story. You get a voice over tutorial of what happened in the house so long ago. Tons of parking and east access. The hole in the wall were Jesse James was shot and a replica of his skull is a very cool but eerie thing to see. Kid friendly and cost is 4.00 a person to go through the house. Well worth every penny. Highly recommend a visit.
Krug Park
5. Krug Park
4.5
(1605)
Park
Landscaped getaway offering a lagoon, trails, a playground, roses & a native animal exhibit.
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Really nice place to go for a hike or picnic. Beautiful views. A must stop during Christmas time for not only the awesome lights but really good funnel cakes too.
I met my biological dad at this park this week!! He definitely knows the most beautiful places in St Joseph.
Found quite spot to have picnic. Trash was visible restrooms out of order motorcycles loud. Loud music from passing cars. Extremely loud.park was small. But worked for what I needed. Spend time in shade. Eat read do budget. Plot next course.
Beautiful park, definitely worth visiting! Excellent place to take pictures, to go fishing with the kids, to get some hiking or biking in, to drive around and relax, or to have a picnic. The castle is super cool, driving underneath it was an awesome surprise! The steps are not super steep, so its a good place to walk around if you have bad knees.
Kruger is a great Park for walking, driving, riding bikes motorcycles. Fishing , picnics, events. There are covered areas. This time of year for free you can drive trough the park and see the great christmas light displays its awesome.
Beautiful, unique park. Our family stopped here on our way through to SD. We enjoyed exploring the ruins and structures and walking up to the waterfall. The bathrooms are basic but they were clean. The pavilion and playground both looked nice, too. Highly recommend for spending a few hours or for a quick stop.
Nice place to fish and also do parties.
One of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to. Huge and varied, with history going back to the 1920’s. It has seen better days, and the children's playground equipment has been taken down (probably because it was 30 feet tall in some places, and completely made out of rusting metal) which is a shame because when I was a kid, it was the most fun someone could have in a playground. Despite that it's still an almost ethereal experience, and you can see the past in its bones. Hopefully this park will continue to be here for generations to come.
Remington Nature Center
6. Remington Nature Center
4.6
(187)
Park
Museums
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This place is phenomenal! It was one of those super random stops that my sister and I had made when we were waiting for our Airbnb to open. We had no idea what to expect, no idea what in the world we were getting into.... Seriously, I highly recommend this place. I realistically wish I had taken more pictures. It was so much fun. I had no idea that all the stuff we saw was going to be packed into such a building!! Of course they have taxidermy, as well as a few living animals. But they also have a ton of interactive places where you can press a button and hear the wildlife associated with whatever animal you just saw. Animal bones, gigantic fish tank. HOWEVER!!! My favorite part out of all of it, as soon as we walked in, the people at the service desk let us know that there was a scavenger hunt. You had to find 12 stickers of a turkey vulture. Not only that! The lady told me that they change up the game every single month!!!! And there are prizes! As we walked through the building, checking out everything that we possibly could, there was also a cave entrance, of course it was man-made, however, it showed life through history. Also with interactive buttons, where you could hear what it might have been like! They had wax figures, and various settings of what it would be like for cavemen, and the first folks for pioneer age. If I lived in this town, you better believe I would be here every single month!!!
Nice little spot to learn about history down by the Missouri River. I've been to several museums like this one and like those spots better.
Was a really cool place to go through. Wheelchair friendly, definitely a kid friendly place. Many selfie places as well as lots of pictures to take. We spent a lil over an hour in there. Staff was super nice. A beautiful scenery, the river is litterly right outside, and has walking trail to walk.
This place is truly one of the best gems in Saint Joseph. We have been bringing my daughter here once a month for nearly three years and it never gets old. The location is right next to the Missouri River and has a gorgeous view. There is a lovely little porch with chairs and picnic tables. The center provides binoculars and books to help identify local birds. My daughter loves the huge fish tank display of native fish. She also enjoys the tortoises and the snakes in the Snake Room. They are almost always having a scavenger hunt for the kids with prizes. Personally, I enjoy browsing the reading material in the little store and have bought several books. There is a very detailed exhibit on the history of Saint Joseph which is really interesting. It includes details that I have not read about anywhere else. So if you enjoy history, you should definitely pay this place a visit.
I visited on free museum day in Sept 2023. I had never heard of this place, but it is a gem! It is an incredibly kid friendly place. All the displays are at kid eye level, easy to read the plaques, and very interactive. There are taxidermy creatures from within the area, facts about Missouri statehood symbols (who knew we have a state horse) and a walk through Saint Joseph from all eras. It was really really cool! I also loved the reptile & axotle room (and like any true Millennial, I tried to speak parsletongue to the snakes.) Great lil gift shop and a beautiful view of the Missouri River. I saw so many families enjoying themselves today and it makes me incredibly happy ❤️
Another fantastic place for kids! They have a scavenger hunt, with little "prizes" for finding everything. They will give hints if you're having trouble finding some items. The exhibits have detailed info on everything. It took us about 2 hours to go through, mainly because the kids were doing the scavenger hunt. There's also a nature trail, but it was way too hot for us today (high 90's F). The center is situated beside the Missouri River. Plenty of parking, & the casino is across the street.
We stumbled across this great outdoor space while driving to Kansas City … if you have pets or children … or need any excuse to get out and stretch, this is a beautiful alternative to the run of the mill rest stop. The public bathrooms are port a potties, but very clean.
Great nature center. Riverwalk is absolutely amazing at sunset
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Other notable attractions

Missouri Theater
Performing arts theater
Sights & Landmarks
Historic playhouse spotlighting musical & theatrical productions in old-world surrounds.
St. Jo Frontier Casino
Casino
Casinos & Gambling
Slot machines, table games & a buffet restaurant, with entertainment on weekends.
Pony Express Memorial
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Walter Cronkite Memorial
Museum
History Museums
Tribute to news anchor & St. Joseph native Walter Cronkite, with interactive kiosks & wall displays.
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art
Art museum
Museums
Elegant museum in a former mansion displaying American art from the 18th century to the present.
Mt Mora Cemetery
Cemetery
Sights & Landmarks
The Wyeth Tootle Mansion
Historical place museum
Museums
Sprawling, refined late-19th-century mansion featuring period furnishings & art.
Saint Joseph Riverwalk - South Entrance
Park
Nature & Parks
Shakespeare Chateau Inn Bed & Breakfast
Bed & breakfast
Sights & Landmarks
Refined bed-and-breakfast set in a 19th-century stone mansion with artwork & stained-glass windows.
Robidoux Row Museum and St Joseph Historical Society
Museum
Specialty Museums
Built by St. Joseph founder Joseph Robidoux, this 1840s, landmark building offers a history museum.

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Weather in Saint Joseph

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Monthly temperature highs and lows in Saint Joseph
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