From its historical significance to a plethora of family-friendly activities, the northwest Missouri city of St. Joseph has plenty for a visitor to see and do. It's here you can witness the birthplace of the nation's first postal service and view exhibits about the demise of the country's most famous outlaw. You can bask in the sunshine while drifting down a river, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along paved paths.
Saddle Up
- A rider left the Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph on April 3, 1860, with saddlebags of mail destined for Sacramento, giving birth to the famed Pony Express. The service only lasted a few years, but its legend in the development of the West has only grown. You can view the original stables in St. Joseph and then tour the Patee House Museum for exhibits showing the creation, operation and history of the Pony Express. This building served as the headquarters for the service in 1860 and 1861 and is on the National Historic Landmark registry.
A Wild West Outlaw
- St. Joseph is famous historically for a second reason: It was here that notorious gunslinger Jesse James lived and was assassinated by Robert Ford in 1882. The James home was originally located about two blocks from the Patee House, but was purchased and moved to the grounds in 1977. In addition to touring the home, you can see exhibits on James' life in the Patee House Museum. His family stayed in the building, then used as a hotel, following his death.
A Date with the Arts
- Expand your knowledge of Midwest art with a visit to the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, which houses more than 3,000 pieces from the region encompassing the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. In a different vein, St. Joseph renovated its 1927 movie palace, known as Missouri Theater, making available cheap tours of the facility featuring a pre-Persian motif. It's here that the Robidoux Resident Theatre, a company of volunteers, performs a series of live performances during the year. If you have a child interested in drama, try Creative Arts Productions, which gives young people the chance to attend a summer musical theater workshop for a month to obtain production and on-stage know-how.
Fun for Families
- How about a little putt-putt? Cool Crest Garden Golf has entertained miniature golf fans for more than six decades with its bronze sculptures, flower-filled gardens and refreshing waterfalls. Get your game on at Hyde Park Recreational Complex, a 93-acre park with a day-use swimming pool, skate park, tennis courts, basketball court, horseshoe pitch, baseball fields, playground and walking trails. Explore one of the nation's longest waterways at Missouri River Rafting, which provides 12-mile guided tours from Nodaway Island Conservation Area to the St. Joseph boat landing.
