Food destinations within easy reach of Kansas City, worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Food tour to Lawrence

Kansas City Downtown Food Tour with 5 Local Dishes

★ 4.7 (26)3 hfrom USD 119

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Car hire in Kansas City, from Kansas City Airport

VIP Carsfrom USD 36.92 a dayAlamo, Dollar, Hertz

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Worth the trip

Lawrence (Kansas)

  • ★ 4.4
  • 45 minutes by car

Famous for College-town eats, farm-to-table restaurants, the 715 wood-fired pizza tradition

Lawrence, Kansas is the University of Kansas town 45 minutes west of Kansas City, with a serious independent restaurant scene built around Massachusetts.

Drive west on I-70 to exit 204 at Lawrence

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Small-Group Jewelry Making with Wine Tasting in Kansas City

★ 4.6 (14)1.5 hfrom USD 59

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Weston (Missouri)

  • ★ 4.3
  • 40 minutes by car

Famous for Pirtle Winery, McCormick Distilling Co., Big Muddy Brewery

Weston, Missouri sits 40 minutes north of Kansas City on a bluff above the Missouri River, with a 19th-century downtown holding Pirtle Winery.

Drive north on I-29 to exit 20 at Weston

Drive it yourself

Car hire in Kansas City, from Kansas City Airport

VIP Carsfrom USD 36.92 a day

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Independence (Missouri)

  • ★ 4.2
  • 20 minutes by car

Famous for Truman territory, Independence Square cafes, Clinton's Soda Fountain

Independence, Missouri is 20 minutes east of Kansas City. Harry Truman's hometown anchors the Square with Clinton's Soda Fountain (the original where Truman.

Drive east on I-70 to exit 12 at Independence Square

Drive it yourself

Car hire in Kansas City, from Kansas City Airport

VIP Carsfrom USD 36.92 a day

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St. Joseph (Missouri)

  • ★ 4.0
  • 55 minutes by car

Famous for Jesse James history, Hi-Boy Drive-In, Pony Express heritage

St. Joseph, Missouri sits 55 minutes north of Kansas City. Jesse James was killed here in 1882; the city today is a quiet riverfront town with Pony Express.

Drive north on I-29 to exit 47 at St Joseph

Drive it yourself

Car hire in Kansas City, from Kansas City Airport

VIP Carsfrom USD 36.92 a day

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Parkville (Missouri)

  • ★ 4.1
  • 20 minutes by car

Famous for Parkville Farmers Market, English Landing Park, Parker Hollow

Parkville, Missouri is 20 minutes north of Kansas City, set on the Missouri River with English Landing Park, a Saturday farmers market and Jonathan Justus.

Drive north on I-29 to exit 7 at Parkville

Drive it yourself

Car hire in Kansas City, from Kansas City Airport

VIP Carsfrom USD 36.92 a day

Hire a car

Louisburg (Kansas)

  • ★ 4.2
  • 40 minutes by car

Famous for Louisburg Cider Mill, fall festival, apple cider donuts

Louisburg, Kansas sits 40 minutes south of Kansas City. The Louisburg Cider Mill has run since 1972, with a fall festival, cider donuts and apple cider.

Drive south on US-69 to Louisburg, Kansas

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Wraiths & Whiskey Ghost Tour

★ 2.9 (11)1 hourfrom $24

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See all 79 food experiences in Kansas City