Ranked among old West favorites like Dodge City, Kansas and Deadwood, South Dakota, St. Joseph, Missouri is the Show-Me State's fourth largest city and one of the oldest. St. Joseph - or St. Joe to the locals - has a rich history and that history is evident throughout this mid-sized city. Although St. Joe may not top the list of tourist spots, there is plenty to do and see when visiting St. Joseph, Missouri. St. Joseph was founded by Joseph Robidoux as a trading post and when the site began to grow, he named his new city for his patron saint. St. Joe was a popular starting place for wagon trains headed west but some settlers stopped to stay in what was once billed as "the city worthwhile".

Local tourism has long billed St. Joe as the place where the Pony Express got its' start and outlaw Jesse James met his end. Both historical events are remembered with the first two stops on a tour of St. Joseph.

At 914 Penn Street, the original stables for the short-lived but legendary Pony Express house the Pony Express National Museum. Memorabilia here preserves the days when Pony Express riders - those wiry young fellows - made the near two thousand mile trip from St. Joe to California in ten days. Details about how the Pony Express came to be, what it did, and why it ended are all here. Hours are from 9 till 5, Monday through Saturday and from 1-5 on Sundays. A small admission is charged. Take time to glance at the small city park across the street, home of a vintage steam engine that was parked there for posterity in the 1960's. Shares of local stock in "The Short Line" were sold and the engine is a lasting reminder of local railroad history.

A few blocks away, at 12th and Penn Streets, the Jesse James house remains little changed since the fateful day in April 1882 when Jesse James, living as Mr. Howard, was shot to death by a man he called friend. The original location of the home was in the same neighborhood but the home was on the Belt Highway on the edge of St. Joseph for many years before returning here, near the Patee House Museum. The home has been restored to the 1880's and visitors can still see the bullet hole in the wall made by the fatal bullet that killed James. Tapes tell the story in each of the rooms.

Just around the corner, the Patee House Museum began life as a fine hotel back in 1858. It was one of the best hotels west of the mighty Mississippi River in its' heyday, served as the offices of the Pony Express, was a garment factory, and remained empty for decades until re-opened as a museum in the late 1960's. Today, the Patee House features an extensive collection of local and frontier history. Actual building fronts from old neighborhoods are just one of many features of this large and interesting museum.

St. Joseph is a city of many museums. Others include Robidoux Row Museum at Third and Poulin Streets. Built as the first apartment house west of the Mississippi by city founder and fur trader Joseph Robidoux between 1840 and 1850, this row housing first served as temporary quarters for pioneers who were westward bound. Today, four units of the original seven remain. Some of Robidoux's possessions are displayed here along with other pioneer exhibits.

At 11th and Charles Streets overlooking downtown St. Joseph and the Missouri River, the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion is worth a closer look. This 1879 stone Gothic mansion was built to resemble a castle and was home to some of St. Joseph's leading families. It served as the local museum for many, many years but when that was relocated, the home opened as an example of Victorian life. This house is one of many vintage homes scattered through the city. The Hall Street Historic District is another spot where many well-preserved homes, including the former Bishop's Palace of the former St. Joseph Missouri Diocese can be seen.

On the grounds of what was once Missouri State Lunatic Asylum Number Two, several museums off a look a several facets of local history. Located at 3406 Frederick Avenue just off the Belt Highway, The Glore Psychiatric Museum gives a sometimes creepy look into mental health care of the past.

Within the same area, a visit to The Black Archives of St. Joseph shares the history and cultural heritage of generations of African-Americans who made St. Joe home.

Last but far from least, the St. Joseph Museum, formerly housed in the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, has extensive Native American exhibits, exhibits on Lewis & Clark's famed expedition, Civil War history, clothing, pottery and more.

The way that little girls once played is explored at The Doll Museum, located at 1115 South 12th Street. A wide variety of vintage dolls from several different eras are displayed here along with handmade clothing, miniature dishes, other toys, and a Missouri farmhouse built in miniature.

At 701 Messanie Street, visitors at the National Military Heritage Museum can view history from all five of the American service branches. Personal effects, uniforms, war artillery, models, and much, much more are here. So is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC.

A historic cemetery located between Highley and Mount Mora offers a macabre look into the past. Among those buried at Mount Mora Cemetery are two former Pony Express riders, three Missouri governors, and many veterans. Mausoleum Row is an impressive array of above ground tombs, many dedicated to some of St. Joseph's earliest and most prominent families. Tours are available on request.

St. Joseph is also home to an extensive park system. A boulevard system contains more than twenty miles of parkway, a barrier against urban development that features Corby Pond and other nature sites along the route that runs from the North side of town to the South side. St. Joseph has several large public parks including Hyde Park, Bartlett Park, and Krug Park.

Krug Park is the largest and most extensive, the literal crown jewel in the local park system. Dating back to the late 1800's, Krug Park contains a large lagoon where fishing is allowed and a colony of ducks make their home. Feeding the ducks is a popular local pastime. A drive meanders through the park past multiple picnic areas, several playgrounds, bison and other animals, through two tunnels, and past the Krug Park Bowl, a natural amphitheatre with permanent seating where many events are held.

At the end of the route, a large picnic shelter called "The Castle" has a huge picnic shelter, restrooms, and a lovely children's playground. Generations of St. Joe children have played here.

When in St. Joseph, there are several excellent local eateries that are unique to this small city. At the D & G Restaurant on Frederick Avenue, diners can enjoy an incredible back in time atmosphere. The restaurant began as a speak easy back in the days of Prohibition and grew up into one of the city's best restaurants. A massive carved bar dominates one of several dining rooms and makes diners feel as if they have stepped back in time to a saloon of yesteryear. Walls are covered with local St. Joe history and memorabilia, everything from Stetson Hat signs to a framed picture of one of St. Joseph's most notorious prostitutes, Lizzie King. The menu offers everything from steak to hamburgers and their signature scrappy roast beef sandwiches. Look for blue plate specials too, in this eatery that serves up good, traditional food every day of the week.

Barbosa's Castillo housed in a beautiful mansion that was once the headquarters of the local Knights of Columbus, offers traditional Mexican dishes. Barbosa's has its' roots decades ago in Mama Barbosa's kitchen; her sons took her food from take-out to fine dining tradition. A rooftop lounge affords a fabulous view of the city.

A casual favorite is Maid Rite, a specialty sandwich shop that has been in Joetown since the 1940's. Maid Rite's loose meat hamburgers are a hometown treat and the location on Frederick Avenue is the last operating location.

St. Joseph is home to a number of other restaurants, bars, and countless hotels ranging from basic to luxury. Whether visitors stay one night or for several days, there are places to go and things to see, most of which focus on the frontier history of old St. Joe!