A Weekend of Fun
By Jenna Kvidt
We road tripped to St. Joseph, Missouri, for a long weekend visit, and what we found when we arrived was a city full of surprises. Hidden gems were uncovered around every corner. Delicious restaurants, adorable boutique shops, cozy and entertaining bars, historic architecture and beautiful nature are the norm for the quirky town of St. Joseph—and it left us wanting more.
Visiting the Victorian houses in St. Joseph is a must. We were amazed by the sheer amount of beautiful Victorian houses that dotted the streets. It felt like every which way we turned, we spotted a house grander than the last. We wandered around some of the historic districts and ogled at one mansion after another.
Our home for the weekend was the Whiskey Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Walking inside the B&B left us in awe. It was built in the late 1800s and has been restored to its former glory; the details and decor are spot-on. We would be spending the weekend in “the nursery,” completed with a plush queen-size bed and en-suite bathroom. With accommodations this comfortable, we settled into our room in a heartbeat. One of the best parts of staying at a B&B is the breakfast and our morning meal was everything we hoped for. We sat in the beautifully decorated dining room and chatted with other guests over a freshly cooked breakfast of flaky croissant sandwiches, quiche and fresh fruit. It became our morning routine, which was a wonderful way to start each day. By the end of the weekend, The Whiskey Mansion began to feel like home.
We also had the privilege of dining in the J.C. Wyatt House, another restored Victorian mansion in St. Joseph. I have to say, it was an experience like none other. Instead of a typical restaurant atmosphere, we felt like we were guests of a prominent family from the past. The 1891 home was restored with painstaking attention to detail. I found that dining next to the fireplace, surrounded by opulent period decorations and furnishings transported us back in time to an era of decadence and elegance. We were excited to dig into the delectable three-course meal of soups, salads, filet mignon and roasted salmon all cooked to perfection, with an irresistible dessert trio served as the finale. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves—a fantastic meal in a fabulous setting unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.
Downtown St. Joseph is growing and expanding into a funky area full of art, boutiques and good eats. But our favorite downtown activity was checking out all the bars within walking distance of one another. Although there are many to choose from, our three favorites offer a clash of cultures and fun concepts: Club Geek, Tiger’s Den and Ostrea.
Walking into a dimly lit bar with books lining the walls and tables, it felt like we’d walked straight into the days of prohibition and speakeasies. But we had to remind ourselves that we were in modern times and entering the bar called Tiger’s Den. While relaxing in a cozy couch in the back corner of the bar, I perused the creative cocktail menu that gives nod to famous authors with drinks like the The Hamlet, The Steinbeck and The Hemingway. I settled on The Fitzgerald, made with Beefeater gin, simple syrup, lemon juice and Angostura bitters. While waiting for our drinks to arrive, I couldn’t resist browsing the bookshelves since the Tiger’s Den is both a bookstore and a bar—what a cool combination!
A few blocks away, Club Geek is a nostalgia lover’s dream. Retro gaming consoles with a seemingly endless list of game options, coloring books and board games make this spot a trip down memory lane. After grabbing a couple of beers, we lucked out and snagged a table with an original Nintendo console and settled in for some Dr. Mario competition. The mishmash of great drinks and childhood games creates a fun twist for a night out at the bar.
For something completely on the other end of the spectrum, we decided to pop into Ostrea for a quick visit as well. We were drawn inside the door by the modern, minimalist design full of bright white walls, bar and tables mixed with the industrial feel of metal barstools and chairs. The menu lists a variety of intriguing options such as oysters, charcuterie boards, sampling of olives and ramen. While I wanted to order everything, we only had time for drinks and I marveled at the components listed under the handcrafted cocktails. Ingredients such as oolong tea, cinnamon, plum lavender shrub, beet juice and green tea kiwi mint shrub were right at home. The drink I ordered, The Fall of Troy, came complete with a sugary ginger cube on a spear. If you want to give your taste buds a kick, this is the place to be.
When you visit a city with such a rich and storied history, digging into the past is a must. The city of St. Joseph offers so many museums to explore. We enjoyed walking through the Patee House, the Jesse James Home and the Glore Psychiatric Museum, but the museum that slid into place as our favorite was the Pony Express Museum. I was completely surprised to learn that the Pony Express started in St. Joseph, so it makes sense that there is an entire museum dedicated to the subject.
The museum is located inside the old horse stable at the start of the mail line. It was from this spot that a rider departed on the first leg of the Pony Express route. Prior to our visit, I never thought much about what the Pony Express entailed, but throughout our visit, we learned about the various dangers the riders faced during the times of the Wild Wild West, the routes they followed, where they slept and so much more. One of my favorite parts of the museum was the giant interactive display that takes you along the route of the riders. As we followed the diorama, we passed through various climates and landscapes. When we were in the mountainous climate, we were surprised with bursts of cold air; when we were in front of the desert portion, we were warmed with heat; and when we walked through the forests, we smelled the fresh scent of evergreen trees. Learning about some of the riders’ stories and lives was another highlight. There’s something intriguing about putting a face and a name to an event, and hearing true stories direct from the riders’ mouths really puts the history into perspective.
We weren’t quite ready to leave St. Joseph at the end of our weekend, but it was time to wave goodbye to a wonderful city filled with uncommon character. Until next time, Missouri!