Carthage

Another one of the Kansas City day trips that makes for a great getaway is in Missouri. Carthage, which was founded in 1842, had to be completely rebuilt after the American Civil War, giving the town its historic charm that draws history buffs from all over the country. Carthage now has over 600 historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Historic Carthage Square and the Jasper County Courthouse. Carthage is also known for having the first concrete sections of the state's interstate highway system, which were incorporated into the iconic Route 66 in 1926.

Carthage has been dubbed "America's Maple Leaf City" because of its stunning autumn foliage. So, if you like landscape paintings, you know when to go. Along the way, notable attractions include the Carthage Civil War Museum, the 66 Drive-In Theater, and Kiddieland, the country's largest nonprofit children's amusement park. The Precious Moments Chapels, which feature gardens highlighting bronze statues of the collectible line's angels, are also located in the city.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0
Address: 212 Main Street, Carthage, MS 39051
Phone: 601-267-8322
Distance from Kansas City: 145 miles
Travel Time from Kansas City: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Best Season to Visit: Spring/Autumn