Guide: Excelsior Springs
Hop in the car & get ready to staycation: there’s plenty to do in Excelsior Springs!
All photos by Hannah Berry
If you are looking to get away for a night or just wanting a fun day trip, why not check out Excelsior Springs, MO? Located about 20 minutes northeast of Liberty, MO, Excelsior is a charming town anchored by the historic Elms Hotel.
The Elms Hotel and Spa (401 Regent St), listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been around for more than 130 years. The original building opened in 1888, but a fire destroyed it, as well as a subsequent structure. The existing building was completed in 1912 and has aged quite well. The hotel boast indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, a full spa, a restaurant, tavern, cafe, 16 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens, a fire pit, and various other amenities. Whether you choose to stay a night or not, you can still walk around and explore the property, and even grab a bite or a drink.
Another option if you want to stay a night is the Payne Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast (426 Concourse Ave). It was formerly the home and jailhouse of one of the area’s police chiefs. They have three quaint rooms to choose from, and a hot home-cooked breakfast each morning. Outside is a fire pit for relaxing with a glass of wine. You can’t go wrong with any of the historic stays in Excelsior Springs!
Speaking of wine... wineries abound in this region of Missouri!
In the city limits, you’ll find Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery (31010 W 124th St ) and 4 Horses and a Dog Winery (15010 Salem Rd). Just outside of Excelsior Springs is Van Till Family Farm Winery (13986 Hwy C, Rayville MO). The Excelsior Chamber offers a variety of tours on their trolleys, the most popular of which is their wine tours which take you to all 3 of these wineries. Those tours also include a gourmet brunch at Willow Spring Mercantile (249 E Broadway St).
If beer is more your thing, be sure to stop by Dubious Claims Brewing Company (451 S Thompson Ave). The owner originally started DCBC in the basement of his house. It was such a success that he was able to move to a bigger space in downtown Excelsior Springs, where he not only sells beer, but a great selection of food items. Their best selling beer is the blueberry wheat, which is smooth, tart and tasty. The pizza is a great choice if you want something to go alongside your brew, and the cinnamon Bavarian pretzel with homemade icing makes for a delicious dessert or late night snack. Yum!
Another great spot to grab some grub is Wabash BBQ (646 Kansas City Ave S). Wabash opened in 1997 in the historic passenger waiting room of an old train depot, and they have been serving up great BBQ ever since! You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, but I have to say that their pulled pork, brisket, sweet corn nuggets, and beans are all without a doubt worth a try!
For a little retail therapy, be sure to check out Willow Spring Mercantile. It’s certainly worth a visit, whether you are on the trolley tour or not. Located in downtown Excelsior Springs, they have the largest selection of Missouri wines in the world. They also sell many other Missouri-made distilled spirits and craft beers. In addition, you can find coffees, teas, gifts, kitchen items and gourmet foods. Almost everything in the store is sourced from Missouri or other places in the Midwest. Downstairs is a bistro and wine cellar, where they serve lunch and occasional dinners or other events.
Another downtown store that is worth a peek is Blue Bird Couture (461 S Thompson Ave). This boutique has a lovely selection of trendy clothing, as well as jewelry, candles, gifts, and housewares. The store is modern with bright and colorful clothes and cute displays.
Other spots downtown for shopping include Style by Ry, Shabby Chic Boutique, and Fishing River Market, among others.
If you need a way to get moving after all that food and wine, check out the Downtown Excelsior Springs Trail System, which includes trails in Fishing River Linear Park, Isley Park Woods, and Siloam Mountain Park. These trails cover about 2 miles and are worth a stop on a beautiful day. In the fall, they’ll be particularly scenic!
No matter what piques your interest, Excelsior Springs is worth adding to your getaway list!
