St. Joseph
Around St. JosephIllustration made for Popchat
Metro area · Missouri · 119k people
St. Joseph
Locals say St. Joe · “St. Joe”
Where the river meets the wild west.
GoldMaroon
Welcome to St. Joe! Whether you're here for the Pony Express history, the river views, or just a good plate of BBQ, you'll find a friendly town with a lot of heart. Come say hi on the downtown brick streets.
Clubs for St. Joseph
No clubs for St. Joseph yet.
The room
One room for everyone around St. Joseph. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around St. Joseph. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Pony Express Museum Original stables of the Pony Express.
- Jesse James Home Museum Where the outlaw was shot, now a museum.
- Missouri Theater Historic 1927 theater hosting concerts and shows.
- Glore Psychiatric Museum Fascinating look at mental health history.
- Krug Park Oldest park in St. Joe with a lagoon and amphitheater.
- Remington Nature Center Exhibits and trails along the Missouri River.
- Outdoors Walk the Riverfront Trail
- Outdoors Fish for catfish on the Missouri
- With kids Visit the Pony Express Museum
- With kids Attend a St. Joseph Mustangs game
- Evenings Catch a show at the Missouri Theater
- Evenings Enjoy live music at downtown bars
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Pony Express Days June Celebrates the city's Pony Express heritage with re-enactments and parades.
- Buchanan County Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- St. Joseph Mustangs baseball season Summer Home games at Phil Welch Stadium all summer.
Humid continental climate with hot summers, cold winters, and frequent thunderstorms. The best time to be out is late spring and early fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “St. Joe”
- The city's nickname, used by locals.
- “The River”
- The Missouri River, often called just 'the River'.
- “The Bluffs”
- The bluffs overlooking the river, a local landmark.
Getaways
- Kansas City Big-city attractions, BBQ, and sports.
- Atchison Historic river town with Amelia Earhart sites.
- Maryville College town with a lively square.
- Lawrence Artsy downtown and University of Kansas campus.
Local flavour
Teams
- Missouri Western Griffons NCAA Division II
- St. Joseph Mustangs MINK League
Also rooting for Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Kansas City Royals (MLB), Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Eat and drink
- Barbecue Local BBQ joints serve slow-smoked meats in the Kansas City style.
- Fried catfish A staple along the Missouri River, often served at family-owned restaurants.
- Drive-in burgers Hi-Boy Drive-In is a beloved local chain known for its classic burgers and root beer.
Where people go
- Historic downtown Brick streets, Victorian architecture, and a lively main street.
- Pony Express Museum Commemorates the city as the starting point of the Pony Express.
- Jesse James Home The house where the outlaw was killed, a local landmark.
- Missouri River bluffs Scenic overlooks and trails along the river.
- Stockyards Historical livestock industry remnants, now repurposed.
Heritage and traditions
St. Joseph is proud of its role as the starting point of the Pony Express and its rich history tied to the American frontier, as well as its tight-knit community and riverfront charm.
Say it like a local: “The country” — A small town or rural area
Festivals
- Pony Express Days June Celebrates the Pony Express with reenactments and parades.
- Buchanan County Fair July Agricultural exhibits, rides, and livestock shows.
- St. Joseph Jazz Festival August Local and regional jazz performances downtown.
- Riverfest September Food vendors, live music, and river activities.
- Trail of Justice May Historical reenactment of the Pony Express route.
Landmarks with a story
- Pony Express Museum Original stables and exhibits on the mail service.
- Jesse James Home Museum Where the outlaw was shot in 1882.
- Missouri Theater Restored 1927 movie palace with concerts.
- Glore Psychiatric Museum History of mental health treatment, housed in former asylum.
- Robidoux Row Museum Pioneer residence of city founder Joseph Robidoux.
- Mount Mora Cemetery Resting place of local pioneers and Civil War veterans.
Food traditions
- Barbecue Smoky, slow-cooked ribs and brisket, a Midwest staple.
- Fried catfish Fresh from the Missouri River, often with hush puppies.
- Drive-in burgers Classic burger joints with carhop service.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Breaded and fried, served on a bun.
Music and arts
- Jazz heritage Home to the St. Joseph Jazz Festival and local jazz scene.
- Community theater Local groups perform at the Missouri Theater and other venues.
A little history
- 1860 Pony Express founded
- 1882 Jesse James killed here
- 1927 Missouri Theater opened
- 1843 City named after Joseph Robidoux
- 1968 Glore Psychiatric Museum established
- Game day St. Joseph Mustangs baseball
- Game day Missouri Western Griffons football
- Outdoors Walk the Riverfront Trail
- Outdoors Fish for catfish on the Missouri
- With kids Pony Express Museum
- With kids Remington Nature Center
A Midwestern accent with a touch of Southern drawl; locals often say 'y'all' and use 'pop' for soda.
Only here
- First Pony Express ride started from St. Joseph in 1860.
- Jesse James was killed in his home here in 1882.
- The Glore Psychiatric Museum is one of the few of its kind.
- Missouri Theater is a restored 1927 movie palace.
New here? A few tips
- Try the barbecue and fried catfish—local favorites.
- Visit the Pony Express Museum to understand the city's history.
- Expect hot, humid summers and cold winters; dress in layers.
- Learn to say 'St. Joe'—locals rarely say the full name.
- Explore historic downtown for shops and eateries.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Kansas City area
Nearby
Every areaSt. Joseph, MO-KS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.