Overview
Kirksville is a city in Northeast Missouri.
1 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kirksville
Thousand Hills State Park
A place to experience provincial Missouri with wooded terrain surrounding Forest Lake.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Grinnell)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IRK Kirksville Regional Airport, Kirksville — 7 mi away. Directions
- UIN Quincy Regional Airport Baldwin Field, Quincy — 75 mi away. Directions
- DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 108 mi away (major hub). Directions
From the south: US Route 63
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Tourism information
Get in
By car
From the south: US Route 63
From the north: US Route 63
From the west: Missouri Route 6, Missouri Route 11
From the east: Missouri Route 6, Missouri Route 11
By plane
Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Kirksville Regional Airport on Contour Airlines.
By train
Amtrak Southwest Chief line stops daily at La Plata, Missouri, 11 miles south of Kirksville.
Get around
Kirksville is a small community easily traveled by car. The City of Kirksville partners with several local transportation agencies to provide Kirk-Tran. This fixed route bus system offers $2 rides hourly from 7AM to 6PM. Many people enjoy getting around the town by bicycle. A number of small bike trails and designated bike lanes help cyclists accomplish this. The City is looking to develop a concerted trail system from the Parks and Recreation department's master plan.
See
Truman State University
Founded in 1867, Truman serves as the Missouri's public liberal arts and sciences university. The university continues to be a leader in developing students and preparing them for rigorous graduate programs and professional opportunities. The campus features a large collection of buildings designed by the firm of Pearce & Pearce (formerly Pearce & Bonsack) of St. Louis, Missouri. Visitors may enjoy learning about Truman's history at the Ruth Warner Towne Museum and Visitor Center. The Special Collections Department at the Pickler Memorial Library houses a wide range of historical records and artifacts relating to northeast Missouri, teacher education, Abraham Lincoln, and more.
A.T. Still University
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still founded the field of osteopathic medicine when he opened his school in Kirksville in 1892. His university stands today as the cornerstone of this medical training tradition. Many osteopathic physicians, dentists, and professionals make their way to Kirksville each year to understand the roots of their field. Visitors enjoy the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine. Tours include information about Dr. Still, the evolution of the field, historic techniques and equipment, and important figures in osteopathy. Just outside the museum is Heritage Hall. It contains the birthplace of Dr. Still and the first building uses for his school.
Adair County Historical Society
Since 1976, the volunteers of the Adair County Historical Society have worked to preserve and promote the history of the local area. The museum is housed in a building that was constructed as Kirksville's private library. It features numerous exhibits on local life, educational institutions, economic development, and military involvement. Visitors also can utilize records for historical and genealogy research.
Do
Sleep
Nearby
Marceline
City / town · 9 listings · 38 mi away
Centerville
City / town · 6 listings · 40 mi away
Ottumwa
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Albia
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Quincy
City / town · 17 listings · 65 mi away
Fairfield
City / town · 8 listings · 65 mi away
Nauvoo
City / town · 11 listings · 69 mi away
Fort Madison
City / town · 2 listings · 72 mi away
My experience
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