Overview
Lee's Summit is a city in Missouri. It is the hometown of famous outlaw Cole Younger of the James-Younger Gang, and of Grammy Award-winning musician Pat Metheny.
26 sights · 54 things to do · 10 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lee's Summit
Harry S. Truman Farm Home National Historic Site
Tours from 9:30AM to 4PM. In nearby Grandview (west of US 71), the home is fascinating to learn about for presidential history buffs. The home does have a skunk smell problem inside.
Lake Jacomo
Marina- 7401 West Park Rd, the largest and most beautiful of the lakes (it's nestled in the woods), Lake Jacomo offers up a fisherman's dream. It's in the south end of Fleming Park.
Blue Springs Lake
Beach- 1500 NE Bowlin Rd, Marina, next to beach. The most popular with power boaters and water skiers, Blue Springs is in Fleming Park, just north of Jacomo.
Longview Lake Park
The main attraction here is Longview Lake which is operated by the US Core of Engineers. It also trails, picnic shelters, and a campground. It houses "Christmas in the Park" every December.
Powell Gardens
The region's botanical garden was once a dairy farm and Boy Scout camp. With seasonal displays and hours, the website is the best way to keep up to date with what you want to see.
Historic Downtown Lee's Summit
Roughly bounded by 2nd, Green, 4th, and Douglas Streets. A vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and midwestern flair, Downtown Lee's Summit is an important place to the locals. The original downtown burned down in 1880 and…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Kansas City)
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.
- MCI Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City — 32 mi away (major hub). Directions
- COU Columbia Regional Airport, Columbia — 116 mi away. Directions
The town is served by Amtrak with the daily Missouri River Runner, connecting Kansas City with St Louis. Lee's Summit station is at 220 SW Main St.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Historic Downtown Lee's Summit, Lee's Summit Historical Society Museum, Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery
- Lunch The Filling Station Bar-B-Q
- Afternoon Lake Jacomo, Blue Springs Lake
- Dinner Jumpin' Catfish
- Evening Side Pockets
Day 2
- Morning Longview Farm, Longview Lake Park, Harry S. Truman Farm Home National Historic Site
- Lunch Neighborhood Cafe
- Afternoon Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area, Fleming Park
- Dinner Jose Pepper's
Day 3
- Morning Missouri Town 1855, Longview Lake, Blue and Gray Park
- Lunch Habanero's Mexican Restaurant
- Afternoon Jim Bridger Urban Conservation Area, Native Hooved Animal Enclosure
- Dinner Whistle Stop Coffee & Mercantile
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
All Lee's Summit bars and restaurants are completely non-smoking.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Lee's Summit can provide a family-friendly vacation, and let you get away from the hustle of Kansas City. It encompasses history, shopping, fishing and boating recreation, and relaxation.
With great weather; several local festivals; and less crowded stores, restaurants, and attractions, Lee's Summit is a place to visit in the Kansas City metro area. Fall spring and summer are fine times to visit, but avoid the cold and snowy winter here if you can.
Get in
By plane
- Lee's Summit Municipal Airport, 2751 NE Douglas St, +1 816 969-1186, It serves just private jets. It is being expanded to bring some Air Link flights to town.
- Kansas City International, 601 Brasilia Ave, Kansas City. About 40 min north of the city (U.S. 71 is the quickest way to get there), KCI has domestic and international flights.
By train
The town is served by Amtrak with the daily Missouri River Runner, connecting Kansas City with St Louis. Lee's Summit station is at 220 SW Main St.
By car
- Interstate 70, runs just north of town, it has an exit onto I-470 south into town.
- Interstate 470, from the west and north.
- U.S. Route 40, from east to west (runs parallel with I-70 through most of Missouri).
- U.S. Route 50, from east and west.
- U.S. Route 71, runs north and south just west of town, it does have an exit on MO-150, MO-291, & I-470 to take you into town.
- Missouri State Highway 7, runs north and south east of town. It does jct. with U.S. 50.
- Missouri State Highway 150, runs east and west in south part of town.
- Missouri State Highway 291, south and picks a mile east going north.
- Missouri State Highway 350, connector with Interstates 435 and 470.
Get around
Again, the best way to get around is by car. So, the major roads in the city are as follows: Chipman Rd, 3rd St, Blue Pkwy, Oldham Pkwy, Douglas St, Colbern Rd, Ward Rd, Todd George Rd, Woods Chapel Rd, They take you to most places you would visit.
Car rental
- Enterprise, 1025 SW Blue Pkwy, +1 816-246-8185
Bus
- Metro Bus Service Bus 550 (Lee's Summit Express),
See
Old Time Charm
See Historic Downtown Lee's Summit
Roughly bounded by 2nd, Green, 4th, and Douglas Streets. A vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and midwestern flair, Downtown Lee's Summit is an important place to the locals. The original downtown burned down in 1880 and what you now see was constructed and completed by 1889. Two National Historic Districts are in the area. So see what downtown has to offer!
See Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery
The final resting place of Cole, Robert, Jim, & Bursheba (the brother's mother) Younger, several of Quantrell's raiders, and prominent early citizens of the town. The self-guided walking tour is a great way to learn about these people and their role in Lee's Summit history.
History and museums
See Battle of Lone Jack Battlefield and Civil War Museum
A small but important civil war battle took place here in 1862. It remains one of the few National Civil War cemeteries where soldiers who died that day are still buried on the battlefield. Parts of the documentary Bad Blood were shot here.
Lakes
Beaches are open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
See Prairie Lea Lake
The smallest of the public lakes has two parks on it, South PL (on Scruggs Rd between Todd George and Blackwell Pkwys) is the larger and North PL (on Colbern Rd opposite Lake Jacomo) is the smaller. They feature picnic areas, boat ramps, and are the quietest public lake parks.
Beauty and nature
See Unity Village
Tours M-Th 9AM-4PM, F-Su 10AM-1PM. These are self-guided, guided tours must booked in advance by calling +1 816 251-3578. Unity Village is the headquarters of Unity, a religious organization. It features a school, hotel, motel, forested grounds, a nine-hole golf course, a restaurant, Filmore Chapel, and beautiful Mediterranean-style buildings. The majority of it was built in 1889.
See Jim Bridger Urban Conservation Area
Great deer hunting and forest hiking make this enjoyable. Near Lake Jacomo.
See Lone Jack Conservation Area
The arts
See Art Detour
Downtown gets spruced up changing artists works scattered around. Also at Longview College.
- All three local high schools, and MCC-Longview, have their own theatre seasons where they perform plays and musicals several times a year.
To keep up to date on public art displays, check out the Lee's Summit Art Council website.
Do
Do Eastglen 16 Movie Theater
A 16-screen theater with a fun zone and laser tag on the upper floor.
Do Lee's Summit City Parks
With nearly thirty beautiful and family friendly parks to choose from, it's hard to pick. But the most popular are: Legacy, Harris, Lowenstein, and Pottberg. Plus don't forget the Greenway Trails.
Golf
Do Fred Arbanas Memorial Golf Course
The most popular of Lee's Summit's courses is great for newbies and pros. With a championship and par 3 courses plus a driving range all on Longview Lake.
Winery
Events and festivals
March
Do Spring Open House
Do Raspberry Meadows Craft Show
Do St. Patrick's Day Parade
Do Annual Woodcarver's Show
April
Do Opening of Longview, Blue Springs, and Jacomo Campgrounds
May
Do Beach Season Opening
Do Sheep Shearing
June
Do Children's Day Missouri Town 1855
Do Open Sail Day
Do Freedom Fest
Do Lake Fest
Do Booms and Blooms Festival
July
Do Leagacy Blast Fireworks
Do Independence Day Missouri Town 1855
Do Christmas in July Craft Show
Do Jamaican Jam
Do Strotherfest
August
Do Summit Fest
Do Fall Open House
Do Longview Horse Park Association Annual Benefit Horse Show
September
Do Pioneer Spirit Country Antique Show
Do Missouri Town 1855 Music Festival
October
Do Longview Art and World Music Festival, Summit Art
Do Annual Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts, & Music
Do Kick It Up! Chilifest
Do Oktoberfest Craft Show
Do Holiday Open House Sneak Peak
Do Spirits from the Past Missouri Town 1855
Do Halloween Parade
November
Do Fall Harvest Craft Show
Do Traditional Holiday Open House
Do Mayor's Tree Lighting
Do Christmas in the Park
Do Craft Patch Craft Show
December
Do Christmas in the Park
Do Missouri Town 1855 Christmas Celebration
Do Windows on the Past Missouri Town 1855
Learn
- University of Central Missouri-Summit Campus , NE Corner of Chipman Rd & Blue Pkwy, This award-winning school's first campus outside of Warrensburg, Summit Center offers flexible city hours in a state-of-the-art facility.
- Unity Institute, at Unity Village, With several classes to promote your understanding within, the Unity Institute is a peaceful to sit and study an afternoon away.
Buy
Shop Independence Center Mall
With over 130 specialty & department stores, it is the largest shopping center in the region.
Shop 150 Hwy
Up & coming with new development everywhere, 150 Hwy in south LS is getting busy and will have many local & national stores and restaurants on it.
Shop Lee's Summit Farmer's Market
Every Wednesday & Saturday from 7AM to sell out, Every Mid-April thru November, the LS Farmer's Market sponsors locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Shop Brooke Corbin
Eat
All Lee's Summit bars and restaurants are completely non-smoking.
Budget)
Eat Habanero's Mexican Restaurant
Eat Whistle Stop Coffee & Mercantile
Mid-range
Eat Siki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
Drink
Sleep
Hotels and motels
Campgrounds
Stay safe
Lee's Summit is one of the safest cities in America, which is a big reason it was ranked the 27th Best Place to Live by CNN/Money Magazine. If you need assistance though call:
- Fire Department, Non-Emergency - +1 816 969-7407,
- Police, Non-Emergency - +1 816 969-1700,
- Emergency, 911
Stay healthy
Hospitals
- University Health Lakewood Medical Center, 7900 Lee's Summit Rd, +1 816 404-7000,
Go next
Close by
- Belton, US 71 South of LS, A city with its own vital downtown strip, Belton also features a historic rail and city museum.
- Blue Springs, MO-7 or I-70 East of LS, The big things in Blue Springs are forests. The main features being Burr Oak Woods State Forest and Landahl Park , both of which are well worth visiting.
- Harrisonville , MO-291 South of LS, The old courthouse square and an 1835 log cabin are the big stars of Cass County's seat. Recommended to enjoy.
- Independence, I-470 North of LS, Hometown of the westward expansion and former President Truman, Independence is a must see! Several attractions about the 3 "great trails" and Truman are here, as well as Mormon historic sites. Plus it's the county seat of Jackson so the Courthouse Square is a great place to start.
- Liberty, I-470/MO-291 North of LS, The county seat of Clay County is talked about worldwide for being the site of the first daylight bank robbery, by the James-Younger Gang in 1866, but it's famous William Jewell College and 3 local museums make it an interesting place to visit. A must see is Historic Downtown Liberty , you have to visit it!
- Lone Jack, US 50 or MO-150 East of LS, Home to the Battle of Lone Jack and Bynum Winery, Lone Jack is the perfect sleepy small town to visit.
- Martin City, MO-150 & Holmes Rd West of LS, Some of the best restaurants in the area are in Martin City like, Jess & Jim's, RC's Chicken, and Jack Stack's Barbeque. Plus you can shop till you drop for everything you can dream about. Let's not forget the baseball and golf academy's too!
- Pleasant Hill, MO-7 South of LS, A gorgeous downtown museum and rail station, a city lake and golf course, plus it's home to the Cass County Fair. Pleasant Hill is worth a day.
- Warrensburg, US 50 East of LS, The county seat of Johnson County is also home to the main campus of University of Central Missouri, which wonderful to tour. It also houses two public golf courses and is near Knob Noster State Park, Whiteman Air Force Base, and two wineries & .
Further away
- Fort Osage National Historic Landmark , about 45 minutes away from the city center, A national treasure. This reconstructed outpost from 1803 was hand-selected by William Clark. In Sibley and on the mighty Missouri River.
- Lexington, a little less than an hour away from the city center. The best to learn about Missouri's impact in the Civil War within an hour's drive is Lexington. You have to visit Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. One of the most fascinating of Missouri's state park's. Lexington also has the oldest continually used county courthouse west of the Mississippi. A stray cannonball is still lodged in it from the Civil War.
- Kearney, about 45 mins away from the city center, The birthplace of America's most famous outlaw Jesse James and Kearney Historic Museum are the big draws here. This picture-perfect small town in Western Missouri is waiting to be explored.
Nearby
Independence
City / town · 45 listings · 12 mi away
Kansas City
City / town · 145 listings · 16 mi away
Overland Park
City / town · 33 listings · 16 mi away
Kansas City
City / town · 23 listings · 19 mi away
Lenexa
City / town · 7 listings · 19 mi away
Olathe
City / town · 16 listings · 23 mi away
Kearney
City / town · 1 listings · 31 mi away
Lexington
City / town · 2 listings · 32 mi away
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