Independence, Missouri (15 miles east) was Harry Truman's hometown and home to the excellent Truman Presidential Library and Museum, which underwent a major renovation in 2020. The city is also the official starting point of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails — a visitor center marks the point where the wagon trains gathered.
Weston, Missouri (45 miles north) is a well-preserved 19th-century river town with brick storefronts, antique shops, and several wineries and distilleries. McCormick Distilling Company, one of the oldest in Missouri, offers tours. The town is small and walkable.
Lawrence, Kansas (45 miles west) is a university town with a lively main street, strong indie bookshop and record store scene, and a history as a flashpoint of the pre-Civil War "Bleeding Kansas" conflict. The Quantrill's Raid massacre of 1863 is well interpreted at the local museum.
Excelsior Springs, Missouri (40 miles northeast) has a collection of 1920s mineral springs spa architecture — the Hall of Waters is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in the region and has been restored as an event venue and spa.