Warrensburg brings historic sites together with a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities. You can explore the city’s history through its buildings and a self-guided tour; museums, art and outdoor activities offer other ways to spend your time. Which ones suit your trip also depends on the season and scheduled events.
City History in the Places Themselves
On Warrensburg’s original town square at 302 N Main are the original 1838 Johnson County Courthouse, the Mary Miller Smiser Heritage Library and Museum, Elm School, a one-room schoolhouse, and the Culp Building. The 1838 courthouse was the setting for the Old Drum trial. Its basement is arranged as it was in 1870, during the trial. The Johnson County Courthouse on Old Public Square features the Federal style; the Old Johnson County Courthouse has been restored to its appearance of around 1870.
The self-guided Stories of Downtown tour covers 14 notable sites. Signs and QR codes link to detailed stories about the buildings. Those interested in residential architecture can find nine homes in the Grover Street Victorian Historic District, most of them dating from the Victorian era. Blind Boone Park offers another perspective on local history: it was a segregated park and is named after composer and pianist John William “Blind” Boone, who was born and raised in Warrensburg.
Museums, Collections and Art
The Johnson County Historical Society Museum Complex displays artifacts from early pioneer life and handcrafted local furniture. Other exhibition topics include letter writing, women’s fashion and homemaking, medicine and health, music, schools, and Pertle Springs. Exhibitions may change. The McClure Archives and University Museum is UCM’s official archive for ethnographic, historical and textile artifacts from around the world, as well as the university’s history. Depending on the year, it offers up to six exhibitions, along with lectures, public programs and educational offerings for schools and community groups.
For visual art, the UCM Gallery of Art & Design presents between twelve and twenty exhibitions per academic year, featuring local, national and international artists. The Retrograde Charitable Toy and Videogame Museum offers a different focus: it displays retro video games, collectibles, toys and board games; interactive experiences with original retro hardware, toys and accessories are also available. Museum tours are available on request.
Recreation and Trails
Visitors have been coming to Pertle Springs for recreation since 1886. Fishing is allowed in all bodies of water there; fishing regulations may change. Check the current official guidance before fishing. The Spirit Trail is a shared walking and biking trail that extends about 11 miles between Warrensburg and Knob Noster. Check trail conditions before setting out. Culp Park offers a three-mile walking trail, a natural area and a lake with a dock; facility details may be updated.
The aquatic facilities also offer different experiences: the seasonal Nassif Aquatic Center has two water slides, a diving board, a large swimming area, a zero-entry splash area and water playground for children, cabanas, a concession stand and a lazy river. Opening and operating conditions may change, so check them before visiting. The Warrensburg Community Center has an indoor pool with a swimming pool, spa and splash pool with a slide. Golfers can visit the public Mules National Golf Club in Warrensburg, an 18-hole course.
Warrensburg has nine parks covering a total of more than 400 acres. The distances for individual trails offer a specific guide when choosing where to go: the walking trail in Culp Park is three miles long, while the Spirit Trail extends about 11 miles between Warrensburg and Knob Noster.
Plan a Market Visit
The Warrensburg Farmers’ Market takes place downtown every Saturday from May through September. Offerings include locally grown fruit and vegetables, eggs, pasture-raised meat, bread and baked goods, granola, honey, and handmade goods from local artisans. The selection may vary by market day; check the specific dates before your trip. This makes a visit to the market a seasonal activity, distinct from the year-round range of cultural, historical and recreational interests.
Discover more destinations: Knob Noster.
For the broader travel overview: Johnson County.
