Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Smithville, MO

  • Published 2022/08/25

Historic town buildings, a quaint rural setting, and gorgeous lake spots make the city of Smithville worth visiting on your next trip.

The city lies in the state of Missouri in Clay and Platte counties and is included in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

It was named after Humphrey and Nancy Smith, the first family to settle in the area in 1822.

They built Clay county’s original water-powered flour mill, and its growth led to the plotting of town in the 1830s from Smith’s Mill to Smithville.

The city was incorporated in 1868 and had its share of floods and fires that shaped its landscape.

Today, this hidden gem comes alive with charming shops, fantastic eateries, and a bustling community.

Smithville hosts many family-friendly attractions, lovely parks, enjoyable lakeside sceneries, and activities.

Want to discover more about the city?

Here are the best things to do in Smithville, Missouri:

Enjoy Water Activities at Smithville Lake

The waters of Smithville Lake

TommyBrison / Shutterstock.com

Spanning over 7,000 acres, Smithville Lake is a beautiful recreational lake and a popular summer spot in the city.

It has several boat launching areas and two full-service marinas to prepare you to paddle your boats, kayaks, or canoes.

Anglers can come for a fresh catch of bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass.

You can access two public sandy beaches along the lake: Camp Branch Beach on the east and Little Platte beach on the west.

Signage of Smithville Lake

Jon Kraft / Shutterstock.com

The beach areas are open from May to September, the best time to swim and enjoy the cool waters.

Eat your lunch at the nearby shelter or picnic areas while your little ones have a great time at the playgrounds.

If you want to spend a day or two by the lake, you can set up your camp gear on the camping grounds.

Have great outdoor family fun at Smithville Lake!

Aerial view of Smithville Lake

Pete Howell / Shutterstock.com

Play Active Sports at Smith’s Fork Park

Located on DD Highway, Smith’s Fork Park is a public park leased by the city from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The 250-acre park offers excellent sports venues and areas for recreation.

It has two baseball fields and a lighted football field.

The fenced soccer field is excellent for playing and scoring goals.

Shoot some hoops at the basketball courts or swing those rackets at the tennis courts.

You can also practice your golf swings at the driving range.

If you want to spend a more relaxing day at the park, you can pack some lunch and go for a picnic at the shelters.

You can have some unhurried time and fish on the Smithville Lake Dam Spillway.

Other amenities at Smith’s Fork Park include restrooms, concession stands, a skateboard park, and a park campground.

Have a Family Camping Trip at Smith’s Fork Campground

Are you interested in planning a family campout?

Smith’s Fork Campground provides a full-service and family-friendly campsite near Smithville Dam.

Tucked away in Smith Fork Park, the grounds are open for campers from April to October.

You can pitch your tents on any of the 84 sites, all provided with water, electricity, and sewer connections.

Campers can also access restrooms and the shower house on site.

During your stay at Smith’s Fork Campground, you can enjoy fishing by the lake, hike the trails or go for an outdoor adventure.

Visit the Downtown Smithville Historic District

A stroll along the Downtown Smithville Historic District should be part of your visit to the city.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this area comprises 30 buildings that make up Smithville’s central business district.

The district area expanded from around 1868 to 1964.

You’ll observe the Gothic Revival and Classical Revival style architecture on these structures.

Take snapshots of notable buildings like the IOOF Lodge Hall and Smithville City Hall, The State Theater, Post Office, C.C. Kindred Motor Company, and Smithville Community Hospital.

You might even find interesting details about the city while visiting the Downtown Smithville Historic District.

Go for a Nature Hike at Lake Remote Park & Nature Area

Hike the trails at Lake Remote Park & Nature Area to glimpse sweeping views of the forests, woodlands, and lake.

You’ll discover and connect with nature around four miles of improved trails on the 40-acre area.

Choose from a series of trails with three surfaces, including a single track, an ag-lime trail, and a well-maintained 10-foot cut pathway.

You’ll find the stunning natural lake open for fishing within the four-mile area.

Those interested in fishing may do so, provided they secure a Missouri fishing license.

So aside from your hiking gear, don’t forget to bring your fishing rods because you’ll have plenty of crappies, blue gill, catfish, and bass to catch here.

Enjoy the great outdoors at Lake Remote Park & Nature Area.

Watch Live Music Performances at Hot Summer Nights

All the Saturdays of August are allotted for Hot Summer Nights, an annual concert series held in Smithville.

If you’re visiting the city at this time of the year, you’ll get to catch a series of great concerts and fun events at Courtyard Park.

It’s one of the most-awaited happenings that feature the city’s hospitable spirit.

There are also rows of food and drinks at this free event.

Visitors can also join the fun run and meet the locals in town.

Hot Summer Nights is supported by the city’s Heritage Business District, Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses.

Savor Local Wines at Ladoga Ridge Winery

Enjoy the countryside view with a glass of wine at Ladoga Ridge Winery, located on East Pope Lane.

The winery is family-owned and operated by local Smithville residents Galen and Leinda Haddock, who are very much hands-on with every business detail.

The winery is also an adult-only space where you can relax and unwind while enjoying a sip of handcrafted, premium quality yet affordable wines.

Wine tasting is open all year, so you’ll get to savor their locally produced selections of white, red, and fruit wines regardless of when you visit.

Try their White Wine collection of Cayuga White and Ladoga Vignoles.

Taste some Reds selection of Norton and Galen’s Red or try their Peach and Strawberry Rhubarb from their Fruit selection.

You might also catch their seasonal wines like Chococherry Kiss, Watermelon, and Cranberry.

Beautiful sceneries paired with bottles of fine wines is what Ladoga Ridge Winery gladly offers to its visitors.

Go for an All-Mexican Meal at La Fuente Mexican Restaurant

Enjoy daily Mexican specials at La Fuente Mexican Restaurant on State Highway F.

This local restaurant offers a family-friendly atmosphere to dine in while you enjoy tasty specialties on the menu.

Grab a bite of their Lunch Fajitas with your choice of chicken and steak or their other specials like Chile Colorado, Carnitas Dinner, or Avocado Shrimp Salad.

Aside from regular favorites like burritos and quesadillas, try their Mexican Taquitos or Pollo Chipotle servings.

Of course, your meals at La Fuente Mexican Restaurant won’t be complete without sampling their different Margarita flavors!

Enjoy Coffee Favorites at Cornerstone Coffee

Have your cup of locally roasted brews at Cornerstone Coffee.

You’ll find this coffee shop at the corners of Bridge Street and Main Street, close to Heritage Park.

Dine in for breakfast or drive through for a dose of caffeine, either iced or hot.

Order your coffee favorites or try other flavors like Cinnamon Maple Latte, Pumpkin Pie Latte, Honey Nut Latte, and Iced Matcha Latte.

They also have caffeine-free beverages like Poolside Punch and Birthday Cake Frappe.

Cornerstone Coffee also serves delicious desserts, like Orange and Cranberry Scones, Blueberry Muffins, Brownies, and Vegan Crispy Peanut Butter Balls.

Play Golf at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex

You can head to Paradise Pointe Golf Complex on Golf Course Road for some relaxing golf games.

This public golf facility has two 18-hole courses that give you the right challenge you need for a great game.

For some trivia, the courses were named in honor of Jesse James, who lived and often stayed with his gang in the area.

Their original Posse course offers you bluegrass fairways, smooth rolling terrain, and beautiful sceneries of Smithville Lake.

The Outlaw course offers zoysia fairways, vast greens, and more scenic lake views.

You can get golf instructions to sharpen your swing and put your golfing skills to the next level.

They also have a Junior Golf Campto get your young golfers off to a good start.

Enjoy several rounds of golf at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex.

Spend a Relaxing Time at Heritage Park

Heritage Park, located on East Main Street, is a public park you can visit within the city.

The 17-acre park features baseball fields with lights and a baseball field.

Spend an afternoon at the shelter or enjoy snacks at the picnic tables.

You can stroll on the paved walking trail to see other park areas.

Little ones will enjoy running around and climbing the playground equipment.

If you want to get some fresh air and catch other sights in the city, drop by Heritage Park.

Savor Gourmet Flavors at Aroma Bistro

Taste a mix of different gourmet flavors at Aroma Bistro.

Each meal is carefully prepared with the freshest ingredients and cooked by skilled in-house chefs.

Menu choices include kids’ meals, lunch, and dinner specialties like salads, appetizers, and main course meals.

Young diners can try the Cheeseburger and Fries, Grilled Cheese and Fries, or the Chicken Alfredo Pasta and Cheese Quesadilla.

Have some salad servings of Shrimp Spinach Salad or The Wedge.

Try tasty appetizers like Tempura Beer Battered Onion Rings and Carnitas Mac and Cheese, then take a bite of delicious sandwiches like Subs, Aroma Steak Burger, and Classic Cheeseburger.

Some of the Entrees they serve for lunch and dinner are Grilled Salmon, Carnitas Tacos, Crab and Shrimp Ravioli, Salmon Piccata, Grilled Chicken Breast, and Ceviche.

Satisfy your palate with delicious meals at Aroma Bistro on Earthworks Drive.

Other Things To Do Nearby

Visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial

Exterior of National World War I Museum and Memorial

Checubus / Shutterstock.com

Learn about significant historical facts at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in nearby Kansas City.

It’s dedicated to providing the public with interpretations and understanding of the Great War.

The museum and memorial reopened in 2006 and were listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Building sign of National World War I Museum and Memorial

EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

View the different visual displays, photographs, paintings, and other mediums that present the war period.

The National World War I Museum and Memorial is a must-see, especially if you’re a history buff.

Exhibits in National World War I Museum and Memorial

Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy the Pools at the Springs Aquatic Center

The Springs Aquatic Center is a fun aquatic facility in Kansas City, 18 minutes away from Smithville.

Your family will surely enjoy hours of splashing and swimming at the pools.

Lounge at the leisure pools or drop at the thrilling water slides.

You can also try the competition pool and frolic around with little ones at the spray ground, kiddie slides, and pool.

Have a tan at the poolside lounge chairs, or grab some treats and cool drinks at the concession stand.

Take the whole family to the Springs Aquatic Center!

Pick Fresh Apples at Alldredge Orchards

Just a 22-minute drive from Smithville, Alldredge Orchards is a great place to bring your family.

The orchard opens from September to October, so it would be great to drop by if you’re in the area during the fall season.

Your little ones will surely enjoy picking fresh apples at the lush orchard.

Choose your own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, grab a wagon, and you might find a prize.

Take a fun hayride and have loads of laughter at the play area.

Visit the barnyard animals and give them some treats.

Step inside their rustic barn store to purchase apples, pumpkins, local honey, and other delightful treats.

At the end of your tour, you can go for snacks and drinks at the Orchard Cafe.

Alldredge Orchards is a wonderful place to visit near Smithville.

Final Thoughts

Smithville is an idyllic city with hosts of attractions you can visit with family.

It has plenty of lovely parks, lakeside views, nature trails, and swimming beaches you can visit.

The city is also home to a close-knit community that enjoys celebrating together through local festivals and events.

If you’re looking for a laid-back place to visit in Missouri, this is it—drop by this charming city and enjoy the best things to do in Smithville, Missouri!

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