Weston, Missouri, a 30-minute drive north of the Kansas City Downtown Marriott, used to be a river town back in the 1800s.  It was a port that saw the landing of as many as 300 steamboats a year.  Those boats were making their way up and down the Missouri River, carrying adventurers and pioneers, along with supplies and trade goods between St. Louis and the frontier.

It’s a fairly quiet place today, its residents living a very different life from the people who occupied the land 150 or more years ago.  The early Weston was the victim of floods, fires, the Civil War and a changing economy.  Today’s Weston is a destination for visitors looking for the charms of a small Missouri town, but one with the sophistication to satisfy the most discerning tastes.

Historic Weston is home to antebellum homes, museums and a Main Street-style shopping district where many of the town’s early structures accommodate quaint shops and eateries.  Many people have been known to make Weston a day-trip destination just for the excellent cuisine offered in some its restaurants.

The town was founded in 1837 and had its heyday in the 1850s before the unrest between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces resulted in violence and destruction, and before the Civil War destroyed what was left of civil existence. 

But even during the worst of times, Weston hung on.  The river trade disappeared, but agriculture didn’t.  The town’s population dropped from 5,000 to 1,000 but then struggled back to 2,000, which is where it is today. 

Then, in 1972, much of the earliest-built part of the town received Historic District designation and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Little had changed over the years.  Much had remained as it had been.  So many of the early homes and commercial structures were still intact.  From the old came new hope and new direction.

Today’s Weston is home to artists and craftspeople who fill its unique shops with one-of-a-kind merchandise.  From clothing to jewelry, from candles to furniture, from fine art to stained glass, it’s all here.  There’s a winery, a brewery and a distillery store, too.  And one must never forget the food.

In keeping with its reputation as a historic treasure, Weston offers walking tours to show off its past.  It’s a fine place to spend a leisurely day, taking in the sights, shopping for a few special items and spending time with family and friends.

For guests returning from Weston to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, there’s plenty more to do close at hand.  The Kansas City Marriott is, after all, the KC Power and Light hotel, offering walking-distance access to this entertainment and dining experience.  It’s also the Sprint Center hotel, only blocks from the new arena where concerts and events fill a year-round schedule.