Start at Hilo Farmers Market in downtown Hilo, ideally when the stalls are fully active around 7:00–8:00 AM. Allow about an hour for tropical fruit, baked goods, local coffee, and small crafts; most vendors are cash-friendly, though some accept cards. From there, drive roughly 10 minutes along Banyan Drive to Liliʻuokalani Gardens. The garden is generally open during daylight hours and is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace—cross the bridges, pause by the koi ponds, and take in the bay views before the day gets warmer.
Return downtown for a final food stop at Two Ladies Kitchen, a local institution known for handmade mochi and strawberry-filled sweets. Hours and availability can vary, and popular items may sell out, so go before lunch and allow about 20 minutes. Pick up a small box rather than overpacking; the mochi travels well for the flight if kept cool and level.
Head east for about 10 minutes to Carlsmith Beach Park in Keaukaha for a last swim or shoreline walk. The protected pools are usually calmer than open-ocean beaches, but check conditions, avoid entering if the water is murky or rough, and leave enough time to dry off and change before the airport. Plan to return your rental car and reach Hilo International Airport about two hours before departure—especially important with checked luggage and a likely connection through Honolulu and then a mainland hub. The airport is compact, but a checked-bag line or inter-island connection can still take time. Your onward journey to Missouri will be a long travel day, typically involving multiple flights; keep your mochi, water bottle, identification, and connection details accessible in your carry-on.
After landing at Los Angeles International Airport, allow roughly 45–90 minutes to reach Santa Monica, depending heavily on traffic. With luggage, the easiest option is a rideshare or prearranged hotel transfer; the Metro K Line connection is cheaper but less convenient with bags. Leave luggage at your hotel or a luggage-storage service before sightseeing. Begin at Santa Monica Pier, where an hour is enough to stroll above the beach, see the Pacific, and take in the classic amusement-park atmosphere. Then walk about 10 minutes east along Colorado Avenue to Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian shopping area where you can browse casually and grab a coffee without committing to a long meal.
Take a rideshare roughly 15–25 minutes inland to The Original Farmers Market in the Fairfax District. It is a relaxed lunch stop with dozens of counters and stalls; budget about $15–30 per person, and allow 1½ hours. After eating, continue by rideshare or taxi about 10 minutes south to the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard. Plan around two hours for its beautifully presented collection of historic, unusual, and design-focused cars. The museum generally operates into the late afternoon or early evening, but check the September schedule and reserve timed admission if available; tickets are typically around $17–20 for adults.
Finish at Griffith Observatory, reached from the museum in approximately 25–40 minutes, though evening traffic can make the trip longer. Arrive before sunset to find parking and walk the grounds for wide views across Los Angeles; the observatory itself is usually closed on Mondays but otherwise commonly opens in the afternoon and remains open into the evening, with schedules worth checking before you go. The grounds are free, while indoor exhibits and the planetarium may have separate charges. If parking at the top is full, use the DASH Observatory shuttle from the designated lower-area pickup points rather than circling endlessly. Afterward, return to Santa Monica or your Los Angeles hotel by rideshare; expect a slower trip after sunset.
After the early flight from Los Angeles to Kansas City International Airport, allow about 30–45 minutes for baggage and the ride into town. A taxi or rideshare to the Crown Center area usually takes 25–35 minutes and costs roughly $35–55, depending on traffic; a rental car is unnecessary today and can be a hassle downtown. Drop your bags at your hotel, then head to Union Station Kansas City, whose grand Beaux-Arts hall is especially impressive in the afternoon light. Give yourself about 45 minutes to admire the architecture and public spaces. It is generally open daily, though individual attractions and exhibits keep separate hours.
Walk or take a short rideshare—about five minutes—to the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Plan around two hours for the galleries and memorial grounds; the museum is typically open Tuesday–Sunday, with last admission well before closing, and admission is usually about $20–25 for adults. The exterior terrace has one of the best broad views over downtown, so do not rush through it. From there, allow 10–15 minutes by rideshare to City Market in the River Market neighborhood. Spend about an hour browsing produce stands, small vendors, and food counters; the market is liveliest on weekends, while weekday stalls can be more limited and often wind down by late afternoon.
For dinner, go to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que—the original gas-station location is in KCK, about 15–20 minutes from downtown, while the Leawood and Olathe branches are more convenient if you are staying south of the city. Expect $15–30 per person; order the Z-Man sandwich or a barbecue plate, and check the branch’s hours because closing times and availability vary. Finish downtown at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, roughly 10–15 minutes back toward the central business district. Check the schedule before leaving for a concert, dance, or theater performance; if nothing is playing, the building’s glass architecture and illuminated façade are still worth a brief stop. Leave extra time for event traffic and use a paid garage rather than searching for curb parking.
Leave Kansas City around 7:00–7:30 AM by rental car, following Interstate 70 east toward St. Louis. The drive takes about 4–4½ hours without a long stop; a quick coffee and fuel break around Columbia keeps the morning manageable. Expect toll-free interstate driving, but leave extra time for construction and traffic near St. Louis. If your hotel cannot hold luggage before check-in, drop the car at the airport or downtown rental location first, then use a rideshare to the riverfront; confirm one-way rental and downtown parking arrangements in advance.
Begin at Gateway Arch National Park, allowing roughly two hours for the grounds, museum, and—if tickets are available—the tram ride to the top. The tram is separately ticketed, often sells out, and is not ideal for anyone uneasy with enclosed spaces; the surrounding park and Old Courthouse are worthwhile even without it. Afterward, walk about 15 minutes west through downtown to Citygarden Sculpture Park, a compact open-air collection with shaded paths, fountains, and contemporary works. It is free and generally open from early morning until late evening, making it an easy, unhurried stop.
Take a 10-minute rideshare south to Soulard Farmers Market, one of the city’s oldest public markets. Market hours vary by day and season, so check the schedule before going; browse the produce and prepared-food stalls for snacks rather than planning a full meal. Continue by rideshare to The Hill, where the streets around Marconi Avenue and Shaw Boulevard are best explored on foot. Settle in for classic Italian-American food at Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill or Zia’s, with toasted ravioli and pasta among the local staples; expect roughly $20–40 per person before drinks.
Finish at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewa Street, about a 10-minute drive from The Hill. A concrete usually costs around $5–10, and the line can be long on warm evenings, though it moves steadily. Bring a card or cash, and remember that the famously thick custard is served upside down—unless your chosen topping makes that impractical.
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