Trade Summit Waves for Smoky Hills
Lee's Summit has grown from a quiet Jackson County town into one of the KC metro's most desirable communities — great schools, a thriving downtown historic district, and easy access to everything Kansas City offers. But when you need a weekend that's the opposite of suburban convenience, Smoky Valley Distillery is three hours west in Marquette, Kansas — a town of 500 where the pace slows down, the hills roll, and the bourbon is made by hand.
Getting Here from Lee's Summit
Take I-470 W to connect with I-70 W. From there, it's a straight shot through Topeka, past Junction City and Abilene, to Salina. Exit onto KS-4 W and follow it through Lindsborg to Marquette. The drive takes about 3 hours, and most of it is easy interstate cruising.
The transition from KC suburbs to central Kansas prairie happens gradually — by the time you reach the Smoky Hills west of Salina, the landscape is completely different from anything in Jackson County.
Buy Our Spirits
Our Missouri distribution through Vintegrity is growing — ask Lee's Summit liquor stores to request Smoky Valley Distillery. The nearest current retailer is Brook's Liquor in Salina, KS, right on your I-70 route. Stop in and pick up a bottle on your way to or from the distillery.
Our retail shop in Marquette carries all 10 spirits plus limited-edition releases you won't find anywhere else.
Your Lee's Summit Escape Plan
Downtown Lee's Summit has great restaurants and the historic district is charming — but sometimes you need an escape that feels like a different state (because it literally is). Here's your weekend:
Friday:
- Leave Lee's Summit after work — 3 hours to Marquette
- Check into Preston House — sleeps 11, walking distance to the distillery
- Pick up a bottle of Straight Bourbon from the retail shop and settle in
Saturday:
- Morning: Tour and tasting at the distillery — 30-45 minutes, $10/person
- Lunch: Drive to Lindsborg for Swedish food at a downtown cafe
- Afternoon: Explore Kanopolis Lake State Park — hiking trails through sandstone canyons and bluff overlooks
- Evening: Back to the distillery for live music and cocktails made with our spirits
Sunday:
- Leisurely breakfast, then browse the distillery retail shop for bottles to take home
- Optional stop at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene
- Home in Lee's Summit by mid-afternoon
Spirits Worth the Drive
Lee's Summit residents have access to everything in the KC metro — including its distilleries and craft cocktail bars. What we offer is fundamentally different. Our Kernza Whiskey is the only spirit of its kind, made from a perennial wheat developed in Kansas. Our Smoked Jalapeno Vodka brings a heat that pairs perfectly with the grilled meats Lee's Summit backyard chefs love. And our Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon is the kind of smooth, sippable spirit that makes you wonder why you ever settled for mass-produced options.