Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Missouri and the anchor city of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
The City was founded in 1838 as a port town at the confluence of the Missouri river and Kansas river and became an important stop on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails.
Today, it is known for its jazz music scene, fountains, barbecue, and architecture.
Kansas city has more than 240 fountains, which is more than any other city in the world except Rome.
Kansas City has it all, from history, music, and architecture to amazing things to do.
Things To Do In Kansas City
1. National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City is the only museum in the United States devoted to World War I.
The museum was founded in 1926 as the Liberty Memorial Museum, and renamed in 2004 to reflect its focus on the First World War.
The museum is located on a 14-acre site which includes the Liberty Memorial tower.
The tower was built in 1926 and is 217 feet tall, and is one of Kansas City’s most recognizable landmarks.
One of the best Kansas City Museums, it’s collections include more than 50,000 artefacts from World War I.
These include weapons, uniforms, documents, photographs, and works of art.
The museum also has an extensive library with over 60,000 books and periodicals.
The National World War Museum and Memorial is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day and has free admission for all visitors.
Address: 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
2. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a world-renowned art museum founded in 1933, the museum houses one of the largest collections of art in the United States.
The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from the Renaissance to the present day.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art also houses a significant collection of modern and contemporary art.
In addition to its vast collection of art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is also known for its beautiful setting.
Located just three blocks from the Country Club Plaza, the museum is situated on a 14-acre park that features gardens, fountains, and sculptures.
There is free admission, but timed tickets help the museum control capacity numbers.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a must-see for any art lover.
Address: 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111, United States
3. Arabia Steamboat Museum
The Arabia Steamboat Museum tells the story of the steamboat Arabia, which sank in Kansas City’s Missouri River in 1856.
The museum features a collection of artefacts recovered from the wreck site.
The Arabia was a side-wheel paddle steamer that was built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1853.
She was launched on August 10, 1853, and her maiden voyage took her down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans.
On September 5, 1856, while traveling upriver from St. Louis, Missouri to Council Bluffs, Iowa, the Arabia collided with a tree snag in the river and sank.
The ship’s cargo included a large variety of items, including furniture, dishes, clothing, and tools.
The Arabia lay buried in the river mud for over 130 years before she was discovered by a group of treasure hunters in 1988.
The treasure hunters began excavating the wreck site in 1989, and recovered a large number of artefacts.
Today, the museum houses over 25,000 artefacts from the Arabia, making it one of the largest collections of steamboat-related items in the world.
Address: 400 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106, United States
4. Union Station
Union Station is a historic train station, built-in 1914 and served as a major hub for passenger rail travel until the 1970s.
Today, Union Station is a multi-use facility that houses restaurants, shops, museums, and an Amtrak train station.
The station is also home to the Kansas City Science Museum and the Regnier Extreme Screen Theater.
Union Station is one of Kansas City’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting over two million visitors each year.
Address: Union Station, 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
5. Kauffman Stadium
The Kauffman Stadium, located in Kansas City, Missouri, is the home of the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.
The stadium, which originally opened in 1973 as Royals Stadium, was renamed in honour of Ewing Kauffman following his death in 1993.
Since its opening, the stadium has been widely recognized as one of baseball’s best places to watch a game, due in large part to its beautiful setting and unique features.
One of the Kauffman Stadium’s defining characteristics is its massive water fountain beyond the outfield wall.
The fountain is turned on for every Royals home run and victory, and has become an iconic symbol of the team and the city.
Other notable features of the stadium include the Crown Vision big screen, the Out-Of-Town scoreboard and the massive Royals Hall of Fame located inside the stadium.
Address: 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129, United States
6. Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo is a large zoo located in Swope Park.
The zoo, which first opened in 1909, is home to over 1,300 animals from over 200 different species.
The zoo’s attractions include the African Savanna, the Australian Outback, and the Polar Bear Passage.
The Kansas City Zoo also offers a variety of educational programs and events for visitors of all ages.
This is a great Kansas City attraction for all the family.
Address: 6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO 64132, United States
7. Country Club Plaza
The Country Club Plaza is a historic shopping district located in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Plaza, which was built in 1922, has over 55 acres of planned outdoor urban shopping.
It is home to over 150 shops and restaurants, as well as a number of office buildings and apartments.
The Plaza is known for its Spanish-style architecture, which includes fountains, mosaics, and tile work.
One of Kansas City’s most popular places to dine, shop, movie watch or simply just walk around is the Country Club Plaza.
Address: Country Club Plaza, 4750 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112, United States
8. Lakeside Nature Center
Lakeside Nature Center is Kansas city’s largest wildlife rehabilitation facility and provides educational and recreational opportunities that focus on the environment.
Located near the Zoo in Swope Park, the center has Very large indoor area with everything nature related including hands on exhibits, rescued animals, fish tanks, snakes and reptiles.
The Nature Center is free to visit and has some great hiking trails, a picnic pavilion and a native Missouri wildlife exhibit.
Address: Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132
9. National Airline History Museum
The National Airline History Museum is home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of historic commercial aircraft.
The museum features over 50 retired airliners from around the globe.
The collection includes popular passenger jets such as the Boeing 747, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.
Visitors can also see rarer planes like the Vickers VC10 and Convair 990 Coronado.
The museum’s exhibits are constantly changing, so there is always something new to see.
In addition to the aircraft on display, the National Airline History Museum also houses a research library with over 10,000 volumes of aviation history.
The library is open to the public and is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of commercial aviation.
The museum is a must-see for any aviation enthusiast.
Address: 201 NW Lou Holland Dr, Kansas City, MO 64116
10. Sea Life Kansas City
Sea Life Kansas City is one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums and is located in the center of Downtown Kansas City.
It is home to more than 7,000 aquatic animals, including sharks, rays, seahorses, clownfish, and octopus.
The aquarium offers a variety of educational programs and events for all ages.
Visitors can learn about the ocean’s ecosystem and the importance of conservation through hands-on activities, presentations, and exhibits.
Sea Life Kansas City is committed to educating the public about the importance of protecting our oceans and the creatures that call it home.
Address: 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
11. Kansas City Public Library
The Kansas City Public Library is a public library located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The library opened in 1873 and is currently the second largest public library in the state of Missouri.
The Kansas City Library has a collection of over 3 million items, including books, magazines, newspapers, e-books, audio books, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.
The library also has a wide variety of digital resources available for patrons to use.
A row of 22 giant books lined up on a shelf forms the façade of the parking garage of the Library which is sight not to be missed.
The spine of each book is made from concrete and aluminium and is about eight metres high and three metres wide.
Address: Kansas City Public Library, 14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
12. Science City at Union Station
Science City at Union Station is a science museum, located in the former Union Station, which was renovated and reopened in 1999.
Science City occupies over 200,000 square feet of space on three floors.
The museum’s exhibits focus on hands-on science and technology, and its attractions include an IMAX theater and planetarium.
In 2013, the museum celebrated its 14th anniversary with a special event that featured a visit from astronaut Scott Kelly.
Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits on their own, or take part in one of the many hands-on activities offered throughout the day.
Address: 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
13. American Jazz Museum
The American Jazz Museum in Kansas City is one of the premier institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and legacy of jazz music.
Founded in 1997, the museum features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and live music that showcase the contributions of jazz greats from across the country.
As the birth place of some of jazz music’s most iconic performers and styles, Kansas City has a long and rich history with the genre.
The American Jazz Museum tells this story through its extensive collections, which include instruments, photographs, sheet music, and other artefacts that date back to the early days of jazz.
The museum also houses a state-of-the-art recording studio where visitors can see first-hand how today’s musicians are keeping the genre alive.
Address: 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
14. Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a 300-acre public garden located in Overland Park, Kansas City.
The arboretum features more than 1,700 varieties of plants, as well as 12 miles of hiking and biking trails.
The botanical gardens include a children’s garden, an herb garden, a rose garden, and a variety of other themed gardens.
The arboretum also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, educational programs, and festivals.
Address: Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS 66085
15. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the players of the Negro Leagues.
Founded in 1990, the museum is located in the historic 18th & Vine district of Kansas City, Missouri.
The museum houses a collection of over 3,000 artifacts, including uniforms, baseballs, bats, and other equipment used by Negro League players.
The museum also has a research library with more than 10,000 books and photographs.
In addition to its exhibitions, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum offers a variety of educational programs for both children and adults.
These programs include workshops, lectures, and field trips that help to educate visitors about the history of the Negro Leagues and the contributions of its players.
Address: 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
FAQ
What is Kansas City best known for?
World-famous for its steaks and barbecue, it is sometimes called the “Barbecue Capital.”
The city’s legacy in jazz history can be explored in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.
Where is good for shopping in Kansas City?
City Market is located in downtown Kansas City. It offers visitors a variety of fresh produce, meats, specialty groceries, flowers and gift items from nearby farms and around the world.
City market is also good for souvenirs, unique gifts, home décor and a large selection of apparel.
What is the biggest park in Kansas City?
At 1,805-acres, Swope Park is Kansas City’s largest park, and one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.
Swope Park is home to many of Kansas City’s finest attractions and annually hosts more than 2 million visitors.
Does Kansas City have Community Conservation projects?
Yes, for example the Kansas City Area has a flourishing Conservation Ecosystem.
Kansas City Community with organizations, such as government agencies, are proactive and effective at conserving, protecting, and restoring natural lands and open space.
Where is the Kansas City Symphony?
Helzberg Hall is located in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts at 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Can you tour Kansas City Speedway?
Most of the tracks have some sort of tour, or small museum.
Kansas City Speedway was built in 2001 and it currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends.
