Location: Kansas City
Top Things to do in Kansas City
Top 10 Things to do in Kansas City, Missouri (MO)
The home of swing and bebop for some, "The City of Fountains" to others, Kansas City is different things to different people. Music enthusiasts are drawn to the jazz clubs and old haunts of famous musicians such as Charlie Parker and Count Basie. With more fountains than Rome, there is ample opportunity for scenic strolling from fountain to fountain. Stop along the way to discover interesting neighborhoods and browse through eclectic shops. Families are particularly attracted to the city because of its child-friendly events and venues. Science City features hands-on exhibits including a mock television studio where kids can deliver a weather forecast, while the Zoo houses impressive African and Australian exhibits plus an IMAX Theater. The city's museums cover everything from the history of jazz music to a celebration of African American baseball players. Once a trading post for pioneers heading to the Western United States, today Kansas City is a burgeoning metropolis with activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.
Restaurants in Kansas City
1. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,257 reviews
Drop in for an hour, come for lunch, or spend the entire day wandering through world-class galleries. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the cultural jewel of Kansas City and just three blocks from the Country Club Plaza, and admission is free. The Nelson-Atkins, recognized as one of America’s finest art museums, strives to be the place where the power of art engages the spirit of community. With 40,000 works of art, the Nelson-Atkins is best known for its new Bloch Galleries, featuring Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, plus its Asian art, photography, American paintings, American Indian and Egyptian galleries. The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, a beautiful setting for a walk or picnic, is an oasis in the city and home to notable sculptures.
Reviewed By pamhR1347EY - Kansas City, United States
Love to wander through the Nelson Art Gallery just about any day... Always great on a Sunday afternoon when I'll grab tea and dessert (or full lunch) at the great Rozelle Court. So beautiful. Add a walk down through tree shaded paths, and around art installations surrounding the buildings, ahhh, my idea of a great afternoon.
2. National WWI Museum and Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,466 reviews
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America's leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America's official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations.
Reviewed By PiperLinda - Stillwater, United States
If you have even a smidgeon of history buff in you, you will love this museum and memorial!! Wonderful displays and an extensive amount of information are just waiting for you!! And, as an extra perk, take a look at the view from the outside -- it really is spectacular!!
3. Country Club Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,885 reviews
This ritzy marketplace features an outdoor plaza adorned with romantic European fountains and sculptures, plus designer shops and great restaurants.
Reviewed By N5732ACsaral
Beautiful area, fun to walk around and look at fountains, there’s a great selection of shops for all budgets, Starbucks opens really early. Clean and safe.
4. Arabia Steamboat Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,148 reviews
The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a favorite Kansas City attraction, a history museum housing 200 tons of cargo from life on the American frontier in 1856. Our tour is now self-guided to assist with social distancing and face masks are required by order of the health department. You'll want to plan about 90 minutes for a visit.
Reviewed By GoSunnyland - Springfield, United States
What a find..literally!! Our tour group of "seasoned" travelers and gray-haired adventurers spent almost 2 hours viewing the unearthed relics of a by-gone era, and talking with some of the people who have spent the better part of the last 30 years digging for treasure in the Missouri mud. If this is your only chance to see the Museum and visit with the treasure hunters, plan on more than a couple of hours - especially if you include strolling through the City Market located in the same block. Even the short film kept our interest! Makes a great lunch-stop; there's plenty of restaurants, diners, cafes and food trucks close-by. The only drawback is the scarcity of motor coach parking and tight city streets further narrowed to allow for the KC Trolleys; plan on a mid-week or Sunday morning visit for large groups on buses.
5. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,038 reviews
Opened in 1991, this museum is a tribute to some of baseball's best unknown players.
Reviewed By DMGAmes_Iowa - Ames, United States
This museum is excellent in presenting its topic, the Negro Baseball Leagues, in the context of general American history and African-American history specifically. The exhibits include videos and films, photographs, baseball uniforms, extensive biographies of all stars like Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson, also Negro women baseball players. Also on display are lockers of some 3 dozen baseball players, dioramas of a black barber shop and a boardinghouse room (blacks were not permitted to stay in hotels until the 1950s/1960s), autographed baseballs, mannequins and the center masterpiece consisting of a baseball diamond with life-size bronze sculptures of specific players. If you are "in" to museums like my wife and I are, I suggest buying a combination entrance ticket to this museum and the adjoining American Jazz Museum. Seniors get an additional discount.
6. Kansas City Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,518 reviews
Explore the Kansas City Zoo, with more than 1,700 animals on 202 acres, it's the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages. For weekend activities and events, visit the Zoo website.
Reviewed By VickiK2739 - Kansas City, United States
The Zoo has recently upgraded their exhibits. They have tremendous animal displays and a new Penguin house with Penguins
7. Union Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,480 reviews
Reviewed By 975drewk - Des Peres, United States
We went to Union Station to see the Union Pacific's recently restored to operating condition Big Boy Locomotive. The plse is bustling with lots of stuff to do, some of it free! Pierpont's restaurant has a lively bar scene and an enormous selection of spirits. The modernist addition has theaters, an escape room, aroom for traveling exhibits as well as a hands on science museum. The model and toy train exhibit is simply amazing!
8. Science City at Union Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 548 reviews
See how astronauts train for space missions or discover the chemistry behind some of your favorite beverages. Kids and adults alike will be entertained for hours at this center dedicated to showing how science is a part of our everyday lives.
Reviewed By roxzannethewanderer - Kansas City, United States
I used to struggle to find things I would want to do with my children when they were younger in the winter, so I wish we had lived here when they were young! Science City will keep kids and adults entertained, so this isn't something you'll come to and be bored with while the kids have fun- you can all have fun! The location is great, as they have the IMAX theater, the train museum, and several other activities close by. You can easily pass half-a-day or longer here, so well worth the money for entry.
9. Kauffman Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,542 reviews
Reviewed By bwlsn67w - Lone Jack, United States
Always a great time at the K, sit back, have a cold beer, and watch great baseball. Ticket prices can be really cheap.
10. Boulevard Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 647 reviews
Reviewed By Cheriejay - Tulsa, United States
The tour guides are awesome, knowledgeable and passionate about the brewery. We had a great time on the tour, just long enough to explain the process but not boring. The tasting room is laid out well for quick service and all of the beer choices are well marked so you can choose what you like best. Perfect for an afternoon!
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