13 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO

13 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO

Lee's Summit

The vibrant city of Kansas City, Missouri, is a destination filled with a variety of activities for diverse tastes. The city’s deep cultural heritage can be seen in its renowned cultural sites, historic landmarks, and entertainment options.

The 18th and Vine District, known for its jazz heritage, is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a museum preserving an important era. Meanwhile, the River Market District features a vibrant scene, with its farmers' market and eclectic shops.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate performances at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which presents a wide range of musical and theatrical events. Sports fans won’t want to miss games at Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals, or visit Arrowhead Stadium, where the Kansas City Chiefs play.

For food lovers, the city’s legendary Kansas City–style barbecue offers a delightful culinary experience, with numerous spots serving this signature dish.

Outdoor visitors will enjoy Swope Park, which features ample green spaces for activities. Meanwhile, shoppers should check out the Country Club Plaza, known for its Spanish-inspired architecture and a varied mix of dining and retail choices.

Whether your interests revolve around history, music, sports, or food, Kansas City has something for everyone.

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14 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO

The lively city of Kansas City, Missouri, is known for its rich cultural tapestry and storied significance, drawing in visitors from around the world. Nicknamed the "City of Fountains," Kansas City boasts iconic landmarks and a flourishing arts scene.

One of the city’s must-visit areas is the 18th and Vine District, celebrated for its significant contributions to jazz music. This culturally significant district is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a renowned museum highlighting the history of African-American baseball. The River Market District, on the other hand, offers a lively atmosphere with its thriving farmers' market and unique shops that offer items for a variety of tastes.

For lovers of the arts, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a beacon of creativity, presenting world-class performances in music and theater. Sports fans will relish the excitement at Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals, or at Arrowhead Stadium, hosting the Kansas City Chiefs electrify the crowds.

Kansas City is also famed for its barbecue, a culinary tradition earning international acclaim. Restaurants all over the city serve flavorful Kansas City–style barbecue, featuring smoky, flavorful dishes that highlight the city's gastronomic heritage. For outdoor recreation, Swope Park provides extensive green spaces suitable for relaxation and family activities. The Country Club Plaza offers a unique shopping experience with its architecturally stunning architecture and diverse retail and dining options.

Whether learning about its heritage, enjoying cultural activities, or savoring world-class cuisine, Kansas City, Missouri, provides an unmatched experience for visitors.

16 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO

Kansas City is home to a variety of unique museums that offer fascinating experiences, from art and history to niche interests. Here are some must-visit options:

1. The National WWI Museum and Memorial

  • Why It’s Unique: The only museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to World War I, featuring an extensive collection of artifacts, exhibits, and a striking view from the Liberty Memorial tower.
  • Don’t Miss: The glass bridge over a field of 9,000 poppies, each symbolizing 1,000 WWI combatant deaths.

2. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

  • Why It’s Unique: Famous for its outdoor sculpture park, including the iconic Shuttlecocks, and an impressive collection spanning over 5,000 years of art history.
  • Don’t Miss: The extensive Asian art collection and the museum's free admission.

3. American Jazz Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: Located in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, it celebrates Kansas City’s pivotal role in jazz history with exhibits, memorabilia, and live performances.
  • Don’t Miss: The interactive exhibits and the adjacent Blue Room, a working jazz club.

4. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: Chronicles the history and legacy of African-American baseball leagues, sharing space with the American Jazz Museum for a double history treat.
  • Don’t Miss: The Field of Legends, a display of life-sized statues of famous Negro Leagues players.

5. The Arabia Steamboat Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: Houses treasures recovered from a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, offering a time capsule of 19th-century life.
  • Don’t Miss: The preserved artifacts, including tools, dishware, and clothing.

6. The Money Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: Located at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, this free museum explores the history of currency and includes interactive exhibits.
  • Don’t Miss: The chance to see $40 million in cash and receive a free bag of shredded money.

7. Kansas City Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: Recently renovated, this museum in the Corinthian Hall mansion explores the history and culture of Kansas City.
  • Don’t Miss: The stunning architecture and the immersive local history exhibits.

8. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

  • Why It’s Unique: Features one of the largest collections of antique toys and fine-scale miniatures in the world.
  • Don’t Miss: The intricate miniature rooms and vintage toy exhibits.

9. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

  • Why It’s Unique: Showcases cutting-edge modern art and installations in a striking architectural setting.
  • Don’t Miss: The rotating exhibitions and the museum’s boutique restaurant, Café Sebastienne.

10. The Airline History Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: Focuses on the golden age of aviation with vintage aircraft and memorabilia housed in a historic hangar at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.
  • Don’t Miss: The chance to step aboard restored planes like the Lockheed Constellation.

11. Strawberry Hill Museum

  • Why It’s Unique: A Victorian mansion turned museum celebrating the cultural heritage of Kansas City’s Slavic communities.
  • Don’t Miss: The ethnic exhibits and beautiful views of downtown Kansas City.

12. Museum at Prairiefire

  • Why It’s Unique: A visually striking building housing exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History and local cultural displays.
  • Don’t Miss: The interactive Discovery Room for kids and the stunning, prismatic architecture.

Whether you’re into art, history, or unique niches, these museums offer a diverse and enriching experience in Kansas City. Let me know if you'd like help planning your visit!

16 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO
What's Happening In Kansas City

What's Happening In Kansas City

Kansas City offers a diverse range of entertainment options, from music and theater to sports and nightlife. Here are some highlights:

Music and Live Performances

  • T-Mobile Center: Hosts major concerts, sports events, and shows. It's a go-to spot for big-name entertainers.

  • Starlight Theatre: An outdoor theater that brings Broadway to Kansas City with its summer productions.

  • The Blue Room Jazz Club: Located next to the American Jazz Museum, it's a venue for live jazz music, embodying the city's rich jazz heritage.

  • The Bird Comedy Theater: Known for its comedy shows, including improv and stand-up.

Theater and Arts

  • Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: A stunning venue for opera, ballet, symphony, and more. It's one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in KC.

  • KC Repertory Theatre: Offers a mix of plays from classics to new works.

  • The Coterie Theatre: Focuses on theater for young audiences but has productions that appeal to all ages.

Sports Entertainment

  • Kauffman Stadium: Home to the Kansas City Royals, offering baseball games with a unique fountain show.

  • Arrowhead Stadium: Experience the energy of a Kansas City Chiefs NFL game or other major events like concerts.

  • Sporting KC: Watch soccer at Children's Mercy Park, where the atmosphere is electric during matches.

Nightlife and Bars

  • Power & Light District: A vibrant area with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues, perfect for nightlife.

  • Westport: Known for its eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, and live music spots, offering a more local vibe.

  • 39th Street: Famous for dive bars, unique shops, and a bohemian atmosphere.

Unique Entertainment Experiences

  • Union Station: Beyond its historical significance, it's home to Science City, a planetarium, and often hosts special exhibitions and events.

  • Worlds of Fun: An amusement park with roller coasters, water attractions at Oceans of Fun, and seasonal events like Halloween Haunt.

  • Escape Rooms: Breakout KC offers themed escape room experiences for those looking for interactive fun.

Festivals and Events

  • Boulevardia: A music and craft beer festival by Boulevard Brewing Company, showcasing local and national acts.

  • First Fridays: An art crawl in the Crossroads Arts District with galleries, street performances, and food trucks.

  • Kansas City Irish Fest: One of the largest Irish festivals in the U.S., celebrating Irish culture with music, dance, and food.

Cinematic Experiences

  • Screenland Armour & Crossroads: Independent theaters known for showing both blockbuster and indie films, with special events like movie marathons.

  • Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Offers an elevated movie-going experience with food service at your seat and a no-texting policy.

Kansas City's entertainment scene is vibrant and varied, catering to all tastes from high culture to family fun, and from local haunts to international acts. Whether you're there for the music, the arts, sports, or just to enjoy the nightlife, KC has something for everyone.

Fun Things To Do When Bored In Kansas City MO

Kansas City is home to a variety of unique museums that offer fascinating experiences, from art and history to niche interests. Here are some must-visit options:

1. The National WWI Museum and Memorial



    Kansas City, Kansas

    1. Why It’s Unique: The only museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to World War I, featuring an extensive collection of artifacts, exhibits, and a striking view from the Liberty Memorial tower.
    2. Don’t Miss: The glass bridge over a field of 9,000 poppies, each symbolizing 1,000 WWI combatant deaths.

    2. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    • Why It’s Unique: Famous for its outdoor sculpture park, including the iconic Shuttlecocks, and an impressive collection spanning over 5,000 years of art history.
    • Don’t Miss: The extensive Asian art collection and the museum's free admission.

    3. American Jazz Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: Located in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, it celebrates Kansas City’s pivotal role in jazz history with exhibits, memorabilia, and live performances.
    • Don’t Miss: The interactive exhibits and the adjacent Blue Room, a working jazz club.

    4. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: Chronicles the history and legacy of African-American baseball leagues, sharing space with the American Jazz Museum for a double history treat.
    • Don’t Miss: The Field of Legends, a display of life-sized statues of famous Negro Leagues players.

    5. The Arabia Steamboat Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: Houses treasures recovered from a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, offering a time capsule of 19th-century life.
    • Don’t Miss: The preserved artifacts, including tools, dishware, and clothing.

    6. The Money Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: Located at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, this free museum explores the history of currency and includes interactive exhibits.
    • Don’t Miss: The chance to see $40 million in cash and receive a free bag of shredded money.

    7. Kansas City Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: Recently renovated, this museum in the Corinthian Hall mansion explores the history and culture of Kansas City.
    • Don’t Miss: The stunning architecture and the immersive local history exhibits.

    8. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

    • Why It’s Unique: Features one of the largest collections of antique toys and fine-scale miniatures in the world.
    • Don’t Miss: The intricate miniature rooms and vintage toy exhibits.

    9. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

    • Why It’s Unique: Showcases cutting-edge modern art and installations in a striking architectural setting.
    • Don’t Miss: The rotating exhibitions and the museum’s boutique restaurant, Café Sebastienne.

    10. The Airline History Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: Focuses on the golden age of aviation with vintage aircraft and memorabilia housed in a historic hangar at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.
    • Don’t Miss: The chance to step aboard restored planes like the Lockheed Constellation.

    11. Strawberry Hill Museum

    • Why It’s Unique: A Victorian mansion turned museum celebrating the cultural heritage of Kansas City’s Slavic communities.
    • Don’t Miss: The ethnic exhibits and beautiful views of downtown Kansas City.

    12. Museum at Prairiefire

    • Why It’s Unique: A visually striking building housing exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History and local cultural displays.
    • Don’t Miss: The interactive Discovery Room for kids and the stunning, prismatic architecture.

    Whether you’re into art, history, or unique niches, these museums offer a diverse and enriching experience in Kansas City. Let me know if you'd like help planning your visit!

    Fun Things To Do When Bored In Kansas City MO
    9 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO
    9 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO

    Kansas City offers a variety of family-friendly attractions that entertain and educate visitors of all ages. Here are the top destinations to explore with kids:

    1. Kansas City Zoo

    • Location: Swope Park.
    • Highlights: Over 1,700 animals across 200 acres, featuring African Sky Safari, polar bears, and penguins.
    • Why Kids Love It: Interactive exhibits, animal feedings, and a chance to ride the train or carousel.

    2. Science City at Union Station

    • Location: Downtown Kansas City.
    • Highlights: Hands-on science exhibits, a planetarium, and an interactive Maker Studio.
    • Why Kids Love It: The Dino Lab, Sky Bike, and the Test Kitchen offer immersive learning and fun.

    3. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

    • Location: Crown Center.
    • Highlights: LEGO-themed rides, a 4D cinema, and Miniland Kansas City built entirely from LEGO bricks.
    • Why Kids Love It: Building and racing their own LEGO creations.

    4. SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium

    • Location: Crown Center.
    • Highlights: More than 5,000 sea creatures, touch pools, and a walk-through underwater tunnel.
    • Why Kids Love It: Interactive touch tanks and the shark and stingray exhibits.

    5. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

    • Location: Overland Park, Kansas.
    • Highlights: A 12-acre farm with animals, pony rides, fishing, and wagon rides.
    • Why Kids Love It: Hands-on activities like bottle-feeding baby goats and petting farm animals.

    6. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun

    • Location: North Kansas City.
    • Highlights: A combined amusement and water park with rides, slides, and live entertainment.
    • Why Kids Love It: Camp Snoopy for younger kids and thrilling coasters for older children.

    7. Crown Center

    • Location: Downtown Kansas City.
    • Highlights: Shops, restaurants, and attractions like Kaleidoscope and The Coterie Theatre.
    • Why Kids Love It: Kaleidoscope offers free creative workshops, and the seasonal Ice Terrace is perfect for winter fun.

    8. Powell Gardens

    • Location: 30 miles east of Kansas City.
    • Highlights: Lush gardens with seasonal family activities like the Festival of Butterflies.
    • Why Kids Love It: The Children’s Garden features hands-on gardening activities and a giant treehouse.

    9. National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

    • Location: Near UMKC.
    • Highlights: A vast collection of vintage toys and intricately detailed miniatures.
    • Why Kids Love It: Nostalgic toys and the chance to see dolls, trains, and action figures from different eras.

    10. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    • Location: Midtown Kansas City.
    • Highlights: Free admission and the expansive Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.
    • Why Kids Love It: Playing near the giant shuttlecocks and exploring kid-friendly art programs.

    11. Penguin Park

    • Location: Northland area.
    • Highlights: A whimsical playground featuring giant animal sculptures like a penguin, kangaroo, and giraffe.
    • Why Kids Love It: Unique play structures and a family picnic area.

    12. Union Station

    • Location: Downtown Kansas City.
    • Highlights: Historic architecture with attractions like Science City, the Model Train Gallery, and traveling exhibits.
    • Why Kids Love It: Watching the intricate model trains and exploring interactive exhibits.

    13. The Kansas City Public Library

    • Location: Downtown Kansas City.
    • Highlights: The Central Library’s giant "Community Bookshelf" facade and rooftop terrace.
    • Why Kids Love It: Storytime sessions and the children’s reading area.

    14. Lakes and Trails

    • Lake Jacomo: Offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and nature trails.
    • Loose Park: Features a playground, pond, and rose garden for family picnics.

    15. Starlight Theatre

    • Location: Swope Park.
    • Highlights: Outdoor performances, including kid-friendly musicals and concerts.
    • Why Kids Love It: Magical live shows under the stars.

    Things To Do When Bored In Kansas City MO

    Things To Do When You Re Bored With Friends In Kansas City MO

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    Lee's Summit

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    Things To Do When You Re Bored With Friends In Kansas City MO

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Kansas City boasts a vibrant cultural scene, highlighted by its jazz heritage, numerous art galleries, live theater, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts a variety of performances throughout the year.

    Spring and fall are generally the best times to visit Kansas City, thanks to the mild weather and numerous festivals. However, summer and winter also offer unique attractions, including summer concerts and winter holiday lights.

    Apart from its famous barbecue, Kansas City is known for its steak, craft breweries, and a growing farm-to-table movement. Don't miss trying the Kansas City Strip Steak and local craft beers.