Location: Kansas City
Top Things to do in Kansas City
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10 Free Things to do in Kansas City That You Shouldn't Miss
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. The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 266 reviews
This 2-acre garden is part of the Kauffman Legacy Park in the heart of Kansas City. Powell Gardens, in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, manages and maintains the garden.
3. KC Streetcar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By robinreagan3 - Indianapolis, United States
The streetcar runs along Main street allowing you to explore the original heart of the city (close to the Missouri) and then head south through the Power & Light District, Central Business District all the way to Union Station and the National WWI Museum. If your hotel is near Main Street you can leave your car parked and easily hoof to destinations. The one exception might be the co-located American Jazz and Negro Baseball League museums.
4. Line Creek Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By KansasCityKG82
The best part of the trail is that there isn't one! You can let your kids and pets swim in the creek, find deer in the early morning or early evening, spot owls, hawks and eagles, and just really be one with nature. There are parts that are flat. Parts that are hilly. Parts that are fields and parts that are forests. Challenge yourself and start in riverside, walk all the way to Barry Road then back down. Go off the beaten path and visit "the little white store" (also known as Price Right) and really enjoy this Northland Gem.
5. 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.
6. Loose Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
This peaceful 74-acre retreat offers the fragrant Rose Garden, scenic walking paths and a small lake for those restful moments.
Reviewed By 277francinah
Peaceful, gorgeous park in the Plaza area. World renowned Rose Garden. Walking paths, a pond. Beautiful older homes surround the Park. A respite in the midst of a city.
7. City Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 406 reviews
Popular farmers market on Saturdays.
Reviewed By Toyota1994 - Chicago, United States
City Market is a gathering place for weekends. On Saturdays there is the Farmers Market where fresh and local produce are available for sale. The permanent market stalls house grocery stores, restaurants, and art houses. Recently, a microbrewery has opened too in the area. The main tourist attraction located here is the Treasure of Steamboat Arabia, a museum displaying items from the recovered steamboat Arabia. The square is also called River Market and is the north terminus for the new KC Streetcar; so it is easily accessible from downtown Kansas City.
8. Brookside
9. Hallmark Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 471 reviews
Discover how a teenager from Nebraska tucked two shoeboxes of postcards under his arms and set out to create an iconic company in Kansas City. More than 100 years later, our billion-dollar brand contains a diverse portfolio of six businesses. Combined with one of the world’s largest creative communities, Hallmark helps to foster a more emotionally connected world. From our timeline walking visitors through Hallmark’s humble beginnings, to famous collaborations with U.S. presidents, world leaders, and famous artists, to samples of our current products customers have grown to love, come visit us and be immersed in the world of Hallmark at our Visitors Center.
Reviewed By Schisler1978
We were in KC for my son's wedding and had some spare time. We so enjoyed the Hallmark Visitor's Center and learning about the humble beginnings of the company. We love Hallmark movies and products. This gave us a new appreciation for the company. The short film at the beginning is a great way to start your tour. The museum itself is filled with such great history, not just of Hallmark, but of our country. So much of the history is intertwined with Hallmark products. I would highly recommend spending some time here.
10. KC Fountains
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 376 reviews
"The City of Fountains" boasts more than 40 public water works, ranging from classical to modern, minimalist to ornate.
Reviewed By Y9090RNmichaelf
I've lived in KC many years and have experienced just about every fountain around. My top 5 fountains if you'd like to do a fountain tour... 1. J C Nichols Memorial Fountain - Plaza/Midtown 2. Crown Center Square Fountain - Crown Center/Downtown 3. Children's Fountain - North Kansas City 4. Northland Fountain - Kansas City/Northland 5. Meyer Circle Fountain - Ward Parkway/Midtown Honorable Mentions: Firefighter Fountain, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, Loose Park Rose Garden Fountain, Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain (Union Station)
