Location: Kansas City
Top Things to do in Kansas City
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10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day 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. 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. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 588 reviews
Reviewed By 904carlp
Had the opportunity last week to hear the Kingdom Choir here and the sound and acoustics were phenomenal. A world class concert hall in the Midwest that should be on your to do list. Thank you to the Kauffman family for this gift to the city.
4. Tom's Town Distilling Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 358 reviews
Drawing inspiration from the country's most corrupt political boss, Tom Pendergast, Tom's Town Distilling Co. is downtown Kansas City's first legal distillery since Prohibition. Enjoy a craft cocktail in our gorgeous art deco tasting room or take our 1 hour tour for an in-depth look at the distillation process and a brief overview of Kansas City during Boss Tom's rule. Cheers!
Reviewed By Peakles
A friend and I took the distillery tour and learned some lesser know Kansas City history in addition to the process for of the Tom's Town's different liquors. I discovered I like good vodka and gin and my friend discovered a new whiskey to love. Nicole was a great tour guide. She added bits of fun to the tour and was great answering questions.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures features the world's largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the nation's largest collection of historic toys on public display.
Reviewed By brucemB9157II
I really enjoyed looking at all the miniatures they have on display. It makes you stop and think how people take the time and love to make those miniatures.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Thomas Hart Benton's life is present in both his home and his paintings, and both are preserved at Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site. A trip to the home and studio of the renowned painter, sculptor, lecturer and writer offers a glimpse into how the talented Benton lived and worked. Benton converted half of the carriage house into his art studio, which remains as he left it. Visitors can still see coffee cans full of paintbrushes, numerous paints, and a stretched canvas waiting to be transformed into another of his masterpieces. Thomas Hart Benton died in his studio in 1975.
Reviewed By dr2u - Leavenworth, United States
This is another of the great small sites that the Missouri State Park system preserves. It provides a look not only into the artist's life, but into life over the time the Bentons lived in this house. With everything preserved as they left it upon their deaths, you can get a really good look into the mid-20th century here. It seems like a unique house, but reflects a style present throughout the Roanoke neighborhood. It is well worth an hour to tour and then drive the area. There is a brochure available for a driving / walking tour of the area.
