The 10 Best Museums in Kansas City, Missouri (MO)

July 27, 2021 Chanda Heide

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.
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1. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111-1818 +1 816-751-1278 [email protected] http://www.nelson-atkins.org/
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 3,257 reviews

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

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. Belger Crane Yard Studios

2011 Tracy Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108-2913 +1 816-474-7316 [email protected] http://belgerarts.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

In 2013, Dick and Evelyn Craft Belger expanded the Foundation's commitment to the creative process by opening Belger Crane Yard Studios, an arts complex dedicated to providing studio and exhibition space for artists working in a variety of media. You will find contemporary local, national, and international exhibitions, classes, print studios, a metal shop, and a ceramic supply store on site.

3. National WWI Museum and Memorial

2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108-4616 +1 816-888-8100 [email protected] http://www.theworldwar.org
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 5,466 reviews

National WWI Museum and Memorial

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!!

4. Royals Hall of Fame

Kansas City, MO 64129 http://royals.mlb.com/kc/hall_of_fame
Excellent
88%
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Royals Hall of Fame

5. Lemon Thyme Vintage Shop

3921 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111-1916 +1 816-550-0934
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Lemon Thyme Vintage Shop

6. Kansas City Art Alley

Locust Street Between 17 And 18, Kansas City, MO http://www.facebook.com/ArtAlleyKc
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Kansas City Art Alley

7. Museum Of Good Vibes

427 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111-3004 [email protected] http://www.museumofgoodvibes.com/contact
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Museum Of Good Vibes

8. Arabia Steamboat Museum

400 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106-1111 +1 816-471-1856 [email protected] http://1856.com
Excellent
79%
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4.5 based on 2,148 reviews

Arabia Steamboat Museum

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.

9. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

5235 Oak St Located on the UMKC campus, Kansas City, MO 64112-2877 +1 816-235-8000 [email protected] http://www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org
Excellent
71%
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4.5 based on 324 reviews

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

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.

10. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108-1610 +1 816-221-1920 [email protected] http://www.nlbm.com/
Excellent
68%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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4.5 based on 1,038 reviews

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

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.

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