Location: Kansas City
Top Things to do in Kansas City
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Things to do in Kansas City, Missouri (MO): The Best Specialty Museums
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. Royals Hall of Fame
2. Museum Of Good Vibes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. 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.
4. 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.
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. Airline History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Airline history museum at Kansas City airport devoted to saving and preserving old aircraft, including "connies".
Reviewed By r0bertfb
I'd read much in print and online about AHM since it started as "Save A Connie" back in the 1980's. While I never got to fly in a "Connie", I did get to fly in a Martin 404, both of which are on display. Under restoration is a Douglas DC-3 and an ultra-rare Northrop Delta. This museum is world-class and is the obvious must that others have said about it. Expect to spend several hours. Highest reccommend!
7. TWA Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By racndak - Springfield, United States
We absolutely loved this museum!! I am a lover of all things vintage, especially the aircraft industry. Took my 2 year old granddaughter. She loves airplanes and she had so much fun!! She kept saying "take my picture, Grandma" with the planes. They have so much to see there. Allow plenty of time to take it all in and see all the displays. I could not tell you what my favorite part of the museum was because the whole thing was so great. Make sure you check out the gift shop. They have "new, old stock" items. Great for souvenirs. I highly recommend this museum for all ages. It's such a treat. The volunteers who staff the museum are just precious. Make sure you walk thru the fuselage and check out the simulator. So fun! While you're there, check out the 2nd airplane museum at the airport; the National Airline History Museum. They have planes you can walk thru also.
8. Shoal Creek Living History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By isabellep616
I love this place. It's a great place for a picnic, walk, flying kites, and the old buildings are really cool! They even have a trail in the woods that you can explore, and the bison are really cool too!
9. The John Wornall House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
The Wornall House, built in 1858, is one of the few surviving Kansas City homes from the Civil War era. Built by farmer and prominent Kansas Citian John Wornall, the house is perhaps most famous for its use as a field hospital during the Civil War. It has been restored to what it may have looked like during the Civil War & the Battle of Westport.
Reviewed By dawnm429 - Omaha, United States
This house is amazing and the guide was fantastic. I love history and the energy of this place is full of it. During the civil war the Union took the house over and it was used as a hospital. Many wounded were tended there and of course many deaths of our beloved countrymen as well. The owner had a total of 3 wives and 9 children, 4 boys and 5 girls. All 5 girls died which is so tragic. Authentic, inexpensive, and deemed one of the more haunted places in KC this was a great stop for my husband, and my teenagers. We all enjoyed it greatly!
