Location: Kansas City
Top Things to do in Kansas City
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Kansas City, Missouri (MO)
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. 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.
4. 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.
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. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
