There are so many amazing attractions in Kansas City, Missouri, no matter your interests.
I have compiled a list of the best things to do in Kansas City for your next trip to the heart of the country!
Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri and has so much to offer visitors. Whether you are a fan of sports, history, nature, or good food, Kansas City is the place for you!
Let’s dive into what to do in Kansas City, MO!
10 Best Attractions in Kansas City, MO, for Your Bucket List
Union Station
This historic 1914 Union Station holds a great collection of things to do in Kansas City, Missouri, for all ages!
The beautiful building features restaurants, a movie theater with a 5-story screen, a planetarium, a Model Train Gallery, an escape room, and a live theater.
There are also different exhibitions and events in Kansas City, MO, held here.
One of the best family activities here is Science City. Kids can learn hands-on with engaging exhibits on a variety of topics.
Ride the SkyBike, dig for fossils, solve puzzles, play in a tree house, get wowed by optical illusions, and so much more!
If you only visit one of these attractions in Kansas City, make it Union Station!
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
For one of the best museums in Kansas City, head to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Opened in 1933, this beautiful building holds over 40,000 pieces of art and historic artifacts.
There is a huge range in the artwork spanning cultures and time periods. From Monet paintings to Buddha statues to Egyptian sarcophagi, there is so much to see here.
You can easily spend hours wandering the galleries. Take a break to eat at the pretty Rozzelle Court Restaurant which is styled to look like a 15th-century Italian courtyard.
Outside, there is a great sculpture garden. Make sure to grab a photo with one of the World’s Largest Shuttlecocks.
This epic museum is one of the best free Missouri tourist attractions!
National World War I Museum
History buffs will love the National World War I Museum! Even if you are not interested in war history, the views from the 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower are some of the best in KC.
This is one of the best museums in the country dedicated to WWI with a comprehensive collection of documents, weapons, vehicles, life-sized dioramas, and memorabilia.
Interactive displays provide an immersive learning experience for visitors.
One of the most interesting and sobering parts of the museum is seen when you enter. As you walk over a glass bridge, you will spot 9,000 poppies growing underneath.
Each poppy represents 1,000 deaths, honoring those who laid down their lives during the war.
This world-class museum is easily one of the best places to visit in Missouri.
Crown Center
Crown Center is another hot spot of attractions in Kansas City for kids. With many restaurants, shops, and family-friendly activities, you can spend an afternoon here having fun.
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center has creative workshops, a VR experience, an art gallery, a 4D cinema, rides, and more! Play with LEGOs and be awed by the Kansas City skyline made of 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
The SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium allows you to see aquatic wildlife close up while learning all about them. There is an ocean tunnel, a touch tank, and many other cool features.
End your time at Crown Center by eating at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant where meals are delivered by a model train.
Outside, you can find fun fountains and the 100-foot Mayor’s Christmas Tree during Christmas in the Midwest. You can also go ice skating here in winter.
You can see that Crown Center is the site of many activities in Kansas City, MO!
Book Here: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City
Country Club Plaza
The Country Club Plaza is another of the best places for shopping and dining in Kansas City. This is the perfect spot for sightseeing in Kansas City!
This beautiful, historic district dates back to the 1920s. Admire the architecture and many fountains as you wander the streets and soak in the atmosphere.
You can shop for basically anything here including clothing, jewelry, books, makeup, home goods, and more.
If you want to eat out, there is an option for anything you are craving such as seafood, Italian, Chinese, and Brazilian plus desserts like ice cream and cupcakes.
In December, the Plaza becomes a winter wonderland with pretty lights adorning every building. This is one of the best Christmas attractions in Kansas City for families.
If you are looking for where to stay in Kansas City, there are many great hotels here too.
City Market
If you are looking for a spot to buy fresh produce, spices, flowers, or homemade goods, then the City Market is one of the best places to visit in Kansas City, MO.
Found in the River Market neighborhood, this market has been an important shopping hub since 1857.
The farmer’s market is open all year on the weekend. Support local vendors while enjoying tasty foods, including international cuisine.
The surrounding shops and restaurants are open throughout the week offering tea, candy, flowers, coffee, and clothing.
The River Market District is one of the best attractions in Kansas City for adults looking for great bars, breweries, and restaurants.
Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
One of the best hidden gem Kansas City attractions is the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden which is a short drive from the Plaza.
The garden is dedicated to the Kauffmans who were pivotal in Kansas City history and were even the original owners of the Royals baseball team.
This tranquil space is full of manicured greenery, colorful flowers, fountains, and statues.
There are plenty of benches where you can find a peaceful spot to relax after adventuring around downtown Kansas City.
This garden is one of the top attractions in Kansas City for couples looking for a romantic area away from the crowds.
As a bonus, this is one of the unique things to do in Kansas City that is free to explore. It is also open year round so you can see it in all seasons.
There are parks on either side of the garden if you are looking for some nice walking trails. You can also walk along Bush Creek.
Arrowhead Stadium
Sports fans will agree that Arrowhead Stadium is one of the best Kansas City tourist attractions.
Opened in 1972, Arrowhead is home to the Kansas City Chiefs. This NFL team has won the Super Bowl multiple times, most recently in 2019 and 2022.
If you visit during the right time, you can attend a game at the stadium.
Cheer along with 77,000 other fans who once set the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium in 2014 with 142.2 decibels of noise.
Another way to experience this KC landmark is by taking a stadium tour. Non-game day tours are 90 minutes with access to the press box, field, Hall of Honor, locker room, and more.
Football lovers will suggest Arrowhead as one of the top places to see in Kansas City!
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
For one of the best restaurants in Kansas City, you should reserve a table at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que.
KC is known for its delicious BBQ and Joe’s is one of the best places to order a tasty meal.
The first Joe’s restaurant opened in 1996 in an old gas station at the intersection of 47th Avenue and Mission Road just over the border in Kansas.
Since then, two more locations have opened in the KC metro.
On the menu, you can order ribs, burnt ends, brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, and assorted specialty sandwiches. Sides include cole slaw, potato salad, BBQ beans, and more.
If you want one of the best local places to eat in Kansas City on your vacation, you cannot miss out on Joe’s!
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
If you are interested in baseball history, then the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is one of the places in Kansas City to visit.
Found in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, this is the only museum of its kind in the world.
Dedicated to preserving the history of African-American baseball, this museum is full of memorabilia, uniforms, equipment, and a documentary narrated by James Earl Jones.
One of the coolest features is the mock baseball diamond with ten life-sized, bronze statues of Negro Leagues greats playing a game.
You might want to catch a Kansas City Royals game at Kauffman Stadium while you are in town too. This is one of the top things to do in KC for sports fans.
Where to Stay in Kansas City
There are plenty of great places to stay in Kansas City, MO, whether you are planning a family vacation or a romantic weekend getaway in the Midwest.
Mid-Range Boutique Hotel: The Truitt. Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range Hotel: Quality Hill 1BR Loft in Historic Building. Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury Hotel: Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza. Check Rates: Booking.com
Packing List When Visiting Attractions In Kansas City
If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Kansas City Illinois, here are some tips on how to pack lightly.
A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when looking for attractions in Kansas City Missouri.
It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.
You can place it under your clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.
If you have a pouch already that does not come with RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.
This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.
If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone as I have. And wow is it fast!
My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.
It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking photos during your London activities.
You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.
The replaceable carbon filter ensures clean drinking water when you want it.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all.
You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc…. No matter the time of day or evening.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.
It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.
—
Hopefully, you have discovered some cool Kansas City attractions for your next Midwest vacation!
From museums to parks, KCMO is home to some of the top attractions in Missouri.
15 Fun Wisconsin Road Trips For Your Bucket List