Top tourist attractions in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, is filled with exciting things to do. So whether you’re looking for family-friendly entertainment or just a night out on the town, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
There are several different types of museums in Kansas City. There are art museums, science museums, and even historical museums. You can also find fun places to eat and drink. There are even a few great places to go shopping.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a great place to see musicals, operas, and dance. It also offers a planetarium. You can also find exhibits at Union Station, a historic train station.
Another great venue is the Crown Center. The Crown Center is a large complex located in Downtown Kansas City. In addition, there is a Sealife Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Center, and other attractions.
River Market is a waterfront area with restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities. It is also home to the Kansas City Farmers’ Market. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables at this market.
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is a great place to learn about the Great War. The museum has displays about the war, including cabinets filled with weapons and uniforms. You can also view the field of red poppies that was once a battlefield.
If you’re looking for a more traditional museum, you can check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. It has a vast collection of ceramics, furniture, and Asian art.
Top 15 things to do in Kansas City, Missouri
- Kansas City Zoo
- Worlds of Fun
- Kauffman Stadium
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- Country Club Plaza
- Union Station Kansas City
- National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Jacob L. Loose Park
- Kansas Speedway
- Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
- Science City
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City
- Penn Valley Park
- SEA LIFE Kansas City
Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo opened in December 1909. Located on 202 acres in Swope Park, it is one of the best zoos in the country. It features over 1,300 animals in naturalistic settings.
The zoo offers many educational programs encouraging children to love the natural world. In addition, the zoo participates in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan, which aims to preserve endangered animal species. The zoo also has live cameras to watch the animals in action.
The zoo has been recognized as one of the top 60 zoos in the United States. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is part of the Zoological District.
Worlds of Fun
Worlds of Fun is a family fun park in Kansas City, Missouri. It is the largest amusement park in the Midwest and features 68 rides and attractions. The park has five distinct areas. Each area has its unique theme. In addition, the park features dozens of thrill rides, attractions, live shows, and world-class events.
Worlds of Fun is the best place in Kansas City to have a good time. It’s a local tradition for many families. In addition to the rides and attractions, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
You can find more information about Worlds of Fun on their website. The park also has a mobile app. You can download the app to purchase tickets and parking vouchers. The app also provides a real-time map and location services. In addition, you can buy a season pass, which allows unlimited visits to the park. It also includes free parking and seasonal events.
Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium is one of the best places to see live entertainment in Kansas City. Not only does the ballpark have some of the best seats in baseball, but it also offers plenty of attractions for fans. So whether you are looking for a day trip to the park or a weekend away, it’s an exciting place to visit.
The stadium is home to the Kansas City Royals, the American League’s Central Division members. The Royals played in two World Series, winning in 2014 and 2015. In addition, it is home to 81 annual events celebrating the area’s history and culture of baseball.
The stadium is also the site of the world’s most significant privately funded water feature. The 322-foot-wide water spectacle includes 10-foot-tall waterfalls. The fountains are part of a more comprehensive series of attractions at the stadium, including a mini golf course, carousel, and playground slides.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, is a world-class institution. It is one of the nation’s ten largest museums and offers an outstanding collection of more than 33,500 artworks. It displays works from the United States, Asia, and Europe. It also hosts commissioned contemporary installations.
The museum is located in a 1933 Beaux-Arts building. The Nelson-Atkins Museum was initially known as the Atkins Museum of Fine Arts. The name changed in 1982. In 2008, it was awarded the Capstone Architectural Design Award. The building is free to visit and open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is accessible by the MAX bus system.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art grew from a vision shared by Mary McAfee Atkins and William Rockhill Nelson. They both wanted a fine arts museum in Kansas City.
Country Club Plaza
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Country Club Plaza is a shopping district that dates back to 1922. It was the first shopping center in the country to be built to accommodate both automobiles and pedestrians. Known for its Spanish and Moorish-inspired architecture, the area features wrought iron courtyards, tile murals, statues, and fountains.
Today, Country Club Plaza remains one of Kansas City’s most popular destinations. It is a place for families to enjoy and shop, home to over a dozen restaurants, shops, and other attractions.
The Plaza shopping center is also a central hub for public art. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Power & Light Entertainment District, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and Sprint Arena are all within a short walk.
Union Station Kansas City
Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, is a 104-year-old historic landmark. It was once the second-largest train station in the country. Today it is a museum, science center, and retail and dining destination.
It was initially designed to serve as a passenger and freight transportation hub. It had offices for different railroads located on a narrow triangle of land between the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad and Union Avenue.
The original building is in a Beaux-Arts architectural style. It features marble, ornate decorations, and wide open spaces. It also has a 125-foot clock tower.
The building was built to be the centerpiece of a new Midwestern metropolis. The need for a giant train station increased as the population increased. In fact, during World War I, 79,368 trains passed through the station.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is a place to learn, think, and remember. It is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to World War I and holds the best collection of artifacts worldwide. The museum is located in downtown Kansas City, Mo. This area was a significant railroad transportation hub during the early twentieth century.
The Museum and Memorial is the place to see many artifacts – from military and naval hardware to historical documents and photographs. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of multimedia presentations to help them gain an understanding of the events that shaped the twentieth century.
The Liberty Memorial, a towering Egyptian Revival-style obelisk, was built in the early 1920s. In 1921, supreme Allied commanders gathered to dedicate the site. It is a tribute to the sacrifices of the Allied Forces.
Jacob L. Loose Park
Jacob L. Loose Park in Kansas City is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. It offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for the entire family. There are many attractions, including a lake, splash pad, playground, and a beautiful rose garden. There are also walking paths, fountains, and a bridge to exploring.
The park is an excellent place for a picnic and is open in the summer. It is located in Mission Hills, Kansas City, Missouri. It is the third-largest park in the city. It has an arboretum that showcases more than 4000 trees.
The park was named in honor of the late Jacob L. Loose, a philanthropist, and self-made millionaire. He opened a dry goods store in Kansas in 1870. He was one of the founders of the American Biscuit Company. He was also the president of the Corle Cracker Company. He died in 1923.
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is one of the most famous racing facilities in the Midwest. It opened in 2001 and was named one of the best motorsports venues in the country. The facility is equipped with a SAFER barrier, which offers impenetrable protection to the spectators.
In addition to hosting NASCAR races, the track also organizes special events and car shows. The facility also hosts concerts of different musical genres. The Kansas Speedway also operates a corporate hospitality village. It provides a variety of food and drinks options to guests.
The Kansas Speedway is located at 400 Speedway Blvd., in Kansas City, Kansas. It is approximately 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City. It is a part of the NASCAR family of circuits.
The speedway is equipped with six turns and an interior road course. The 2.14-mile road course allows for high-speed runs along the oval. The venue also has an interactive Display Midway, which offers fun and exciting experiences for fans.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, located in Overland Park, Kansas, is a fun place for families to visit. The site features historical buildings, show gardens, and wildlife. The attraction is open to the public from April through October. There are many activities and events that you can participate in.
The Farmstead is designed to give visitors a glimpse of what life was like for a family farm in 1900. It’s home to 250 animals. Some animals you can see include bobcats, bison, bald eagles, and prairie dogs. You can also feed some of the animals. For an additional fee, you can even take a pony ride.
The farm also offers educational programs and opportunities to interact with the animals. For example, you can learn about the farm’s history and watch a live milking demonstration.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class venue for various performances. It is located on 13 acres in Kansas City. It is one of the country’s most architecturally iconic and technically advanced performing arts centers. The building was completed in 2011, becoming a beacon of culture and vitality in the city’s downtown area.
Among the facility’s many features is the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, a 1,800-seat concert hall with an orchestra pit accommodating up to 90 musicians. The theater has a 74-foot tall fly tower. The space has a vibrant gold and red motif.
The Muriel Kauffman Theatre is also home to the Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. In addition, these organizations will share the venue with the Kansas City Symphony.
Science City
Science City is a hands-on museum that will get the kids involved. It offers a full range of activities, from a planetarium to an outdoor space for pretend play. It also has a toy train set and an indoor playground called the Tot Lot. There are even flying police helicopters to swoop through!
Science City offers hundreds of exhibits and activities that cover a wide variety of topics. The museum has a world-class planetarium, an underground “dig site,” and a Sky Bike ride, among the many features.
The best part about Science City is that its activities don’t change often. So it’s a great place to bring the family for an outing. This particular attraction is located inside the historic Union Station complex in downtown Kansas City.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City is a fun family attraction worth visiting. It’s located in Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. This indoor family entertainment center features 12 brick-centric family attractions. This indoor playground offers endless possibilities for your children, including a LEGO 4D cinema.
In addition to the LEGO 4D cinema, LEGOLAND Discovery Center features four other 4D experiences. This includes a 15-minute 4-D movie, the Merlin’s Apprentice Ride, and the MiniLand. In addition, the MINILAND area has miniature replicas of Kansas City landmarks that kids can build from over 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
Another exciting feature is the laser ride in the Kingdom Quest area. Guests can experience the thrill of zapping spiders and trolls.
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center also has a 4D cinema and a life-sized LEGO playground. You can even have your birthday party here. There are also unique party rooms that can be reserved for your celebration.
Penn Valley Park
Penn Valley Park is one of the first parks to be built in Kansas City. The park’s site was once part of Vinegar Hill, a small settlement. The area was heavily forested and had a ravine. In the early 1900s, the city purchased the land for the park. The canyon was part of the Santa Fe Trail, used by pioneers heading west.
The park contains several monuments, including “The Scout,” a life-size sculpture of a Sioux tribesman riding a horse. It was placed in the park in 1916. The statue is located near the Firefighter Fountain. The park also includes a lake, a skate park, a tennis court, and playground equipment. It is also home to the United States’ official World War I Museum and Memorial, or the Liberty Memorial.
SEA LIFE Kansas City
The SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium is not your ordinary aquarium. This world-class facility has more than 5,000 aquatic creatures, including sharks, turtles, and rays. It’s also home to an impressive collection of sea life-themed exhibits.
In addition, guests can enjoy a feeding frenzy, a quiz trail, and a dazzling display of octopuses. The aquarium is located along Grand Boulevard near the Crown Center Plaza. You can park at the Crown Center Parking Garage next to the facility.
The SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium has 30 impressive displays. Among them are a 360 deg Ocean Tunnel, a Doodle Reef, and a seahorse exhibit. The best part is that you’ll be able to see these creatures up close and personal. In addition, there’s a pool where you can touch, smell, and pet the fish.
