If you are looking for Kansas City things to do, you have come to the right place. Kansas city is the biggest city in the beautiful state of Missouri. Kansas city is also known as the “City of Fountains”. Kansas City covers 2 states: Kansas and Missouri. The professional soccer team and the NASCAR race track are located on the Kansas side. Whereas, the baseball stadium, the international airport, and football stadium are located on the Missouri side. This double city in the Midwest is world-famous for its jazz and steaks. Music lovers are attracted to the jazz clubs and old haunts of popular musicians such as Count Basie and Charlie Parker. There is plenty of space for scenic strolling. Halt along the way to explore interesting surroundings and browse through extensive shops. Because of its kid-friendly venues and events, families are attracted to the city. The city features hands-on exhibits, including a mock television studio, a zoo which has inspiring African and Australian displays along with an IMAX cinema.
With a flourishing creative arts scene, diverse mix of entertainment and die-hard sports—it’s easy to say Kansas City is a growing metropolis. As its has activities and attractions for tourists of all ages and interests. Here are some of the top Kansas City things to do.
Top Kansas City Things to do
1.) National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial
The Liberty Memorial Museum is a monument to the men and women who served in the war, and to those who sacrificed their lives. The museum includes many objects from World War I. The Egyptian Revival-style memorial, devoted in 1926, rises spectacularly above the museum and neighborhood. The National World War I Museum, under the monument, was opened in 2006. Visiting this museum is among the top Kansas City things to do.
2.) Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has an inspiring general collection with a huge collection of East Asian art. The museum is most famous for its wide range of pieces from all over the world. You need not be an art enthusiast to appreciate the beautiful grounds and the sculpture park. Here, you can go for a walk, enjoy a picnic, play some sports or take a guided audio tour. A nice place to visit with children.
3.) Country Club Plaza
Country Club Plaza is one of Kansas City’s most famous places to shop, watch a movie or simply just walk. This outdoor shopping center is generally chain stores like Cheesecake Factory, Anthropologie, and many others. These shops and restaurants are presented in high relief along with the Spanish-style fountains, statues, and tiles that fill the district.
It’s an excellent spot to spend an afternoon or evening browsing around the elegant and stylish stores or browsing books in the multi-story Barnes and Noble. There are many fine high-class restaurants. It is an ideal place for a romantic evening. If you’re looking for barbecue, you can visit the famous Oklahoma Joe’s. It is less than two miles west of the Plaza. Spending an evening here is among the top Kansas City things to do.
4.) Union Station
Exploring this place is among the top Kansas City things to do. Union Station was constructed in 1914. At that time, it accommodated thousands of passengers. It also had a waiting room built to hold around 10,000 people. Around 1980, the station was closed. It underwent a major transformation and was reopened in 1999. It now boasts restaurants, shops, and other services. It has a much lesser railway service as it now serves as an Amtrak stop. Here, you can also find a Science City. The building itself is quite remarkable and one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
5.) Arabia Steamboat Museum
The side-wheel steamer Arabia was built in 1853 for cruising through the muddy Missouri River waters. But later, it disappeared under the sea. Over a century later, David Hawley discovered the sunken steamer a half-mile from the river bank. It then became the center of the Steamboat Arabia Museum. The excavation exposed shoes, clothing, guns, medicine, vegetables and bottled fruits, jewelry, and perfume. At present, you can take a tour of the steamer, but there’s also a great deal more to explore. The museum offers a general store, a cargo gallery and a few other galleries with odds and ends uncovered from the excavation.
6.) Westport
Westport is located just north of the Country Club Plaza. Westport is a famous place to enjoy dining, shopping and a night out on the town. Here, you can walk from bar to bar and explore one spot after the next. There’s everything from the burger joint called Blanc to the Ernie Bigg’s Piano Bar to a Central American Textile Company, which sells Guatemalan fabric. Most of the businesses line up Westport Road, but some are situated on the upright streets of Broadway and Pennsylvania.
7.) Power and Light District
This district is located right next to the downtown’s Sprint Center. It offers over 50 shops, restaurants and nightlife spots. It is one of Kansas City’s newest and most famous areas. One of its excellent features is its 2 floor KC Live entertainment center. It hosts around 150 concerts and other performances every year. But on an off night, there are loads of other places to keep you engaged such as Lucky Strike Lanes, the AMC Mainstreet Theatre, and Lounge or Angels Rock Bar. Hours and tickets range depends on the venue. For more information on the Power & Light District’s, you can visit the website.
8.) Kansas City Zoological Park
Discover the wild Australian wilderness, the Kenyan savannah, or the darkest, deepest Congolese jungle at this Kansas City Zoological Park. Spread over 200-acre complex, is home to over 1500 animals. It includes apes, birds of prey, polar bears, elephants, and several big cats. A huge renovation program in the 1990s doubled the zoo’s space and tripling its population. Golf cart tours are available for visitors. Making a reservation in advance is advised. Visiting this park with children is among the Kansas City things to do.
9.) Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead stadium is the home of the favorite Chiefs. Arrowhead has witnessed more than its share of excellent NFLers, including Len Dawson, Derrick Thomas, Joe Montana, Marcus Allen and colorful head coach Hank Stram. For over 25 years, crowds of rabid, red-clad fans have rushed into Arrowhead each fall to support and cheer for the Chiefs. If you get an opportunity, attend a game here.
10.) Sprint Center
Sprint center was opened in 2007. It has become synonymous with “fun and entertainment” in downtown Kansas City. Whether you attend a sporting event, concerts or any other special events, you will surely have a great time in sprint center. A remarkable curved glass exterior surrounds an arena which has a capacity of 18,000 patrons, depending on the particular event. At the time of school, college, professional and amateur sporting events, a 16 LED screen scoreboard raises the excitement. It is named the country’s fourth busiest arena. According to Pollstar Magazine (2014), It is also the world’s 14th busiest live entertainment venue. Sprint Center also easily hosts Broadway shows.
11.) Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Missouri’s skyline was changed significantly in 2011 with the completion of Kauffman Center. This iconic structure was designed by famous architect, Moshe Safdie. This magnificent modern structure has a sun-drenched hallway. It includes two performance halls which host opera, music, theater and dance events from all over the world. Spectacular lighting, Pitch-perfect acoustics, and attractive color schemes have created a stunning performance venue. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts houses Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. This venue presents a beautiful and technologically advanced space in which to entertain and inspire audiences.
12.) Kansas City Fountains
Like Rome, Kansas City is a city of fountains. There are hundreds of them sprinkled around the city with a huge number of them in the Kansas City Plaza region. The one with all the horses is the most famous fountain. It is located at the Eastern end of the Plaza. Keep your eyes open as you walk around the Plaza area as the fountain and sculptures are scattered everywhere. Visiting such fountains is one of the top Kansas City things to do.