Top Attractions in Kansas City

Kansas City defies expectations at every turn. Known as the City of Fountains (with over 200 of them, second only to Rome), KC blends Midwestern warmth with a sophistication born from its rich jazz heritage, thriving arts community, and one of America's greatest food cultures.

National World War I Museum and Memorial

Perched atop a hill south of downtown, this museum is the nation's leading institution dedicated to World War I. The Liberty Memorial tower offers panoramic views of the skyline, while the museum below houses an extraordinary collection of artifacts, immersive exhibits, and a haunting field of 9,000 red poppies. It was designated by Congress as the official national museum for the Great War.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

One of the great art museums in America, the Nelson-Atkins houses an encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years. The Bloch Building addition by Steven Holl is an architectural masterpiece, and the museum's collection of Asian art is considered among the finest in the world. The iconic Shuttlecocks sculpture on the lawn has become a symbol of the city. Admission is always free.

Country Club Plaza

America's first outdoor shopping district, built in the 1920s with stunning Spanish-inspired architecture, fountains, and tile work. The Plaza is a destination for shopping, dining, and people-watching. During the holidays, the entire district is outlined in thousands of lights during the famous Plaza Lights ceremony.

Union Station

This magnificent 1914 Beaux-Arts train station has been restored to its original grandeur and now houses Science City, traveling exhibitions, a planetarium, and multiple restaurants. The Grand Hall, with its 95-foot ceiling and massive chandeliers, is one of the most impressive interior spaces in the Midwest.

Food & Dining Scene

Kansas City is synonymous with barbecue, but the food scene extends far beyond smoked meat. The city has emerged as a serious culinary destination with James Beard Award-winning chefs and innovative restaurants.

Must-Try Local Foods

  • KC-style barbecue — Slow-smoked over hickory and slathered in thick, sweet tomato-based sauce. Joe's Kansas City (in a gas station), Q39, Gates BBQ ("Hi, may I help you?"), and Arthur Bryant's are the essential stops
  • Burnt ends — The crispy, caramelized tips of smoked brisket, invented in Kansas City and considered the holy grail of barbecue
  • Kansas City strip steak — The city that gave this cut its name; enjoy one at Stock Hill, Hereford House, or Golden Ox in the historic Stockyards district
  • Z-Man sandwich — Joe's KC's legendary creation of smoked brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a Kaiser roll

Beyond barbecue, the Crossroads Arts District and Westport neighborhoods offer diverse dining. Corvino Supper Club serves modern Italian-influenced cuisine, The Rieger features seasonal American fare, and Town Topic is a beloved 24-hour diner serving greasy-spoon burgers since 1937.

Outdoor Activities

Kansas City offers more green space and trails than most visitors expect, with extensive parks designed by landscape architect George Kessler.

Parks & Trails

Swope Park is one of the largest urban parks in the nation at 1,805 acres, home to the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre (an outdoor amphitheater), and miles of mountain bike and hiking trails. Loose Park near the Plaza features beautiful rose gardens and open fields. The Trolley Trail and Indian Creek Trail offer paved paths for cycling and running through the southern suburbs.

Kauffman Stadium & Arrowhead Stadium

The Truman Sports Complex houses two of America's iconic sports venues side by side. Catching a Chiefs game at Arrowhead (the loudest outdoor stadium in the world) or a Royals game at Kauffman with its signature fountains are quintessential KC experiences.

River Market & Missouri River

The historic River Market neighborhood along the Missouri River hosts one of the largest year-round farmers markets in the Midwest. Berkley Riverfront Park offers walking trails, kayak launches, and views of the river and downtown skyline.

Nightlife & Entertainment

Kansas City's jazz legacy lives on in the 18th and Vine Jazz District, home to the American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room, a working jazz club hosting live performances multiple nights a week. The Green Lady Lounge in the Crossroads features live jazz nightly in a sultry, dimly lit setting. Westport is the city's main bar district with everything from Irish pubs to craft cocktail lounges. The Power & Light District downtown offers a more upscale nightlife experience with rooftop bars and dance venues. For live music beyond jazz, Knuckleheads Saloon in the East Bottoms is a legendary roots music venue in a converted railroad building.

Hidden Gems

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

This free museum in the cultural corridor features an excellent permanent collection of modern and contemporary art including works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Wayne Thiebaud, and Dale Chihuly. The attached Cafe Sebastienne is one of the most art-filled dining rooms in America.

City Market

Beyond the well-known farmers market stalls, the City Market area houses some of KC's best ethnic food — from the legendary Vietnamese pho at Vietnam Cafe to authentic Mexican taquerias and Middle Eastern bakeries. Saturday mornings are especially vibrant.

Strawberry Hill

This historic neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas, perched above the West Bottoms, was once the heart of the city's Croatian and Eastern European immigrant community. The Strawberry Hill Museum in a Victorian mansion tells the neighborhood's story, and the views of the downtown skyline from the hilltop are stunning and almost entirely unknown to visitors.