Kansas City

Kansas City—a modest Midwestern city in a modest Midwestern state—is somehow in both Kansas and Missouri. It is home to some interesting attractions and some of the best barbecue in the country.

Overview Attractions / Activities Food Final Comments

Compared to many cities, the barbecue capital of the United States does not possess much of a wow factor, cementing itself as a side destination on most itineraries. Kansas City’s main selling points are the barbecue and the World War 1 Museum.

The attractions here are decent but generally less grand. So, as long as you temper your expectations and find a moment to enjoy the barbecue while taking in some decent attractions, you’ll have a grand time.

When you visit, make sure to follow this Kansas City Adventure Guide to maximize your time here.

Recommended Duration of Visit

2 days (ideal), 1 day (doable)

Click for some interesting facts about Kansas City

Kansas City is actually NOT the largest city in Kansas, because part of it is considered a city in Missouri.
Kansas City is Missouri’s largest city.

Before You Go

Flights / Getting There: While flying directly into Kansas City is the most efficient strategy, driving to Kansas City from St. Louis after visiting Gateway Arch National Park is a solid plan.

Overview

Climate: Kansas City’s climate intuitively follows the normal pattern of North America. There is one distinction: winters (December, January, and February) are very cold and summers (June, July, and August) tend to be quite hot. Kansas in general has some of the worst weather in the entire United States.

Communication: English is the official language.

Navigation: Traveling by car is the best way to explore most of what Kansas City has to offer.

Lodging: Lodging, in general, is relatively inexpensive in a small city such as Kansas City, but it’s even better to stay on the outskirts.

Activities Planning: Many attractions are free to visit, but some are far enough apart to necessitate driving. Walking is not advised.

Special Considerations

Crime is potentially a concern in Kansas City, so definitely take that into consideration when venturing around in random areas not part of this guide.

General: Winters are especially brutal in this region. Make sure to bring plenty of cold gear for visits planned during the Winter.

Peak Seasons: Summer is the ideal season for the simple fact that it’s warmer. But, to be perfectly honest, I don’t think a place like Kansas City even has a “peak” season.

Currency: United States Dollars (USD). Currency Converter.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

Most of the time, attractions are paired up based on similarity and/or proximity. All the names provided are easily searchable on Google Maps.

Kaw Point Park: Kaw Point Park, the namesake of Kaw Point, features arguably the best skyline view of the city.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

Penguin Park: If you guessed that the largest animal statue in this park is the penguin, then you’d be right. There’s also a pretty creepy-looking Kangaroo statue nearby as well.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

There's a restroom and plenty of parking nearby. The best skyline view is a short walk from the parking lot.

This is the farthest attraction, so only go here if you REALLY want to see a playground (or you hate yourself).

National WWI Museum and Memorial: This museum is actually the country’s official World War 1 museum and memorial, making it quite unique and spectacular.

Inside this 32,000-foot² (3,000-meter²) facility, visitors will have to cross a glass bridge above “a field of 9,000 red poppies, each representing 1,000 combatant deaths.”

Cost: Whatever the entrance fee is. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: This museum features an art collection from every single continent (except Antarctica cause that shit is cold).

Why the shuttlecock in the front, you ask? Well, coincidentally, the museum has an extensive collection of Asian art. And, for some reason, they thought, “Hey, you know what’s pretty Asian? A SHUTTLECOCK.”

Cost: Whatever the entrance fee is. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

If you arrive early in the morning, there is usually free parking on the road leading up to the museum.

The parking around here is nonxistent, so consider getting dropped off.