Things to do in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri, packs a lot into one metro: museums, ballparks, riverfront trails, and a dining scene that runs from barbecue to Austrian schnit…
Neighborhoods
Kansas City, Missouri, packs a lot into one metro: museums, ballparks, riverfront trails, and a dining scene that runs from barbecue to Austrian schnitzel. You can spend a day in a sculpture garden and an evening at a live music hall. The challenge isn't finding something to do—it's narrowing down the list.
Start with the big anchors: the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for its 5,000-year collection, and Union Station, where Science City and the planetarium sit under one historic roof. Sports fans have Kauffman Stadium and the Truman Sports Complex, while kids can burn energy at Worlds of Fun or the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. For outdoor time, Loose Park's rose garden and Berkley Riverfront's paths along the Missouri are solid picks. Food runs from Char Bar's barbecue to Garozzo's old-school Italian, and the City Market is the place for produce and people-watching. Nightlife leans toward live music at Knuckleheads and clubs around town.
Frequently asked questions about Kansas City
What are the best outdoor things to do in Kansas City, Missouri?▾
Loose Park is a 75-acre green space with a rose garden, pond, and tennis courts, and it's dog-friendly. Berkley Riverfront offers broad biking and walking paths along the Missouri River. Swope Park is much larger—1,805 acres—with community gardens, a golf course, and soccer fields. Penn Valley Park also has the National WWI Museum and Memorial on its grounds.
What can families do with kids in Kansas City?▾
The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium in Swope Park has zookeeper chats and animal interactions. Worlds of Fun is the big theme park with roller coasters and a Snoopy-themed kids' area. LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Aquarium sit in Crown Center, and Kaleidoscope offers free arts and crafts sessions for kids.
Where can I find live music in Kansas City?▾
Knuckleheads is a biker-bar-style venue that books everything from rock to Elvis tributes to gospel. PBR Big Sky mixes live music with a mechanical bull and a Coors-heavy beer list. For bigger acts, Kansas City Stadium hosts both football and major concerts, and Starlight Theatre in Swope Park puts on Broadway shows and rock shows outdoors.
What are the top museums and cultural spots in Kansas City?▾
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art spans 5,000 years of art and includes a sculpture garden. The National WWI Museum and Memorial is the only public museum in the country dedicated to World War I. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum covers the league's history from 1920 to Jackie Robinson's debut. The Arabia Steamboat Museum displays items recovered from a steamboat that sank in 1856.
Where should I eat in Kansas City?▾
Char Bar serves barbecue and Southern food with a beer garden and games. Garozzo's Ristorante Downtown is a homey Italian spot with old-school charm. Grünauer does Austrian-German cooking in a historic brick building. For Mexican, Ponak's is a no-frills cantina known for margaritas. The City Market has produce, baked goods, and spices from indoor and outdoor stalls.
Upcoming events
Joey Cool, Roblo Da Star, Yung Prez, Seuss Mace
Chloe McFadden
National Cheeseburger Day
The Black Queen, ClubDrugs
Laundry Day, 10xTANTRUM
Live Music with The Phantastics
Acumen Nation, 16 Volt, Moon 17
Live Music with The Elders
Add Your
Event
Share your event with the community.
Never Miss Out
Get the best events and local picks straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Things to do in Kansas City
Promote your
Business
Get featured and grow your business.
Add your
Event
Share your event with the community.
via Google MapsT-Mobile Center
Indoor arena with nearly 20,000 seats hosts pro & college sporting events, big-name concerts & more.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
2 performance halls joined together under a glass dome, hosting music, opera, theater & dance.
Crown Center
Popular complex with stores, dining, an aquarium, LEGOLAND, a kids' theater & a seasonal ice rink.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The nation's only public museum dedicated to WWI, with a large collection of photos, weapons & more.
Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
Contemporary quarters in a casino hotel with dining options including an Old West steakhouse.
Union Station Kansas City
Grand, historic train station with permanent & temporary exhibits, a planetarium & a science center.
Kona Grill - Kansas City
Sleek chain with a broad New American menu including low-calorie options, plus sushi & cocktails.
Bally's Kansas City Casino
Casino chain featuring slots, video poker, table games & dining, plus meeting space.
Science City at Union Station
Family-friendly museum with interactive science displays, including a test kitchen & planetarium.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Zoo in Swope Park with zookeepers offering animal interaction & informative chats.
Kauffman Stadium
Pro-baseball complex including the Royals Hall of Fame & a themed kids' play/practice area.
City Market
Airy market with indoor/outdoor stands of produce, baked goods, spices, flowers, crafts & jewelry.
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Upscale Brazilian chain for all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside plus an extensive salad bar.
Country Club Plaza
Sprawling shopping area made up of Moorish-themed buildings housing stores & restaurants.
Worlds of Fun
Theme park boasting roller coasters, thrill rides, live entertainment & a Snoopy-themed kids' area.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Art collection spanning 5,000 years in neoclassical & modern galleries, plus a sculpture garden.
Loose Park
Site of a Civil War battle, this 75-acre green space features a pond, tennis courts & a rose garden.
Kansas City Stadium
Open-air stadium that's home to pro football's Kansas City Chiefs, also hosting big-name music acts.
Starlight Theatre
Iconic outdoor theater in Swope Park hosting Broadway shows, rock concerts & other productions.
