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
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Things to do in Kansas City
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via Google MapsGrünauer
Austrian-German cooking & European beer in the historic dark-wood-&-brick Freight House space.
via Google MapsGrinders Pizza
Hopping haunt with a laid-back vibe serving American grub such as thin-crust pies & grinders.
via Google MapsJack Stack Barbecue - Martin City
Bustling local chain known for its vast barbecue menu encompassing steak & seafood.
via Google MapsStroud's Oak Ridge Manor
Long-running local chain serving classic American comfort food, including pan-fried chicken.
via Google MapsChar Bar
BBQ & Southern eats with a modern twist in a big space with a retro vibe & beer garden with games.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City
Family entertainment center featuring Lego toy displays, rides & a 4-D theater, plus a gift shop.
SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium
Family-friendly exhibits featuring more than 5,000 sea creatures, plus a play area & group packages.
via Google MapsMain Event Kansas City North
via Google MapsYard House
High-end sports-bar chain with a huge menu of New American fare & an extensive list of draft beers.
Walmart Supercenter
AMC Barrywoods 24
via Google MapsGarozzo's Ristorante Downtown
Homey Italian tavern offering classic cuisine in a large dining room with an old-school vibe.
via Google MapsBreakout KC Escape Room | River Market
Attraction where visitors solve riddles, codes & puzzles to escape from one of several themed rooms.
via Google MapsCosentino's Sun Fresh Market
via Google MapsFurniture Deals
via Google MapsBuca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Chain serving family-style Italian fare in a kitschy setting featuring red-&-white tablecloths.
via Google MapsGreen Lady Lounge
Iconic jazz club offering live music every night amid a retro vibe, scarlet walls & a marble bar.
via Google MapsTwin Peaks
Sports-bar chain known for its waitresses, serving American comfort food in lodgelike surroundings.
via Google MapsHy-Vee Grocery Store
via Google MapsPonak's Mexican Kitchen & Bar
Popular no-frills outlet for Mexican staples & margaritas in a colorful, cantina-style setting.