There’s so much to see and do in KC! New to the area? You’ll find plenty of fun for all ages and stages. And KC natives??? It’s time to check it out and become a tourist in your own city. There are some activities here that even you might not know about! We’ve broken it down into six categories with our favorites detailed below. Click on “view the full list” in each section to see ALL that Kansas City has to offer! With so many options, there’s something here for everyone…
ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
The College Basketball Experience | Power & Light District, Kansas City, MO – This is the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Here, two floors of fun await every basketball fan. Slam dunk, challenge others to a full court press, or broadcast live from our ESPN-U desk. This is NOT a museum. You are going to jump, stretch and shoot the ball at the official hall of fame for men’s college basketball. You can stay and play all day among two floors of interactive exhibits. More info
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead | Overland Park, KS – Make memories at the Farm! Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is the perfect place to learn, grow, and have fun. Visit more than 250 animals and birds, learn about growing flowers and vegetables, experience a Kanza Indian encampment or a one-room schoolhouse, and take a stroll through main street to the fishing pond. More info
Kansas City Gangster Tour | Kansas City, MO – In the 1920’s and 30’s Kansas City had it all and they tell you the full story on The Kansas City Gangster Tour! Johnny Holiday and his friends will guide you on an inter-active bus tour of Kansas City showing you sites of speakeasies, brothels, murders, and more! More info
Kansas City Zoo | Swope Park, Kansas City, MO – At the Kansas City Zoo, you can travel the world without even leaving the gates. The Zoo is host to several attractions, including the Discovery Barn, the Zoo Learning Center, the African Sky Safari and the Helzberg Penguin Plaza. More info
Urban Hikes | Kansas City Area – Urban Hikes KC offers 1.5 to 5-mile hiking experiences that mix modern sites with KC’s history, while getting a workout. You’ll take in views from the bluffs, see street art and historical and modern buildings, trek above and below major highways, and get a good feel for the revival of Kansas City. This is also a great way to view many of KC’s beautiful murals. More info
Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun | Kansas City, MO – A trip to Worlds of Fun is a trip around the world where you experience world-record attractions, world-famous food, world-class events, and world-changing fun! It features the Patriot—the longest and tallest inverted roller coaster in the region. Enjoy one park at a time or go back and forth between land and water rides. The two parks span over 325 acres with unique themed areas, a record-breaking waterpark—Oceans of Fun, and a resort for getaways that feels worlds away—the Worlds of Fun Village. More info
SPORTS & OUTDOOR RECREATION
Kansas City Chiefs | NFL Football, Kansas City, MO – There are two great ways to experience a Chiefs game live. One is in the Arrowhead Stadium itself, which is considered the NFL’s loudest! You can also have a blast in the stadium parking lot, where Chiefs fans spend the day before a game tailgating. KC knows how to cook out and this is not a party you’ll want to miss. More info
Kansas City Royals | MLB Baseball, Kansas City, MO – The KC Royals were founded by Ewing Kauffman in 1969, aptly named after the nationally known American Royal parade and pageant. Games at “The K” have been a Kansas City tradition ever since. Kauffman has always been one of the crown jewel ballparks of Major League Baseball, and with innovative renovations, Kauffman Stadium has become a breathtaking fusion of energetic surroundings and an intimate place to watch Royals Baseball. More info
KC Timber Challenge & Zip KC | Bonner Springs, KS – Looking for a family-friendly outdoor adventure? Itching to get out of the office and put your ninja moves to the test? Dust off your hiking shoes and come play in the woods! Train like a ninja on the obstacle course or feel the thrill as you fly through the air on their zipline tours. More info
Loose Park | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – At 75-acres, Jacob L. Loose Park is one of Kansas City’s most popular, beautiful, and historical. It is a beautiful urban park, near the Country Club Plaza. It includes a pond, wading pool, tennis courts, walking trails, Civil War markers, and is most well-known for the 1.5-acre Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden, filled with over 3,000 roses. More info
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens | Overland Park, KS – At the 300-acre Arboretum, you’ll experience gardens with more than 1,700 species of plants, a variety of landscapes, including meticulous gardens, wild hiking trails, and open prairie, and different educational opportunities around every bend in the path. Many magical special events are held throughout the year as well. Come explore or take a guided tour. More info
Sporting Kansas City | MLS Soccer, Kansas City, KS – Kansas City was introduced as one of the 10 charter members of MLS on June 6, 1995, previously under the name Kansas City Wiz (Wizards). Since 2010 they have been known as Sporting Kansas City! Sporting KC’s home, Children’s Mercy Park, has seen numerous sold-out crowds in the state-of-the-art stadium. More info
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
American Jazz Museum | 18th & Vine Neighborhood, Kansas City, MO – The sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form come alive at the American Jazz Museum. Located in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District in Kansas City, this is the place where jazz masters such as Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Big Joe Turner, and hundreds of others defined the sounds of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. More info
Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts | Kansas City, MO – The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to holding concerts for music, opera, theater, and dance. More info
The Museum at Prairiefire | Overland Park, KS – A towering Tyrannosaurus rex. Colossal sea creatures. Soaring reptiles from our ancient past. Live animal encounters, dinosaur digs, and missions to Space in a Virtual Reality experience… The Museum at Prairiefire is dedicated to meaningful learning and engagement with science, culture, art, and natural history. The Museum at Prairiefire also includes regular events, interactive activities and programs for adults and children. More info
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – You are invited to discover some of the 34,500 pieces in the world-class collection of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Whether you are exploring the collection for the first time or the hundredth time, there’s always something new. The Nelson-Atkins also has a sculpture garden, two restaurants and gift shop. More info
The New Theatre Restaurant | Overland Park, KS – New Theatre Restaurant opened in 1992 as a 617 seat, state-of-the-art theatrical facility. Today New Theatre Restaurant is the largest and most successful theatre restaurant facility in the United States, averaging more than a quarter million in attendance annually, with five shows annually, each running between nine and thirteen weeks each. More info
Starlight Theater | Swope Park, Kansas City, MO – This one-of-a-kind historic theatre has been a Heartland tradition and treasure since 1951. Enjoy live Broadway musicals, Off-Broadway shows, or concerts performed under the stars. Starlight presents events year-round and is affordable and fun for all ages. More info
BAR-B-QUE, BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES & WINERIES
Arthur Bryant’s | Jazz District, Kansas City, MO – Arthur Bryant, the legendary King of Ribs, is the most renowned “barbequer” in history. He created a sauce that has attracted the likes of former Presidents Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama to his restaurant. The eatery is nationally known and often recognized by experts as the best or one of the best barbecue offerings in the country. More info
BKS Artisan Ales | Brookside, Kansas City, MO – BKS Artisan Ales opened in late 2017 as the first craft brewery in Kansas City’s Brookside neighborhood. The location houses a production facility and tasting room that aims to provide quality and unique beers. Drawing on traditional and experimental styles, they produce hop-forward, classic and modern ales, as well as lagers. More info
J. Rieger Co. | NE Industrial District, Kansas City, MO – Established in 1887, shut down by prohibition and revived in 2014. J. Rieger & Co is Kansas City’s historic distillery producing quality spirits. The distillery offers daily tours and tastings, a tasting room, 3 unique bar and restaurants on site, rentable space for private events, a 3,000 square foot historical exhibit, gift shop, and a slide! More info
Q39 | Midtown KCMO & Overland Park, KS – Over a lifetime of passion and 15 years in the barbeque competition circuit, Chef Rob Magee cultivated what is lovingly called “chef-driven barbeque.” He and his wife, Kelly, brought this unique BBQ experience to Kansas City in 2014. Q39 is designed to welcome guests to a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere with the aroma of authentic barbeque and the promise of an exceptional and memorable meal. More info
S.D. Strong Distilling | Parkville, MO – This is the world’s only known distillery in a cave, located 65 feet under Parkville, Missouri. Distilling spirits in the cave, where temperatures and conditions never vary, provides unique, high-quality flavor experiences. Tours can be booked on their website and are held on the second Saturday of every month. More info
Wineries | Various Locations – There are many local wineries in the area. Here are a few of our favorites to try out.
- Amigoni Urban Winery – Kansas City, MO
- Aubrey Vineyards – Overland Park, KS
- Belvoir Winery – Liberty, MO
- Jowler Creek – Platte City, MO
- KC Wine Co. – Olathe, KS
- KC Wineworks – Kansas City, MO
- Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery – Paola, KS
- Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery – Olathe, KS
KC NIGHTLIFE
Green Lady Lounge | Power & Light District, Kansas City, MO – Green Lady is a lounge featuring KC Jazz musicians in the rich Kansas City tradition. Step back in time into a real cocktail lounge, where the staff is dressed up in suits and ties and cocktail dresses. The lights are kept low in this elegant, yet casual environment, where you’ll find chandeliers, red walls, and vintage oil paintings. Stages are on the main level and downstairs. Either level will afford you live performances by some of the best jazz musicians in the world. More info
Hamburger Mary’s | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – Hamburger Mary’s is the place to Eat, Drink, and Be… MARY! Tasty apps, juicy burgers, and delicious desserts, all served up with a side of sass! Come on in to eat and stick around for one of their nightly events featuring bingo and drag queen artists. More info
Power & Light District | Downtown, Kansas City, MO – More than 450,000 sq. ft. of restaurants, clubs, retail, and office space in downtown Kansas City makes this the largest entertainment district in the Midwest. In the Power & Light Entertainment District we highly recommend the Green Lady Lounge for live jazz. There are even a few speakeasy locations… More info
P.S. Speakeasy | Downtown, Kansas City, MO – Being shown into P.S. Speakeasy feels like being let in on a secret—in large part because to enter this underground bar, you’ll have to get a Hotel Phillips employee to open a secret door behind reception. Hotel Phillips opened in 1931, just two years before Prohibition ended, and you’ll find plenty of historical nods in the bar’s décor. Reservations accepted. More info
Up/Down KC | Crossroads, Kansas City, MO – Up-Down Kansas City is a 21+ arcade bar featuring more than 50 arcade games from the ‘80s and ‘90s, pinball machines, four classic skeeball alleys, Nintendo 64 console gaming, and life-size Jenga and Connect Four. All games cost just 25 cents, and the drink menu includes an extensive craft beer selection with over 50 beers on tap and even more bottles and cans, as well as a full bar. Come reignite your inner child! More info
Westport | Kansas City, MO – Historic Westport has undergone a renaissance, and is now home to a wide variety of micro brews, nightclubs, and sports bars. More info
DESTINATION LOCATIONS & PHOTO SPOTS
City Market | River Market, Kansas City, MO – Explore a world of sights, sounds and attractions for the whole family. Browse an eclectic mix of shops and boutiques. Taste flavors from around the world at a wide variety of unique restaurants and cafes. Gather fresh and imported ingredients, bulk spices and more from specialty grocers and produce stands. Visit the region’s largest Farmers Market for locally grown produce, prepared foods, handcrafted & vintage items. All local. All year. More info
The Fountains of KC | Various Locations – With more than 200 fountains, only Rome has more fountains than Kansas City. Book a fun tour and explore the best fountains in the area! More info
Great Wolf Lodge | Kansas City, KS – It’s a weather-proof family vacation with everything under one roof. Great Wolf Lodge has an indoor waterpark experience that has young and old soaking in the fun! The 38,000 square-foot, 84-degree indoor waterpark is exclusive to guests. Additional fun continues outside the waterpark with adventure games, a kid spa, and more. More info
The Jazz District | Kansas City, MO – Kansas City has an incredible history steeped in blues and jazz. Around 18th and Vine, you’ll find the city’s jazz district, which is also home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, which are both excellent. But if you’re ready to get funky, head to the Blue Room, a working jazz club open four nights a week, featuring the best local and national artists in an intimate, creative setting. Or treat yourself to a late-night adventure at the Green Lady Lounge in the Power & Light Entertainment District. More info
The Plaza | Kansas City, MO – This 15-block area is filled with high-end restaurants and shopping. The yearly Plaza Art Fair in the fall brings in international artists of all mediums and draws a crowd of over 250,000. In the winter, check out some of the best holiday light displays in the country, or hire a limo and take a lights tour! More info
Union Station | Crown Center, Kansas City, MO – Union Station is a historic train station built in 1914 that brings KC exciting traveling exhibitions from around the world. It also houses Science City, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre, the Model Railroad Experience, City Stage featuring live theater, and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. More info
