Right at the border of Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City is home to jazz music, barbecue, and beer festivals. Whether you’re here for the history, vibrant art, or fantastic cuisine, one thing’s for sure – get ready to enjoy the Midwest hospitality at its finest. There’s always fun in Kansas City, whether you’re going to find it on one of the rides at the Worlds Of Fun amusement park, or while interacting with the animals at the Kansas City Zoo. History buffs love visiting the National WWI Museum and Memorial, where they can find the only public museum dedicated to WWI. Read on as we list the famous things in Kansas City, Missouri, so you know what not to miss while there.
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1. Art Museums
Enjoy some art and look at historical artifacts at The Nelson-Atkins Museum. You can have a more interactive experience by joining the Art Course, an artist-designed mini-golf that will take you on a journey to appreciate various interpretations of the pieces featured in the museum. Alternatively, opt for a unique film experience by booking a pod at Tivoli Under the Stars. Entertain yourself by watching movies outdoors on the lawn, under the blanket of the night sky.
Of course, you need to experience the museum itself, with exhibitions of featured artists, or learn with the interactive public tour with a skilled museum educator.
2. Toy and Miniature Museum
Kansas City has a lot to offer in terms of history and extensive collections of quirky things. The National Museum for Toys and Miniatures is one such place that will give you a unique experience. The museum believes that toys often reflect the culture, beliefs, technology, and sentiments of a generation. One enlightening exhibit is “Toys from the Attic: Stories of American Childhood”, which tells a story of comfort and education through toys.
The museum also features fine-scale miniatures of everyday things and even architectural works. You can look at a miniature of Louis XV’s study or a Tudor-style room.
3. Jazz spots
Jazz music is the actual heart and soul of Kansas City, and there are lots of night clubs and music joints where people can come and listen to the sounds of live music. The Phoenix, a night club in downtown Kansas City, is a popular place among local jazz bands. If you prefer dining in a restaurant, the Majestic Restaurant can be found inside a historic building, known as a former speakeasy. Here, guests can sip wines, savor a perfectly cooked steak, and listen to a live jazz music performance. Another great place, with a rather unexpected location inside the American Jazz Museum, is the Blue Room, a place where both local and big names play frequently.
4. World War I Museum and Monument
Initially opened as the Liberty Memorial Museum, the National World War I Museum and Memorial is the only museum dedicated to World War I that is open to the public in the United States. Here visitors can view a comprehensive collection of documents and objects from the war, and take a journey through stories of sacrifice and courage. The Liberty Memorial is undoubtedly impressive, standing tall atop the museum, and surrounded by manicured green fields, as a symbol of the victory, but also the peace and liberty that followed.
World War I Museum and Monument
Address: 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108
Website: World War I Museum and Monument
Opening hours: Mon - Fri & Sun: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm
5. Fountains
It may sound a bit unusual, but one of the things Kansas City is most recognized for is its fountains. It is said that it has more working fountains than any other city in the world, even Rome in Italy. People coming to the City of Fountains will immediately spot its impressive and very different fountains, with some of the most notable being the Muse of the Missouri on the Main Street in downtown Kansas City, the Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain, the Volker Fountain with a height of 28 feet (8.5 meters), and the Children’s Fountain.
6. Boutique shopping
The shopping scene in Kansas City is as abundant as it is diverse. The city’s boutiques sell anything from antiques and luxury items to unique souvenirs. Kansas City takes pride in its local artists and cultivates creativity, so expect to find all kinds of craft goods here. Whether you’re looking for gifts for family and friends or just something to bring home with you, the hand-crafted candles from 5B & Co. Candlemakers, the locally designed luxury jewelry from Janesko, canned goodies from Kansas City Canning Co, or leather goodies from Sandlot Goods are all excellent options.
7. Wizard of Oz
Follow Dorothy’s steps in the Wizard of Oz and visit Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz, a museum hosted in a replica house of the actual house from the story. Visitors will also discover the Coronado Museum and get a chance to check out different events held here throughout the year. For Halloween, for example, guests can experience a spooky journey through Haunted Oz.
Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz
Address: 567 E Cedar St, Liberal, KS 67901
Website: Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm
Price: 7 USD
8. Tornadoes
Maybe it’s not a thing you’d be happy to catch while in Kansas City, and we definitely don’t recommend it, but the region is renowned for its massive tornadoes that have been the topic of several viral videos on YouTube throughout time. Every year, Kansas City and its locals see hundreds of tornadoes, as the city is near the epicenter of Tornado Alley, the area where most tornadoes in the US take place.
9. Beer festivals
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Tickets are now live for the KC Summer Beer Fest! Over 60 breweries, 200 beers, lawn games and food trucks, taking...
Posted by Kansas City Brew Fest on Tuesday, February 11, 2020
What better to go with the incredibly tasty Kansas City barbecue than a good beer? It comes as no surprise that Kansas City also has lots of beer festivals year-round. Every month is beer month when you’re in Kansas City, from Boulevardia, which takes over West Bottoms and brings food, beer, and great music into the city to the beer and barbecue Renaissance Festival Grounds, and the KC Beer Fest. The list can go on, but the main ingredients remain the same; a wide variety of local craft beer, food trucks, authentic Kansas City barbecue, live music, and lots and lots of fun.
10. Theme parks
Families with children will be happy to hear that Kansas City is home to quite a few famous theme parks. Worlds Of Fun and Oceans Of Fun are one of the best places to cool off in the summer, and a 2-in-1 amusement and water park. The amusement park features thrill, family, and kids’ rides for the whole family to have fun. Some of the most popular rides include Cyclone Sam’s, Bamboozler, Fury of the Nile, and SteelHawk. Water lovers can spend a day at the waterpark, and enjoy Aruba Tuba tube slide, the Predators’ Plunge, or Splash Island. Other options for a good splash include the Bay Water Park, the Springs Aquatic Center, or the CoCo Key Water Resort. For a little bit of adventure in the trees, check out the Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure; the forest canopy and treetop rope course are a favorite.
11. Live shows
As a city as lively and appreciative of art and local talent, it’s only natural that Kansas City has lots of live shows and events going on year-round. As we already mentioned, there’s live jazz music every night in the city, but there are also other live shows, from concerts to musical theater. The Starlight Theater is always a great place to catch a concert or an entertaining play or check out the Coterie Theater, for a kid-friendly play.
12. Barbecue
When it comes to the food scene in Kansas City, the most representative dish is barbecue. The best way to try some of its best barbecue joints is on a food tour. You’ll get to travel by bus, listen to a guide telling you the ins and outs of the Kansas City cuisine, plus you’ll stop at the most famous barbecue spots and get a taste of local Kansas food. You’ll get to enjoy at least one meat and one side at each of the stops along the way.
Book Tours : Original KC Barbecue Tour
Kansas City: home to beer festivals, jazz music, and more
Kansas City, Missouri, is home to a long list of famous attractions that appeal to solo travelers, families with children, and young travelers alike. From Dorothy’s house replica from the Wizard of Oz and amusement parks to barbecue, beer festivals, and jazz music, the city is diverse, lively, and welcoming. Check out our list of famous things to do in Kansas City, Missouri, and choose your favorites to try there.
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