When I tell people about why Kansas City is such a great place to live, museums are one of the things I mention. Even after living here for 20 years, I am still discovering places I hadn’t been to before. So many of Kansas City’s museums have rotating exhibits, so it’s hard to see it all. One of my earliest museum memories in Kansas City was at Leila’s Hair Museum. It’s closed now, but this tiny museum was chock full of hair wreaths. Who knew? What I did learn is that there are some really interesting and incredible museums in Kansas City. Here are just a dozen of my favorites.
Must-Visit Museums in Kansas City
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
Where: 4525 Oak St.
What makes it unique: The Nelson Atkins is one of the most iconic art museums in the United States, and is a great place for a date. Its signature shuttlecocks on the front lawn are recognizable to art lovers around the world.
Must see thing: Along with the 42,000 items in the collection, check out the Glass Labyrinth in the outdoor Sculpture Garden.
How much time: 1-3 hours, it really depends on how long you like to look.
Cost: Admission to the museum is free; special exhibits have a cost associated with them. Parking is $12 but you can park on the street for free.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Where: 2 Memorial Drive
What makes it unique: In 1919, less than a year after the Great War ended, Kansas Citians raised $2.5 million ($35 million in today’s dollars) in ten days to build this museum and memorial. Opening to the public in 1926, this museum is an incredible blend of history brought to life through artifacts and modern technology.
Must see thing: For $2 extra with admission, or $5 on its own, you can go up to the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower for an incredible view of Kansas City.
How much time: 2 hours
Cost: Adults - $10, Seniors and Military - $8, Kids 6-18 - $6, Children (0-5) - Free
The National Museum of Toys & Miniatures
Where: 5235 Oak Street (on UMKC’s Campus)
What makes it unique: The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures on public display. The level of craftsmanship is unbelievable - from tiny working harpsichords to dueling pistols.
Must see thing: Toys from the museum’s collection of 59,591 objects from every era are on display for your nostalgia. If you’re visiting the museum with multiple generations, it’s fun to share what you had with others.
How much time: 2 hours
Cost: Adults - $8, Seniors - $7, Kids 6-17 and College Students with ID - $5, Children (0-5) - Free
Science City
Where: 30 West Pershing Road (inside Union Station)
What makes it unique: This museum offers kids of all ages the chance to learn about science and nature through more than 300 hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities.
Must see thing: One of the newer features at the museum is an outdoor play area that features six mechanical devices that make things easier. Kids can climb and learn. There’s so much to see, Kim wrote the Ultimate Guide to Science City.
How much time: 3 hours
Cost: General Admission - $14.50 (plus $1.50 preservation fee), Union Station Members - Free
Money Museum
Where: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1 Memorial Drive
What makes it unique: What better way to learn about the US economy than by visiting one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks? Exhibits are suitable for adults and children.
Must see thing: Watch forklifts move millions of dollars around in the giant vault and feel how heavy a gold bar is. In addition to the museum, each guest receives a bag of shredded money as a free souvenir.
How much time: 1 hour
Cost: Free, reserve tickets here
TWA Museum
Where: 10 Richards Road
What makes it unique: The TWA Museum shares the history and artifacts highlighting the major role TWA played in commercial aviation from its headquarters in Kansas City. Contributions to aviation from the birth of airmail to the inception of passenger air travel, TWA was instrumental in the industry for 75 years.
Must see thing: Test your piloting skills in the TWA flight simulator!
How much time: 1 hour
Cost: Adults and Kids (6-16) - $10, Seniors - $7, Kids (0-5) and Active Military with ID - Free
American Jazz Museum
Where: 1616 E. 18th St.
What makes it unique: The sights and sounds of jazz music come to life in this interactive museum that hosts more than 200 performances and events throughout the year.
Must see thing: Catch a live jazz show in The Blue Room featuring local and national talent. Can’t make it in person? Check out the virtual exhibits from the museum here.
How much time: 1 hour
Cost: Adults - $10, Seniors - $9, Children (5-12) - $6, Kids (0-4) - Free
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Where: 1616 E. 18th St. (shares a lobby with the American Jazz Museum; a combo ticket for both museums is also available)
What makes it unique: The NLBM is the world’s only museum dedicated to the history and preservation of the impact and influence of African-American baseball on the social advancement of America.
Must see thing: Don’t miss the 12 life-sized bronze sculptures of players who were stand outs in the Negro Leagues. Eleven of whom were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
How much time: 1 hour
Cost: Adults - $10, Seniors - $9, Children (5-12) - $6, Kids (0-4) - Free
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Where: 4420 Warwick Blvd.
What makes it unique: The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is home to beautiful pieces by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol.
Must see thing: The Kemper presents rotating exhibits that change 8-12 times a year, so there’s always something new to see.
How much time: 30 minutes
Cost: Free, timed tickets are available here
The Arabia Steamboat Museum
Where: 400 Grand Blvd.
What makes it unique: The Steamboat Arabia sunk with 200 tons of mystery cargo onboard in 1856. Over time the Missouri River was diverted, leaving the boat buried 45 feet under a Kansas corn field. In 1988 a team embarked on a journey to recover the vessel and the contents of the ship, which are on display in the museum.
Must see thing: The museum is still working to preserve 60 tons of cargo still encased in earth. You can watch the work in the preservation lab through glass.
How much time: 1-2 hours
Cost: Adults - $14.50, Seniors - $13.50, Children (4-14) - $5.50, Kids (0-3) - Free
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
Where: 500 W. US Highway 24, Independence, Mo.
What makes it unique: Known as one of the most successful Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman (#33) grew up in Independence, Missouri. The Presidential Library and Museum preserve his office and decisions written into history books around the world.
Must see thing: A new permanent exhibit expands on the life of Truman. A man who grew up in a small town, never went to college, and, among other things, ended WWII through the incredibly difficult to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.
How much time: 2 hours
Cost: Adults - $12, Seniors and Military - $10, College Students with ID - $8, Youth (13-18) - $5, Kids (0-12) - Free
Missouri Town 1855
Where: 8010 E. Park Road, Lee's Summit, Mo.
What makes it unique: Missouri Town is a 30-acre, outdoor history museum that brings visitors back to the eve of the Civil War. More than 25 structures from seven Missouri counties give visitors an immersive glimpse of history through enactments and displays.
Must see thing: From April through mid-November, the museum hosts Drive-thru History Tuesdays. This allows people to drive through the property while stopping to visit with the interpreters.
How much time: 2 hours
Cost: Adults - $8, Seniors and Children (5-13) - $4, Kids (0-4) - Free
Related Post: Make a day of it. Pair a museum visit with brunch or dinner at one of Kansas City’s great restaurants.
About the writer
Jenn Beard is the founder of Cocktails Away—a collection of adventures in pursuit of a great drink, a quality spirit, a unique ingredient, and the places they come from. When not traveling, she lives in Kansas City. Check out her blog for mouthwatering recipes and insider tips on DIY bartending and cocktail culture or travel to bars around the world at @cocktailsaway.