16 Best Things To Do In Kansas City MO

Kansas City is home to a variety of unique museums that offer fascinating experiences, from art and history to niche interests. Here are some must-visit options:

1. The National WWI Museum and Memorial

• Why It’s Unique: The only museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to World War I, featuring an extensive collection of artifacts, exhibits, and a striking view from the Liberty Memorial tower.
• Don’t Miss: The glass bridge over a field of 9,000 poppies, each symbolizing 1,000 WWI combatant deaths.

2. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

• Why It’s Unique: Famous for its outdoor sculpture park, including the iconic Shuttlecocks, and an impressive collection spanning over 5,000 years of art history.
• Don’t Miss: The extensive Asian art collection and the museum's free admission.

3. American Jazz Museum

• Why It’s Unique: Located in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, it celebrates Kansas City’s pivotal role in jazz history with exhibits, memorabilia, and live performances.
• Don’t Miss: The interactive exhibits and the adjacent Blue Room, a working jazz club.

4. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

• Why It’s Unique: Chronicles the history and legacy of African-American baseball leagues, sharing space with the American Jazz Museum for a double history treat.
• Don’t Miss: The Field of Legends, a display of life-sized statues of famous Negro Leagues players.

5. The Arabia Steamboat Museum

• Why It’s Unique: Houses treasures recovered from a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, offering a time capsule of 19th-century life.
• Don’t Miss: The preserved artifacts, including tools, dishware, and clothing.

6. The Money Museum

• Why It’s Unique: Located at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, this free museum explores the history of currency and includes interactive exhibits.
• Don’t Miss: The chance to see $40 million in cash and receive a free bag of shredded money.

7. Kansas City Museum

• Why It’s Unique: Recently renovated, this museum in the Corinthian Hall mansion explores the history and culture of Kansas City.
• Don’t Miss: The stunning architecture and the immersive local history exhibits.

8. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

• Why It’s Unique: Features one of the largest collections of antique toys and fine-scale miniatures in the world.
• Don’t Miss: The intricate miniature rooms and vintage toy exhibits.

9. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

• Why It’s Unique: Showcases cutting-edge modern art and installations in a striking architectural setting.
• Don’t Miss: The rotating exhibitions and the museum’s boutique restaurant, Café Sebastienne.

10. The Airline History Museum

• Why It’s Unique: Focuses on the golden age of aviation with vintage aircraft and memorabilia housed in a historic hangar at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.
• Don’t Miss: The chance to step aboard restored planes like the Lockheed Constellation.

11. Strawberry Hill Museum

• Why It’s Unique: A Victorian mansion turned museum celebrating the cultural heritage of Kansas City’s Slavic communities.
• Don’t Miss: The ethnic exhibits and beautiful views of downtown Kansas City.

12. Museum at Prairiefire

• Why It’s Unique: A visually striking building housing exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History and local cultural displays.
• Don’t Miss: The interactive Discovery Room for kids and the stunning, prismatic architecture.




River Market District

1. Paris of the Plains
2. River Market District
3. Kansas City jazz

Whether you’re into art, history, or unique niches, these museums offer a diverse and enriching experience in Kansas City. Let me know if you'd like help planning your visit!

Famous Jazz Musicians with Kansas City Connections

1. Charlie Parker ("Bird")

• Role: Saxophonist and composer; one of the most influential figures in jazz history.
• Connection: Born in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Parker began his career in the city's vibrant jazz scene, playing in nightclubs along 12th Street and 18th & Vine.
• Legacy: A pioneer of bebop, Parker’s innovative style forever changed jazz. The American Jazz Museum in Kansas City celebrates his contributions.

2. Count Basie

• Role: Bandleader, pianist, and composer.
• Connection: Led the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, which became prominent during the Kansas City jazz era. His time at the Reno Club in Kansas City helped solidify his reputation as a leading figure in swing jazz.
• Legacy: Basie’s big band sound was heavily influenced by the city’s bluesy, riff-driven jazz.

3. Mary Lou Williams

• Role: Pianist, composer, and arranger.
• Connection: Worked with the Kansas City-based Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy during the 1930s. She was a prolific arranger and composer, shaping the band’s distinctive sound.
• Legacy: Known as one of the greatest jazz pianists and arrangers, Williams contributed to the development of bebop and modern jazz.

4. Bennie Moten

• Role: Pianist, bandleader.
• Connection: Leader of the Bennie Moten Orchestra, one of the most influential Kansas City jazz bands in the 1920s and early 1930s. His band later evolved into the Count Basie Orchestra after his death.
• Legacy: A pioneer of Kansas City jazz, Moten’s orchestra was a breeding ground for future jazz legends.

5. Jay McShann

• Role: Pianist, bandleader.
• Connection: Led a Kansas City-based band in the 1940s that helped launch Charlie Parker’s career.
• Legacy: McShann kept Kansas City’s jazz tradition alive for decades and was celebrated for his blues-influenced piano style.

6. Big Joe Turner

• Role: Singer, "Boss of the Blues."
• Connection: Worked in Kansas City as a bartender and performer before gaining national fame. He often performed at the city’s famous nightclubs like the Reno Club.
• Legacy: Turner’s booming voice and blues style bridged the gap between jazz and early rock ‘n’ roll.

7. Lester Young ("Prez")

• Role: Tenor saxophonist.
• Connection: Played with Count Basie’s Orchestra in Kansas City, developing his signature smooth, melodic style.
• Legacy: A key figure in swing and an influence on bebop musicians, Young’s time in Kansas City was pivotal in his career.

Kansas City’s Impact on Jazz

Kansas City’s vibrant nightlife during the Prohibition era, fueled by clubs like the Reno Club and neighborhoods like 18th & Vine, made it a hotbed for improvisation and innovation. The city’s focus on riffs, extended solos, and blues elements helped define the Kansas City jazz style.

Explore Their Legacy

• Visit the American Jazz Museum and The Blue Room in the 18th & Vine Jazz District to learn more about these iconic musicians and the city’s jazz history.
• Attend Kansas City Jazz Festivals to experience modern interpretations of this rich musical tradition.

Let me know if you'd like more details on any of these legends or Kansas City’s jazz venues!

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