Kansas City Travelers Recommend

A full Kansas City experience can be had in three days if you plan an itinerary that incorporates the city’s rich history, cultural sights and activities, family-friendly attractions, and renowned cuisine. Here are some ideas for how to spend 72 memorable hours in Missouri’s largest city.

Day 1: Top Attractions and Epicurean Delights

Get oriented with KC on a city sightseeing or hop-on hop-off bus tour that provides transportation to top destinations—such as Country Club Plaza, River Market, Westport, and the downtown Power and Light District—without having to worry about directions and parking. As you pass by museums and other attractions, such as the SEA LIFE aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Crown Center, decide what you’ll visit later on your own. Art enthusiasts should swing by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, while history buffs won’t want to miss the National WWI Museum and Memorial or the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, located in the 18th and Vine district. When evening rolls around, relish KC’s barbecue and beer scene on a tour of local BBQ joints or a brewery and distillery tour. Alternatively, visit Boulevard Brewing Company for beer tastings.

Day 2: Family-Friendly Activities

Enjoy quality time with family or friends while exploring KC sights on a city scavenger hunt. These self-guided adventures take you on a walk through a central part of town as you collaborate to find clues and solve puzzles. It’s a great way to keep your group engaged and entertained. Then continue the fun with a Segway tour around a popular area like Country Club Plaza or Westport, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, while listening to stories and history about KC from a guide. End the day at a Kansas City escape game, where you’ll work in teams to get out of a locked room before time runs out. These typically 1-hour themed challenges are great for all kinds of groups, from families to colleagues to bachelorette parties. Alternatively, spend the evening in the Power and Light District, home to restaurants, bars, and live music.

Day 3: Sports Fans and Shopaholics Rejoice

Sports lovers have three major league teams to choose from, depending on the season. The Kansas City Chiefs play professional football at Arrowhead Stadium; the Kansas City Royals baseball team packs in the fans at Kauffman Stadium; and Sporting Kansas City plays soccer at Children’s Mercy Park. College basketball games draw large crowds, too. If your preferred sport is shopping, you’ve got plenty of options, starting with the city’s premier upscale shopping venue, Country Club Plaza. Other popular spots include Westport, home to hip and independent stores; River Market for antiques, housewares, and food; Crown Center for a curated selection of locally owned clothing and lifestyle shops; and the Crossroads district for art galleries.

With two days in Kansas City, you’ll have time to experience the city’s historical neighborhoods, world-class museums, family-friendly activities, and beloved barbecue. Here are a few ways to create a 48-hour itinerary that packs in the best of Missouri’s largest metropolis.

Day 1: Explore Top Attractions

**Morning:**Get oriented with KC on a city sightseeing tour or hop-on hop-off bus tour that provides transportation to the top destinations—such as Country Club Plaza, Crown Center, River Market, Westport, and the downtown Power and Light District—without having to worry about directions and parking.

**Afternoon:**For kiddos, head to the SEA LIFE aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Crown Center. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art are ideal for art enthusiasts; history buffs will appreciate the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and American Jazz Museum; and beer lovers should visit Boulevard Brewing Company for a tour and tastings.

**Night:**Passionate about its barbecue food and Boulevard beer, KC features a casual culinary scene that you can explore on a BBQ and brews tour, which takes you to popular joints and local gems. Or opt for a brewery and distillery tour to taste and learn how craft beer and spirits are made.

Day 2: Enjoy Urban Activities and Adventures

**Morning:**Discover the sights of KC and relish quality time with family or friends on a city scavenger hunt. These self-guided adventures take you on a walk through a central area of town as you find clues and solve puzzles, keeping your group engaged and entertained.

**Afternoon:**Hop on a Segway for a 2-wheeled tour around a popular section of KC, such as Country Club Plaza or Westport, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. You’ll glide past top attractions like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art while listening to your guide’s stories and history about the city.

**Night:**Gather your travel mates for an escape game, where you’ll work together to get out of a locked room before time runs out. These typically 1-hour themed challenges are great for all kinds of groups, from families to colleagues to bachelorette parties.

With world-class museums, vibrant shopping districts, historical neighborhoods, and renowned barbecue, Kansas City has a whole lot of something for everyone—and one day in town is just enough to get a glorious taste of it all. Here are a few ways to make the most of 24 hours in Missouri’s largest city.

Morning: Get Acquainted

Orient yourself within Kansas City on a brief sightseeing tour or with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which provides easy transportation to the city’s most popular districts and destinations, such as Country Club Plaza, Crown Center, River Market, Westport, and the Power and Light District in downtown. Most people drive in KC, so the hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get around without having to worry about directions or parking. As you pass by the city’s main sights, from art museums to kid-focused venues, you can choose which to visit on your own based on your interests and schedule.

Afternoon: Visit Attractions

If you’re traveling with children, head to the SEA LIFE Kansas City aquarium and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, which sit beside each other at Crown Center. Art lovers should make their way to the Country Club Plaza area to check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art; history buffs won’t want to miss the National WWI Museum and Memorial, near Union Station, or the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the adjacent American Jazz Museum, located in the 18th and Vine district. For a different KC cultural experience, visit Boulevard Brewing Company for beer tastings and a brewery tour.

Night: Eat and Drink

Kansas City is renowned for its barbecue food and Boulevard beer, so if you’ve got only one night in the city, you’ll want to explore this casual culinary scene. Book a barbecue and brews tour to visit popular BBQ joints and less-known gems with a guide who provides insight into KC’s love of barbecue. If you’re more keen on drink than food, opt for a brewery and distillery tour to check out beer- and spirit-making sites in the city, and learn about how craft beer and liquor are produced.