Top 8 Free Things to Do in Kansas City, Missouri
If you’ve never been to Kansas City, Missouri, you’re missing out.
Kansas City is a beautiful city full of history and culture. It boasts both a spectacular nightlife as well as wonderful family opportunities throughout the day.
Whether you’re looking to visit Kansas City or are planning to relocate there, you’re guaranteed to be happy with your decision.
Check out some of the opportunities Kansas City has to offer!
Free Things to do in Kansas City, Missouri
While there’s nothing wrong with spending money on a vacation, with a family, those bills quickly add up. Therefore, we’re here to show you the top 8 free things you can do by yourself or with the whole family!
1. Kansas City Street Car
While getting to know Kansas City, it can be difficult deciding what to do. Instead of trying to pin down one specific location to travel to, travel around the whole city!
One of the best free things to do in Kansas City, Missouri is riding around through the city on their free streetcar! What better and cheaper way to get to know the area?
The streetcar runs year round, day and night. It expands over two miles within the heart of the city, with 16 different stops.
You can bring bikes, service dogs, or small dogs in carriers on board. It’s absolutely free to ride all the time and moves with the flow of traffic.
2. Berkley Riverfront
Berkley Riverfront is one of the best laid-back environments for you and the family to visit to do some sightseeing and relax.
Right on the Missouri River, Berkley Riverfront is complete with sand pits and volleyball nets and a massive dog park, called Bar K.
Additionally, Berkley Riverfront even has workout equipment that’s absolutely free for tourists and locals alike!
Finally, Riverfront Heritage Trail extends a staggering 15 miles throughout the park and offers a great pathway for those on foot and on bicycles. The trail is also adorned with art along specific parts of the trail to note important historical sites.
3. Kansas City Fountains
When you’re looking for free things to do in Kansas City, Missouri, consider going on a tour of all of its fountains.
Not dissimilar from Rome, Italy, Kansas City has a whole host of beautiful fountains in town squares and parks. Ironically, looking on a map, the fountains are all in a line running north to south, from the Northland Fountain to The Fountains at Linden Woods.
All fountains boast high reviews and ratings amongst tourists and locals alike. Be sure to hit them all!
4. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a staple of free things to do in Kansas City, Missouri. It is an absolute must on our list of things to see!
One of the best things about the museum is that it’s always changing. Exhibits can be at the Nelson-Atkins Museum for a couple of months or over a year. Therefore, each time you go, you’re likely to see what seems like a whole new museum!
Some exhibitions are free, while some are only free to members and children below 12 years of age.
However, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art also has places to shop and eat! The museum store on location allows you to take some of the experience home with you. And for those who wish they had bought something but didn’t, they can shop online!
The museum also houses the Rozzelle Court Restaurant and Quay
5. Loose Park
Hands down, one of the best free things to do in Kansas City, Missouri is going to see Loose Park.
Loose Park is the home of beautiful fountains and ponds, elegant bridges, and spectacular trees and even a small lake. It sits on 72 acres of land and includes a rose garden whose fragrance seems to filter through the entirety of the park.
The park also throws in a touch of history, with Civil War markers and relics such as cannons.
Bring your whole family down to experience this nature-filled part of Kansas City. Enjoy picnic tables, a wading pool, and even tennis courts at this one-of-a-kind landmark in Kansas City.
6. Kauffman Memorial Garden
Ewing and Muriel Kauffman were the founders of the Kansas City Royals baseball team. Their legacy in Kansas City has spread far and wide, reaching from their famed baseball team to the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts and the Kauffman Memorial Garden.
The Kauffman Memorial Garden sits on over two acres of land and is complete with thousands of well-kept flowers, fountains, water features, walkways, statues, and beautifully designed structures.
Walk freely and enjoy the view. Certain areas are enclosed by different types of fences but are done so with maximum attention on aesthetics and visibility.
Taking the whole family to see the Kauffman Memorial Garden is one of the best free things to do in Kansas City, Missouri.
7. Country Club Plaza
Country Club Plaza expands over 15 blocks and has a Spanish-style design. It’s complete with romantic guides, such as horse-drawn carriages and gondolas.
With some of the best food and shopping opportunities to be found in the whole state, it’s often said that no trip to Kansas City is complete without a trip to Country Club Plaza.
Country Club Plaza sits on Bush Creek, where the gondola rides take place. It flows through beautifully built bridges and between elegant walkways.
8. The Mayor’s Christmas Tree at the Crown Center
The Crown Center is beautiful enough on its own. However, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself there during Christmas, you’re in for a treat few people outside of Kansas City get to enjoy.
The Mayor’s Christmas Tree stands alight in the middle of the Crown Center which is also masterfully decorated to celebrate the holidays.
There is a ceremony where the mayor lights the 100-foot tall Christmas tree. However, the symbol of what this ceremony represents is what’s important.
The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which is in place to help the city’s less fortunate, is at the heart of it all.
Wait Are You Waiting For?
Now that you know all of the amazing, great things to do in Kansas City, Missouri, there’s only one question left.
What are you waiting for?
With all of the fun and exciting opportunities, Kansas City has to offer, there’s something for adults and children alike!
Drive or fly down to Kansas City today and take the whole family with you!
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