Things to Do in Kansas City
Barbecue, jazz, world-class museums — and, in 2026, World Cup soccer. Here's what's worth your time, with deeper guides to the highlights.
Don't-miss list: eat barbecue (burnt ends are a must), hear live jazz at 18th & Vine, climb the National WWI Museum tower, and see the free Nelson-Atkins art museum. Visiting for the World Cup? We have a dedicated match guide.
Featured guides
World Cup 2026 →
Matches at Arrowhead, getting there & the Fan Festival.
KC BBQ guide →
Burnt ends and the iconic joints.
Jazz & 18th & Vine →
Where the KC sound was born — and where to hear it.
Itineraries →
1-day, 2-day & weekend plans.
Where to stay →
Compare KC neighborhoods.
Top attractions
- National WWI Museum and Memorial — the only U.S. museum dedicated to World War I, with a 217-foot tower and skyline views. (Also the FIFA Fan Festival site in 2026.)
- 18th & Vine Jazz District — a birthplace of Kansas City jazz, with the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — a superb, free art museum with the famous giant shuttlecock sculptures.
- Country Club Plaza — a Spanish-style shopping and dining district full of fountains.
- Union Station & Crown Center — a grand historic station with Science City, plus shops and the Museum of BBQ.
- Power & Light District and Westport — downtown entertainment and a classic nightlife district.
Book tickets & tours
BBQ tours, jazz experiences, museum tickets, and city tours — check live availability and prices.
Plan the trip: Kansas City travel guide · BBQ guide · World Cup 2026 · Where to stay