About Kansas City
Kansas City, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by both population and area. It is located on the Missouri River at its confluence with the Kansas River, within Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass counties. It is the 37th-most populous city in the United States and sixth-most populous city in the Midwest, with a population of 508,090 at the 2020 census. The Kansas City metropolitan area, which straddles the Missouri–Kansas state line, is the 31st-most populous metropolitan area in the nation, at 2.25 million residents.
Places to visit in Kansas City
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
MuseumA major encyclopedic art museum with strong Asian, European and American collections, a modern glass addition and a sculpture park famous for its giant shuttlecock sculptures on the lawn.
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National WWI Museum and Memorial
Museum · 2 mi from centreA museum dedicated to the First World War, with immersive galleries of artifacts beneath the Liberty Memorial tower. The tower's observation deck offers a panoramic view of the Kansas City skyline.
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Country Club Plaza
NeighborhoodA Spanish-inspired shopping and dining district with fountains, tiled towers and decorative courtyards. Strolling the streets is enjoyable in any season, and holiday lights draw crowds in winter.
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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Museum · 3 mi from centreIn the historic 18th and Vine district, this museum tells the story of African American professional baseball through photos, artifacts and a symbolic field of player statues.
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American Jazz Museum
Museum · 3 mi from centreSharing a building with the baseball museum, it celebrates Kansas City's jazz legacy and figures like Charlie Parker. The attached Blue Room club hosts live jazz performances.
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Union Station
Landmark · 2 mi from centreA grand Beaux-Arts railroad station with a vast, ornate Grand Hall. It now houses a science center, exhibitions, restaurants and an Amtrak stop, and connects by bridge to the WWI Museum.
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Arabia Steamboat Museum
Museum · 4 mi from centreIn the River Market area, this museum displays a remarkable trove of goods recovered from a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in the 1850s, preserved in mud and excavated from a farm field.
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City Market
MarketA long-running public market near the river with farmers' stalls on weekends, ethnic grocers and restaurants. A lively spot to shop and eat, especially on Saturday mornings.
Where to stay in Kansas City
Popular hotels in Kansas City, out of 146 properties you can book.
Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown
From $141 per night
DoubleTree Hotel Kansas City - Overland Park
From $140 per night
Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by H
From $152 per night
Loews Kansas City Hotel
From $240 per night
Home2 Suites by Hilton Kansas City KU Medical Cent
From $206 per night
Crossroads Hotel
From $235 per night
Autograph Collection Ambassador Hotel Kansas City
From $228 per night
Home2 Suites Kansas City Downtown
From $144 per night
Hampton Inn Kansas City/Downtown Financial Distri
From $165 per night
Courtyard Kansas City Downtown/Convention Center
From $133 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Kansas City/Kansas
From $136 per night
Hampton Inn By Hilton Gardner Conference Center
From $158 per night
Best time to visit Kansas City
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Kansas City is September, when average daytime highs are around 82°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Kansas City weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 73° 54° 4%
- Thu 22 Oct 75° 58° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 78° 59° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 79° 60° 1%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 62° 6%
- Mon 26 Oct 67° 48° 9%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/ChicagoUTC−5
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Kansas City
These are the airports closest to central Kansas City. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MKC Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
- OJC Johnson County Executive Airport16 mi (26 km) from the city centre
- MCI Kansas City International Airport18 mi (30 km) from the city centre
- JCI New Century AirCenter22 mi (36 km) from the city centre
Getting around Kansas City
The national map companies produce book style maps that can be purchased at many grocery and book stores. Local real estate agents and delivery drivers use a book map produced by a local company in the crossroads district but it is hard to find. The one inside the Feist directory is good and can often be obtained locally for free but the directory may be too bulky to carry.
Street numbers
Addresses on east-west streets are numbered from Main Street in Kansas City, MO, and on north-south streets from St. John Ave. (or the Missouri River, in the River Market area). The direction 'South' in street and address numbers is generally implied if 'N' is not specified, except for numbered 'avenues' in North Kansas City. In most of Wyandotte County, Kansas the north-south streets are numbered and the address numbers are measured from Riverview Ave.
Bus service
The Metro bus is feasible within the urban core, where most of the tourist destinations are found. The MAX (Metro Area eXpress) and #57 buses connect downtown, Crown Center, Westport, the Plaza, Brookside, and Waldo. There are other lines that can drop you fairly close to your door in KCMO as well as limited stops in outlying suburbs such as Kansas City, KS, Independence, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, the Northland, etc. There is service to the casinos.
By streetcar
A north-south streetcar service links Union Station with the popular River Market district. Free to ride, the streetcar is a convenient although quite slow way to cross the city centre. Streetcars run every 10-15 minutes from early morning to evening, with extended services on weekends. Route maps and more information available at KC Streetcar website.
Kansas City travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Kansas City?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Kansas City is September, when average daytime highs are around 82°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Kansas City?
July is usually the warmest month in Kansas City, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 17°F (-8°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 154 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Kansas City?
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Kansas City. Other nearby airports include Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC, 16 mi) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI, 18 mi).
What time zone is Kansas City in?
Kansas City uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Kansas City?
The national map companies produce book style maps that can be purchased at many grocery and book stores. Local real estate agents and delivery drivers use a book map produced by a local company in the crossroads district but it is hard to find.
What are the best places to visit in Kansas City?
Top sights in Kansas City include Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Country Club Plaza and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. A major encyclopedic art museum with strong Asian, European and American collections, a modern glass addition and a sculpture park famous for its giant shuttlecock sculptures on the lawn.
Where should I stay in Kansas City?
Popular areas for hotels in Kansas City include Downtown, Overland Park and Olathe. Well-reviewed options include Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown and DoubleTree Hotel Kansas City - Overland Park.
How many hotels can I book in Kansas City?
Destina Holidays currently lists 146 properties in and around Kansas City, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
