Kansas City’s Best Sights

Best Local Monument [1]: The Liberty Memorial [1] is a towering and solemn tribute to those lost during World War I. Be sure to go below the monument to tour the expansive World War I Museum.

Best Local Landmark [2]: Once the scene of a historic massacre, Union Station [2] remains a distinguished monument and still operates as a full-service train station.

Best Tour [3]: Sure, a behind-the-scenes look at Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Co. [3] is fascinating, but the best part is the free end-of-tour beer tasting.

Best Public Art [4]: Although the Kansas City Library [4]’s interior is nothing short of majestic, the giant outdoor bookshelf with 25-foot volumes is equally mesmerizing.

Best View [5]: Perched 30 floors above downtown Kansas City, the City Hall Observation Deck [5] offers picturesque and panoramic views of downtown and beyond.

Best Non-Art Museum [6]: Explore Kansas City’s melodic jazz history within the colorful, interactive surroundings of the American Jazz Museum [6].

Best Historic Discovery [7]: After a century’s worth of various salvage attempts, a local team managed to locate, uncover, and partially reconstruct a doomed steamboat, now housed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum [7] along with recovered cargo items.

Best Interactive Museum [8]: Step onto center court at the College Basketball Experience [8] — or, if you prefer to be on the sidelines, test your broadcast skills at the ESPNU anchor station.

Best Local Export [9]: Get an insiders’ look at a multibillion-dollar industry with a visit to the Hallmark Visitors Center [9], complete with a view of the greeting card production process.

Best Water Feature [10]: Stop for a photo op in front of one of the most recognizable of Kansas City’s many fountains, the J. C. Nichols Memorial Fountain [10].

Best Place to Spend a Day [11]: With the world’s largest Asian art collection, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art [11] also offers a staggering collection of paintings, furniture, sculpture, photography, and more. Don’t miss the outdoor sculpture garden and the infamous shuttlecock statues.

Best Reason to Skip the Nelson [12]: An astounding collection of contemporary art makes the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art [12] a must-see while you’re in Kansas City. Stop at the museum gift shop for books, prints, and other artistic gifts.