How to Spend 1 Day in Kansas City

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.