I first came to Kansas City, KS on a day trip. The lovely Midwestern town hosts many important sporting events which you should plan ahead for. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is about 20–25 minutes away if you are flying in.
I like to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City if I'm traveling with my kid because of the indoor water park. My other favorites are Homewood Suites by Hilton at The Legends and Hilton Garden Inn Kansas City/Kansas.
Best Things to Do in Kansas City, KS
1. Watch thrilling races at Kansas Speedway
Rating: ★★★★★
A good place to start your tour is by checking for special events taking place at the Kansas Speedway, one of the Midwest’s premier facilities for racing.
If there is a big racing event taking place when you plan to visit, make sure that you can find a room for the night. It's especially busy around the time of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series every year.
400 Speedway Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111, Phone: 866-460-7223
2. Cheer for the home team at Children's Mercy Park
Be sure to check for soccer events at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City as well.
You'll find Children's Mercy Park near the Kansas Speedway.
The stadium has a seating capacity of more than 18,000 people.
1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111, Phone: 913-912-7525
3. Go shopping at The Legends at Village West
If you need to do some shopping head to The Legends at Village West, or Legends Outlet.
You'll find over seventy popular brand name retailers and leading designer stores here. You can also grab a lunch at one of the many restaurants.
1843 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111, Phone: 913-788-3700
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
4. Catch a baseball game at Legends Field
Watch the Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Club at Legends Field, part of an impressive complex that includes other sports facilities like the Children’s Mercy Field and the Kansas Speedway.
You'll find several places to eat, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, the NASCAR Racing Experience, and the Hollywood Casino.
If you buy tickets and go watch a game, you'll see that the ballpark can seat up to 7,500 spectators, including the center field party area, the right field grassy area, the picnic area, and the concourse.
1800 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111, Phone: 913-328-2255
5. Pick fresh apples at Cider Hill Family Orchard
Visit the Cider Hill Family Orchard for the day and pick your own fruit, browse the charming cottage store, relax next to the fire pit, take a train ride or a hayride, or just simply take in the fresh air of the countryside.
Apple season at Cider Hill starts in the latter part of July and runs until October. In addition to apples, the orchard also offers U-Pick for raspberries and blackberries in July and August, as well as asparagus in April and May. There’s even an Apple Wagon to transport you to the orchard.
3341 N 139th St, Kansas City, KS 66109, Phone: 913-721-2507
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
6. Tour historic rooms at Strawberry Hill Museum & Cultural Center
Visit the Strawberry Hill Museum & Cultural Center which dedicated to preserving the diverse cultures of the area brought to Kansas City by Eastern European immigrants during the early part of the 1900’s.
You'll find it in an original 1887 Queen Anne style house.
Explore a variety of exhibits hosted by the museum, covering dance, music, and original art from the many ethnic cultures, as well as over thirty rooms featuring unique displays.
I enjoyed the exhibits that highlight the heritage of a number of countries in Eastern Europe, such as Russia, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and Croatia through toys, pictures, books, and more.
720 N 4th St, Kansas City, KS 66101, Phone: 913-371-3264
7. Riverfront Heritage Trail
Spend a morning hiking along the Riverfront Heritage Trail, a fifteen-mile, fully-accessible pedestrian and bicycle pathway.
You'll probably start at the riverfront and then follow the trail through the most historic and oldest parts of Kansas City, in both Kansas and Missouri. Along the way, you can view dramatic public artwork and unique venues.
8. See the Rosedale Memorial Arch
Visit the Rosedale Memorial Arch which was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
Along with paying your respects for soldiers, you can also take in great skyline views of Kansas City, Missouri.
Park Dr, Kansas City, KS 66103, Phone: 913-573-8327
9. Take the kids to Penguin Park
Visit Penguin Park, a playful and fun park that has a little bit of everything for families.
Watch your kids play inside the twenty-three feet tall penguin and go down the kangaroo slide measuring twenty-six feet in length.
Explore other larger-than-life animal figures that decorate the grounds, including kangaroos, giraffes, elephants, and penguins.
Pack a picnic lunch and linger longer with a picnic near the small lake.
4124 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119, Phone: 816-513-7500
If you have more time to explore, don't miss out on seeing the sister city Kansas City, Missouri.
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