Free & Affordable Vacation Ideas in Kansas City

1. The Nelson-Atkins Museum Of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum Of Art is a free-admission Kansas City art museum that is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays during the morning and afternoon hours. The museum preserves the former estate and collections of William Rockhill Nelson, the founder of the Kansas City Star, and art collector Mary Atkins, originally opened to the public in 1933. Its new Bloch Building has been named as one of Time magazine's best new modern architectural marvels, showcasing impressive collections of Asian art, European paintings, and works by American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Other significant collections include the Hallmark Photographic Collection and showcases of indigenous American art. Visitors can also explore the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, which contains the United States' largest collection of Henry Moore bronze sculptures.

4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111, Phone: 816-751-1278

2. The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is a free-admission art museum on the campus of Overland Park's Johnson County Community College, open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays throughout the morning and afternoon hours, with the exception of times that the campus is closed to the public. The museum, which is named in honor of Kansas City art collectors Margaret and Jerry Nerman, has been named as one of the best university campus art museums in the United States by Public Art Review, showcasing acclaimed collections of multimedia works by emerging and mid-career international artists. Over 400 works of art are also integrated into the college's campus, representing its "living with art" philosophy designed to engage students and community members with the arts on a daily basis.

12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210, Phone: 913-469-3000

3. The Money Museum

The Money Museum is the official public museum facility of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, which is located within the city's downtown district near the National World War I Museum. As the newest building within the Federal Reserve System, the branch opened for business in 2008 and services the Tenth Federal Reserve District. Its 3,000-square-foot interactive museum is open to the public for free during business hours, providing visitors with an up-close look at the largest cash vault in the American Great Plains. Visitors can also design custom currency with their photographs, lift a solid gold bar, and try their hand at detecting counterfeit currencies. All visitors receive a free bag of shredded currency after visiting the museum. Visitors should note that valid government photo identification is required for all visitors over the age of 18.

1 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64198, Phone: 816-881-2683

4. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is Missouri's premiere contemporary art museum, originally opened to the public in 1994. The museum is open to the public for free daily and attracts more than 100,000 annual visitors, presenting eight to 12 annual exhibitions of works within its Kemper East, Charlotte Crosby Kemper, and Barbara and Paul Uhlmann Galleries. Exhibits showcase works from the museum's permanent collection, which highlights pieces by internationally-renowned artists such as Dale Chihuly, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Romare Bearden, along with exhibitions by emerging and mid-career artists from around the Kansas City region and throughout the world.

4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111, Phone: 816-753-5784

5. The Kansas City Public Library

The Kansas City Public Library is the main public library system for the Kansas City, Sugar Creek, and Independence, Missouri regions, originally founded in 1873 as the Public School Library of Kansas City. Since then, the system has grown to offer 10 branches throughout the city's metropolitan region, including a Central Library located on West 10th Street in the city's downtown district. Rotating public art and cultural exhibits are viewable for free at the Central Library on a regular basis, with many focused on social topics related to the city's history. Visitors can take free guided tours of the Central Library on the second Saturday of each month with advance registration, exploring the building's architecture, collections, and services from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO 64105, Phone: 816-701-3400

6. City of Fountains

City of Fountains is the unofficial nickname of Kansas City, named as such for its hundreds of historic and iconic fountains located throughout the city's downtown and suburban areas. 48 publicly-operated fountains are showcased throughout the city, including the spectacular J.C. Nicholas Memorial Fountain, which was originally constructed in 1910 in Paris and recovered from a New York scrapyard in 1951 for installation near Kansas City's Country Club Plaza. Equestrian figures adorn the fountain, with each representing one of the world's most renowned urban rivers. All of the city's public fountains are turned on at once each April during Greater Kansas City Fountain Day, a favorite civic celebration and photo opportunity. Visitors can explore the city's fountains as part of self-guided tours.

7. Frontier Army Museum

Frontier Army Museum is a free-admission museum showcasing the history and significance of Fort Leavenworth, the oldest active post of the United States Army west of Washington, D.C. The museum is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays during the morning and afternoon hours, with the exception of federal holidays. 19th-century military vehicles are showcased, along with preserved weapons and equipment from the historic Frontier Army. Exhibits highlight the Army's participation in America's westward expansion, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804. Though the museum is free to enter, donations are greatly appreciated to sustain future museum operations.

100 Reynolds Ave, Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027, Phone: 913-684-3191

8. The Hallmark Visitors Center

The Hallmark Visitors Center details the history and legacy of Hallmark Cards, Inc., which was founded by J.C. Hall in 1910 and has become the world's largest distributor of greeting cards today. The visitor center is open to the public Monday through Saturday during business hours, featuring exhibits detailing the company's rise from home operations by a Nebraska teenager to its present-day $4 billion USD industry. Collaborations with famous artists and companies are highlighted, including the company's association with the Jim Henson Company's characters and trademarks. A short documentary film is shown periodically throughout the day, and an artifact search scavenger hunt is available for families to enjoy together.

2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, Phone: 816-274-3613

9. Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center

Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center is a 113-acre nature center within Olathe's Ernie Miller Park, which is named in honor of civic leader and Olathe Mirror columnist Ernie Miller. The nature center is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays for free, showcasing a stream aquarium filled with marine life, a birdfeeder court containing hummingbird and butterfly gardens, and an outdoor amphitheater hosting periodic public special events. More than 170 birds of prey are also showcased at the center, including osprey, hawks, and falcons. Visitors can explore the broader nature park daily between dusk and dawn, which is home to three miles of visitor walking trails.

909 North, KS-7, Olathe, KS 66061, Phone: 913-826-2800

10. The KC Streetcar

The KC Streetcar is Kansas City's official free-to-ride streetcar system, originally opened for service in May of 2016. Today, the system enjoys a ridership of more than 5,600 daily riders, with more than five million riders using the service since its opening. 16 streetcar stops are located along a 2.2-mile downtown route, which runs between the city's Union Station and River Market and connect visitors and residents to attractions such as the city's Washington Square Park, Crossroads Arts District, and Central Business District. Connections are provided to local commuter transit services, bike share kiosks, and the city's Amtrak routes. The streetcar operates seven days a week, offering early-morning and late-night service.

600 E 3rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64106, Phone: 816-221-0660