12 Must-Visit Museums in Kansas City

A world-class, free-admission institution renowned for its expansive collection of over 40,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years, and is celebrated for its architectural blend of classical Beaux-Arts design and the contemporary Bloch Building.

The Rabbit hOle is the first museum of its kind int the U.S., offering three floors (and growing!) of children’s literature brought to life through discoverable environments.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the nation's only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African American baseball and its profound impact on the social advancement of America.

The United States' official institution dedicated to preserving the history of World War I, featuring the world's most comprehensive collection of WWI artifacts and documents, and is renowned for its iconic 217-foot Liberty Memorial tower and immersive exhibits.

The Museum of Kansas City, housed in the historic Corinthian Hall, is a revitalized cultural institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the city's diverse history through immersive exhibits, restored architecture, and community-driven programming.

Just around the corner from the Nelson-Atkins is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, a free, architecturally striking museum showcasing modern and contemporary works by acclaimed artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Willem de Kooning.

The American Jazz Museum in Kansas City celebrates the legacy of jazz through interactive exhibits, historic artifacts, and live performances in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.

A neighbor to the T-Mobile Center, The College Basketball Experience is a high-energy, interactive facility that immerses fans through hands-on activities and exhibits, and houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame honoring the game's greatest figures.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures houses the world's largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the nation's most extensive displays of antique toys, offering an immersive exploration of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and the history of play.

A newcomer to the KC museum scene, the Museum of BBQ is the world’s first museum dedicated to the cuisine, and explores the rich history of ‘que, how it’s made, and the regions that define it.

An immersive exploration of the 33rd U.S. president's life and legacy through interactive exhibits, a replica Oval Office, and Truman's working office, all housed within a facility that also serves as the final resting place for Truman and his family.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum showcases an extraordinary collection of pre-Civil War artifacts recovered from the 1856 sinking of the steamboat Arabia, offering visitors a unique glimpse into 19th-century frontier life through meticulously preserved cargo.