Kansas City from A-Z

Explore off-the-beaten-path attractions and local favorites for a uniquely KC experience.

Axe throwing is the super fun way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends. Blade & Timber offers two locations for open play.

Baseball is a summer tradition best enjoyed with friends. The Kansas City T-Bones offer affordable tickets and great entertainment, including fireworks on Saturdays in the summer.

Carousels were once made in Kansas, and now you can visit the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum.  Learn about C.W. Parker, the founder of a carousel factory in Leavenworth, and ride an authentic 1913 carousel.

Wheat Photography/Jenny Wheat

Design your own custom donut at Donutology in Westport. Mix and match flavors and toppings in this custom “donut laboratory.”

Eat the ultimate Kansas City concoction at Betty Rae’s, an ice creamery offering an original frozen confection incorporating famous Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que into one of its many amazing made-from-scratch ice cream flavors.

Farmers Markets are a spring and summer tradition in Kansas City with more than 100 markets to choose from for purchasing local homegrown and homemade goods. Read our Guide to KC's Farmers Markets.

Give the gift of a locally made souvenir. Purchase everything from clothing to jewelry to handcrafted items at a SouveNEAR machine at the airport. Or head to Made in KC (MadeinKC.com for locations), where all the products are locally made.

Hike at the Parkville Nature Sanctuary, where you’ll encounter waterfalls, wildlife and beautiful views. You’ll find several trails to explore, including semi-challenging courses and the ADA-accessible Bluebird Trail for all visitors.

Ice Skating isn’t just a winter sport. Lace up your ice skates and enjoy at Centerpoint Community Ice, KC Ice Center or Line Creek Arena, some of the city’s year-round indoor ice skating rinks.

Jazz is the music of the city. Visit the American Jazz Museum, listen to live performances at the Blue Room, the Gem Theatre, or a local club like Green Lady Lounge and experience the city’s music firsthand.

Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains, boasting more fonts than any city other than Rome. Be sure to check out some of the more than 200 fountains officially recognized by the City of Fountains Foundation.

Learn something new at a cooking class at Lenexa Public Market. The community space is home to local artisans, restaurants and class spaces where you can learn new culinary skills taught by local chefs.

Made-from-scratch European sweet bread is the specialty at Strawberry Hill Povitica. Visit this long-running Kansas City-based Slavic bakeshop with an open kitchen.

Nose-to-nose views are in sight of historical U.S. aircraft, including the first Lockheed Constellation ever restored, a Martin 404, a DC-3 and a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, at the Airline History Museum.

Optical illusions are larger than life at the Museum of Illusions in Union Station. Your senses will be challenged at this tricky attraction.

Play at the Johnson County Museum, where the interactive KidScape exhibit, a child-size village, fosters creative play.

Quench your thirst where coffee is an art form. At the Roasterie, take a 45-minute tour and learn all about their cupping, roasting and blending processes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the factory and experience a manual coffee brewing demonstration. Make your tour reservation at www.theroasterie.com/about/tours.

Ride a bike or scooter, available for rent, throughout Downtown and Midtown Kansas City. Enjoy fresh air views of the city’s sites and attractions.

Savor McGonigle's ribs. Since 1951, the market has been selling some of the tastiest meats in the city. The smoker entices customers in the summer with the promise of juicy ribs and barbecue.

Trains deliver food straight to your table at Fritz’s restaurant (Crown Center and Shawnee locations), a local icon since 1954.

Urban tours of the city are offered through Kansas City Segway Tours and KC Fun Tours. You’ll learn the city’s history and see some of the most popular attractions.

View the city skyline from the River Observation Tower (at the end of Main Street) as you gaze out over the vast Missouri River.

Watch as greeting cards and wrapping paper are made at the Hallmark Visitor’s Center, then participate in hands-on fun as you make a souvenir gift bow with the push of a button.

eXit the ultimate family-friendly escape room at Tick Tock Escapes, where the Pyramid Paradox and Bailey’s Billions are two of our favorite escape rooms. You can even race another team to see who escapes first.

Yell and cheer for Sporting KC, KC Mavericks, Royals and Chiefs as a fan of our city’s sports teams.

Zoo visits are especially memorable overnight when you enjoy a family slumber party in the penguin, polar bear, stingray or African exhibits of the Kansas City Zoo.