Visiting Kansas City or planning a staycation on a budget? The city offers abundant opportunities to explore and enjoy—without breaking the bank!
Stop by one of the city’s many nature centers for a peaceful (and free) escape from reality. If you’re planning a nature-themed staycation, you won’t want to miss Ernie Miller Nature Park (Olathe), Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Center (Liberty), Parkville Nature Sanctuary (Parkville - waterfall pictured above), George Owens Nature Park (Independence), Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (Blue Springs) or Prairie Park Nature Center (Lawrence). You’ll also find the Overland Park Arboretum, with its 300-acre botanical garden, to be a beautiful and peaceful respite from the weariness of day-to-day life. Arboretum admission is $1-3.
Fans of history will have a blast exploring many historical sites! A few unique spots to visit for free include the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum (Leavenworth, $6 per carousel ride), Legler Barn Museum (Lenexa) and Oxford Schoolhouse (Leawood).
Want to enjoy the arts scene without spending a dime? Make your way around the metro on a fountain scavenger hunt—there are more than 200 to find in this “City of Fountains!” The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is free to visit (aside from parking), and the shuttlecocks and maze on the front lawn make this popular spot worthy of an Instagram post or two!
City Market Kansas City
Downtown, you can hop on the KC Streetcar for a free ride from the River Market to Union Station! There are 16 stops along the 2-mile streetcar route where you can disembark and explore the city. If your ride takes you to or from Union Station, plan to spend a little time exploring the beautiful structure that’s been part of KC since 1901. Admission to Union Station itself is free; the additional experiences offered inside will vary in price. The B&B Twin Drive-In movie theater (Independence) is bringing the magic of the movies back with vintage, socially-distanced style! The whole family can enjoy a movie night under the stars ($20/car).
If the kids are touring KC with you, check out the extensive list of parks and playgrounds throughout the metro. Penguin Park (Kansas City), with its giant animal figures, is a must-see for every kid. Meadowbrook Park (Prairie Village) features a treehouse-themed play area that kids love! McCoy Park (Independence) offers a Western town-themed inclusive playground. See if you can find the creek at Charles David Hartman Memorial Park (Lee’s Summit)! And, if the weather ruins your outdoor plans, check out Superkidz Club (Mission) or My Play Café (Lee’s Summit) for indoor play areas that are just for kids (prices vary). The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City is a great educational option ($12).
If you just need a quick break from reality, there are still plenty of free options! Go for a leisurely stroll around the Country Club Plaza, picnic on the lawn by the National World War I Museum and Memorial or take selfies with blooms at the Kauffman Memorial Gardens!
Where will your sense of adventure take you?
Julie McKinley is a single homeschooling mom, freelance writer and theater teacher. She lives with her two cats and two kids in Lee’s Summit.
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Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center
Explore the nature center, hiking trail, special programs and more.
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Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
One of the largest nature centers in the Metro, Burr Oak Woods features hands-on exhibits for children, an aquarium with Missouri fish, live animals and nature trails.
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C.W. Parker Carousel Museum
The museum tells the history of C.W. Parker who produced carousels in Leavenworth, KS. Visitors are able to ride a 1913 Parker Carousel.
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TriggerPhoto Getty Images/iStockphoto
City Market
Open daily and featuring an eclectic mix of dining, shopping, entertainment, and attractions in a unique open-air setting, the City Market offers visitors a variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, specialty groceries, flowers, and gift items.
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Country Club Plaza
41st and Wyandotte, Kansas City, MissouriIt was designed in 1922 as the nation's first suburban shopping district. Since then, it's open-air public art gallery has continuously added to its collection, with fountains, sculptures and murals.
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Ernie Miller Nature Center
The nature center features animals native to Kansas, hiking trails and educational programs.
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George Owens Nature Park
The park is open year round and provides 86 acres of beautiful forest, lakes, hiking trails and wildlife.
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TriggerPhoto Getty Images/iStockphoto
KC Streetcar
30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MissouriThe Kansas City Streetcar is free to ride as it travels the 2 miles through the heart of downtown.
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Kauffman Memorial Gardens
The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is a privately-owned garden that is run in cooperation with Powell Gardens. The garden is free and open to the public.
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Lakeside Nature Center
Enjoy an incredible place to enjoy learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish and invertebrates.
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Legler Barn Museum
The mission of the Legler Barn Museum Complex is to preserve, collect, exhibit, research, and educate the public about the history of Lenexa, Kansas from past to present.
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Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is a private nonprofit nature organization with a 100 acres Wildlife Sanctuary.
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McCoy Park - Independence
Ramps, adaptive swings, and smooth flooring ensure that this pioneer-themed playground is accessible to all.
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Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village affords 80 acres of green space and many new programming opportunities.
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My Play Cafe
Can you imagine an indoor playground & coffee shop designed just for parents & their active toddlers in mind?! Introducing MY Play Cafe! We are OPEN & Ready to Play in Lee’s Summit, MO!
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National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. Named one of the top 25 museums in the United Sta...
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is Kansas City’s favorite free attraction, as voted by readers of KC Parent Magazine! Discover masterpieces in the galleries, spend quality time together at a festival or drop in for a weekend art activity. Classes...
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Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Savor beautiful gardens including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.
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Oxford Schoolhouse
Oxford School is one of the oldest schools in the state of Kansas. The Oxford School opened in 1877 and continued to operate as a school until 1955. From the 1960s into the mid-90s it was used as a house of worship.
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Parkville Nature Sanctuary
The Parkville Nature Sanctuary is 115 acres of natural forest land right here in Parkville. Come enjoy the beautiful outdoors! No dogs or other pets are allowed in the sanctuary. Open from sunrise to sunset every day.
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