The View from the Top of Kansas City's City Hall
Kansas City City Hall Observation Deck
I love taking friends and family on tours of my hometown. Recently, I took a group on a tour via the KC Streetcar and we included a visit to the City Hall Observation Deck on our tour.
Kansas City's City Hall is just four blocks East of the Metro Center stop on the streetcar. Visitors are welcome to visit the City Hall Observation Deck (a rooftop view of the 29-story building) for free, any time Mon, Tues, Fri from 8 am-4 pm. Reservations are required BEFORE your visit. Make reservations to visit the Observation Deck here.
Tip: Enjoy our Streetcar Scavenger Hunt on your visit.
City Hall, 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO
On our recent visit, we had a special Spring Break Surprise! Mayor Quinton Lucas was conducting an interview on the deck and once it was complete, he saw us taking photos and offered to take a photo together and invited us to his office where he chatted with the kids and answered their questions about becoming mayor, his favorite parts of the job (meeting people like Shaquille O'Neil and Patrick Mahomes, and of course families with kids), and some of the issues he's addressing (potholes - always potholes - safety, and new development).
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
How to:
Simply visit City Hall (you'll go through metal detectors and adults need a picture ID). You'll tell the officers at the entrance that you are there for the Observation Deck and they'll lead you to the guide who will take you to the top. You should have a copy of your email reservation available on your smartphone. Make reservations to visit the Observation Deck here.
The guide will go over a few rules (no throwing things over the top, no spitting, common courtesy, and safety) and escort you (via stairs) to the deck. Visitors are free to take photos and enjoy the view.
The View:
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
We took a few fun photos of our group as well...
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KCMO City Hall Observation Deck photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
This is one of our favorite ways to experience a bird's eye view of the city and best of all, it's free!
Tip: For 2 more fun rooftop views... take the kids to the Rooftop Park on the top level of the Cosentino's (10 E 13th St, Kansas City, MO - between Metro Center and Power & Light stops on the Streetcar) parking garage in the Power & Light District, and the rooftop of the Central Library (14 West 10th St, Kansas City, MO - Library stop on the streetcar) where you can play a giant game of chess.