In February 2025, Halley Zitterkopf, Digital Engagement Manager for KC Parent updated this article to include the latest updates from the KC Zoo and Aquarium.
Alligator at the Kansas City Zoo
Swope Park in Kansas City, larger than New York's Central Park, offers a variety of attractions, including the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. In September 2023, the Zoo expanded with the Sobela Ocean Aquarium, a 650,000-gallon facility housing nearly 8,000 aquatic animals across 34 habitats, providing an immersive oceanic experience in the Midwest.
In November 2024, the Zoo announced plans for a new giraffe habitat, expected to open in May 2026. This $30 million project aims to offer year-round viewing and interactive feeding opportunities, enhancing guest experiences and animal welfare.
Looking ahead, the Zoo plans to host a dinosaur exhibit during the summer of 2025, featuring life-size replicas of various dinosaur species, offering an educational and entertaining experience for visitors.
Existing attractions continue to delight visitors, including the camel feeding deck, Stingray Bay touch tank, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, and the Sumatran Tiger Exhibit. For transportation within the Zoo, guests can enjoy rides on the train, carousel, boat, tram, and Sky Safari, each offering unique perspectives of the animal exhibits.
Beyond the Zoo, Swope Park features the Lakeside Nature Center, a free facility showcasing local wildlife and natural history exhibits. For adventure enthusiasts, Go Ape KC offers a two- to three-hour obstacle course with rope bridges, zip lines, Tarzan swings, and net bridges, providing an exhilarating treetop experience.
The Country Club Plaza, boasting beautiful towers, sculptures, paintings and mosaics inspired by Seville, Spain, is one of the prettiest places in Kansas City and is home to many of the city’s most beautiful fountains. The holiday season is not complete without a visit to the Plaza to enjoy the Christmas lights. Nearby, visit the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. The museum houses a charming world of toys with interactive exhibits taking visitors on a stroll down memory lane. Also, take some time to visit the free Kauffman Memorial Gardens, where something is always in bloom.
Kansas City boasts many remarkable art galleries, with three of her finest open to the public for free! The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, one of the largest galleries in the United States, maintains a permanent collection representing art from throughout history and around the world. The Sculpture Garden on the lawn is a favorite place for outdoor photos and a walk through art history. For modern art enthusiasts, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art exhibits permanent and temporary collections with special events and workshops for families.
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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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Go Ape
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park in Swope Park offers guests much more than just a zipline canopy tour. Go Ape has three outdoor activities to choose from including the Treetop Adventure, Treetop Journey and Axe Throwing.
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Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Explore the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, with nearly 10,000 animals on 202 acres, it's the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages! Travel all over the world without ever leaving Kansas City.
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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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Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Kansas City's destination for modern and contemporary art since 1994, and the home of Café Sebastienne. Free admission (always), and free parking!
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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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National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
The Museum offers a rich and immersive experience, making it an ideal destination for multigenerational families, adults, and children alike. As you wander through the exhibits, you’ll be transported to different eras, each filled with unique charm.
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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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