Kansas City isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From crave-worthy dessert spots and immersive art experiences to major global events and long-awaited community projects, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for families and fun across the metro.
Whether you’re looking for new places to explore with kids, fresh date-night ideas, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences coming right to our backyard, these new and noteworthy openings give you plenty to add to your KC bucket list.
Sugar Llamas Dessert Shop
Sugar Llamas dessert shop, an Oklahoma-based dessert and coffee cafe, is set to open soon in Overland Park. The shop is known for its custom, personalized mini donuts featuring fun and unique flavors like banana split, cinnamon roll, cotton candy and strawberry shortcake. Their house favorites are cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, cocoa powdered sugar and plain Jane. Sugar Llamas also serves ice cream, sausage rolls and a variety of coffee and other specialty drinks. For a unique treat, try The Summit (two scoops of ice cream towered with six mini donuts) or The Llama Splash (two scoops of ice cream smashed between a hot bundt cake). Visit SugarLlamas.com for a full menu of their specialty treats.
Michael’s WonderWorld
Michael’s WonderWorld, a fully accessible sports-themed amusement park, is set to break ground in Olathe this year. The amusement park will feature more than 20 highly accessible rides and attractions including the first wheelchair-accessible pendulum ride of its kind. Michael’s WonderWorld will also include a 4D theater offering an immersive experience for all. The new amusement park is aimed to create an experience that all ages and abilities can enjoy. For more information, visit MichaelsWonderWorld.com.
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games opened earlier this winter in Overland Park. The 95,000-square-foot facility features high-speed electric Superkarts on a multi-level track, virtual reality experiences, racing simulators, a two-story laser tag arena, duckpin bowling and a 7D Xperience Motion Theater. Andretti also offers a full restaurant featuring a diverse menu including burgers, tacos, flatbreads and salads. Plus, there is a full-service bar that offers specialty cocktails, mocktails and craft beers. Andretti is not only a fun place to take the family for entertainment — it’s also a thrilling experience for corporate events. They offer a 8,000-square-foot event space with in-house catering services for your next party or event. To purchase your tickets, visit AndrettiKarting.com.
Atlas 9
Atlas 9, Kansas City’s new immersive art experience, is now open. The over-45,000-square-foot building is set inside a fictitious ’90s movie theater where scenes from forgotten films have come to life. Visitors can explore dynamic installations, live performances and interactive technologies to solve a mystery. Three different narratives are available, which means every visit will provide a new and unique experience. Tech wearables are used to let guests interact with the environment around them. Atlas 9 also offers a 240-seat theater, concession stand, full pizza parlor and hidden speakeasy. This is a one-of-a-kind experience for families and friends to enjoy. Tickets are $25-$35 for Wyandotte County residents and $30-$40 for non-residents. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Atlas9.com
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage is now open at Union Station through April. Encounter over 200 artifacts, including first-class fine china and one of only seven remaining deck chairs. Explore life-size room recreations including the grand staircase and multiple cabins, as well as 3D visuals and immersive video. With an additional ticket, you can also take a virtual reality submersible dive to 2.5 miles below sea level to experience the Titanic wreckage site up close. There are also over 10 photo opportunities, including the wheel of the ship, the bow of the ship and the grand staircase. This experience is recommended for ages 5 and up and is fully accessible. For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit UnionStation.org.
The Rock Island Bridge
The Rock Island Bridge in Kansas City, Mo., is now scheduled to open in 2026. The historic bridge is being transformed into America’s first destination landmark bridge. The historic 1905 railroad bridge will be repurposed into a unique entertainment district complete with restaurants, live music, venues, coffee shops and bars, all elevated 60 feet above the Kansas River. Visit RockIslandKC.com to plan your visit this year.
Janssen’s House Coffee
Janssen’s House Coffee is coming soon to Westport. Janssen’s will be the first coffee shop in Kansas City (and the entire Midwest) to grow their own coffee beans. The shop is owned by a married couple who also owns a coffee farm in the Andes Mountains in Hula, Colombia. They grow high-quality arabica coffee that goes from their farm directly to your cup. To give the coffee a try before the shop opens, check out JanssenCoffee.com and order a roast to be shipped directly to your home.
FIFA World Cup 26
Kansas City is one of just 16 North American cities to host the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. Around 650,000 people are expected to visit Kansas City over the two weeks to watch six soccer matches at Arrowhead Stadium. If you don’t score tickets to a match, mark your calendar for the FIFA Fan Festival, located at the National WWI Museum. The festival will offer global foods and beverages, live entertainment and other unforgettable experiences, including the KC Heart Gateway. For a full match schedule or more information, visit KansasCityFWC26.com.
Greenline Initiative
The east leg of the Greenline Initiative in Kansas City is set to begin construction in May 2026 and be completed in November 2026. The Greenline Initiative is an off-street, shared-use path for walking and cycling. The east leg path is located on the east side of Paseo Boulevard from Admiral Boulevard to 18th Street. The east leg is just a portion of the Greenline trail system which aims to create a 10-mile urban loop around Downtown Kansas City, connecting neighborhoods, showcasing art and encouraging discovery. For more details, visit GreenlineKC.com.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium Giraffe Habitat
The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium will be opening a new giraffe habitat in May 2026. The new habitat will allow guests the opportunity to see the giraffes every day, no matter the weather. Guests will also have the opportunity to feed the giraffes by hand at feeding stations. Visitors will enjoy updated amenities, including ADA-accessible restrooms, a mothers room and a new concessions area. Visit KansasCityZoo.org for more information.