10 Free Things To Do in Kansas City
I live in the Kansas City area, and I love the Midwest! If you’re coming through, here are some great, free things to check out in Kansas City.
1. Kaleidoscope
2. Crown Center Fountain
3. Deanna Rose Farmstead
The kids love Deanna Rose Farmstead. The 12-acre park has farm animals, beautiful gardens, apple orchards, a country schoolhouse, fishing pond, horse drawn wagon rides and pony rides and much more. There are parks within the farm too, just in case you need a play break. Admission to the farm is free, but riding the animals will cost extra.
4. Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
I have yet to take my kids to the Nelson-Atkins, but it’s on my to-do list, and I want to use their Shuttlecocks as a backdrop for my next family pictures. Those young and old love to play on the lawn among the Shuttlecocks and the huge sculpture garden at the Nelson-Atkins. Head inside to enjoy a blast of cool air and explore the miles of galleries, collections and exhibits. Closed on Mondays, and admission is always free.
5. Friday Nite Flicks at Crown Center
6. Train Ride
I discovered this when we went for a birthday party, and while it is not free it only costs .75 cents to ride. The restored miniature train take you along a half mile track and operate from the 1st weekend in May until the last weekend in September from 10am-6pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 12-6pm.
7. Lakeside Nature Center
8. Harley Davidson Tour
Update: The Kansas City Harley plant is closed in the summer of 2019.
9. Boulevard Brewing Company
10. Penguin Park
If you’re looking for a fun park for the kids to play, Penguin Park is the best. It’s been entertaining kids since 1957! This fun and playful park has everything from a 26-foot kangaroo slide to a 23-foot penguin to play inside. Lakewood Greenway Trail is 1.88-mile and runs through the park.
Comments & Reviews
Unfortunately, Amanda is correct. The Crown Center fountain is now roped off to disallow playing in the water. There were too many incidents of unsanitary things happening that it just wasn’t safe anymore. It’s a case of a few rotten apples spoiling the fun. You can still have an excellent day in the Crown Center area (Hallmark Visitor’s Center, Kaleidoscope, Ice Skating (Winter months), Chips Chocolate Factory, Fritz’, Walk the catwalk to Union Station/Science City, and the “don’t miss” coffee at Parisi).
Just a heads up, Crown Center no longer allows playing in the fountains. Very unfortunate since I have such fond memories playing in those fountains.
This is a great list! My extended family is in KC and I visited during the summers as a kid. I remember lots of these places, but a few are new to me. Will check them out when I take my own family up to visit this summer!
Thanks, Mary! Glad you like the list 🙂
Wonderful to see this area of the world! Thanks so much for sharing!
Awesome post! Love seeing what it's like there in Mo! Thanks for sharing.
We went to KC last summer and my kids loved that farm. I enjoyed the crown center and union station too.
Mandy,
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I lived in Liberty, MO for two years. It's fun to remember what a great place it is.