If you’re looking for ideas to explore Kansas City, you’re in the right place! I have the perfect weekend guide that will help you explore Kansas City, both on Kansas and Missouri sides, on a budget.
Last year, I visited the two midwestern gems of the USA, Kansas and Missouri on a 2-day trip and experienced everything this city had to offer; from fountains to jazz to its unique barbecue. In this blog post, I will share a 2-day itinerary that will help you explore the city to its fullest without breaking the bank. Here are a few things that I will cover in this article:
- Cheapest flight from Seattle (and other major west coast cities)
- Best budget hotels you can stay in Kansas City
- Perfect itinerary to spend two days in the city covering the top spots
- Where to eat the best barbecued meat
- Fun activities in the city you can’t miss
If you want to explore more hidden gems of the Midwest USA, check out my other blog posts like Lamoni Day Trip from Kansas City, Bentonville Itinerary and Weekend Trip Guide to Oklahoma City. You can also watch my videos exploring Midwestest states on YouTube.
About out Kansas City Trip
If you’re wondering whether this trip was an accident? It was not! I was deciding between St. Louis primarily to see the Gateway Arch National Park and Kansas City, and surely this one looked more promising!
Kansas City is located on the border of Kansas and Missouri, and unlike the name, all the fun stuff is actually on the Missouri side. However, we did end up finding some cool things to do in Kansas side that you can include on your trip, which will make it even more worthwhile. You can also watch my Kansas City video to get a peek at the city’s architecture, top sights with stunning views, and food.
Reaching Kansas City
If you live in neighboring states like Nebraska, Iowa, and even West Arkansas or Oklahoma, driving is the most convenient option, since you’ll need a car anyway. But, if you live on either of the coasts or anywhere far, the good thing is that Kansas City is connected to major cities by plane.
We were so happy to find a direct flight to Kansas City from Seattle that wasn’t too expensive and had decent flying hours and departure time. It is genuinely a pain to find direct flights to midwestern cities from Seattle.
Pro Tip: The best way to optimize your weekend trip would be to either take the evening flight on a Friday or the morning flight on a Saturday and return to base on Monday morning. You’ll save time, money, and get more time to explore the city. The cost will be around ✈️ $210 per person, round trip. I don’t recommend using your points as it won’t be of great value for this flight. Although if you have Alaska points in abundance, you can get the ticket for 19K-21K points.
Kansas City 2-Day Itinerary
Kansas City is one of the biggest cities in both Kansas and Missouri and offers a plethora of things to do. You would need at least 1.5 days to explore the city, especially if you’re planning to visit the World War I Museum, that I highly recommend if you like reading about war history.
In this section, I’ll give you the exact itinerary for the trip that you can use straightaway. It covers everything that makes this city unique and important from a cultural perspective.
Day 1: Reaching Kansas City and Exploring Downtown
Start your journey from your base city and reach Kansas City by 2 or 3 PM. If you’re traveling during summer, you’ll get longer daylight to explore. Once you’ve kept your luggage, head out to explore the downtown area.
Union Station Kansas City
The historic Union Station is one of the city’s most popular landmarks, offering a glimpse into the stunning architecture of this 110+ year-old train station while also serving as a lively hub of entertainment.
Make this your first stop in the city to admire the building, grab a coffee at Parisi Café, or some light lunch at Harvey’s restaurant. If you are traveling with kids, you can explore nearby attractions like the Model Rail Experience and Science City. For a more playful outing with friends, the Museum of Illusions is another great option.
This was our first stop in the city, and we thoroughly enjoyed taking in the intricate details of the roof and reading the boards that share fascinating insights into the station’s history. The fountain in front of the building also makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Tip: It will be hard to find a street parking, so I recommend parking at the Union Station Parking Garage that will cost $7 for up to 4 hours.
Kaw Point Park
Next, head to Kaw Point Park on the Kansas side of the city, where you can witness the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers along with sweeping views of the city’s skyline. It’s a lovely spot for a leisurely stroll and to watch locals fishing by the river.
This park is especially great for photography, with a full skyline as a stunning backdrop. Alternatively, visit at sunrise to catch the sun rising behind the skyline, I’m sure the view would be absolutely spectacular.
Tip: The road to the park can be a bit tricky to navigate, so watch closely for the turn at Fairfax Trafficway near the Loomis factory. The access road runs through an industrial area and leads to a small parking lot near the park.
KC Wheel
The KC Wheel was easily one of my favorite spots in the city and is conveniently located close to Union Station. I highly recommend visiting just before sunset so you can soak in the golden-hour views during the ride. The wheel moves at a relaxed pace, giving you plenty of time to take in panoramic views of the city, Union Station, Penn Valley Park, and beyond.
Beyond the ride itself, there’s plenty to do here, play a round of mini golf, explore the museum, snap photos at the many photo ops, and grab quick bites from the food stalls. We stayed well past sunset, which meant we got to enjoy both daytime and nighttime views. You can catch the full sunset timelapse in my YouTube video (timestamp:).
⏰ Hours: Mon – Thu (5-9 PM) | Fri – Sun (12-10 PM)
🎟️ Tower Ticket: $17.50
Dinner at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
Trying barbecue is an absolute must in Kansas City! You might wonder what makes it so special. First, there’s the city’s meat-inclusive approach, offering a wide variety of options so everyone can enjoy their protein of choice, not just beef. Then there’s the signature flavor, thanks to the rich tomato-and-molasses-based sauce and the legendary burnt ends that Kansas City is famous for.
There are several Jack Stack Barbecue locations across the city, so you can choose whichever fits your itinerary best. Since this was our final stop of the day and we were staying in Overland Park, we decided to dine at the Jack Stack Barbecue location there.
We ordered their classic burnt ends and the second-most popular dish, barbecued turkey, which was surprisingly tender. On the side, we had hickory beans and coleslaw, and both were absolutely mind-blowing. Honestly, you’ll understand exactly what I mean the moment you taste it! For dessert, our server insisted we try their homemade carrot cake, and I’m so glad we listened; the best way to end the day!
Jack Stack Barbecue is one of the most popular barbecue spots in the city, and I can confidently say the hype is real.
Day 2: Visiting World War I Museum & Overland Park
Start your second day early, as the two spots I recommend involve a lot of walking and plenty of exhibits to explore. I suggest booking a hotel with a complimentary breakfast; it’ll save you time and keep you energized for the day ahead. You can read about our stay at the Radisson Hotel Lenexa Overland Park in the stay section.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum is one of the top museums in the USA, narrating powerful stories of the Great War and its profound impact on the global community. The museum is expansive, featuring multiple exhibit halls along with an observation deck at the Liberty Memorial Tower.
It reminded me of the WWII Museum we visited in New Orleans, though this one is much smaller and can comfortably be explored in half a day. If you’re short on time or primarily interested in the views, you can purchase a separate ticket just for the observation tower and enjoy sweeping aerial views of the city from the top.
⏰ Hours: Wed – Mon (10 AM – 5 PM) | Tue closed (open during summer months)
🎟️ Tower Ticket: $6 (FREE for Children under 6) | General Admission: $19.50 ($22.50 if you bundle with tower)
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
If you love a mix of art and nature, I highly recommend visiting the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, located just 30 minutes south of downtown Kansas City. This 300-acre green space features pristine botanical gardens, natural habitats, and excellent educational resources.
It’s easily one of my favorite botanical gardens in the country. I spotted an incredible variety of butterflies as soon as I walked in, and this wasn’t even the main butterfly garden area! Along the way, I also saw plenty of birds and frogs, and the lakeside views were absolutely stunning.
We visited during the day, but I can only imagine how magical it must feel to stroll here at sunset, with all the chirping sounds and golden-hour views. I recommend grabbing a light lunch at the cafeteria, as you’ll definitely need the energy to explore the trails. Another favorite exhibit was the train garden, which was so much fun to watch. This place is perfect for both kids and adults, and it’s a wonderful way to learn about the native plants and species of the Midwest.
⏰ Hours: Sept – Mar (Mon-Sun | 9 AM – 5 PM) & Apr – Aug (Fri-Mon & Wed | 9 AM – 5 PM) Tue & Thu (9 AM – 8 PM)
🎟️ Ticket: $7 for adults (18+) and $3 for youth (ages 6-17). Children 5 and under are free
Dinner at Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque
When in Kansas City, I insist on making the most of the legendary barbecue scene, so naturally, my dinner recommendation had to be, you guessed it, a barbecue joint. Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, located close to Union Station, is a true local favorite.
Arthur Bryant was a legendary pitmaster known for his unique sauce, which famously attracted former U.S. Presidents like Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama. Unlike Jack Stack Barbecue, this spot has more no-frills, classic diner-style setup, but don’t let that fool you. The food will absolutely blow your mind. They offer three types of sauces: Classic (vinegar-based), Rich & Spicy, and Sweet Heat (mild heat with a sweeter profile), all of which elevate the overall experience.
Best Stay option in Kansas City
Hotels in Kansas City were expensive, so to save your money you can stay either in Overland Park like we did or near the Plaza Area neighborhood. The connectivity is good, so you won’t have to drive too much to reach the main city area.
Radisson Hotel Lenexa Overland Park
We stayed at the Radisson Hotel in Lenexa Overland Park, which was about an 18-minute drive from both Union Station and the Arboretum. The hotel was spacious, with a large central courtyard and a big pool right in the middle. This was our first time staying at a Radisson, and we were pleasantly surprised by the comfort and quality.
Our room was spacious with minimal décor, yet it felt cozy and inviting. The bed was comfortable, and we even had a small balcony overlooking the lobby. The bathroom was large and well-equipped, making the stay feel both convenient and relaxing. Overall, it felt like an upscale motel experience, which we genuinely enjoyed.
The hotel also offered a complimentary buffet breakfast, and I was impressed by the variety. Everything tasted great, and for once, even the coffee was decent! I noticed that many of our hotel stays across the Midwest offered surprisingly good food and coffee, much better than what we often find in more popular cities. Maybe it’s the blessing of being in a farm country? 😊
Bonus activities in Kansas City
Kansas City is one of the top sports cities in the USA, home to some of the country’s strongest teams. You won’t find a single Jayhawker who doesn’t love talking about sports! I remember overhearing conversations while walking around or dining out, and almost all of them revolved around games, teams, and match stats. Now that I’ve successfully stereotyped the city 🤣, let me move on to my recommendation.
If your itinerary allows, try to catch a Kansas City Current or a Chiefs game. On game days, the entire city comes alive, and the traffic jams at certain spots are a dead giveaway that something big is happening.
You can watch a Kansas City Current match at CPKC Stadium, the home ground of the women’s soccer team, or attend a Chiefs game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for an unforgettable football experience.
Overall, Kansas City truly surprised me, and I can’t express how much I enjoyed my time here, from watching the sunset from the KC Wheel and admiring the skyline from various viewpoints to indulging in the city’s legendary barbecue. It’s a hidden gem in the Midwest, and I highly recommend adding it to your travel list. If you’re looking for more things to do around Kansas City, don’t forget to check out my other Midwest USA articles.
