Most people associate Kansas City with the Wizard of Oz, delicious barbeque, and jazz. Although those items are in the city (with the exception of Toto and Dorothy), there are a ton of other things to do and see.
If you design your schedule to include the city’s rich history, historical sites and activities, family-friendly attractions, and world-famous food, you can enjoy Kansas City in its entirety in only three days.
Keep reading below to learn how you can have the most fun in just 3 days!
The Best 3-Day Kansas Itinerary
The sheer number of sights and interesting locations in Kansas City could surprise you. The fact that you can see the majority of these sights in only three days may surprise you even more. As a matter of fact, three days are more than enough time to see the city’s major museums, enjoy some jazz, and do other enjoyable activities.
For more information on the best 3-day itinerary for Kansas, watch this video below:
3-Day Itinerary in Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas
Itinerary for Kansas City: Day 1
Take advantage of your first morning in Kansas City by taking in some art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The enormous museum has items from Africa, Europe, and Native America. The Chinese collections have a magnificent temple wall, a lovely courtyard café, and the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Garden, which has the famous big shuttlecock.
The museum has a sizable underground parking lot that visitors may use to store their rental vehicle or take the bus from downtown to reach it.
Ponak’s Mexican Kitchen and Bar is the perfect spot to get lunch after having spent the morning wandering around vibrant sculptures and works of art. It serves delectable, award-winning food and was also acknowledged by The Pitch for offering Kansas City’s Best Margarita in 2020.
The margaritas are incredible. While chowing down on tacos, enchiladas, and tamales, guests can purchase a full pitcher of beer for the table.
After you’ve had your fill of delicious cuisine, it’s time to walk off your meal by exploring Penn Valley Park. This 176-acre highland park is one of the greatest locations to explore in Kansas City to relax away from the bustle and offers breathtaking views of the downtown cityscape.
Stop by the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the one and only public museum in the USA devoted solely to World War I, after strolling through the park. It includes a variety of artillery, weaponry, pictures, and other things. There are also immersive stations where visitors can learn how a Lewis machine gun operates, create their personal patriotic war posters, and observe how various camouflages behave in various environments.
It’s now time to get dressed up and travel to the Power and Lights District for the evening after having spent the afternoon at the museum. Clubs and entertaining activities are abundant in the region.
KC Live is a two-story building filled with bars and eateries that turns its common courtyard into an outdoor arena for events all year long, including summer concerts.
If a concert isn’t happening while you’re there, you may watch a college basketball game at the T-Mobile Center, go out to many cocktail bars, or practice your axe throwing at Blade and Timber. There are many places to eat and have fun in this neighborhood while you’re in Kansas City for your trip.
Itinerary for Kansas City: Day 2
Get a hearty breakfast since this Kansas City travel itinerary’s second day is jam-packed with exciting activities! Go to West 47th Street in the morning; many well-known brands and specialty stores exist.
The commercial district is situated on Brush Creek, less than 30 minutes by bus or a 10-minute drive from downtown Kansas City. Grab a bite to eat at one of the numerous eateries in the area, which include national brands like The Cheesecake Factory and regional favorites.
After a day of shopping, it’s time to visit Boulevard Brewery for a tour and tasting, one of the top things to do in Kansas City. Tickets should be purchased in advance since the trips are very popular. As part of the trip, you’ll visit tasting rooms where you can sample regional specialties and observe the brewing and packaging processes.
The views from the upper tasting terrace, where visitors can take some fantastic photos in front of the Boulevard brick tower and take in the Downtown Kansas City skyline, are arguably the highlight of the trip.
Following the tour, walk through the gift store to the Rec Deck, where you may play shuffleboard or foosball while sipping more of the brewery’s renowned brews. There is a beer hall that allows you to sit and relax afterward with a nice pint and some refreshments.
Go to the Percheron Rooftop Bar, which is on top of the Crossroads Hotel, to keep playing games and enjoying the view. This rooftop pub features an elegant yet laid-back atmosphere with unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline. Enjoy a beverage and some food, or play a game of cornhole to see who can win.
Dinner will be served at Jack Stacks, one of the top sit-down barbecue restaurants in the area, where you can enjoy some authentic Kansas City BBQ. There are a few spots dotted about the city, two of which are downtown.
But, you’ll need to travel to the original Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, which is housed in a petrol station close to the Westwood district, if you want to eat the greatest barbecue in the entire city. The greatest brisket pulled pork and ribs you’ve ever had can be found at this gas station, which may initially seem strange. However, trust us when we say this is where you can get the best BBQ you’ve ever eaten.
Itinerary for Kansas City: Day 3
On your last day in Kansas, have breakfast at the Happy Gillis, which is officially known to make the best biscuits and gravy you’ll ever eat.
In the evening, you can head out to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. It focuses on the history of black Americans in the famous sport of baseball, spanning players in the 1920s segregated leagues until Jackie Robinson’s 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
After the trip to the museum, head to The Blue Room, where guests of all ages are welcome to come and listen to great American jazz after having had their share of the full Kansas City experience. The facility, which is connected to the American Jazz Museum, presents performances and open jam sessions every week for four days.
Conclusion
With this plan, you may experience live entertainment, museums, nightlife, and more in only three days. Just keep in mind that tapping your shoes won’t actually get you to Kansas; you’ll need to find another form of transportation to get there!