• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-781340380340
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/great-plains/kansas-city",
  "destination": "Kansas-City",
  "title": "kansas-city",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Kansas-City",
  "region": "Missouri",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Kansas City

Missouri

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Aerial view of Kansas City skyline at dusk, viewed from Penn Valley Park. Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri. 1494968398

Overview

With its fiery barbecues (100-plus joints smoke it up), bubbling fountains (more than 200; on par with Rome) and blaring jazz, Kansas City is one of America's most appealing cities. It's certainly a don't-miss Great Plains highlight with world-class museums and quirky art-filled neighborhoods that jostle for your attention. You can easily run aground for several days as you tune into the local vibe.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Kansas City? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

highlights

  1. 1Unwinding Scandinavian-style with saunas and cold plunges at a beloved Nordic spa
  2. 2Visiting a local oyster farm to taste fresh shellfish straight from the source
  3. 3Sailing Penobscot Bay as the sun sets on Camden Harbor
from $3,795

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-432692822061
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/great-plains/kansas-city",
  "destination": "Kansas-City",
  "title": "kansas-city",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Kansas-City",
  "region": "Missouri",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Kansas City is a top city break destination in the US. Here are the best things to do while you're there.

Read full article

5 Shops

Anyone from Kansas City brims with pride for their hometown. If you visit delightful independent shops, you’ll understand why.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-695330867893
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/great-plains/kansas-city",
  "destination": "Kansas-City",
  "title": "kansas-city",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Kansas-City",
  "region": "Missouri",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Kansas City

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-609852224986
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/great-plains/kansas-city",
  "destination": "Kansas-City",
  "title": "kansas-city",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Kansas-City",
  "region": "Missouri",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}