Kansas City offers a wide range of activities and entertainment for people of all ages—from museums to sports, shopping to dining, and nightlife. However, the city remains an underrated travel destination, especially in the summer.
If you’re looking to visit a centrally-located hidden tourism gem, you can’t go wrong with Kansas City. Put on your comfy shoes and get ready for some heart-thumping activities in this versatile city. Family fun or solo adventure, here is a guide to help you pick out the most fun end-of-summer activities to do in Kansas City.
City Market
Also referred to as the River Market, City Market has been a landmark in Kansas City since 1857. It has seen plenty of history and is always packed with people—for a good reason. The market is the ultimate place to experience fresh local produce from nearby farms, hipster goods, cafés and restaurants, and shops selling home accessories, flowers, gift items, and exquisite cuts of meats.
If you are staying in Kansas City for any length of time during the summer, a visit to the City Market is a must. The place hosts an extensive list of events in the summer ranging from live music to festivals. On weekends, there is also a famous farmer’s market. So, even if you want to top off your food supply for an extended stay in town at one of the hotels in Lenexa, KS, it’s well worth visiting.
Sports Tours
Kansas City is home to the defending Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the recent World Series-winning Kansas City Royals. If you are a sports fan, visiting the Kauffman Stadium should be high on your activities list.
Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals are beloved by their Kansas City fans and make their home at Kauffman Stadium. After the stadium’s renovation in 2009, the Royals witnessed a resurgence; the team made a trip to the World Series in 2014 and brought home the World Series win in 2015.
Currently, Kauffman Stadium offers ballpark tours during the offseason and on select Saturdays with prices ranging from $17 to $55. They also offer discounts for children.
Kansas City Fountain Tour
From petite spouting sculptures in picturesque residential neighborhoods to grand cascading centerpieces, fountains contribute a lot to KC’s reputation as the City of Fountains. So, if you plan a trip to Kansas City, it goes without saying that you must take a trip to all of the city’s breathtaking fountains.
The first fountains in the city date back to the late 1800s. Then they served a practical purpose—quenching the thirst of horses, dogs, and birds that passed through the city. Later, the city began building drinking fountains, each with distinctive themes, architectural styles, and features.
Currently, more than 200 fountains spread across the metro, large and small areas of Kansas City. Some of the most noteworthy fountains include J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain, Firefighter Fountain and Memorial, and Crown Center Square Fountain.
Lose Yourself in Loose Park
Set on 75 acres of land, Jacob L. Loose Park is one of Kansas City’s most famous historical outdoor attractions. Primarily the park is known for being a significant site for the Battle of Westport that involved 29,000 people. Besides, the Loose Park features the famous Rose Garden and Loose Park Garden Center, making the place a must-visit for nature lovers.
The Rose Garden began in 1931 with 120 rose plants. Today it contains about 4,000 roses of nearly 168 varieties. On the other hand, the Loose Park Garden Center was built in 1957 to hold meetings and horticulture exhibitions. It also has a horticultural library that opens Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Furthermore, there’s a Japanese tea room where they hold Japanese tea ceremonies.
Shoal Creek Living History Museum
The Shoal Creek Living History Museum documents real Missouri history. This 19th-century living history museum covers more than 80 acres of stunning rolling hills in Kansas City North’s Hodge Park. It works to bring the 19th century Missouri to life through tours, special events, programs, and reenactments.
The wooded walking trails, the Civil War-era buildings, and pioneer village re-creation site welcome visitors year-round. The facility stays open from dawn to dusk, free of charge for self-guided walking tours.
Enjoy the Authenticity of Kansas City
The progressive side of Kansas City is a joy for every art and music lover, history buff, and sports hobbyist. The imagery and the historical and cultural diversity that the city put forward is a different kind of experience that will make your trip memorable and worth your time and effort. Enjoy this summer doing the best activities in Kansas.