Winter in Kansas City can be just as fun as the other seasons if you know where to look. Keep in mind this list of activities when everyone needs to get out of the house and enjoy all our great city has to offer during the winter season.
25+ KC Spots to Embrace Winter in Kansas City
Embrace the Cold with Outdoor Activities
Go ice skating. Some rinks to consider are Crown Center Ice Terrace, Ice at Park Place, the Rink at Zona Rosa, or the seasonal popup skating at Chicken N Pickle.
Visit the penguins and polar bear at the Kansas City Zoo. Catch GloWild before it leaves on December 29. A wintertime zoo visit offers a quieter, less crowded experience than you may be used to in the spring and summer. When your family needs a warm-up, head to the new aquarium!
Walk around the Country Club Plaza to enjoy the lights and the buzz of the winter season. It’s especially beautiful after it snows! The lights are up through mid-January.
Head to Snow Creek in Weston to ski, snowboard and tube.
Stroll or drive through the many neighborhood light displays around KC.
Take animal lovers for a day of fun at Ya-Ya’s Alpaca Farm.
Take your dog on an outing at Bar K Dog Park and let them get their energy out.
Pick your team, Team Coffee or Team Cocoa, and be a part of the 12th annual Battle of the Bean 5K at the Red Bridge Shopping Center. There’s a jelly bean race for kids 8 and under. Everyone receives warm drinks, beanies and medals for participating. Proceeds go to help KC’s beloved Wonderscope Children’s Museum.
Drive about an hour north to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, where thousands of migrating birds like snow geese, trumpeter swans and bald eagles rest on their annual journeys.
Sled down Liberty Memorial hill with a stunning view of the KC skyline as your backdrop. If you want the best list for sledding spots across all of KC, head here.
Take a winter hike at Fox Hollow Trail at the Lakeside Nature Center, Parkville Nature Sanctuary or Burr Oaks Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs.
It’s inside, but since curling is an ice-centered sport, it counts as outdoors. The Kansas City Curling Club offers classes, open play and the ability to watch others.
Attend a Chiefs game. Make sure to look for a possible Taylor sighting!
Get tickets to a Mavericks game. Again, it is indoors, but since it is on ice and requires a warm coat, it counts as a wintery outing in my book!
Visit the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for their luminary walk during the holidays or a snowy stroll in January.
Warm Up with Winter Menus
Seek out all the best hot chocolate KC has to offer.
Order some spicy, kickin’ wings at The Peanut.
Take a tour of the Roasterie and enjoy a warming tasting at the end.
J. Rieger offers distillery tours, which would make for a great date night. Nothing warms you up faster than a hot toddy!
Cozy up in the Boulevard Beer Hall with a seasonal brew and panoramic views of the city. Attend family friendly Bingo on certain Sundays!
Sip on mulled wine or enjoy seasonal festivities KC Wine Co.
Make a reservation at Pot Pie, for obvious reasons.
Get cooking at the Culinary Center of KC to make a meal that will warm your belly and heart.
Make Time for KC Landmarks
Union Station is stunning during the holidays, but it’s also a great place to explore any time of year. Visit Science City, the train display, look through all of the historical photos and take in a movie on the Extreme Screen, all in one day!
Visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial to learn history or admire the skyline from its snowy grounds.
Learn about KC’s Hallmark history and create a keepsake ornament to commemorate your visit. Don’t miss the Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center, which is up through December 22.
Warm up indoors while exploring world-class art exhibits of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Winter in KC is fun! Bundle up, grab your loved ones and make the most of this magical season.
