Whatever your interests, Kansas City has a museum (or two!) for you. We’ve broken down all the details on the best museums for families in Kansas City, including cost of admission, where to park, and all the can’t miss experiences. And since you’ll probably be hungry after your visit, we’ve shared local restaurants near each museum.

Mom Pro Tip: Plan to visit more than once? Look into a family membership (or ask for one as a gift!) Members often get extra perks like free parking, discounts on programs, and savings in the gift shop!

Arts Museums in Kansas City

American Jazz Museum

1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 | Website

Admission

Adults $10/Kids 5-10 $6/Kids 4 and under free. Closed on Mondays.

Parking

Street parking is available. Parking lots are also available at 18th and Paseo, 18th and Vine and behind the museum building.

Don’t Miss

Jazz Storytelling is on the first Friday morning of every month at 10 a.m. Jazz Storytelling is a free, family-friendly, interactive show taking place behind the museum, introducing young kids to the magic of jazz!

Where to Eat Nearby

Arthur Bryant’s, Gates BBQ, or Grinders Pizza.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111 | Website

Admission

Admission and programs are free to all. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Parking

Complimentary parking is available immediately surrounding the museum and in the marked lot located just north of the museum at the corner of 44th Street and Warwick Boulevard.

Don’t Miss

Their Time for Tots program for 3-5 year olds is offered once a month. Kids enjoy stories, music, and of course making their own art! They also offer camps for older kids several times throughout the year and as well as low sensory Saturdays.

Where to Eat Nearby

Cafe Sebastienne is on site and offers lunch daily and brunch on the weekends. Winstead’s is another great nearby option.

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210 | Website

Admission

Admission is free. Closed on Mondays and JCCC Holidays.

Parking

The museum has limited designated parking, but there are parking garages near the Midwest Trust Center, adjacent to the Regnier Center and on the south side of campus (the Parking Garage at Galileo’s Garden), as well as surface lots.

Don’t Miss

Youth art classes for kids from 5-14 are offered on Saturdays during the school year and during the week in the summer.

Where to Eat Nearby

Ricco’s Italian Bistro and Hawaiian Bros.

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111 | Website

Admission

Admission is free but you must reserve timed tickets if you are not a member. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Where to Park

There is free street parking nearby or you can park in the garage for $12.

Don’t Miss

Free Weekend Fun offers creative activities and gallery explorations for families from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. The museum also offers low sensory mornings where the museum opens an hour early and provides a quiet and low-stimulating environment with visual resources, hand fidgets, a low sensory break room and other accommodations. If your child wants to get creative you can enroll them in one of the youth classes offered for kids from 3-12 year old. And finally, don’t miss the festivals thrown throughout the year and the art course!

Where to Eat Nearby

The Plaza is nearby with plenty of restaurants to choose from. Family favorites include Chuy’s, Shake Shack, and Winstead’s.

History Museums in Kansas City

Johnson County Museum

8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212 | Website

Admission

Adults $6/Kids $4/Kids under 1 are free. $23 family maximum daily fee. Closed on Sundays.

Where to Park

Free parking in lot.

Don’t Miss

The 1950s All-Electric House was moved from its original location to the inside of the museum and is fun to walk through. The Kidscape play area in the basement is the big draw for families. Make sure to read our mom’s guide to kidscape. Johnson County Parks and Recreation also hosts camps, classes, and events in the museum. Sensory friendly Mondays are offered monthly.

Where to Eat Nearby

Make the short drive to Downtown Overland Park where you’ll find Buffalo State Pizza, Strang Hall, and other great local restaurants.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

5235 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112 | Website

Admission

Adults $10/Kids 6-17 $5/Kids 5 and under are free. Closed on Tuesdays.

Where to Park

Free parking in lot.

Don’t Miss

Kids and kids at heart will love the collection of vintage toys and miniatures. Magnifying glasses are available to help view the miniatures. I love the social story the museum has provided to give you a kids-eye view of the museum experience before you go.

Where to Eat Nearby

Pizza 51 or Eggtc. The Plaza is also only a short drive away.

Sport Museums in Kansas City

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 | Website

Admission

Adults $10/Kids 5-12 $6/Kids 4 and under free. Closed on Mondays.

Where to Park

Street parking or public parking lots near the Gregg Community Center (just north of the museum) at 18th and Woodland (one block east) or 18th & Vine (one half block west).

Don’t Miss

Baseball fans of all ages will love this special museum that highlights the history of the Negro Leagues and its ties to Kansas City. The stories are told through words and photos and film. There are lots of spots to take fun photos throughout the museum.

Where to Eat Nearby

Arthur Bryant’s, Gates BBQ, or Grinders Pizza.

College Basketball Experience

1401 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 | Website

Admission

Adults $18/Kids 4-17 $16/Kids 3 and under free. Days and hours vary so check their website for the current schedule.

Where to Park

Because this museum is located at the T-Mobile Center free parking can be hard to find. There are multiple parking garages nearby or you could park in a free lot at the River Market and ride the streetcar downtown.

Don’t Miss

Basketball fans will love this interactive experience. Check out the Kids’ Court for younger kids, or practice free throws and 3 pointers with the taller ones. You can even see how you measure up to the height and shoe sizes of famous players.

Where to Eat Nearby

There are tons of restaurants to choose from the in the Power and Light district. Our favorites are BRGR and Yard House.

Transportation Museums in Kansas City

Arabia Steamboat Museum

400 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 | Website

Admission

Adults $14.50/Kids 4-14 $5.50/Kids 3 and under free.

Where to Park

There are paid parking lots at 400 Grand Blvd (directly in front of the museum) and in the KCATA Park & Ride lot located at the northeast corner of 3rd Street & Grand Blvd. Free two-hour parking is available Monday through Friday inside the City Market square.

Don’t Miss

Kids will love discovering all the items recovered from this boat that sank in 1856 and wasn’t recovered until 1988. The museum is a time capsule of pre-Civil War era artifacts including a jar with the oldest pickles in the world!

Where to Eat Nearby

There are lots of restaurants in the River Market area. With kids I’d recommend Minsky’s Pizza followed by ice cream at Betty Rae’s.

Kansas City Automotive Museum

15095 W 116th St, Olathe, KS 66062 | Website

Admission

Adults $9/Kids $7/Kids 5 and under free. Closed on Mondays.

Where to Park

Free parking in museum lot.

Don’t Miss

Each month a different kind of vehicle is on display! Check the calendar to see what’s coming up that might pique your family’s interest. Also check out their list of events including family friendly opportunities like pancake breakfasts, scavenger hunts, free admission days, and more.

Where to Eat Nearby

Spin Pizza and Sylas and Maddys.

The TWA Museum at 10 Richards Road

10 Richards Rd #110, Kansas City, MO 64116 | Website

Admission

Adults $12/Kids 6-16 $7/Kids 5 and under free. Closed Sunday-Tuesday

Where to Park

Free parking in museum lot.

Don’t Miss

Plane lovers will enjoy the chance to explore the insides of various TWA planes, including a chance to sit in the cockpit. Guided tours are available to take you through the history of TWA and its connections to Kansas City.

Where to Eat Nearby

The museum is right across the river from the River Market. With kids I recommend Minsky’s Pizza followed by ice cream at Betty Rae’s.

Other Museums in Kansas City

Hallmark Visitor Center

2501 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108 | Website

Admission

Free admission. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Where to Park

You can park in the Crown Center garage on the East side of Grand Blvd on the Blue Level. Once parked, enter to the right of the Security Office and take the elevator to the third floor. Follow the signs and walk down the steps toward the glass doors leading outside. The Hallmark Visitors Center is straight ahead. Ask at the front desk for a validation slip for 2 hours of free parking.

If you have a stroller or a wheelchair, you will want to park on the blue level of the garage, but near the 2480 elevator. Take that elevator up to the red level of the garage, and turn left as you exit the elevator and walk toward the garage entrance. Follow the signs to the Hallmark Visitors Center.

Don’t Miss

The Hall of Christmas Trees and bow making machine are fun for everyone. Make reservations at Kaleidoscope next door for the full Hallmark experience!

Where to Eat Nearby

There are lots of restaurants at Crown Center to choose from including Fritz’s, Spin Pizza, and Unforked.

Money Museum

1 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64198 | Website

Admission

Free, no tickets required. Closed weekends.

Where to Park

Money Museum guests can park for free in the visitor lot located off of Wyandotte, on the west side of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City building.

Don’t Miss

Rare coins in the Truman Coin Collection and a 27 pound gold bar on display.

Where to Eat Nearby

There are lots of restaurants nearby at Crown Center to choose from including Fritz’s, Spin Pizza, and Unforked.

Museum at Prairiefire

5801 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66223 | Website

Admission

$5 for adults and kids. Children under 3 get in free.

Where to Park

There are some spots on the street outside the museum or you can park for free in the Prairiefire parking garage.

Don’t Miss

The Discovery Room is the big draw for kids. They can dig for dinosaur bones, look through a microscope, and observe small animals, reptiles, and insects. Check the animal encounters schedule to get up close and personal with your favorite critter. My kids also love the big touchscreens in the lobby where they can learn about dinosaurs. Other exhibits in the museum rotate so check and see what’s on display when you visit. The virtual reality room does cost extra. During nice weather walk the trail through the wetlands behind the museum.

Where to Eat Nearby

Prairiefire has lots of restaurants to choose from. Our favorite is Rock N Brews (kids eat free on Sundays!)

Union Station

30 West Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108 | Website

Admission

Cost depends on what part of Union Station you are visiting. The train area is free while the planetarium, special exhibits, Museum of Illusions, and Science City have their own admission fee. The Union Station membership will get you a discount or free admission to many of these and will quickly pay for itself.

Where to Park

There are paid parking spots in the front of the building as well as a parking garage in the back that costs a little less.

Don’t Miss

Check out our mom’s guide to Union Station for all the details!

Where to Eat Nearby

Inside Union Station you’ll find Harvey’s as well as Whistle Stop Market. Parisi and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory are great spots for a snack.

Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City

433 E Red Bridge Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131 | Website

Admission

Adults $10/Kids 2-5 $14/Kids under 2 get in free. There are also discounted tickets for families with EBT, WIC, or SNAP. Closed on Mondays.

Where to Park

Free parking in the museum lot.

Don’t Miss

Check out our full mom’s guide to Wonderscope for all the details!

Where to Eat Nearby

Caleb’s Breakfast & Lunch and Red Bridge Barrio are next door. For a treat stop by Cookies and Creamery.