Comparison · Kansas City vs Minneapolis · United States
Kansas City vs Minneapolis
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stephen Edmonds, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Kansas City for Barbecue and burnt ends, Jazz heritage and a milder winter; choose Minneapolis for Chain of Lakes, Spoonbridge and Cherry and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 663 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 663 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Kansas City
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Minneapolis
- June–September
Side by side
| Kansas City | Minneapolis | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Barbecue and burnt ends, Jazz heritage and Fountains | Chain of Lakes, Spoonbridge and Cherry and Mississippi riverfront |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | June–September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$300 | $200–$320 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, -6°C (21°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | MCI | MSP |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Kansas City for…
Barbecue and burnt ends, Jazz heritage and a milder winter. Kansas City straddles the Missouri–Kansas state line where the Kansas River meets the Missouri, and most visitors spend their time on the Missouri side between the River Market and the Country Club Plaza. A free streetcar runs along Main Street through…
Choose Minneapolis for…
Chain of Lakes, Spoonbridge and Cherry and free sights. Minneapolis grew up around St. Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the Mississippi, where flour mills once made it the milling capital of the world. Today the old mill district holds the Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater and the Stone Arch Bridge…
Top sights compared
| # | Kansas City | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National WWI Museum and Memorial | Minneapolis Sculpture Garden |
| 2 | Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Walker Art Center |
| 3 | Negro Leagues Baseball Museum | Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) |
| 4 | American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room | Mill City Museum |
| 5 | Union Station and Science City | Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls |
Food compared
| Kansas City | Minneapolis |
|---|---|
| Burnt ends | Jucy Lucy |
| Kansas City ribs | Walleye |
| The Z-Man sandwich | Wild rice soup |
| Cheesy corn | Tater tot hotdish |
Which is cheaper?
Kansas City and Minneapolis cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$300 in Kansas City and $200–$320 in Minneapolis (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Kansas City on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Kansas City and Minneapolis are about 663 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Kansas City and 3 in Minneapolis.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kansas City or Minneapolis cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$300 in Kansas City and $200–$320 in Minneapolis (estimates).
+Is Kansas City or Minneapolis better for a first trip?
Pick Kansas City for Barbecue and burnt ends, Jazz heritage and a milder winter, or Minneapolis for Chain of Lakes, Spoonbridge and Cherry and free sights.
+How far is Kansas City from Minneapolis?
About 663 km in a straight line.