How many days · Kansas City · United States
How many days do you need in Kansas City?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:charvex, Public domain
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Kansas City, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the WWI Museum, the Nelson-Atkins, 18th & Vine and a couple of barbecue meals. A third day adds the River Market and Arabia Steamboat Museum, a game or a day in Independence for the Truman sites.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 9.4 h (Dec) to 14.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | National WWI Museum and Memorial, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Chiefs or Royals game at the Truman Sports Complex |
| 2 days | Good | Chiefs or Royals game at the Truman Sports Complex, American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room and Union Station and Science City |
| 3 days | Ideal | Country Club Plaza, Arabia Steamboat Museum and City Market |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Independence, Missouri |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Independence, Missouri and Lawrence, Kansas |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Kansas City add up to roughly 20–29 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Chiefs or Royals game at the Truman Sports Complex (4–6 hours with tailgating), National WWI Museum and Memorial (3–4 hours) and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| National WWI Museum and Memorial | 3–4 hours | Crown Center |
| Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | 2–3 hours | Country Club Plaza |
| Negro Leagues Baseball Museum | 1.5–2 hours | 18th & Vine Jazz District |
| Chiefs or Royals game at the Truman Sports Complex | 4–6 hours with tailgating | Truman Sports Complex |
| American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room | 1–2 hours, plus a show | 18th & Vine Jazz District |
| Union Station and Science City | 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City | Crown Center |
| Country Club Plaza | 1–2 hours | Country Club Plaza |
| Arabia Steamboat Museum | 1.5 hours | River Market |
| City Market | 1–2 hours | River Market |
| Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | 1 hour or a performance | Downtown |
| Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art | 1 hour | Country Club Plaza |
| Crossroads First Fridays | 2–3 hours | Crossroads Arts District |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on National WWI Museum and Memorial and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Union Station and Science City |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Independence, Missouri and Lawrence, Kansas |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.4 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.9 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Kansas City with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | About 383 km | 3 days |
| Memphis | About 595 km | 3 days |
| Minneapolis | About 663 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Kansas City?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the WWI Museum, the Nelson-Atkins, 18th & Vine and a couple of barbecue meals. A third day adds the River Market and Arabia Steamboat Museum, a game or a day in Independence for the Truman sites.
+Is a week too long in Kansas City?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Independence, Missouri and Lawrence, Kansas.