Month guide · Kansas City · United States
Kansas City in January
What January is really like in Kansas City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Charvex, Public domain
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -7°C (19°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 9.7 hours of daylight. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy winds; good for museums and hotel deals, unless the Chiefs are in the playoffs.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -7°C (19°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Kansas City: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -7°C (19°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with December (5°C (41°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:36
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:19
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, sometimes icy days and low prices, with the Plaza Lights in December and indoor sights at their quietest.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in September). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- NFL playoffs if the Chiefs qualify (January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Crown Center
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Walk out onto the memorial lawn at the top of the hill at sunset; it is free and gives the city's classic skyline view.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
Museum · Country Club Plaza
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The neoclassical museum and its glass Bloch Building extension hold an encyclopedic collection, with particular strength in Chinese art, European paintings and photography.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · 18th & Vine Jazz District
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Buy the combined ticket with the American Jazz Museum, which shares the same building.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · 18th & Vine Jazz District
American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room
Kansas City jazz — Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Mary Lou Williams — grew up in the clubs around 18th and Vine in the 1930s.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours, plus a show
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Art
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -7°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Kansas City?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Kansas City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Kansas City?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy winds; good for museums and hotel deals, unless the Chiefs are in the playoffs.
+How warm is Kansas City in January?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -7°C (19°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kansas City in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.