Month guide · Kansas City · United States
Kansas City in May
What May is really like in Kansas City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rex Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Kansas City. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.3 hours of daylight. Warm and green, but the stormiest month; keep an eye on weather alerts. Loose Park's roses start to bloom late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Kansas City: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (19°C (66°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:05
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:24
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
Spring (March–May). Blooming parks, the start of baseball season and mild days, but also the peak of thunderstorm and tornado-warning season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in September). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
- Celebration at the Station — free Kansas City Symphony concert at Union Station (usually Memorial Day weekend)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · 18th & Vine Jazz District
American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room
Check the Blue Room's calendar and plan the museum visit for late afternoon so you can stay for an evening set.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours, plus a show
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Art
- Rainy day
Architecture · Crown Center
Union Station and Science City
The 1914 Beaux-Arts station has a Grand Hall with a 95-foot ceiling and three huge chandeliers, and still serves Amtrak trains.
- Time needed
- 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Museum · River Market
Arabia Steamboat Museum
Go on a weekend morning and combine it with the City Market stalls just outside.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Gallery · Country Club Plaza
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
A small, free contemporary museum beside the Kansas City Art Institute, with a permanent collection of modern and contemporary art and a steady programme of changing exhibitions.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 13°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Kansas City?
One of the best months to visit Kansas City, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April and September–October. Compare every month.
Kansas City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Kansas City?
It is one of the best months to visit Kansas City. Warm and green, but the stormiest month; keep an eye on weather alerts. Loose Park's roses start to bloom late in the month.
+How warm is Kansas City in May?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kansas City in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.