Sight guide · Kansas City · United States
Visiting 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.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: John LeCoque, Public domain
Quick answer
Union Station and Science City is an architectural landmark in Crown Center, Kansas City. Allow 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Architecture
- Area
- Crown Center
- Time needed
- 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- architecture, kids, history and rainy day
- Best months
- April–June
About 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. The building also houses Science City, a hands-on science centre for children, plus a planetarium, a model railroad exhibit and touring exhibitions.
Tip: Walking through the Grand Hall is free; pair it with the WWI Museum across Pershing Road.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Crown Center.
Best time to visit Union Station and Science City
Union Station and Science City is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- June: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Kansas City has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Kansas City itinerary visits Union Station and Science City on day 1, together with National WWI Museum and Memorial, Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life at Crown Center and Chiefs or Royals game at the Truman Sports Complex.
- No. 6 of the 17 sights in our Kansas City things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in kansas City on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Kansas City.
- A family favourite in Kansas City with kids.
Near Union Station and Science City
Also in Crown Center, so you can walk between them:
- National WWI Museum and Memorial — 3–4 hours, mid-priced
- Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life at Crown Center — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
If you like Union Station and Science City
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — Country Club Plaza, 2–3 hours
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum — 18th & Vine Jazz District, 1.5–2 hours
- American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room — 18th & Vine Jazz District, 1–2 hours, plus a show
- Arabia Steamboat Museum — River Market, 1.5 hours
Staying near Union Station and Science City
Where to stay in Kansas City compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Union Station and Science City?
Plan 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City. With National WWI Museum and Memorial nearby, it fits a half-day in Crown Center.
+Is Union Station and Science City free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Union Station and Science City?
April–June, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Walking through the Grand Hall is free; pair it with the WWI Museum across Pershing Road.
+Do I need to book Union Station and Science City in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Union Station and Science City good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Kansas City. Kansas City works well with children: Science City and the Legoland and Sea Life attractions are under one connected roof at Crown Center, the zoo has a new aquarium, and barbecue restaurants are casual and noisy.