48 Hours in Kansas City

It’s not uncommon to cross the state line more than once during a two-day visit to Kansas City. That’s because “Kansas City” refers to two neighboring cities—Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) and Kansas City, Kansas (KCK)—that together make up a vibrant bi-state metro area of nearly 2 million people. Locals use KCK and KCMO as shorthand, and you’ll find compelling reasons to visit each side.

History, culture, food, and sports are deeply intertwined here. From its early days as a frontier outpost and later a hub for the livestock trade, to its legendary barbecue scene and Prohibition-era jazz clubs that helped shape a genre, Kansas City is packed with character. 

Getting around is easy with a rental car. For a central stay, check into one of the six AAA Four Diamond hotels in downtown KCMO, or explore boutique hotel options throughout the metro area.

Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Kansas City.

Day 1

Start your day with a walking tour in one (or two) of Kansas City’s colorful neighborhoods. Urban Hikes KC offers more than a dozen guided routes on both sides of the Kansas–Missouri border—from winding through the historic neighhorboods of Strawberry Hill and Downtown KCK, where immigrant histories come alive, to strolling past fountains and Spanish-style architecture near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the 15-block Country Club Plaza. Most hikes cover four to five miles and last two to four hours. Several tours include food and drink tastings along the way, and a few hop aboard the free KC Streetcar, making it easy to explore even more of downtown KCMO without missing a step. 

Spend the afternoon exploring Kansas City’s one-of-a-kind museums. Many are as distinctive as the neighborhoods that surround them. Here are a few worth seeking out:

• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - The always-free museum boasts more than 45,000 works spanning continents and centuries. Don’t miss the iconic Shuttlecocks on the lawn.
• Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art - Just a short walk from the Nelson, this smaller but bold museum showcases nearly 1,500 modern and contemporary works.
• The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures - Located less than a mile away, this whimsical museum is filled with antique toys and handmade fine-scale miniatures.

Or head over to the historic 18th and Vine District, a cornerstone of Black culture and creativity. Here, you’ll find the following must-visit museums: 

• Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – Explore this powerful tribute honoring the players who helped shape the game during segregation, featuring artifacts, stories, and interactive exhibits.
• American Jazz Museum - Dive into the sound and soul of jazz through exhibits celebrating icons such as Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong.

Spend your evening at The Blue Room, a working jazz club attached to the American Jazz Museum that hosts musicians at least three nights a week—or explore one of 40 clubs in Kansas City regularly featuring live jazz.

If you’re in town during game days, consider catching one of Kansas City’s sports teams in action. Depending on when you’re visiting, you might score tickets to an NFL Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium, an MLB Kansas City Royals matchup, or a Sporting Kansas City soccer match. The city also fields top-tier teams in women’s soccer (Kansas City Current), minor league baseball (Kansas City Monarchs), and ice hockey (Kansas City Mavericks). Racing fans can head to nearby Kansas Speedway for NASCAR weekends.

Bonus for 2026: Arrowhead Stadium will host six FIFA World Cup matches—a great reason for soccer fans to plan a trip to Kansas City.

Day 2

Explore downtown KCMO, starting in the history-rich, action-packed Crown Center District. This 85-acre development surrounds the headquarters of Hallmark Cards and features shopping, dining, and family-friendly attractions—including SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and the new Museum of BBQ.

Just north, and connected via an enclosed walkway, is Union Station, a stunning architectural landmark that opened in 1914 and was redeveloped in the early 2000s as a cultural hub and active Amtrak station. It’s worth a visit just to take in the soaring Grand Plaza, but there’s plenty more to see and do: a children’s science museum (Science City), a planetarium, a movie theater, live theater, and rotating touring exhibitions. Crown Center and Union Station are also must-sees during the holidays for their spectacular seasonal light displays.

A short walk or drive south brings you to the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the only US museum solely dedicated to the Great War. Don’t miss the Liberty Memorial Tower—at 217 feet tall, it offers one of the best views of the Kansas City skyline from its open-air observation deck.

Finish your day back in downtown KCMO with an evening in the Crossroads Arts District, a 20-block neighborhood known for local galleries, shops, murals, eateries, and bars. Or, head to the Kansas City Power & Light District, an eight-block entertainment zone packed with nightlife, live music, and dining.

Where to eat in Kansas City

From James Beard Award-winning establishments to dive bar grub, you’ll go dizzy deciding on where (and what) to eat in Kansas City. Here are three local dining experiences you shouldn’t miss. (Good news for non-meat eaters: Each offers vegetarian options.)

Barbecue

Barbecue is the area’s signature cuisine, and there are more than 100 barbecue joints from which to choose—ranging from well-known chains to hole-in-the-wall gems. Don’t leave without trying a local delicacy: burnt ends, made by re-smoking the point end of a smoked beef brisket to crispy, charred perfection.

Tacos in KCK

The KCK Taco Trail  promotes 60 local taquerias, meat markets, and Tex-Mex spots—many of them small, immigrant-owned eateries. Want to try several in one night? Hop aboard the Taco Trail Bus Tour for a delicious sampler.

Steakhouse dining

A steakhouse experience is essential in this part of the country. Go classic at Golden Ox, a Stockyards District staple credited with popularizing the Kansas City strip. Or, try something modern by booking a table at 1587 Prime, co-owned by Super Bowl champs Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

You may not hit them all in one visit—just another reason to come back to Kansas City.