Kansas City Museums are a surprising mix of history, art, and specialty museums that bring the unique and eclectic culture of this town to life! While Kansas City Missouri is known for its delicious barbecue, its jazz scene, and the many fountains, the city has a rich and storied past as well. This past is reflected upon and celebrated in the many Kansas City museums. This midwestern town has cultivated a reputation as a top destination for museum-goers and when you visit you’ll see why!
Let our Independence bed and breakfast be your escape from the city this summer! After a day exploring the incredible Kansas City museums, you can come back to the quiet and slow pace of our inn. You’ll feel as if you have stepped into a bygone era at our historic home built in 1856.
And while it is a beautiful home from another time, you’ll still enjoy all of the modern comforts you love. At our elegant bed and breakfast, you’ll be able to relax and unwind in ultimate comfort. We are also located near the historic Independence Square and The Harry S. Truman Library and museums for more local explorations. If you want the perfect place for a small-town getaway this summer, book your stay with us today!
Kansas City Museums Worth Seeing
Many people travel the world to see incredible museums full of art, historical objects, and other curiosities. In Kansas City, you don’t have to travel far to see the same level of high-quality museums. The city is becoming recognized as a museum destination and it shows in the sheer volume and array of museum facilities that dot the town. From world events to local history Kansas City museums offer something for everyone. Here are 8 not to be missed museums to visit this summer!
- One of the most well-known Kansas City museums is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This is the museum that is known for the giant shuttlecocks installation on the lawn. Here there are over 40,000 works of art and houses both ancient and contemporary collections. It is considered one of the best museums in the country.
- The American Jazz Museum shares a facility with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in an area known as 18th and Vine. The Jazz Museum offers interactive exhibits with photos, objects, and a collection of original neon signs from Kansas City jazz clubs. This Smithsonian affiliate also has exhibits that are dedicated to the life and music of influential jazz artists.
- The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum preserves the history of the sport in Kansas City as it was the meeting place to establish the Negro League in 1920. This Kansas City museum addresses athletes and fans enjoying the sport despite the civil rights landscape at the time. You’ll see memorabilia from the league’s history and multimedia displays.
- History buffs and those who claim they aren’t into history will both get something out of a visit to the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Here you’ll learn about the geopolitical causes through film, maps, and timelines presented. Uniforms, vehicles, and other artifacts help to show the conflict from a global point of view. The Liberty Tower commemorates those who served in the war.
- Feel like a kid again at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, one of the more unique Kansas City museums. Housed in a mansion on the University of Missouri’s Kansas City campus, this is considered a hidden gem. It boasts having the world’s largest fine-scale miniature collections as well as an extensive collection of nostalgic toys on display.
- Kansas City museums include not one but two world-class art museums. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art can’t be missed as it is a pyramid-shaped building with a four-story spider statue outside! More intimate than the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, it houses a collection of modern and contemporary works to enjoy and ponder.
- One of the more interesting Kansas City museums is the Arabia Steamboat Museum. In 1856 this steamboat was on the Missouri River headed to the western frontier when it hit a snag and sank. In 1987 the site was excavated and what was found was a perfectly preserved time capsule. Around 200,000 artifacts from the ship are on display including still edible food preserves! This is a great way to learn about local history.
- The John Wornall House is one of the few civil war-era houses in Kansas City. On this house tour, you will trace the history of the Kansas-Missouri Border Wars and confederate as well as union forces in the area. You’ll experience what daily life was like for a wealthy pre-civil war family on a guided tour of the home.
The Best Independence Lodging
Come relax and slow down your pace at our bed and breakfast in Independence this summer! Let our Missouri inn be your perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle. Here you are close enough to Kansas City to enjoy all of the amenities this world-class city has to offer, while also being able to get back to quiet and peaceful accommodations in a small town.
At our elegant inn, you can retreat to your beautifully appointed guest room and enjoy such pleasures as complimentary streaming Netflix, bath amenities, in-room snacks, free use of our open-air spa tub, and much more! Each room is uniquely decorated and offers special details to make your stay perfect for you! We also have the option of staying in one of 2 quaint cottages that offer a bit more seclusion and space to unwind in. If you want the best place for a small-town escape in Independence this summer, book your stay with us today!
