Kansas City Museums

Museum of Art Kemper Art Museum Baseball Museum Kansas City Museum Museum & Library WWI Museum

American Jazz Museum. The mother of swing and the nurturer of Bebop, Kansas City proudly hosts the reflection of its dynamic musical heritage - the American Jazz Museum. Located in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum presents the sights and sounds of this uniquely American art form. Jazz come alive through interactive exhibits, educational programs, the Blue Room (a working jazz club) and the Gem Theater, a modern 500-seat performing-arts center. Open 9am-6pm Tue.-Sat., noon-6pm Sun. Closed Mon. Visit www.americanjazzmuseum.com

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of the finest art museums in the world - featuring notable collections from nearly every culture on Earth! Nelson-Atkins’ renowned collection of over 34,500 art objects is acclaimed for its Asian art, European paintings, modern sculpture, and photography. The Kansas City Sculpture Park on the Museum's grounds is home to the largest U.S. collection of monumental bronzes by British sculptor Henry Moore, as well as works by modern masters. A place for peaceful relaxation and creative inspiration, the Nelson-Atkins is one of the country’s pre-eminent cultural destinations. Visit www.nelson-atkins.org.

Kemper Art Museum. Since 1994, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art has been a leader among modern and contemporary art museums in America. With its sleek exterior and striking, light-filled atrium, Kansas City's world-class free contemporary art museum boasts a significant permanent collection of nearly 1,000 modern and contemporary works of artists from around the world. With a dozen special exhibitions each year featuring works by well-known and emerging artists, the Kemper Museum offers visitors a chance to experience something new. Enjoy alfresco dining at the Café Sebastienne in the sculpture courtyard. Visit www.kemperart.org.

Negro League Baseball Museum. Part of the Museums on 18th & Vine complex, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum recreates the look, sounds and feel of the game’s storied past. The centerpiece of the NLBM, the Coors Field of Legends features 10 life-sized bronze sculptures of Negro League’s greats positioned on a mock baseball diamond. A documentary film narrated by actor James Earl Jones tells the story of the negro leagues with vintage footage. Hall of Fame Lockers pay tribute to the Negro Leaguers who have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Visit www.nlbm.com.

Kansas City Museum. Housed in a palatial 1910 mansion, Corinthian Hall, the Kansas City Museum at Union Station is a step back in time. With regional history displays, a 50-seat planetarium and natural history dioramas, the Museum traces Kansas City's roots and evolution from its trading post days to the formation of the "Town of Kansas" in 1850. Check out the Planetarium and gaze upon the stars in seasonal shows that provide a unique perspective on the sky above. Each show highlights the constellations as they appear throughout the year. Top off your visit with a tasty treat from the 1919 soda fountain, which serves up ice cream cones, sundaes and shakes. Visit www.kcmuseum.com.

Truman Presidential Museum & Library. The Truman Presidential Library & Museum is one of 12 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Since its dedication in 1957, the Truman Presidential Library & Museum has inspired millions. Featuring two decision theaters, enhanced audio and video programs, and new interactive elements, this exhibition forms the centerpiece of the museum’s renovation. The Treasures of the Presidents exhibit features more than 200 rare treasures of our American story - from George Washington's portable writing desk to John F. Kennedy's rocking chair, from the pen Lyndon Johnson used to sign the Civil Rights Act to the safety plug of the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Visit www.trumanlibrary.org.

National WWI Museum. On December 2, 2006, the National World War I Museum opened the window to an extraordinary emotional and intellectual experience. Envisioned by the people of Kansas City, and designated by Congress as the nation’s official WWI Museum, the state-of-the-art complex at Liberty Memorial uses highly-interactive technology to bring history to life and to foster timely discussions of ethics, values, decision making and conflict resolution. The Museum is open daily except Mondays and holidays, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Museum will be open on Memorial Day. Visit www.libertymemorialmuseum.org.  [Top]