Union Stations’ Top 10 Things To See in Kansas City.

The icons of our city are notoriously hard to forget. From the glow of the Western Auto building to the unforgettable smell of Joe’s bbq, it’s not hard to tell why Kansas City has become a destination in the midwest. There are so many things to see in Kansas City that are sure to leave an impression.

As you look around Kansas City, you can easily tell that this is a city full of stories, culture, and potential. This is where we started when building our list of the 10 things to see in Kansas City. This list focuses on the history, impact, and future of each landmark.

Kansas City History

KC grew into a hub for travel and trade by being so close to the Missouri River. With new faces coming in every day and more opportunities for work, Kansas City quickly became a metropolis on the Missouri. With so many things to see in Kansas City, it was hard to narrow down the list! These five historic landmarks exude history for you to explore, and they continue to play a pivotal role in the story Kansas City has to tell.

5 Historic Things to See in Kansas City

#1 Union Station

The history of Union Station is the history of Kansas City. Many new faces come to Kansas City right through here. Union Station has historically been a hub for rail travel in the United States. Our history echoes in the history of Kansas City and the entire Midwest. 

Since midnight on the morning of November 1st, 1914, we’ve kept America moving. As the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Flyer pulled into the station, it started our journey into the history of this nation. Our rise as one of the busiest and most beautiful stations in America etched Union Station’s name in history books. 

Take one look up as you reach the main hall and you’ll see why we still take thousands of travelers’ breath away. During the restoration, the ceilings were thought to be black due to over 50 years of soot and neglect. But through chemical analysis and historical images, we were able to restore the original color and sculpture of our ceiling. Our ceilings alone are one of the best things to see in Kansas City. But as you walk the grand hall, you may notice our enormous Kasota stone and Dark Cedar Tennessee marble floors. 

See the symmetry for yourself!

Walk along the floor and try to match the circles and squares to the ceiling. Nothing seems to quite line up right? Now stand directly in the middle of one of the circles or squares and look straight up. Grandiose symmetry is a hallmark of the Beaux-Arts style of architects Jarvis Hunt and Charles Bohasseck. Now, you’ll sound like a tour guide when showing your friends this Kansas City landmark!

There is so much history in Kansas City, you have to be here to believe it. One of the best things to see in Kansas City even predates Union Station.

 #2 River Market

The River Market District is the oldest incorporated district in Kansas City but that’s not the only reason it’s one of the greatest things to see in Kansas City! Sometimes called the Westport Landing, the neighborhood originally grew because of the dock that was at the center of trade for the Westport community. 

What to do while at the River Market.

The bustling farmers market alongside so many shops and restaurants make this one of the greatest things to see in Kansas City. You could spend a whole day shopping and eating in the River Market! But one of the best ways to see the early history of KC firsthand is at the Steamboat Arabia Museum. After sinking in 1856, historians recovered the steamboat and all of its’ treasures in the late 1980s. 

Those treasures give every visitor a glimpse into what life was like in the earliest days of Kansas City. But what makes this a great thing to see in Kansas City is the atmosphere that draws you close to Kansas City’s past. As you walk in, you smell the river as the original wheel turns. While you explore the exhibits, you may even hear a tale or two from the men who recovered the Arabia. They’re not the only warm welcome you’ll hear in Kansas City though! 

#3 Gates B-B-Q

Since 1946, the first thing visitors hear is “Hi may I help you?” That phrase helps to tell the story of one of KCs Bar-B-Q destinations. The fabled strutting man and classic atmosphere are classic things to see in Kansas City. But as you take your first bite, you taste the real history of Kansas City.

What to get at Gates

KC Barbecue has led the charge for many innovations in a simple combination of meat and sauce. But the best KC barbecue keeps it simple. Burnt ends on a roll offer the quintessential taste of Kansas City. Presidents, public figures, and third-shift workers have gathered at the same tables at Gates to enjoy the taste of the midwest. Don’t forget to grab your bottle of Gates sauce before you leave! Once you fill up at Gates, you’ll need a good walk to make sure you have room for dinner!

#4 The Nelson Atkins Museum of art

For one of the best places to take pictures in Kansas City, take a stroll by the shuttlecocks at the Nelson. Outside of this historic KC landmark, you can wander through the glass maze, hang out with friends on the lawn and play a round of mini golf on their art course. The lawn is a great spot for photos and fun, but as you walk in, you’ll find that the Nelson Atkins is full of history, beautiful architecture, and world-famous art.

What to do at the Nelson Atkins Museum.

After walking through the doors, you’ll want to go into the first gallery you’ll see. But the most awe-inspiring way to start your visit is found on the 3rd floor. You’ll want to take the elevator to the 3rd floor. As you wander into the Asian art section, you’ll find yourself below a fifteenth-century ceiling from the Zhihua Temple in Beijing. The temple recreation is one of the best things to see in Kansas City. So use this as your first stop as you make your way through the rest of the Nelson. Truly taking in every floor takes hours. So after you take in the works of internationally renowned artists from Van Gogh, to Jackson Pollock, it might be a little dark out!

#5 Western Auto Building

That’s the best time to take in our final Kansas City historic landmark. Originally built for Coca-Cola in 1915, the 12-story, triangular building is an architectural feast for the eyes. The classic architecture makes this one of the best things to see in Kansas City. But when Western Auto acquired it in 1951 they created one of the most iconic parts of the Kansas City skyline.

Enjoy the glow of the Western auto sign

When you picture the Kansas City skyline, you can’t forget the Western Auto sign. In its heyday, the sign served as a beacon of pride for the more than 1,000 workers. But in 1988, Western Auto was sold to Sears Roebuck and by 2000, the building was sold and the sign switched off.

Two years later, plans were set to turn the building into condominiums. Over the next 16 years, the building was renovated, and on July 13th, crowds enjoyed the warm glow as the sign was switched back on. This iconic Kansas City landmark serves as a reminder of the history and perseverance of Kansas City and a beacon for the city’s bright future. So make sure to snap a pic under the sign!

Kansas City’s living history.

All of the greatest things to see in Kansas City are tied together by not only their location but the stories behind them. These famous landmarks withstand the test of time to become beacons of pride for Kansas City and the people that visit. Each historic landmark on our list shares the tenacity, charm, and optimistic future of Kansas City and the people that call our city home.

Kansas City Future 

While Kansas City remains a hub for trade and commerce, we’ve become much more than that over the last century. We’ve become a destination that reflects the best the midwest has to offer for culture, arts, and entertainment. 

5 Modern Things to See in Kansas City

#1 Union Station

As air travel became more popular, our time as one of the greatest things to see in Kansas City came to a brief end. The grand halls fell into disrepair and we were forced to shield travelers from their beauty with a white polyvinyl bubble. Trains eventually stopped pulling into the station and after the Lobster Pot closed in 1989, Union Station was as quiet as the day before it opened.

After years of fundraising, legal efforts, and the support of Kansas City, Union Station’s doors welcomed travelers once more. 85 years and 10 days after the first train left, we reintroduced the world to Union Station. Since reopening, we’ve added some of KC’s best restaurants, a 75-foot wide movie screen, and architectural tours of the landmark almost every day.

The “Big Ben of the Plains” has paved the way for awe-inspiring things to see in Kansas City. Whether you’re part of the roaring crowds at Arrowhead stadium or enjoying a performance at the Kauffman Center, you’re surrounded by a city with a rich past, and a bright future.

A Great Kansas City Landmark, a great way to spend your day.

Like many things to see in Kansas City, you might take a few trips to experience everything. So when you enjoy the modern side of Union Station, grab your tickets to a show in our 75-foot-wide Extreme Screen theatre, our award-winning City Stage live theatre, or the state-of-the-art Arvin Gotlieb Planetarium. As excited as you’ll be for these experiences, you’ll want to grab your tickets a little later so the kids can explore Science City and our model train display while you grab a coffee at Parisi. On your next visit, book a babysitter, and head to Pierpont’s, one of KC’s best date night reservations.

Union Station is the best place to start or end your day in KC. There are so many more places to visit and things to see in Kansas City. See if you can tell what ties these next modern Kansas City landmarks together.

#2 Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

It’s hard not to notice the Kauffman Performing Arts Center as you cruise down Broadway. Those silver shells are the greatest things to see in Kansas City at Sunrise and Golden hour. So it’s no question why that shine has drawn millions to share the greatest live performances in Kansas City. For the Kauffman center, the show is just getting started. 

This is a building for today and for generations to come.” – Julia Irene Kauffman – Kauffman Center Grand Opening, September 2011

The Kauffman Center Presents…

The Kauffman Center is home to dozens of shows throughout the year. Lifelong Kansas Citians and visitors alike can enjoy light shows, plays, and the Kansas City Symphony. When you go, grab a refreshment and take in the gorgeous architecture Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Book your tour before the intermission bell rings, and enjoy the rest of your show!

#3 Country Club Plaza

Kansas City has its share of daring stories, and “Nichols Folly” is one of the greatest you’ll ever experience as you shop, eat, and enjoy Country Club Plaza. In 1912 J.C. Nichols announced that he planned to build a “Spanish marketplace magically transported to Kansas City,” Locals at the time doubted this venture and dubbed the ambitious development “Nichols Folly”. A century later, Country Club Plaza continues to evolve as one of the best things to see in Kansas City.

Experience the best shopping in Kansas City.

With so many stores and restaurants in one place, this is a great place to enjoy again and again. While you’re enjoying one of the greatest things to see in Kansas City, why not pick up something you can’t get anywhere else? Kansas City loves our local creators. So make a stop at Made in KC to see why. Made in KC Marketplace showcases some of the best artisans in Kansas City featuring clothing, artwork, and creations you can’t get anywhere else! Country Club Plaza offers some of the best things to see and do in Kansas City. But our list would not be complete without one of the best places to eat in KC.

#4 Joe’s BBQ

When you think of world-famous restaurants, you normally don’t think they come from a neighborhood corner gas station. Well, that’s just what makes this one of the best things to see in Kansas City. In the early 90s, the Slaughterhouse Five took the competitive Bar-B-Q circuit by storm. After making history at the country’s most prestigious competitions, people were clamoring for them to open a restaurant. In 1996 a Kansas City legend was born out of a former fried chicken stand.

“It seemed like a pretty good place for a barbecue joint” -Jeff Stehney, owner of Joe’s Bar-B-Q

How to fuel up at Joe’s

True to Kansas City tradition, burnt ends are always a solid go-to. But Joe’s Z-Man has won award after award for a reason. Brisket, provolone, and onion rings on a Kaiser roll, plus all of the award-winning sauce you can put on it? Sign us up! Joe’s remains one of the best things to see in Kansas City because of decades of hard work, family values, and some of the best sauce in the country With great stories, great food, and one-of-a-kind style, There’s no disputing that Joes is one of the best things to see in KC.   

#5 Arrowhead Stadium

This list wouldn’t be complete without one of the most iconic landmarks in professional sports history. The NFL is full of die-hard fans. But you will be hard-pressed to find fans as loyal as the red kingdom. Our fighting spirit dates all the way back to the origins of football. From playing in muddy pastures to one of the most hallowed stadiums in the NFL, the Chiefs have come a long way. Which is what makes Arrowhead stadium one of the best things to see in Kansas City.

The loudest fans in the league.

Kansas City is known to get loud. Arrowhead currently holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar. Fans reached 142.2 decibels on Sept. 29, 2014. If you’re looking for the rowdiest game day experience, look no further. Crowds pack Arrowhead to cheer on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at ear-shattering levels year after year. So it’s no question why the sea of red at Arrowhead puts this landmark stadium on our list of best things to see in Kansas City.

What do all of these things to see in Kansas City have in common?

Kansas City is a great place to discover amazing stories and write your own chapter in the history of the midwest. The stories and the endless opportunity the places on this list embody tie each landmark on this list together. Union Station is one of the best things to see in Kansas City. So start discovering the best the midwest has to offer in fun, food, and arts at Union Station.