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Weekend and Day Trips

 

Looking for a fun weekend or day trip idea you’ll want to experience more than just once?


Kansas City is your destination for a quick weekend getaway in Missouri filled with things to do for everyone.

Home to rich arts and music culture, bustling shopping districts, and world famous restaurants you’ll wish you knew about sooner! Kansas City is also home to famous attractions like the The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, Liberty Memorial, and historic Union Station.

Finding a better destination with so many incredible things to do in one place is sure to be a challenge.

Why a vacation to Kansas City, Missouri? There’s so many fun things to do!

Kansas City was called the most loveable of cities by the Huffington Post. The people here are friendly, welcoming, and have a Midwest charm. You’ll feel like less of a tourist and more like you live here when you visit us! Passion runs wild for our sports, our culture, and especially our barbecue. Speaking of, you’ll absolutely want to try some of that when you’re here, thank us later.

day trips from st louisGetting around the city is a breeze, with highway I-435 encircling the entire city, and conveniently located highways I-70 / I-35 that will easily get you to your destination. The usual 5 o clock traffic is nothing compared to bigger cities, and you can drive easy without headache.

Famous area such as Downtown, Westport, Crossroads, 18th and Vine, Brookside, Overland Park, Mission, and more let you experience the different flavors our city has to offer in close proximity. You’re not going to believe the fun on this vacation getaway!

The best attractions for your weekend & day trip fun.

When you’re in Kansas City, you have to check out the following attractions. They are a must visit! We guarantee you will never go to another place like them anywhere in the midwest or in the United States!

 

The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Dedicated to men’s college basketball, this is the official hall of fame honoring those who have contributed greatly to the game.

Established in 2006, the hall of fame is located inside of The College Basketball Experience at T-Mobile Center. Every year, the induction ceremony is held and key inductees such as Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are honored by the hall of fame.

Visiting the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame also allows you to experience college basketball like never before. The College Basketball Experience is a fan-interactive facility with plenty of group fun, and basketball related exhibits for fans of all ages. It’s the perfect place for a birthday party, one of a kind event, or even a cool date idea. The CBE is HIGH energy and extremely fun.

The Hall of Fame is a perfect weekend or day trip. There are plenty of nearby attractions within walking distance, and the easily accessible street car takes you up and down some of the city’s best sights. The Kansas City Power & Light District is right across the street and is packed with dozens of restaurants and active night life. You can even get some of the best barbecue in the world right across the street.

Visiting the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is one of the best things to do in Kansas City.

Historic Union Station

day trip attractionsChances are if you’ve ever looked up pictures of Kansas City, you’ve seen Union Station! Well, at least in photograph. Union Station started as a train station that over the last 100 years has evolved into the destination for learning, culture, entertainment, and history.

Union Station features traveling national exhibits, Science City, top rated restaurants, and one of the most charming in all of Kansas City. Let’s not forget the huge 80 feet x 53 feet screen for watching movies in 3D! Are you a fan of trains? You’re in luck! Union Station lets you experience the history of the American Railroad, and has 8,000 square feet of model toy trains on display.

Walking into Union Station is like walking through a time machine. The architecture and craftsmanship shown in the building’s interior is second to none. Easily access Union Station from downtown. Park once, and take the Street Car to get around the city. Union Station is conveniently located right across the street from our next attraction.

National World War 1 Museum and Memorial

world war 1 memorialOften referred to as the Liberty Memorial, this destination is ranked as the #5 museum in the United States by Yelp. This memorial overlooks Kansas City with a bright fire to honor those who fell in this great war. This is the only museum in the United States dedicated to World War 1 that recounts the stories of those who lived through it.

You’ll experience interactive displays, watch engaging films, and see real artifacts and collections from the war itself. The memorial is a true landmark in Kansas City that is not overshadowed by any other. There is an elevator inside that let’s you ride to the top of the towering memorial that is 217 feet tall. Bring your camera, because this is a photo opportunity you don’t want to miss.

You must visit the National World War 1 Memorial if you are in Kansas City. All three of the unique attractions we mentioned here can be covered in a single day, and without even having to drive very far. You could even walk to all three if you wanted to!

Find more things to do and see in the KAYAK Kansas City Travel Guide!

Hotels and Food

kansas city barbecueStaying with us for a weekend trip more than one day? Hotels located in downtown Kansas City are in the $100 dollar price range, but if you don’t mind a short drive, you can find accommodations that are as low as $55 dollars per night or lower. Find accommodation in Kansas City on KAYAK’s Kansas City Hotels page.

Some of Kansas City’s best restaurants are located in Downtown, Rivermarket, and the Crossroads. These includes the Rieger, Anton’s, and the Farmhouse just to name a few. Even outside of downtown Kansas City, there are dozens of the nations best cuisine spots just waiting for you to try. Of course, as we mentioned before, you’ve gotta try Kansas City barbecue. We’re not going to list any BBQ restaurants. Everyone has their favorite, but we don’t want to start a fight!

We would be here all day if we started talking about restaurant options. There’s just too many good ones to choose from!

A perfect destination at the perfect distance

Thinking of driving down for a day trip in Kansas City? This is the best mini vacation idea you can have! Below, we will give you some information to help you plan your trip.

Omaha, NE

Driving: 2 hours, 49 minutes.
Miles: 184.7 miles.

Lincoln, NE

Driving: 3 hours, 7 minutes.
Miles: 195.1 miles.

Lawrence, KS

Driving: 41 minutes
Miles: 40.3 miles.

Manhattan, KS

Driving: 1 hour, 54 minutes.
Miles: 121.5 miles.

Wichita, KS

Driving: 2 hours, 50 minutes.
Miles: 199.3 miles.

Des Moines, IA

Driving: 2 hours, 53 minutes.
Miles: 193.8 miles.

St. Joseph, MO

Driving: 59 minutes.
Miles: 55.1 miles.

St. Louis, MO

Driving: 3 hours, 49 minutes.
Miles: 247.7 miles.

Tulsa, OK

Driving: 4 hours.
Miles: 242.1 miles.

Topeka, KS

Driving: 59 minutes.
Miles: 63.5 miles.

Minneapolis, MN

Driving: 6 hours, 36 minutes.
Miles: 436.0 miles.

Jefferson City, MO

Driving: 2 hours, 26 minutes.
Miles: 157.3 miles.

Visit Kansas City on your next mini-vacation!

Make sure to come say hi to us at the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. We can’t wait for you to come and experience all of the incredible experience our city has to explore. If you would like more information on the College Basketball Hall of Fame, or the College Basketball Experience, please navigate to our Visit page.

Have a safe and happy trip!