Kansas City, Kansas is a 127-mile metropolitan area that caters to sports enthusiasts, vacationers, and those looking for a little urban adventure. Kansas’ third-largest city appeals to all age and activity levels. While visiting Kansas City, you can satisfy your inner historical buff and your need for speed, as well as enjoy some retail therapy.
Tucked away outside the city lights are less obvious attractions that have gained popularity with tourists. Find wildflowers and hiking trails along the riverfront, with a full view of the city skyline, or search for Native American ancestors in the records of history that live just beyond the roar of the speedway.
1 Kansas Speedway
If you’re a fan of NASCAR, then a night at Kansas Speedway is one of the best things to do in the city. The 1.5-mile track and road circuit hosts several types of races, including two NASCAR Sprint Race Series. To get an insider’s experience, you can rent scanners to listen to the drivers and pit crew during the race. Purchasing a FanWalk pass grants you access to the garage and infield, where you can watch car inspections, watch driver introductions, and get a close look at the pre-race concert.
If you are a first-timer, be sure to read the location regulations on what to bring. A small bag and a small soft-sided cooler are allowed, but there are other restrictions you’ll want to know before you go on site.
Address: 400 Speedway Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.kansasspeedway.com
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2 Sporting Kansas City
You can enjoy the ultimate Major League Soccer fan experience at a Sporting Kansas City game in Children’s Mercy Park. The successful MLS team has made Kansas City the football capital of the world and home to some of the most electric MLS fans. The venue is comfortable and has a 145,000 square foot roof covering all sections.
The state-of-the-art stadium has a 2,016 square foot high-definition video card on the south side and a 550 square foot HD video card on the north side, so you’ll never miss any of the action.
Since Kansas City is one of Major League Soccer’s founding clubs, almost every game is a sellout. Sporting KC is a must-see if you want to capture the heart of professional Kansas City sports. The marching band areas come to life in the stadium. You’ll want to prepare for popular fan chants before playing a game to get the most out of the experience.
Address: One Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.sportingkc.com
3 Schlitterbahn Water Park Kansas City
At Schlitterbahn Water Park, one of Kansas City’s main attractions, you can spend a day or several days cooling off and enjoying a variety of water attractions. A mile-long connected river that runs through the park allows you to float and glide from one end of the park to the other. You will pass light tides, slides and slides without leaving the water unless you want to. If you’re a thrill seeker, you’ll want the towering water slides, the Boogie Bahn Surfing Ridewater coasters and 13 mini slides for kids.
When you want to relax, rent a private cabana on the beach or swim to the refreshing bar in the heated pool. Rides are classified by sensor level, height requirements, ride types, and park locations for easy understanding. The free parking spaces, tubes and life jackets save you money and you can bring a picnic to the park. You can use the best water park to buy tickets online and load your entry wristband with money to pay for food and drinks, so you don’t need to carry cash.
Address: 9400 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.schlitterbahn.com
4 Legends Outlet Kansas City
You’ll find many things to do in Kansas City, but a shop to make your trip to Kansas City’s Legends Outlets is in order if you visit. Pack a little extra cash and comfortable shoes as you visit more than 100 shops, restaurants, and outdoor stores. You can learn about legendary Kansans that can be seen all over the venue with a free audio tour or scavenger hunt. Stop by the Legends office for a free coupon book with discounts on shopping and dining.
In addition to the outlet stores, you will find entertainment options including a movie theater and Dave & Busters playing location.
Address: 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas
Official Site: https://www.legendsshopping.com/
5 Kansas City T Bones
You can enjoy a great American night out at the stadium watching professional baseball with the Kansas City T Bones. Games are played on the CommunityAmerica Ballpark with cheap game tickets and free parking. All seats are close to the field, making for a great fan experience as you can hear and see every play. Activities and entertainment between innings, with nightly promotions and giveaways, add to this budget-friendly and memorable night out for families. The children’s play area also has a full view of the ball field, so you don’t miss a home run if you’re looking for extra entertainment for the little ones.
All games start with skydivers and end with fireworks. If you go, stop by the pre-match promotion table to sign up for matches and be in with a chance of winning prizes between turns.
Address: 1800 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.tbonesbaseball.com
6 Zip KC Zip Line Park
At the only zipline park in the Kansas City area, you’ll find a full menu of outdoor recreation opportunities. The 143-acre adventure park offers zipline rides ranging from beginner to advanced level.
Traditional zipline tours include a walk and zip tour. For a unique date night, try the Sunset Zip Line Tour and to up the adrenaline factor, book a glow-in-the-dark Night Flight Tour. This idyllic and cool zipline experience takes place as you grab a glow stick and zip along five ziplines illuminated with color-changing LED lights.
Tours are most comfortable when you can avoid the sweltering heat of the day, so book early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Address: 12829 Loring Dr., Bonner Springs, Kansas
Official site: www.zipkc.com
7Richard Petty Driving Experience
If you get dragged into the NASCAR energy that is in Kansas City, take part in your own racing moment at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime as you ride a gun or take a seat in a car with a zoom of 155 miles per hour around the car Kansas Speedway.
You’ll never see NASCAR race the same way when you experience three laps around the speedway. You’ll see first-hand what professional drivers experience as they compete for position on the racetrack. Different types of driving experiences are available, as well as packages for Junior Rides in the stock cars.
It’s worth adding the video or photo option to your package so you can relive your once-in-a-lifetime experience at home.
Address: 400 Speedway Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.drivepetty.com
8 T-Rex Cafe
This is a lunch you will never forget as you enjoy the prehistoric theatrics at the T-Rex Café. The 20,000-square-foot venue is an interactive experience as you eat with life-sized moving dinosaurs and simulated meteor showers. After you eat, you can explore the exhibits, dig for fossils in the Discovery Dig pit, or make your own dinosaur at the Build-a-Dino Workshop.
The T-Rex Café is education, entertainment and food in one location. Carnivores have their own menu to choose from, and herbivores have a full range of salads. Be sure to save room for the Chocolate Extinction dessert.
Address: 1847 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.trexcafe.com
9 Kaw Point Park
History buffs will enjoy tracing the steps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Kaw Point Park. Located in the urban center of Kansas City, this site at the convergence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers pays a historical and educational tribute to the 1804 expedition. Kaw Point has several wooded trails, including the Lewis and Clark Heritage Trailbike paths and a boat ramp for kayaks, canoes and motorized boats.
If you’re planning a visit during a scheduled performing arts or reenactment event, enjoy the open-air encampment at the site where Lewis and Clark camped for three days. Unique features of the theater are its 500 limestone seats.
Address: 1 River City Drive, Kansas City, Kansas
Official Site: https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/
10 Lakeside Speedway
The semi-long dirt road at Lakeside Speedway is where you’ll find fans of dirt modified car racing. Depending on the night, the lineup includes USRA Mods, Grand Nationals, USRA B mods, and factory stock cars. Join the fan action in the stands as drivers race to win the scholarship. For an added fan experience, take advantage of the campground adjacent to the facility designed specifically for racing fans.
Address: 5615 Wolcott Drive, Kansas City, Kansas
Official site: www.lakesidespeedway.net
11 Wyandotte County Historical Museum
You can experience one of the finest collections of archaeological Native American artifacts at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum. Designed as a research and education center, the collections of more than 75,000 artifacts provide a rich history of the Kansas City area, some dating back more than 3,000 years. If you have Native American ancestry, visit the center’s research archives. You’ll find indexed historical photographs, obituaries, and marriage licenses, along with comforters of personal artifacts such as yearbooks and newspapers from the people of Wyandotte County.
Address: 631 N. 126th Street, Bonner Springs, Kansas
Official site: https://www.wycomuseum.org/
12 Original Juan Specialty Foods
It’s almost impossible to travel through Kansas City without experiencing the hottest spot in town at Original Juan Specialty Foods. The 60,000-square-foot facility is a hot sauce factory, but it’s become a popular tourist stop just for the novelty.
Original Juan Specialty Foods makes some of the spiciest concoctions, including “The Source,” the most popular sauce in the world with a score of 7.1 million on the scoville scale. In addition to artistically labeled hot sauces, the factory produces locally made sauces, marinades, dips, and other specialty foods. This is a great place to find souvenirs specific to the area. Be sure to sample the samples and stop by the clearance rack for product offerings.
Address: 111 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas
Official Site: https://www.originaljuan.com/
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