Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Kansas City, Missouri. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Kansas City, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Kansas City vacation!
Don’t Expect to Find Taxis at the Airport
Let’s start with your arrival in Kansas City. When you land at the airport, don’t expect to find a line of taxis waiting for passengers at the airport. Instead, you have to find the “taxi phones” at the airport. You pick up one of the phones, give them your gate or door number, and they will send someone out to pick you up.
Don’t Plan to Eat in the Airport Terminals
When you are leaving Kansas City, make sure you eat before you go through the security lines. Once you go through security at the Kansas City airport, the terminals are very small and don’t have a lot of services. So, plan on eating before you get to the airport, or at some of the restaurants that are outside of the security gates.
Don’t Think You’re in Kansas
Since you’re in Kansas City, you might assume you’ll be spending your time in the state of Kansas. While there is a Kansas City Kansas, most of the things to see and do are located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Don’t Expect to Walk Everywhere
Kansas City is very spread out. If you don’t rent a car while you’re here, then plan to spend a lot of money on Uber. You will need to drive to a lot of places and there really isn’t great public transportation in place. My Uber rides averaged about $7 to $10 each, but that’s several times a day, and it adds up quickly! On the bright side, Uber is fast and easy to use in Kansas City.
Don’t Worry About Driving
Driving is pretty easy in Kansas City, so don’t worry if you decide to drive there or rent a car during your visit to Kansas City. The streets are laid out in a way that’s easy to get around, and parking isn’t difficult or expensive.
Don’t Plan on Public Transportation
There are some buses and trams in Kansas City, but relying on public transportation for your Kansas City sightseeing can be challenging. The tram is free, but the service is pretty limited. There are plans to expand the route in the future, so this “don’t” could become a “do” in a few years!
Don’t Think Union Station is Just an Amtrak Station
Yes, Amtrak trains do arrive and depart through Union Station. But there’s a lot more to see and do in Kansas City’s Union Station. It’s huge and it’s recently been renovated to restore some of the original grandeur of the early 1900s when it was built. It’s a historical landmark, and there are also restaurants, public and private events, and a movie theater.
Don’t Miss the WWI Museum
This is the official national World War I Museum in the country. This is really an important museum and monument to a war that isn’t often talked about. The museum is very well done and gives in-depth explanations of the exhibits. Don’t miss out on going to the top of the monument, either! There’s an elevator that will take you up and you’ll have amazing views of the surrounding area.
Don’t Underestimate the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
This art museum in Kansas City is huge, and you’ll be surprised at some of the big names you’ll recognize. There are so many different periods of art that are covered inside the museum, from Egyptian art to Caravaggio, Manet, and Monet. The collection is really extensive and impressive! I think it’s one of the top five art museums in the United States.
Don’t Skip the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this museum! It’s one of the best modern museums that I have ever visited. You learn about the players, the league, memorabilia, and it’s all explained in context, which is really cool. It’s well worth the trip, and it’s in a great neighborhood with lots of things to do.
Don’t Miss Out on Live Jazz
There are some really good jazz clubs in Kansas City. You might be surprised at the good nightlife in Kansas City, and it’s really a fun place to go out. There are some great local brews that you can kick back and enjoy while listening to live music.
Don’t Think the Plaza and Country Club Plaza are Two Different Places
When you visit Kansas City, you’ll hear a lot about “the Plaza” as it’s a popular place to go in Kansas City. You might also hear about the Country Club Plaza and wonder where that is. They are one and the same! The whole area is just known as the Plaza.
Don’t Have Preconceived Notions of the Plaza
The Plaza was built to look like Seville Spain, and the architecture is really stunning. It can be a bit of a letdown when you realize these beautiful buildings are home to everyday chain restaurants and retail stores. The Plaza is basically a shopping center with some really great architecture.
Don’t Be Surprised by Friendly Locals
This is the Midwest; people are just naturally friendly. They will say hello to you on the street, so don’t freak out about it. It’s just how people are. They love to give you their best recommendations for things to do and especially where to find the best BBQ in Kansas City.
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Don’t Rip on Kansas City Sports Teams
Kansas City is a big sports town. They are loyal to their hometown teams. The Kansas City Chiefs just won the Superbowl in 2020. The Kansas City Royals are the local baseball team. They are really into their teams so don’t rip on them unless you want to get into a big debate!
Don’t Litter
This really should apply to every day and everywhere, but Kansas City is exceptionally clean. They have a lot of civic pride and they work hard to keep their city clean. There aren’t always trash cans readily available, but if you litter, the locals will call you out for it.
Don’t Be Discouraged by Long Lines for BBQ
Kansas City is probably most famous for BBQ. And some of the best places, like Joe’s, will have very long lines, especially during the dinner rush. But don’t be scared off by the long lines! You might have to wait 30 to 60 minutes to get your food, but it is so worth it! If you really want to avoid the lines, try to eat a late lunch or early dinner and you can skip some of the crowds. With so many great BBQ restaurants, you’ll have a hard time deciding. Ask the locals what their favorite is!
Don’t Skip the Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Kansas City BBQ can be wet or dry, and both options are good, but make sure you try some of the sauces! Every place has its own sauces, sometimes they have several. You’ll have sweet, spicy, and everything in between. Make sure you try it!
Don’t Think Kansas City is Just BBQ
Yes, the BBQ in Kansas City is excellent. But there is a ton of great food (and drink!) in Kansas City. LaMar’s Donuts is fantastic! You might also want to try a Kansas City strip steak. Kansas City is also a melting pot of cultures, so you’ll have great Italian, Asian and many others. Once you’ve had your fill of Kansas City BBQ, be sure to check out some of the other cuisines that are available.
Don’t Think You Have to Clean Your Plate
The portion sizes here are quite large! You won’t go hungry in Kansas City, but don’t feel like you have to eat everything they put in front of you. Not only is the food really good, but they like to give you a lot of it.
Don’t Write Off Kansas City
If you can’t already tell from this post, there’s a lot to do in Kansas City. Don’t write it off as some boring Midwest town in the middle of “flyover country.”
Kansas City is a really cool city to visit. The museums, culture, friendly locals and amazing food make this an excellent Midwest travel destination. I loved it here, and I think you will too! I hope this helps you known some of the things to avoid doing when you visit Kansas City. Looking for more of our USA travel tips? Check out these blog posts!