Local Guides

Dive into our Local Guides and discover the best of Kansas City’s regional arts + culture, whether you are new in town or you’ve lived here forever, you’ll find something new to explore.

Live: Stage, Screen + Sound

Discover vibrant live performances in one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls, or in the world’s longest-running jazz venue – they’re both in KC. With dozens of venues to choose from, you’ll find that our live theater, dance and music experiences are dialed all the way up.

Art Scene

Celebrate Art on First Friday, Third Friday, Final Friday and every day in-between! Tap into the pulse of Kansas City’s art scene from galleries and shops to seasonal art fairs and festivals — there’s something for everyone.

Museums

Look in our Kansas City museums – and you’ll find one of the most comprehensive collections of Chinese art in the Western Hemisphere and Galileo’s original printed works. Or choose to see Jazz’s iconic history and the only museum dedicated to Negro Leagues Baseball. Whatever you choose, KC’s museums are worth a deep dive.

Local History

Explore the roots of Kansas City’s traditions and culture, and you will find stories of settlers moving west, of the Civil War conflict and of the Great World War remembered. You will find the smoky energy of the Swing Era still alive in our jazz clubs, and smoky barbecue still filling our tables. Explore our past and you’ll find the traditions, energy, and culture that continue to define and shape us today.

Public Art

We take our art seriously here – and are lucky to have cities and neighborhoods that support our passion for art with incredible investment and placement of art all around us. Since the 1980’s, Kansas City has committed to the incorporation of art into each new structure and facility it builds. Other area municipalities invest as well in making our public spaces not just beautiful – but remarkable.

Eat + Enjoy

Where do you go before and after all those events? Great food is part of Kansas City culture and our rich tradition of unbeatable barbecue is part of our town’s reputation. But that grew out of a bigger Kansas City trend – creative chefs and cooks working to create unique flavors to define their own place in the food world. So many good things to try. Eat. Enjoy.

Going to

Kansas City?

Kansas City’s arts scene spans the metro, from the Crossroads Arts District’s concentrated gallery scene to performance venues, museums, and cultural landmarks throughout the region. Most areas require a car to get between them, but once you arrive, it’s easy to explore on foot.

All of our arts organizations are very welcoming and accessible. There are many events and experiences that are free or low-cost.

While KC is most known for its jazz legacy, vibrant murals, and First Fridays (one of the country’s largest monthly art walks), there is much to explore.

If you’re visiting for a specific event or spending a weekend exploring, Kansas City’s creative community makes it easy to dive in. A little planning goes a long way!

Here is what to know before you go.

Know before you go

The free KC Streetcar runs 5.7 miles from River Market to UMKC, connecting downtown, the Crossroads, Westport, the Plaza, and must-see museums like the Nelson-Atkins and Kemper along the way. Ride shares are also widely available, and most venues have nearby parking.