Best FREE or Cheap Things to Do in Kansas City

Looking for something free or cheap to do in Kansas City with family or friends?

These are some top picks for fun things to do in Kansas City. As an added bonus, they won’t bust your budget.

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Visit the Country Club Plaza

The Country Club Plaza, which is modeled after Seville Spain, is one of Kansas City’s major tourist attractions.

Although it’s considered an upscale shopping district, it’s a beautiful place to go walk around when the weather is nice, or grab a bite to eat out on a restaurant patio. Even though it’s considered upscale, it has a great mix of restaurants and bars, many of which are very affordable (and most of them have happy hours).

Another great perk of the Country Club Plaza is FREE parking on the street or in one of the multiple public garages.

Download a historical Country Club Plaza walking tour guide to help you learn as you browse the open-air areas of this Kansas City attraction.

The Country Club Plaza is located at 4706 Broadway, Kansas City, MO.

Stroll Around Crown Center

The Crown Center District is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination in downtown Kansas City. It also the international headquarters of Hallmark Cards.

There are many ways to spend your time at Crown Center. Browse the shops, grab something to eat, take in the outdoor fountains and enjoy the Kansas City skyline in the heart of it all.

For our purposes, we’re focusing on those activities and attractions that are free, cheap or we can offer advice on how to save.

Crown Center Ice Terrace: This outdoor attraction is open seasonally offering ice skating and ski rentals – or you can bring your own.

Hallmark Visitors Center: Learn about the fascinating history of Hallmark and the role the Hall family has played in Kansas City. Admission is FREE, but you need to make reservations, as attendance is limited.

Kaleidoscope Kids Center: Explore art and unleash creativity for kids a Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope center. Young artists get to explore the space and use provided materials to create their own colorful works they can take home. Kaleidoscope is FREE, but you will need to schedule your visit with a reservation.

Stop by a Park in Kansas City

Whether you’re in the city or part of the suburbs, there are some wonderful spots of nature to take in around Kansas City.

Here are our must-do recommendations. Some are FREE and others have a small cost.

Browse the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features traveling exhibitions in addition to its own collection of more than 33,500 objects (the photo of the shuttlecock above is courtesy of the museum). Admission to the museum is free. They also offer free audio-guided tours.

Visit Union Station

It’s free to go in and look around Union Station, which has impressive history and architecture. There are fees for some of the attractions.

One of Union Station’s most popular attractions is Science City, a science center with interactive exhibits. Kids can train to be makers, dig for fossils, and ride a bicycle 30 feet off the ground. Tickets are $13.25. They also have rotating exhibits at Union Station (price varies by exhibit).

Pop Over to the Kansas City Power & Light District

The Power & Light District is mostly made up of bars and restaurants. There’s also a huge courtyard area in the middle where you can enjoy holiday parties, FREE concerts, and watch parties for sporting events.

Listen to Some Live Jazz

One of the many things Kansas City is known for is great jazz music, and there are many places where you can listen to live jazz for free.

Explore the City Market

The City Market is an open-air market that features an eclectic mix of restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and attractions. At the market, you’ll find a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries, flowers, and gift items. They also host concerts, festivals, and other special events.

Take the Kids to the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Designed to depict a turn-of-the-century family farm, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead has tons of animals, a mining camp, a dairy barn, an ice cream parlor, a fishing pond, play areas, pony rides, and more. See here for details, including when to visit during FREE afternoons.