Kansas City, Missouri, is a vibrant city in the heart of the Midwest, alive with music, food, history, and art.

The legacy of jazz music, world-class barbecue culture, streets filled with unique architecture and fountains, and high-quality museums attract visitors. Here are the major attractions and sites you must visit before starting your journey in Kansas City or beginning a new life here.

Country Club Plaza is Kansas City's premier shopping and tourist district. Developed in 1922, it is known as the first automobile-centered shopping area in the United States, featuring impressive buildings and fountains inspired by Spanish Seville architecture.

The annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony is a decades-old Kansas City tradition that draws tens of thousands of visitors every year after Thanksgiving. With restaurants, boutique shops, and galleries clustered together, it's a great place to spend a day enjoying shopping and dining.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of the top art museums in the United States. Opened in 1933, this museum offers free admission (with some exceptions for special exhibitions) and boasts an extensive collection ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Asian art, Impressionist paintings, and contemporary sculptures.

Notably, the large Shuttlecocks sculpture (by Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen) installed in the museum's front lawn is widely recognized as an iconic photo spot in Kansas City. The outdoor sculpture garden is also beautiful, allowing visitors to enjoy both a stroll and art appreciation.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is located south of downtown Kansas City at Liberty Memorial. It is the only national museum in the United States dedicated to World War I, featuring a rich display of artifacts, photographs, and video materials from the war. The view of the Kansas City skyline from the top of the memorial tower is also impressive. History enthusiasts should definitely add this to their must-visit list.

The American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum are unique cultural attractions located within the same building complex. Situated in the 18th & Vine Historic District, they highlight Kansas City's significant role in American jazz history.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum captures the history of Black baseball players during the era of racial segregation, making it a meaningful visit for sports fans and those interested in American history.

City Market is an outdoor farmers market located in the River Market district of Kansas City, bustling with fresh produce, handmade goods, and food vendors on weekends. This historic market has been around since the 1840s, allowing visitors to browse and purchase products sold directly by local farmers and small vendors. The surrounding River Market district is lively with restaurants and bars, making it a great spot to enjoy meals and drinks before or after visiting the market.

Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium are the holy grails for Kansas City sports fans. Kauffman Stadium is home to the MLB Kansas City Royals, while Arrowhead Stadium is home to the NFL Kansas City Chiefs, who have gained national popularity after winning the Super Bowl in recent years.

The two stadiums are located side by side within the same sports complex, and attending a game during the season is one of the key experiences of visiting Kansas City.

The Joplin Route 66 tour and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art are also noteworthy attractions. The Kemper Museum offers free admission to view contemporary art and is conveniently located near Country Club Plaza. Additionally, day trips to natural attractions like Mark Twain National Forest and the Ozark Plateau, which are within a 1-2 hour drive from Kansas City, are popular options.

Kansas City itself has enough attractions to keep you busy for days, and with new events and festivals added each season, it's an enticing city that encourages repeat visits.