As always, during the early months of the of year in the Midwest, the weather fluctuates between summer, winter and just a little bit of true spring! It can be hard to find plans with school back in session and completely unpredictable weather, but fortunately, Kansas City has a surplus of activities available no matter the forecast. I wanted to share with you my favorite indoor and outdoor FREE activities in Kansas City that you can experience this spring!
1. The KC Streetcar
The KC streetcar is a free transportation service that runs through downtown Kansas City. If you in the mood for an adventure or are looking to get familiar the city, this activity is perfect for you. The streetcar starts at Union Station and runs all the way through the River Market. There are 16 stops on the trip and it usually takes about 40 minutes from start to finish if you choose to stay on the streetcar the whole time. If you want to get off and explore, my favorite stops include the Power and Light District, the public library and the historic River Market/City Market. There are multiple streetcars in motion at one time, meaning that the longest wait will be 10-20 minutes at any stop. This is one of my favorite activities for a nice day! The hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday: 6am-12am, Friday: 6am-2am,Saturday: 7am-2am and Sunday: 7am-11pm.
2. Linda Hall Library
Right across the street at UMKC, the Linda Hall Library offers free admission from 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday. While it is a beautiful space, perfect to a bring a book, the library offers much more than just a reading nook. They currently have an exhibit called, “Chained to the Sky: The Science of Birds, Past and Future.” This exhibit tells the story of humans’ relationship with birds, explains the threats they face and offers suggestions on what can be done to protect them. Since this educational and impactful activity is just an 11-minute walk from campus, it is a great option for students who live on campus and do not have a car!
3. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Admission to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is always free! When walking in, you will have to use the kiosk to get a ticket at no cost, or you can reserve them ahead of time online. I could spend hours on end looking through the different displays and works of art in the museum, and the best part is that you seem to find something new to see on every visit. Specifically, I enjoy their ancient history exhibits, including real mummies and Greek mythology artifacts. However, if weather permits, I recommend having a picnic on the grass courtyard in front of the museum. The aesthetic view of the architecture combined with a delicious lunch is sure to make for an enjoyable afternoon! Their hours are as follows: Saturday-Monday: 10am to 5pm Tuesday, Wednesday: Closed Thursday, Friday: 10am to 9pm
4. Kauffman Memorial Gardens
Located just right down the street on Rockhill Road, the Kauffman Memorial Garden is a great place to get some fresh air and immerse yourself in nature while still being in the city. It is within walking distance of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and is known for their beautiful flowers in the springtime. I love going here after being in the classroom all day or going earlier in the day before class! It is open 8am-7pm daily and has parking right outside.
