Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri is a Missouri River city known for Kansas City-style barbecue, 18th and Vine jazz and more than 200 working fountains.
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Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in Missouri by population and area, on the Missouri River where the Kansas River joins it. Go for barbecue, jazz and the city's more than 200 working fountains, especially on the Country Club Plaza. A separate Kansas City, Kansas lies across the state line, and the metro area spans both states with about 2.25 million residents, so check which side your hotel and tickets are on.
Kansas City-style barbecue dates to 1921, when Henry Perry opened the first barbecue stand. 18th and Vine is the historic jazz district, and Westport has more live music venues than any other part of town. UNESCO named Kansas City its first City of Music in the US in 2018. Two or three days is enough to cover downtown, the Plaza and Westport. Spring and fall are the milder seasons, but spring is also peak storm season, so check the forecast before you go.
Kansas City in five
- Get ESTA before you flyTravelers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA before boarding. Apply only through the official CBP site.Visas and entry
- Ride the streetcar between River Market and Union StationThe two-mile downtown streetcar runs between the River Market and Union Station. The MAX bus rapid transit line also serves Crown Center and the Country Club Plaza.Getting around
- Eat barbecue at Arthur Bryant's or Gates Bar-B-QKansas City-style barbecue dates to 1921, when Henry Perry opened the first barbecue stand. Arthur Bryant's and Gates Bar-B-Q are two well-known places to try it.
- Check the state line on every bookingKansas City, Kansas lies across the state border from Kansas City, Missouri. Hotels, tours and rides can use either name, so confirm you are booking the Missouri side.
- Watch spring storm alerts before outdoor plansKansas City lies in Tornado Alley, and powerful storms are most common in spring. Follow National Weather Service alerts for your dates and keep an indoor option, such as Union Station, ready.
Things to do in Kansas City
See all attractions in Kansas City
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver travelers need an ESTA; most others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected in restaurants and bars, and for taxi drivers
- Time
- UTC-6 (Central Time), UTC-5 during daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low-5°Cold, icyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, icy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low-3°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low4°Storm seasonMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm season
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Storm seasonAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm season
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Mild, storm riskMayRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 207 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, storm risk
- JuneRain11 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Warm, festivalsJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 180 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- JulyRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low22°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustRain11 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Hot, humidAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Mild, quieterSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Autumn, mildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, mild
- NovemberClear6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low4°Cooling downNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooling down
- DecemberPartly cloudy5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low-1°Cold, holidaysDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, holidays
Average daily high and low in Kansas City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Kansas City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 30 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Kansas City
04:00 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°17°78%Monday: Rain. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue19°12°73%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Wed15°9°9%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Thu16°9°7%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Fri16°8°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat18°10°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun11°7°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 12:00 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- IndependenceHarry S. Truman's hometown, with the Truman Library and Museum.
- Lawrence, KansasA college town on the Kansas side, home of the University of Kansas.
- Columbia, MissouriA college town in mid-Missouri, home of the University of Missouri.
Before you go to Kansas City
Rules for Kansas City, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before boarding; most other travelers need a visa. Check your status on the official CBP site.Source
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Kansas City.
- Tip restaurant servers, bartenders and taxi drivers, since tipping is customary in the US.
- Declare fruit, meat, plants and other food on your CBP declaration form.
Plan around Kansas City
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a US trip
Read the guideMissouriThe state around Kansas City, with its other cities and parks
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich documents to check before you fly to the US
Read the guideGetting aroundStreetcar, MAX bus, trains and car rental in the city
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels in downtown, Westport and the Country Club Plaza
Read the guideFestivals and live musicJazz, Irish fest and summer theater dates for your visit
Read the guideKansas City FAQ
Is Kansas City worth visiting?
Yes, for barbecue, jazz and the city's fountains, of which there are more than 200 working ones. Plan two or three days in the city instead of a stopover between flights.
How many days do you need in Kansas City?
Two to three days covers the Country Club Plaza, Union Station, the 18th and Vine jazz district and a barbecue meal. Add a day for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
How do you get around Kansas City without a car?
Bus rapid transit on the MAX route takes you past the River Market, downtown, Union Station, Crown Center and the Plaza. The downtown streetcar covers the two miles between the River Market and Union Station.
What is Kansas City-style barbecue?
A barbecue style from Kansas City that dates to 1921, when Henry Perry opened the first barbecue stand. Arthur Bryant's and Gates Bar-B-Q are two well-known places to try it.
When is the best time to visit Kansas City?
September and October are mild, and May is warm but storm-prone. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold, with ice storms that can knock out power for days or weeks.
Which Kansas City should I book?
Kansas City, Missouri is the city this guide covers, the largest in Missouri by population and area. Kansas City, Kansas lies across the state line, so check the state when you book hotels and tours.
Is Kansas City safe for tourists?
Crime is not spread evenly. Downtown saw the largest drop of any neighborhood in the 2000s, and most violent crime happens on the lower-income East Side. Ask your lodging which areas to avoid at night.