15 Free Things to Do Along the Kansas City Streetcar Route

Step off the streetcar at the River Market North or River Market West stops and keep walking north to Berkley Riverfront Park. There you’ll find the Riverfront Heritage Trailwith scenic views of the Missouri River, CPKC Stadium and the Bond Bridge.

Hop off the streetcar at the City Market stop. On the weekends, the farmers market is the largest in the region with dozens of vendors to explore. During the week, visitors can also check out the diverse restaurants and shops.  

At the Library District stop, a short walk west will bring you to the Hotel Savoy Kansas City. Once the oldest hotel operating west of the Mississippi River, this historic building has been restored and now houses a boutique hotel, restaurant and contemporary art museum. The hotel’s curated exhibits and permanent works are always free to view and open to the public.

Also at the Library District stop, you’ll find the Kansas City Public Library’s Central Branch. At this downtown library, visitors can watch movies in an old bank’s vault, browse various exhibits, play a giant chess match on the rooftop terrace or simply settle in with a good book.

Just a few blocks from the Metro Center stop, you’ll find Kansas City’s City Hall, the third tallest building in the city. Request a tour of the observation deck on the 30th floor for stunning views and photos of the city skyline.

Hop off the streetcar at the Kauffman Center stop to visit Art Alley. Tucked away in the Crossroads Arts District, this hidden gem features an ever-changing array of graffiti art ranging from pop culture homages to surreal explorations of alley’s brick walls. It’s a prime spot for a photo opp.

The Crossroads comes alive the first Friday of each month as thousands gather for this art crawl that has quickly become a local and regional favorite. Get off the streetcar at the Crossroads stop to enjoy live entertainment, sidewalk vendors, art galleries and food trucks.  

At the end of the streetcar route, you’ll find the Union Station. Not every attraction inside is free to enjoy, but just exploring the halls of this historic landmark is enough to fill an afternoon. Don’t miss the Model Train Gallery, which features 8,000 square feet of model trains. This free gallery is maintained by volunteers and nearly doubles in size during the holidays.

Across the street from Union Station, you’ll find the popular Crown Center entertainment district. After exploring the great dining, shops and attractions, relax outside at the Crown Center Square. The massive fountain shoots water up to 60 feet in the air, and dancing water shows are synchronized to music from the Kansas City Symphony.  

Located inside the Hallmark Visitors Center, just a short walk from the Union Station streetcar stop, Kaleidoscope is a free art-making experience. Kids can explore and create using materials leftover from Hallmark’s manufacturing plus Crayola supplies.

A 15-minute walk from the Union Station stop, you’ll find the Money Museum. Its interactive exhibits teach visitors about the Federal Reserve’s role within the economy. Visitors can also see the region’s largest cash vault, lift a 27-pound gold bar and view President Harry S. Truman’s extensive coin collection. Bonus: All visitors leave with a bag of shredded currency.

One KC Streetcar stop puts riders within walking distance of two of the city’s most popular art museums. Hop off at 45th and Main streets (or 43rd and Main if you want to enjoy more of the historic Southmoreland neighborhood) to tap into your creative side. 

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s collection contains over 40,000 pieces of artwork encompassing more than 5,000 years of history from all across the world. Just north, you’ll find the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses a carefully curated selection of modern art. The best part? Both museums offer free admission every day. 

It’s only fitting that two of Kansas City’s beloved civic leaders and philanthropists are honored in a lovely, tranquil two-acre garden. The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is always free and just a short walk from the KC Streetcar’s Plaza stop.

A 15-minute walk from the KC Streetcar’s UMKC stop will bring you to Jacob L. Loose Park, KC’s sprawling 75-acre green space. Kids can run free on the playground or feed the ducks at the pond. There’s also an outer trail for lap running and public tennis courts.  

With the help of the nonprofit Clio, there are dozens of guided walking tours to help you learn more about Kansas City’s history. Whether you’re Downtown, in the Crossroads or by the Riverfront, Clio will teach you about historic buildings, famous faces, public art and more.