What Is the One Must-See Sight in Kansas City for a First-Time Visitor?: A Complete Guide

Kansas City, Missouri, is an intriguing place combining history, culture, architecture, culinary traditions, and entertainment and offering a unique urban experience for its visitors. Attracting new tourists to the city, one can hardly fail to find something interesting. Neighborhoods, museums, barbecue restaurants, and parks can offer a lot of options. However, being able to visit only one important attraction of the city, one needs to focus on the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

In case tourists are visiting Kansas City for the first time, efficient means of transportation can simplify the exploration process. Notably, transportation services like Glasgow Taxis are usually associated with travelling in Scotland. Nevertheless, those who are willing to plan a sightseeing tour in Kansas City will be able to use local transportation facilities as well. Once arriving in Kansas City, the attraction to be visited first of all is the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Why the National WWI Museum and Memorial Is Kansas City's Must-See Attraction

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is more than a museum. The National WWI Museum and Memorial is a national cultural heritage monument whose aim is to conserve the history of World War I. Located at the southern part of downtown Kansas City, the monument is placed at a prestigious location offering great views of the city. Visitors will find the museum to be both educational and enjoyable due to its prestigious placement.

The museum was founded in 1926 as Liberty Memorial and has evolved into one of the best museums in the world concerning World War I history. The collection consists of a wide variety of artifacts, pictures, documents, uniforms, weapons and personal stories explaining the influence of the war in the world. Newcomers can take advantage of this attraction and learn about the history of the war in the most recognized landmark of Kansas City.

Discover the History Behind the Liberty Memorial

The Liberty Memorial may just be one of the most distinguishable aspects of the attraction due to its magnificent architecture which stands tall amidst the skyline of Kansas City and can be viewed from various locations of the downtown city. It is a tower standing at 265 feet tall with landscaping and memorial architecture all around it.

The visitor can enjoy the surroundings of the memorial even prior to stepping inside the museum itself. The architecture alone is enough to make the visit worth the trip, especially if you're a history lover, a photographer or a fan of urban architecture.

What Can First-Time Visitors Expect Inside the Museum?

Exhibitions at the museum guide visitors through the history of the First World War chronologically. In contrast to providing visitors with dates and statistics of the military, the museum offers information on those who took part in the war and the drastic changes that took place because of it.

Among the things to be found inside the museum, there are letters, military clothes, battlefield equipment, vehicles, art, photos, and many other authentic items. Interactive exhibitions shed light on the political and technological aspects that led to the war.

The visitor who travels into Kansas City from another city would benefit by planning their transportation beforehand for a more comfortable sightseeing experience. The visitor who has been used to organizing airport transfer, such as Glasgow Airport Taxi, would be familiar with the benefit of arranging their transport prior to engaging in an exhaustive sightseeing tour. This can be done in Kansas City too.

Enjoy Stunning Kansas City Skyline Views

One of the most prominent factors that make the National WWI Museum and Memorial unique is the location. From the memorial grounds and observation spots, tourists get stunning vistas of the downtown Kansas City. The distinctive skyline of the city is perfect for taking photos, especially at sunrise, sunset, and evening hours, when the illumination of buildings starts.

Another point of view on Kansas City from the observation spot under the memorial tower. From up high, people will be able to see how all the main areas of the city are interconnected. Thus, not only will the visitors get the historical experience, but they will also have an opportunity to get to know the city visually.

It is necessary to take a camera or a smartphone for taking pictures, since there are many great photo opportunities in the memorial museum.

Why History Lovers Should Add It to Their Kansas City Itinerary

There are many places of interest in Kansas City where one can enjoy music, sport, food, and culture, but there is one place that will provide visitors with something unique. It will allow to link the city with an important period in the history of the whole world.

This place will be especially interesting for tourists who wish to make their trip memorable not just through pictures of some attraction. There, visitors will learn about the people, actions, problems, and inventions that have played a role in forming the modern world.

The stories will be especially interesting for visitors who do not care much about wars. They will show that there is a human side of the problem of wars and conflicts in the world.

Also read: What Is the Most Beautiful Street in Glasgow?

Best Time to Visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The choice of the appropriate timing could further enhance the experience. Morning times work perfectly well for those tourists who like some calmness and would like to have enough time to see everything. Late afternoons are good for photographers due to great scenery that appears because of the changes in the lighting conditions. Sunset times are great to observe the scenery as well; however, one should check the opening hours at the museum and observation deck.

Moreover, it is reasonable to allocate several hours for visiting the museum. Visiting the exhibition too fast makes it complicated to see all the great things there.

Explore More of Kansas City After Your Visit

Upon a visit to the National WWI Museum and Memorial, there is plenty more for tourists to see in Kansas City's many tourist destinations. There is also Crown Center with its shopping facilities, restaurants, entertainment facilities, and activities for children. In addition, downtown Kansas City has its own Power and Light District with its numerous restaurants and nightclubs.

Another great tourist destination is the Country Club Plaza which is popular among tourists because of its shops and architecture as well as restaurants. At the same time, tourists who like food will have a chance to sample one of the city's specialties: Kansas City's barbecue.

There are sports venues and museums where art enthusiasts will be able to spend their time. Thus, by visiting the National WWI Museum and Memorial together with a few other attractions located nearby, visitors will not waste their time traveling to distant places.

Tips for a Memorable First Visit

Before coming to visit, one should be informed about the official opening times, admission policies, exhibition schedule, and other special events. It is advised that people should wear comfortable walking shoes as they can spend many hours walking inside and outside.

One may wish to arrive early enough to have enough time for a leisurely visit to the museum. One needs to read the background information and get acquainted with the personal stories of those people whose lives were taken away.

It will be wise to look up the weather forecast before the visit as the weather in Kansas City is changeable and one may spend some time in the open air.

Final Thoughts: Make the National WWI Museum Your First Stop

For anyone touring Kansas City, perhaps the one stop which must not be missed is the National WWI Museum and Memorial. This single destination includes world history, stunning architecture, amazing exhibitions, and magnificent views of the city.

Despite the many things that tourists can do in Kansas City – eating, entertainment, and sightseeing to name a few, this particular tourist destination gives tourists much more insight into Kansas City as well as American history. Regardless of whether you travel alone, with your family members, or even on a mini-getaway weekend vacation, the National WWI Museum and Memorial is an experience worth having at the very start of your tour to Kansas City.