Sight Crown Center, Downtown Kansas City
Union Station
A sight in Crown Center, Downtown Kansas City, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
The 1914 Beaux-Arts station, with a Grand Hall clock and holiday trains; Science City inside hosts a family Noon Year's Eve.
It is one of 8 curated places we feature in Downtown Kansas City, alongside 2 bars & cafés, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Union Station Kansas City and Jack Stack Barbecue Freight House.
- Type
- Sight
- Neighborhood
- Crown Center
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Downtown Kansas City. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Union Station Kansas City
1914 rail station with a grand hall, science center and model railroad exhibit.
Sight · Kansas City · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Jack Stack Barbecue Freight House
A Kansas City barbecue institution in a restored freight depot next to Union Station, known for burnt ends and crown prime ribs.
Food · 0.2 mi straight-line - 3Lidia's Kansas City
Lidia Bastianich's Italian restaurant in the Freight House since 1998, with a multi-course menu on New Year's Eve in past years.
Food · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Crossroads Hotel
A hotel in a converted 1911 warehouse in the arts district, with a rooftop bar and its own themed New Year's Eve party.
Stay · 0.2 mi straight-line - 5National WWI Museum and Memorial
The US museum dedicated to the First World War, under the Liberty Memorial tower.
Sight · Kansas City · 0.3 mi straight-line - 6Liberty Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial's lawn and tower look straight down on Union Station and the downtown skyline.
Sight · 0.3 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Union Station is a stop on our Kansas City New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Downtown Kansas City
Union Station is our only sight pick in Downtown Kansas City; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Downtown Kansas City guide.
-
NYE Live! at KC Live!
The Power & Light District's ticketed New Year's Eve party on the covered KC Live! block, with DJs, live acts and a midnight ball drop.
-
Green Lady Lounge
A red-lit jazz lounge on Grand Boulevard with live Kansas City jazz every night, including New Year's Eve.
-
Kelly's Westport Inn
Westport's oldest building and a classic Irish bar that drops a ball at 6 p.m. for Ireland's midnight, then again at midnight.
When to go: weather by month, based on Kansas City
Our climate figures for Downtown Kansas City come from nearby Kansas City. Average daily highs in Kansas City run from 37°F in January to 89°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Union Station itself, we suggest: Morning.
Modelled monthly averages for Kansas City from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Kansas City weather by month (covers Downtown Kansas City).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Union Station, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 39.08480, -94.58530
- Destination
- Downtown Kansas City, Missouri
- Website
- unionstation.org
Union Station: quick answers
How much time do you need at Union Station?
Plan on about an hour at Union Station. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Union Station?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Science City's balloon-drop Noon Year's Eve on Dec 31 suits kids who will not make it to midnight.
Is Union Station free?
Yes, we list Union Station as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Union Station?
Union Station appears on Kansas City New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Union Station to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown Kansas City.
Plan Downtown Kansas City
- Downtown Kansas City travel guide 8 places
- Kansas City weather (covers Downtown Kansas City) weather by month
- Downtown Kansas City to Country Club Plaza 3.9 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Downtown Kansas City
- Green Lady Lounge Drinks
- NYE Live! at KC Live! Activity
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.