Kansas City Self-Guided Driving Tour: Iconic Landmarks & Must-See Sites
4
Places: 26 POIs
Distance: 12.96 mi
Duration: 1h:01m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Tour #2605
About this English self-guided 1h:01m driving tour in Kansas City
Welcome to Kansas City! You’ve landed in a city that loves three things above all else — barbecue, jazz, and fountains. And trust me, you’ll see and hear plenty of all three on this tour.
Kansas City is full of surprises. It’s a place where Count Basie and Charlie Parker made music history, where wide boulevards and shady parks earned it the nickname ‘Paris of the Plains,’ and where fountains pop up so often you might think the whole city is trying to stay hydrated. In fact, KC has more fountains than almost anywhere else in the world — second only to Rome. So if you find yourself counting, good luck keeping up!
Along the way, we’ll drive past world-class museums like the Nelson-Atkins, lively districts like 18th & Vine and the Power & Light, and even some hidden gems you might never notice if someone didn’t point them out. From Civil War battlefields to jazz clubs, from historic boulevards to modern arenas, Kansas City has layers of stories just waiting to be told.
We’ll keep it light, a little playful, and just the right length at each stop so you can enjoy the view without feeling like you’re back in history class. Think of me as your road trip buddy — the one who knows the local trivia, points out the cool landmarks, and maybe cracks a bad joke or two along the way.
So buckle up, settle in, and get ready to discover Kansas City in a whole new way. By the time we’re done, you’ll see why this city has been called everything from the ‘Paris of the Plains’ to the ‘City of Fountains.’ And hey — if at some point you feel like saying, ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore’ … don’t worry, around here we’ve heard that one before.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
- Category
- Language
- Mode
- Region
- Country
- City
This tour is available in 1 more language:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Museum, Memorial (Recommended selfie spot).
1 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Penn Valley Park – Kickoff to Kansas City
We begin our journey here at Penn Valley Park, one of Kansas City’s most historic and beloved green spaces. Opened in 1904, the park stretches across more than 175 acres just south of downtown.
Penn Valley Park is best known for the towering Liberty Memorial, home to the National World War I Museum, which stands as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. From here, you also get sweeping views of the Kansas City skyline, making it a perfect place to start our tour.
The park itself has long been a gathering spot for the community. It was once the site of Native American encampments, later used for cattle drives, and eventually became a centerpiece of Kansas City’s early park system. Today, locals come here to picnic, jog, or relax by the lake, while visitors stop to take in the history and the view.
As we set off on our drive, you’ll quickly see why Kansas City is known as the “City of Fountains and Parks” — and Penn Valley Park is one of the jewels in that crown.
Penn Valley Park is best known for the towering Liberty Memorial, home to the National World War I Museum, which stands as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. From here, you also get sweeping views of the Kansas City skyline, making it a perfect place to start our tour.
The park itself has long been a gathering spot for the community. It was once the site of Native American encampments, later used for cattle drives, and eventually became a centerpiece of Kansas City’s early park system. Today, locals come here to picnic, jog, or relax by the lake, while visitors stop to take in the history and the view.
As we set off on our drive, you’ll quickly see why Kansas City is known as the “City of Fountains and Parks” — and Penn Valley Park is one of the jewels in that crown.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.25mi
2496 Kessler Rd, Kansas City, MO 64999, USA
Liberty Memorial Tower & National WWI Museum
On your right rises the Liberty Memorial Tower, one of Kansas City’s most iconic landmarks. Standing 217 feet tall, it was dedicated in 1926 as a tribute to those who served and sacrificed during the First World War. At its base, two giant stone sphinxes face east and west, symbolizing Memory and Future.
Beneath the tower is the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the United States’ official museum dedicated to the Great War. Inside, exhibits bring to life the global conflict that reshaped the 20th century, with artifacts ranging from weapons and uniforms to letters and photographs. A striking feature is the glass bridge suspended over a field of 9,000 red poppies, each representing 1,000 combatant deaths in the war.
From the top of the memorial tower, visitors can take in one of the best panoramic views of downtown Kansas City. It’s both a solemn place of remembrance and a symbol of the city’s dedication to honoring history on a grand scale.
Beneath the tower is the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the United States’ official museum dedicated to the Great War. Inside, exhibits bring to life the global conflict that reshaped the 20th century, with artifacts ranging from weapons and uniforms to letters and photographs. A striking feature is the glass bridge suspended over a field of 9,000 red poppies, each representing 1,000 combatant deaths in the war.
From the top of the memorial tower, visitors can take in one of the best panoramic views of downtown Kansas City. It’s both a solemn place of remembrance and a symbol of the city’s dedication to honoring history on a grand scale.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Penn Valley Park – Kickoff to Kansas City
Place 2
Liberty Memorial Tower & National WWI Museum
Place 3
Union Station & Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain – Kansas City’s Grand Gateway
Place 4
Dorothy and Kansas
Place 5
18th Street
Place 6
Murals on 18th Street
Place 7
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Place 8
T-Mobile Center
Place 9
Power & Light District,
Place 10
Municipal Auditorium
Place 11
City Market
Place 12
Columbus Square & Columbus Square Park
Place 13
Women’s Leadership Fountain
Place 14
The Paseo – Kansas City’s Grand Boulevard
Place 15
Black Archives of Mid-America
Place 16
18th & Vine Historic District
Place 17
Troost Lake Park
Place 18
The Hyde Park Neighborhoods – Kansas City’s Historic Heart
Place 19
Robert Gillham Park
Place 20
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Place 21
Southmoreland Park
Place 22
Country Club Plaza
Place 23
Married Love Sculpture
Place 24
Loose Park
Place 25
Garden Center at Loose Park - Farewell
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 26 stops, covering top attractions such as Penn Valley Park – Kickoff to Kansas City, Liberty Memorial Tower & National WWI Museum, Union Station & Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain – Kansas City’s Grand Gateway, Dorothy and Kansas, 18th Street.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Penn Valley Park – Kickoff to Kansas City (Address: 1 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!