Top 10 Road Trip Destinations For RV Rentals in Kansas City, Missouri
Straddling the boundary between Missouri and Kansas, at the junction where the Missouri and Kansas Rivers meet, Kansas City’s roots run deep. It’s the home of barbecues and jazz, and it’s got more fountains than Rome and second only to Paris in the number of boulevards. To walk along the neon lit streets at night is to be taken back through time by 50s Americana. With an RV rental in Kansas City, you can explore everything from the Tallgrass Prairie to Union Station yourself.
Here are our top ten road trip destinations for RV rentals in Kansas City, Missouri.
1. Visit the Cradle of Jazz at 18th and Vine District
If New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz, then Kansas City is where jazz music in America grew up. The historic 18th and Vine district was once the hotbed of America’s favorite jazz music. Here, legends like Big Joe Turner, Charlie Parker, and Count Basie worked their magic and defined the genre for generations to come.
If you can’t get enough of the music, there’s the American Jazz Museum on East 18th Street where you can check out venues and programs highlighting live jazz music. There’s also a collection of memorabilia, recordings, and rare photos of the jazz masters.
Additionally, this district also serves as a celebration of African American history and culture. Just a stone’s throw away from the American Jazz Museum, you can also visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for a dose of American sports history.
A visit to 18th and Vine would be incomplete without stopping for lunch at Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque on Brooklyn Avenue. Bryant’s is famous locally and amongst celebrities for its legendary sauces and wonder bread sandwiches. Founded in 1920, the diner maintains a perfect serving of authentic 50s nostalgia alongside smoked pork ribs and onion rings.
2. Immerse in History at the National WW1 Museum and Memorial
If you like an all-encompassing experience into the nation’s history, the National WW1 Museum and Memorial is a great stop. The museum will take you on a breathtaking journey through the War To End All Wars.
You can also check out war artifacts, thought-provoking films, interactive displays, and eye-witness accounts. And if that’s not riveting enough, the museum also offers a virtual reality experience that will transport you to the Western Front of World War I.
3. Experience Science and Magic at the Union Station
With over a hundred years of history, Kansas City Union Station used to be one of the busiest depots in the US. During its heyday, the station served 670,000 passengers.
Today, the Union Station welcomes tourists from various parts of the globe. After its renovation in 1996, this old transportation hub is now home to various attractions like Science City, Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, theaters, and shopping and dining joints.
Spending time beneath Science City’s hanging propeller planes and amongst its numerous interactive exhibits makes for a lovely afternoon for the entire family. And if hands-on science isn’t enough, the Planetarium can take you on an out-of-this-world experience. At the Planetarium, you can immerse yourself in astronomy under the auditorium’s interactive globe, and watch one of its stunning public shows.
4. Dive Deep into History and Arts at Westport
Kansas City’s entertainment district also boasts of rich history and character. You need only take a stroll through its tree-lined boulevards, beside the old-style lampposts, to feel the classic Americana rhythm for yourself. You can also catch a glimpse of the past through a walking trail that takes you back to the Battle of Westport. Or, as it’s better known in history, the “Gettysburg of the West”.
When you’re done appreciating the district’s storied past, have a blast at Westport. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of boutique shops, art galleries, food trucks, bars, and events. Lose yourself in different music genres at the Riot Room or enjoy craft beers while watching sporting action at Westport Ale House.
This historic entertainment district also plays host to grand Kansas City annual events. The country’s largest visual art show, Art Westport, is held annually in this district. Showcasing the work of the best homegrown talents, it’s drawn a large crowd of art lovers over the years.
5. Revel in the Festive Atmosphere at Plaza Lights
For over 90 years, Kansas City has been dazzling tourists and locals with its exuberant light display at Country Club Plaza. Year after year, during Thanksgiving, all 15 blocks of this Spanish-inspired shopping district transform into a glimmering extravaganza, as magical lights adorn every building and dome with an illuminating warmth for the year’s coldest months. The Plaza Lights continue to shine until early January.
The lighting ceremony during Thanksgiving is such a grand event, you can always expect a roster of performances by various artists. If you’re RVing in Kansas City, you can drive through this spectacle of lights, or you park somewhere and have a taste of what this shopping district offers. With lots of retail shops and restaurants, there’s bound to be something that strikes your fancy.
6. Explore the Kaw River Trail
If you want outdoor adventure, bring your RV rental to the Kaw River Trail for a dose of nature. There, you can explore all along this 10-mile trail, which follows the north bank of the Kansas River.
The trail begins at the intersection of Locust and N. 2nd Street. From there, it will take you through an oak-hickory forest, Riverfront Park, disc golf course, and picnic areas. You also get a scenic view of farmlands and downtown Lawrence, which is at the opposite bank.
The area is home to wood ducks, geese, birds, and a multitude of diverse wildlife. If you have impeccable timing, you might just spot different species of waterfowl and eagles through winter. If you’re itching to explore via the river, there’s a boat ramp at the end of the trail so you can do just that.
7. Drive Through the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway
Stretching 47.2 miles between Council Grove and Cassoday, Flint Hills National Scenic Byway offers one of the most picturesque landscapes you’ll ever drive through. There are rolling green hills that give way to swaying grass and original stone walls as far as the eye can see. If you’re driving an RV rental in Kansas City, this is one destination you must not miss.
You can start the adventure at Council Grove and pick up a self-guided tour map of the area. A few minutes’ drive should take you to the majestic Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. If you’re lucky, a herd of bison will welcome you to this place. And if you have hours to spare, you can explore the historic buildings, hiking trails, and the expansive tallgrass prairie.
Further down the byway, you’ll see antique stores, art galleries, and historic buildings in downtown Cottonwood Falls. Continue driving down south and you’ll soon get to the Scenic Byway Overlook, which offers you a breathtaking panoramic view of the tallgrass prairie.
8. Enjoy Water-sports Galore at the Blue Springs Lake Campground
Located 20 minutes away from the downtown area, Blue Springs Lake Campground makes for an excellent base if you’re having an RV rental in Kansas City. You’ll just be a couple of minutes away from all city attractions and luxuries and have Blue Springs Lake right within your backyard.
The campground has a wide-ranging campsite available, from full premiere hookups down to the most basic electric-only option. Aside from water-sports on the lake, the surrounding park has two popular nature trails where you can go wildlife-viewing.
9. Commune with Nature at the Crows Creek Campground
Along the shore of Smithville Lake, Crows Creek Campground has a wide range of campsites to suit different campers. There’s even an equestrian camping site for horses!
Here you can spend the days swimming, boating, fishing, and exploring nearby trails, wineries, and vineyards. There’s also a golf course if you want to hone your swing.
All sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and the campground offers variable options with electric and water hookups, electric-only hookups, and unimproved sites. If you’re using a RV rental in Kansas City, this is one of the best places to stay.
10. Amp Up the Excitement at Worlds of Fun
Traveling on an RV rental with the entire family? Worlds of Fun Village is the perfect camp and playground for the trip— camping right at the largest amusement in the Midwest is going to be a blast!
Featuring thrill rides, water parks, and live entertainment, as well as the kid-friendly Planet Snoopy, there’s bound to be something for your family to enjoy. Plus, it’s located right within the metropolis, so Kansas City attractions are just a few minutes away. Their RV sites are located just off I-435, making it very accessible to other parts of the city.
Pumped up to start your adventure? Check out RVs for rent near Kansas City at RVnGO, clear out your calendar, pack up your things, and hit the road. And be sure to make memories along your trip to last a lifetime.