10 Ways to Save Money in Kansas City

The KC Streetcar travels along a 2.2-mile line between River Market and Union Station in downtown Kansas City. The route has 16 platform stops, passing through popular areas such as the Power and Light District and Crossroads Arts District.

It provides a convenient and free way of getting around the city centre – the streetcars come every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours. The KC Streetcar mostly operates until 5 am, so you can enjoy Kansas City’s vibrant nightlife until late and still get back to your hotel without needing to hail a cab.

Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park is one of the largest wildlife rescue facilities in the USA. There are around 75 rehabilitated animals, including turkey vultures, hawks, barred owls, and kestrel falcons. You can also take part in community conservation projects and free monthly guided hikes of the area.

Every Saturday, kids can enjoy the Mother Nature Reads programme, which includes storytelling and craft-making sessions. The centre’s resident animal makes an appearance on special occasions. Visiting the Lakeside Nature Center is free and while most programs require a small fee, they’re usually at no extra cost for kids aged 3 and under.

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead replicates a traditional family farm of Kansas, housing hundreds of barnyard animals. This 12-acre working farm is open from April to October. Families often come here on weekends and holidays – kids can learn how to milk cows, bottle-feed baby goats, and ride ponies during their visit.

If you’re travelling on a small budget, visit Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead from 2 pm onwards to enjoy free admission. Every season, the farm also offers 2 free admission weekends – check beforehand for exact dates.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s enormous wealth of creative inspiration is spread across 2 striking buildings, with a collection of 35,000 historical and contemporary artworks across just about every genre and style. You can see medieval stained-glass windows, 21st-century furniture, and ancient Japanese woodblock prints by the legendary Katsushika Hokusai.

The museum is free to explore, though special exhibitions might require a fee. Every 3^rd Thursday of the month, adults can take part in the museum’s Third Thursday: Not So Quiet Night at the Museum event. During the highlight from 6 pm to 9 pm, you can enjoy free live music and art programmes at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. There are also free family-friendly activities on weekends between 1 pm and 4 pm.

Every first Friday of the month, Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District becomes a huge art gallery for everyone to enjoy for free. The trendy neighbourhood has over 40 art galleries offering free entry on this day. Must-visits include The Bunker Center for The Arts, Cerbera Gallery, and Bredin-Lee Gallery. Some galleries even display exhibitions right on the streets, resulting in a colourful sight.

After you’ve checked out all the trendy artwork, rest your legs at one of Crossroads’ many eclectic cafes and restaurants – expect a festival atmosphere with live performances, food trucks and sidewalk vendors, usually from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Boulevard Brewing Company was established in 1989, making it one of Kansas City’s oldest and most popular breweries. It costs around $5 per person to join a guided tour of the premise, but it’s free on Wednesdays. During the 45-minute walking tour, you get to learn about its humble beginnings and brewing techniques, as well as enjoy free samples of Boulevard beers in the Tasting Room.

Note that the tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis from the Tours & Recreation Center’s Welcome Desk. Boulevard Brewing Company is around 0.7 miles southwest of Union Station Kansas City.

The Money Museum, located in the lobby of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, offers interactive exhibits that are free for the public. A must-see is the Truman Coin Collection, displaying more than 450 coins that were minted under each USA President. The museum also displays the largest automated cash vault in Missouri – you can see robots carrying tons of money through the vault doors.

Explore the $40 Million Wall, which features stacks of banknotes or try to lift a gold bar that’s worth around $500,000. At the end of your visit, you’re given a bag of shredded banknotes as a keepsake.

The Blue Room is a historic jazz club in Downtown’s 18th & Vine district. It’s part of the free American Jazz Museum, where you can explore interactive exhibits and see musical instruments used by iconic artists such as Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald.

In the evening, you can tap your toes to Kansas City jazz at The Blue Room on Mondays at 7 pm, Thursdays at 7 pm, and Saturdays at 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm. Aspiring musicians often come here with their own instruments for the weekly Blue Monday Jam.