National WWI Museum and Memorial is a War museum located at 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108. It has received 7634 reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars.
Monday | 10AM-5PM |
---|---|
Tuesday | 10AM-5PM |
Wednesday | 10AM-5PM |
Thursday | 10AM-5PM |
Friday | Closed |
Saturday | 10AM-5PM |
Sunday | 10AM-5PM |
The address of National WWI Museum and Memorial: 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108
National WWI Museum and Memorial has 4.9 stars from 7634 reviews
War museum
"If you are in Kansas City and have any interest in history, particularly WWI history, then please do yourself a favor and visit this excellent memorial and museum"
"Visited in May, 2023"
"A must-see in Kansas City, the National WW1 Museum and Monument is a beautiful, informative, well-maintained national landmark dedicated to a war that has largely been forgotten about by the American public despite its huge influence in shaping the world we live in today"
"As a historian I am fascinated with museums like this and the WWI museum did not disappoint"
"This museum and memorial are a must-see in Kansas City"
If you are in Kansas City and have any interest in history, particularly WWI history, then please do yourself a favor and visit this excellent memorial and museum. My only regret is that I should have allotted more time to visit. I had about 2 hours and I wished I would have allotted 3-4 hours. I am more of a WWII history buff but wanted to learn more about the First World War. I was able to find out details I hadn’t heard previously and would have loved to have more time to learn more. I paid for the museum entry and the add on for going up the tower. I would recommend doing both for sure. I visited while in town during the week but would have LOVED to check out the virtual tench experience that they offer only on the weekends. I am sure it would have been fascinating and also very humbling to see what the tench experience would have looked like. We are so far removed that I don’t believe folks appreciate what it was really like to endure such warfare and hardship. The few guides I talked to were very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. I highly recommend visiting this museum and memorial if you are in Kansas City. Take time to take it all in and really try to understand the conditions of the world, what people sacrificed, and what led up to the war. It was a time of great technological change as well as unrest between nations not unlike what we have been experiencing for several years ourselves now in our current time. We must not forget our past so we do not make the same mistakes again.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$21–30
Visited in May, 2023. Nestled in Kansas City, Missouri, the WW1 Memorial and Museum is a fantastic sightseeing spot to experience. The memorial opened in 1926 and is the United States' official memorial and museum dedicated to World War 1. It rests upon a plateau that overlooks Kansas City. From the top of the memorial you will have amazing views of the surrounding area, including downtown Kansas City. For a small fee, you can go to the top of the tower for more breathtaking views. The tower is over 200 feet tall. If you are able bodied, a short walk away is Union Station and Crown Center. A short distance more is the Power and Light District. Local historic restaurant, Town Topic, is nearby as well. You can easily see all of these places in a few hours or make the area an all-day outing. The WW1 Memorial includes the Liberty Memorial Mall and parks in the surrounding area. When the National Football League held their player draft in 2023 in Kansas City, they included the entire WW1 Memorial and parks as well as Union Station. Over 300,000 people attended that NFL draft and were comfortably accommodated. If you are going to be in KC or are passing through KC, I highly recommend carving out a little bit of time to enjoy this experience.
Price for entry
$6.00
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
A must-see in Kansas City, the National WW1 Museum and Monument is a beautiful, informative, well-maintained national landmark dedicated to a war that has largely been forgotten about by the American public despite its huge influence in shaping the world we live in today. Anytime someone comes and visits me, I bring them here and all of them have said it's incredible. Tickets are very reasonably priced at $18 per adult or $20 if you buy a combo ticket to go up in the tower (which you should, the view is amazing). While the museum and its associated exhibits cost money and are open from 10-5, the actual memorial and its surrounding grounds are completely free to explore by the public and open at night too. Pro tip: If you have the time, I highly recommend making a second trip to the memorial after sundown as you can treat yourself to the best view of the city skyline while it's all lit up at night
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
$16–20
As a historian I am fascinated with museums like this and the WWI museum did not disappoint. When visiting please do not try to take it all in and visit every case and object - the collection of artifacts and information is far too expansive. The poppy installation was particularly moving. Aside from the information and interactive exhibits I really appreciate the incorporation of primary sources in almost every exhibit case. And the building that the museum is housed in is very very beautiful and offers great views of the skyline. My only complaint/suggestion would be the amount of people that is allowed in at a time. I went on a Monday at mid-day and it was so incredibly crowded and because of the layout of the museum someone was always in your way. Also in some rooms they tried to pack in too many weapons and that combined with the amount of people made it a bit overwhelming to stay there for too long.
This museum and memorial are a must-see in Kansas City. I was surprised at the quality of the artifacts, video presentations, and overall beauty of this culturally significant locale. I enjoyed riding to the top of the towering monument, which offers extensive views of downtown K.C. and the surrounding landscape. As a history aficionado and veteran, I was surprised by how much knowledge I gained. Even for the well read, this museum will teach you facts you were unaware of before visiting. The highlight was their exhibit focusing on prisoners of war, which was highly informative and extremely worthwhile. I have relatives who served in WW1, and my respect and admiration grew significantly as a result of my experience. I highly recommend taking a look!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
My husband and I were in Kansas City for a couple of days and went to the National WWI Museum. We honestly didn't know much about this world war so glad we did to learn about it. All of the volunteers were very friendly and knowledgeable. We purchased our tickets online and went right when it opened at 10am. There was an entry for those who had tickets already and we got right in with no wait. Reading the other reviews, we went first to the Memorial Tower, again with no wait. The view of Kansas City was fantastic even on a cloudy day. We then viewed the exhibit right next to the tower before going back down to the main level. We did rent the headphones which we listened to as we walked through the exhibits. It was very informative as well as the videos that played in the museum. Definitely worth going to and we learned a lot!
Highly Recommend! Plan 3-5 hours min. May not hold children under 18 attention. First time visitor. Solo traveler on vacation. Was truly amazed at the volume and details available. Covers the prerequisites of war, the Sarajevo assassination, through armistice. Note: The museum has a low volume soundtrack of war sounds, i.e. explosions, machine gun, moaning, crying. That and the lighting can cause (and I believe intentionally) can be both disorienting and may create a feeling of dread. So be prepared. Only thing I would change is the additional fee for the WWI prisoners of war exhibit. I'd just include in the general admission. Although informative, it was not worth the extra fee. Did not climb the tower.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Absolutely loved going to this museum. We love history, and this was a great stop. I recommend getting there early definitely in the summertime if you plan to go to the tower to see amazing views of the city. They closed down at noon when we went because of the heat. It is within walking distance to the money museum, and Union Station. They have several things to do, and you learn. I could have spent a couple more hours really digging into the history. Super helpful staff! They have a ton of knowledge and want you to enjoy the museum. We bought 3 combo ticket to go up in the tower and an extra exhibit for $25. I would highly recommend the tower to see KC from a great vantage point.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$21–30
A great museum. If passing through must visit and where ever you are should plan a visit. So many great artifacts and pieces of history in the museum that documents WWI. Really need 4 hours to take you time and see all exhibits, go to top of the tower and see some of the videos they have. I arrived early and had no problem parking out front. Wish I lived closer. One visit not enough. Thank you to all the employees and volunteers providing such a great service too. As a U.S. veteran I really enjoy seeing this history and very much appreciate keeping it alive. Also, I travel a lot and get opportunity to visit a lot of great museums and this is one of them. Another one is the Arabia Steamboat Museum which is must see.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City is an absolute gem for history enthusiasts and anyone seeking a profound understanding of World War I. The museum's exhibits are incredibly well-curated, offering a comprehensive and emotionally resonant journey through the war's impact. The architecture and design of the memorial are awe-inspiring, providing a fitting tribute to those who served. The view from the tower is breathtaking, offering a unique perspective of Kansas City. The knowledgeable staff and informative displays make this museum a must-visit. It's a powerful and moving experience that leaves a lasting impression. Don't forget to go to the top!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
MJ and I went there during our trip to Kansas City. We both found it to be interesting and a bit moving. The weapons on display were fascinating as well as other artifacts from that period. The posters, post cards, and photographs of soldiers and the home front were other points if interest. Our tour did start out with a video on the circumstances which brought the war about. I would recommend taking the time to view it. There were other running videos throughout the large museum. In the main gallery anyway. We didn't get to every exhibit since we were pressed for time. If you have an interest in the history of WW1, our are just a history buff, you should go visit. Spend a whole day there and try to see the whole museum. It will be worth your time
The museum contains very thorough and comprehensive exhibits. I especially appreciate the information regarding the lead up to the war and the world's involvement in it. But some of the displays take a long time to get through, especially when there are large groups of visitors on an official tour pushing you out of the way. There is a lot of weaponry on display, of course, as destruction technology was advancing at a much more rapid rate than medical technology, but it quickly becomes overwhelming and takes the focus off the humans in the war. I do love the uniforms and the individual stories being told.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Great experience and a must-see. Plan on spending at least 4 hours in the museum. They start with a video, and they have it split into pre and post America's' involvement. You read the history and many artifacts. They have tvs that show the battles and where the troops were. Models, find, equipment from the war. They even have a trench that is very interesting. Then, a movie to go to when America entered. They highlight all the people who helped, including the Native Americans and women. They even have a Harley Davison. You will learn a lot about how Europe was divided and shapes into what you see today.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
As a huge history buff this was a bucket list stop. The number and quality artifacts are among the best I have seen in any museum. The volunteers are first rate and are able to add a lot of additional information. Overall they could probably improve the quality and quantity of videos and maps to add context. They discuss battles in different theaters and tell you where they are, but I doubt most people know where those places are. But that is overly critical. There is a lot of history to cover and the space is huge but inadequate to share everything.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15
We took our 2 year old and 9 month old. The baby just sat in the stroller and the 2 year old liked playing eye spy in the cases. Example: can you find the spoon. He also had a soft wheel car that he would play with on the ground while we read a spot. The second video has explosions which scared him so we didn’t watch it but the first video he played with his car and did fine. It is a clean well done museum with people around to talk to. We also thought it was so fun to have a recipe scone from the time period in the cafe! It is free so try it out!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15
The great war sometimes becomes the forgotten war, in this place will really give you all the feels to remind you of what our great grandparents went through. Absolutely recommend leaving an entire half of a day for this museum to take it all in. I was there for almost 2 hours toward closing, and greatly regret not having more time. The sheer amount of artifacts and information does such a fantastic job evoking emotion and telling the real story. Most people forget, including myself, that we remained neutral as a country during the war, until we were absolutely dragged into it. This museum is hands-down, the best museum I’ve ever been to in my life.
What a great and informative museum. If you find war history interesting then this a place for you. The museum is well thought out and has much to explore. It lays out and follows the progression of WWI. Plenty of military equipment to look at and learn about. Productions are well done and are just the right length. Memorial itself is very interesting and striking. Worth a visit by itself, even if its just a short one. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. There were many around to ask questions of.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$16–20
By far the best museum I have been to. As soon as I walked into the museum, I was immersed in the greatest history lesson I could have been given. The timeline that wraps around the building helps give you the image of how WWI played out. With so much poor understanding that we have of WWI, this museum provided great information on the conflict. Since my first time visiting the museum in 2019, I have been four times since then and would highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you are visiting Kansas City for a short amount of time.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
This is a beautiful, yet serene place. It is a great reminder of the sacrifice that the military men and women of our country have continually been willing to do for our freedoms and for the freedoms of others in other countries. It is also a a great reminder of How our country started. And how blessed we are to be in this country and how those in charge of our country used to put God first. I highly recommend all locals and tourists to visit the site. And read the placard‘s that they took the time to put in when it was founded. This is also a great place to just walk around and burn off some of that great Kansas City food.
This place was great! We went up in the tower, and enjoyed the view from the top. Then we went down and went though the museum. Gave all 3 of my kids a scavenger hunt, which had multiple pages of stuff to do in it. My kids 10, 8, and 4 all loved it and were so excited. Every single employee was so nice and extra friendly to the kids, and we encountered lots of employees, so nice to see it staffed so well! We spent a little over 3 hours going through it. Definitely an A+ visit for us adults, and the kids!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15
If you have never visited you absolutely put it on your places to visit! The WW1 Museum encompasses the history leading into the war to the final Signing of the Versailles Peace Agreement. I just can't list all you see. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, stair climbing, and wandering. If you are thinking of doing the tower it has an elevator BUT then there are 45 steps to get to the very top! Plan a half day to make sure you can see the videos, exhibits and read the information. There is a lower level as well.
Visited on
Weekday
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Great memorial of WWI and those who served. It's more convenient to buy tickets on line but there was no wait at 10am on July 6th when we visited. A general admission ticket covers access to most of the museum, but to access the tower you need another ticket, and another ticket to access the War Remains VR exhibit, and another one for the Black History exhibit. The VR exhibit is worth the extra money! Dan Carlin's voice guides you through realistic WWI scenarios as the sights and sounds of war are all around you.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
This has to be the jewel of KC. Beautiful place. Staff will answer any and all questions that you may have. Very thorough explanation about a complicated war with many artifacts on view from all the countries involved in the war, which I understand is less than 10% of their collection. Don’t miss the small exhibit in the courtyard building next to the tower monument and definitely go to the top of the tower for amazing views of the city.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Great experience Great place to spend a day with friends and family. Historical place with wonderful arts. View from the top of the tower is just fabulous. Tickets are very reasonably priced at $18 - $20 per adult. If you just want to get in the top of the tower, the price is even less what I remember. Lots of parking areas and a lot of space to walk and chill. Please check the short video and photos attached. I really suggest this place.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Amazing! Yes, simply Amazing place to get some evening walk with beautiful view of Kansas City and Amazing sunset. This is a historical place and wonderful art work done in the memories of world war I veterans. I believe this is one of the best places to visit in US and I highly recommend to everyone. I didn't get chance to go in but I will do it soon. I can't wait to go up in that monument tower and get a wonderful views from the top.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
This is a large museum with wonderful architecture. The rooms are easy to get lost in, in the fun, adventurous way. The Reflection rooms have a wonderful atmosphere— a soundproof box to let yourself by fully immersed in the music and the stories told. Enjoy a presentation into the mind of the soldiers on the battle fronts, as you look down to see them trek onward. Full of real relics of the time, it could make a great school trip or scavenger hunt. A wonderful place, worth visiting whether you live in Kansas City, or are passing through to elsewhere.
An awesome and amazing place to visit, totally recommend for a very nice day trip or an afternoon or evening if you're in town. Awe inspiring views of downtown Kansas City Missouri and the Kansas City station. Many park like grassy areas for picnic and places to play catch or kick a ball with the kids. Beautiful art deco design and sculpture. More than 100 years old now and a very peaceful place. Thanks!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free
Beautiful memorial. The trip up the tower is totally worth it. It's a tight ride on the way up, with a few extra steps (about 1 flight), but the view is gorgeous. The views of the skyline are almost as good from the base of the tower, too. Would love to go back to go through the museums when we have more time. Love that it is one of the only WW I memorials in the country, and it's right in our back yard.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$1–5
This memorial is amazing and the artistry really helps one feel the horrors of war and the hope and healing that follows. The museum was cool, but I would definitely recommend the memorial. The museum workers were all very helpful and answered questions and were very understanding when the littles wanted to start running around and helped direct their attention to different things to look at.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Wonderful experience with an amazing staff! As an Army veteran, I appreciated how well the space is taken care of and the amount of history that is displayed. The staff was an equal highlight of the museum as they were all welcoming, informative, pleasant and just really great. Even if you don’t go into the museum, the views and green space can’t be beat!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$6–10
We were in town for a wedding and stopped by the museum as it is highly rated as one of the best things to do in KC. If you like history, this offers a great opportunity to learn about the history and details of WWI that I hadn’t learned through school education. There is just so much to know about how this war came to be. We only spent about 3-4 hours there and felt that was more than enough time. The tower was cool but for an additional $3 it probably wasn’t worth it.
Beautiful rooms with nice setups. They have done themselves really well with this. It is very informative and really tells you the story of World War One in detail. Would definitely recommend buying tickets s in advance and skip the line and wait. It gets full pretty fast. Highly recommend coming here if visiting Kansas City.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$6–10
This is certainly a sobering museum to visit. The experience begins with a short video explaining the events that led up to World War I, and as soon as the war "begins" the video ends and the doors to the museum itself open. It's a powerful way of setting the stage for everything you are about to view in the museum. Obviously I wouldn't recommend bringing small children here, as the things portrayed are pretty horrifying, but this is history in all its grisly detail.
Man it was actually really cool, a lot of different relics and weapons you can check out, it tells the story on the walls all over the place and they have a couple 12 min movies you can watch. It just really makes you feel like you are immersed into that time and get a feel for what it was like and learn the story of the history. Really cool.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Amazing place to visit. Beautiful views of the city from the top of the memorial. The museum is awesome to walk through. You could spend days in it and still not see everything. I love the way it is laid out. Allows you to really understand what each item is and allows for a good view of it. I was also lucky enough to attend The Great Car ashow which is held annually on the memorial grounds. Lots of high end cars and many historically significant vehicles.
An absolute treasure of a museum. Their collection is impressive while also easily guiding you throughout the history before, during, and immediately after the war. The view from the tower is pretty great and gives a 360 look over the city. I would highly recommend to anyone even the littlest bit interested in the First World War.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
This is truly one of the best museums I've ever been to. The subject matter is tragic but fascinating. This is a large museum filled with lots of weapons, uniforms, and tons of information through plaques and videos. Some of the exhibits are quite elaborate sets that put you onto the battlefield. I learned a lot and I enjoyed myself. The cafeteria is FANTASTIC. They serve a variety of authentic foods from the time period. Delicious. Would go back.
Amazing WWI museum. It’s one of the few WWI museums and the only one that is designated by the United States Congress as the country’s official war memorial and museum dedicated to work war 1. The ground around the museum is absolutely beautiful and perfect for evening walk to watch the beautiful sunset. The entry fee is $18.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Loved it! A must see. Great views .Great place to learn about all the countries responsible for WW1. Glad to see USA tried their best to stay out of WW1 and was not responsible for it, but we did make a huge portion of supplies to sell to these other countries. Wonder if this was the begining of the wrong people making tons of money off the war and probably cause more war to make money. Anyways come check it out it's awesome.
We only visited the park and grounds since the museum was closed when we drove through Kansas City. It is pretty much a park so it's a good place to stop for a picnic. The tower is of course the centerpiece, worthy enough to visit on its own. The area behind the museum has some nice wall sculptures and fountains. It also offers a good view of the Kansas City skyline, especially with Union Station in the foreground.
Visited on
Weekday
A very good and respectful museum Not too expensive. The films are very good and the signs are very helpful. Worth a visit if you're in the area. Unfortunately the tower was closed when we were just passing through. However, I've heard it's possible to go all the way to the top and take some great photos.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Other than road construction right outside making it a little difficult to get in the parking lot it was well worth the low cost. The staff was great the exhibits were fantastic and very well set up. The towers last 45 steps to the top was easy and well worth the view. A must see for the history buff
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$11–15
The WWI museum is fantastic! It is definitely a must-see. The view from the tower is pretty awesome as well. It is very well put together and the staff is super friendly and helpful. If you're a local and haven't been, you should go. If you're planning a visit to KC, add this to your list of things to do!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$21–30
Nice memorial with paid museum inside. However if you just want to stroll by, you can explore the museum ground for free. From the memorial ground you can see the Kansas City skyline (a very nice view when it is not cloudy). The museum itself is informational and the staff members were friendly and helpful. Definitely recommended if you are visiting Kansas City!
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
There’s no way you could miss this grand structure poised on top of the hill as you approach the area. The museum portion is very informative and very nicely done. I recommend taking the time to check out the view from the top of the tower. So much fun! This place really does have the best views of the city. The staff and volunteers were are incredibly nice and thoughtful. I highly recommend this museum and memorial.
We really enjoyed our visit here. Lots of cool stuff. Honestly, something for everyone. I enjoyed the letters from the father to his son with all the great artwork. The brief movies were entertaining and informative and everyone should take a view from the tower at least one. Anita from the cafe was truly a delight!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Very beautiful tribute to WWI and it was very cool to see all the outfits, weapons and much more they gather from both America and Europe. The videos are very well done and not dry at all, make you well informed before entering different sections and they are not to long either.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
A very nice way to honor WWI veterans and to see the city (Kansas City MO) and to see the huge phallic symbol called the Liberty Memorial. Freud would have had a field day! May the city enjoy lots of inspiration. It’s beautiful at night and you can take really breathtaking pics. There doesn’t seem to be a curfew for this area so feel free to enjoy he sights anytime. And go see the museum.
Inside everything you need to know about WWI is in the forms of videos, expositions, and audios. Outside there’s a wonderful view of KC skyline you cannot miss! Unfortunately the restaurant had no fresh food, but remaining sandwiches/salad from other day.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$16–20
The first half of the museum focuses on pre-US entry and the second half focuses on the remaining portion of the war. There are many docents around to help guide you around. Lots of movies. The audio guide was a $5 option that was worth it, although not essential.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15
Very interesting and staff was very helpful. We decided to pay extra for the short VR experience and I'm glad we did. The workers in the VR area were amazing. To see what those young men went thru was eye opening. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone with a love for history.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Absolutely amazing collection of history. Beautifully laid out to present the events that led up to and ended "The Great War." One could easily spend one or two days reading and seeing the whole collection. Volunteers offer insights to various little known bits and pieces of history, and facilities inside and out are beautifully designed and maintained.
The National World War I museum is a worthy tribute to the War to End All Wars. I was very impressed by the scale, gravity, and vision of this monument. I visited on a beautiful summer day and went up the tower at night; I recommend the tower at night if the weather is nice. There are a lot of stairs, and the museum may not interest children much.
Amazing museum starts with a short video of how things started in WWI, lots of very cool artifacts and a ton of information. Half way through another short video of when America joined the war. The employees were all very helpful and there was some cool stuff at the Museum store for purchase. Will definitely come back again to spend more time.
My husband and I did not go into the museum, but I still wanted to share photos and thoughts. The outside of the museum is quite spectacular, and the views from the top are pretty amazing of Kansas City! We enjoyed this museum without even going in!!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Unique Museum! Beautiful Architect! Best view of Union Station and Kansas City! Amazing place for pictures! Handicap accessibility! Restrooms. You can ride an elevator to the top for a whole different view of the city.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
We had a great visit, my 15 y.o. WWI junkie really enjoyed the Prisoner exhibit. We also had a great chat with one of rhe Volunteers Tom, retired Army 1SG. He chatted in detail with my son about 2 different displays.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Impressive collection of WW I equipment. It's a challenge to capture the complexity of the causes of the war and the resulting world changes after the war. The museum does its best to make this complexity digestible.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
WOW!!! If your in KC and haven't checked this place out you really need to... Probably one of the best exhibits I've ever visited... The historical artifacts alone were awesome!!! Will definitely visit again and recommend to anyone ...
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Great museum. A great collection of artifacts and exhibits make this a special visit. I took about 3.5-4 hours on the general admission ticket alone. The guides were also very helpful if you want to ask any questions. They had a lot of passion.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
The museum was well organized with plenty of visual examples of trenches, also a life size crater. The tower is an impressive piece of architecture. Enjoyed my visit. It took about 3 hours, could have spent more time there, but it shouldn't take more than a day to see it. I ate at the cafe and the food it was excellent.
Incredibly thorough museum for its size and very clean&kept! You can see the effort put into making this place a modern, informative, unique and fun experience for folks and I highly recommend a visit to anyone who’s not been
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Pretty cool when you get this close of a look at history. If you don’t remember what history has taught, you’re doomed to repeat it. If you’re around Kansas City, definitely go check it out.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Such an amazing and interesting Destination. Lot of History, very detailed documentation of every detail. We spent like 4h and my brain git pretty full of all this reading snd details.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
It is a beautiful piece of work that does great effort to capture the importance of those who served and sacrificed everything. As a veteran I appreciate everything is museum stands for and being able to see it in person!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Discounted tickets for military and veterans. Great films and exhibits about World War I. Lots of memorabilia and information as well. Very pleasant and helpful docents.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15
This is one of the most enjoyable museums we’ve ever been to. It’s just the right size so you stay engaged all through and never get bored. We toured it in less than 2 hours including roughly 15 minutes for the informative video. One downside, though, is the tickets were a bit too steep.
Site opened in 1926. It has only gotten better and better since. Amazing history and great presentation. Please check it out when you come in town. Worth the trip.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10
Had a great day here with my history loving son. He loved every minute and there was a lot to see and do. The volunteers were great and very informative.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20
What a great experience with no admission fee! I am very impressed with the history, variety of airplane collections, well-organized and clean place, and the simulator machines! There are plenty of good opportunities for pictures taken and to play the simulator at the end!
A must see for any military and/or history lover. Tons on display overall including one of Hindenburg’s tunics as well. However, the current special exhibit on prosthetic limbs while I visited was completely unrelated to the war, and wasn’t worth the additional admission.
My husband loves history! I knew he would be fully immersed at this museum. We spent 1.5hrs here. Didn't get a chance to see the lower level because we had to catch a flight back to GA. Itwas great experience. I would say this is a must stop when visiting KC ❤️
Really great setup for history buffs. There is a lot of focus on all countries involved as opposed to just the USA. Actual objects from world war 1 are on display everywhere. Highly recommend to anyone if in the area. The tickets are not expensive either.
This museum was very informative and cool! We saw the extra exhibit as well and it was awesome. ADA accessible. Parking was fine.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15
Beautiful park and overlook to downtown for great photo opportunities. Tickets to go up in tower sold at museum entrance below. Beautiful green space all around. Photos taken from 1 (top of tower) and 2 (main observation deck).
Great collection of war materials and a good job of exposing the war. It wasn’t as good as the museums in Europe or the ww2 museum in New Orleans. But it was still very impressive and worth the trip if your into history
As a history nerd, this was my first stop in Kansas City. Well worth the visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Pretty cool war museum with lots of awesome things to see
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$16–20
Lovely museum to learn the history of the war. Very nice and helpful staff. Easy to navigate through the grounds and exhibits. Awesome views of the city from the top of the tower.