The Day Trip Of A Lifetime You Can Only Take In Missouri
×
Vanessa
Author
Where can you get an unrivaled history lesson while also enjoying the best sweeping views of the city? Well, the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, of course. Since the majority of it is housed indoors, it can serve as the perfect day trip while the weather is still chilly out.
The National World War I Museum is conveniently located within walking distance of Union Station. The Missouri River Runner runs to and from St. Louis and Kansas City and makes stops along the way in Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia and a few other cities. Free parking is also available on the south side of the museum for those who drive.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The tall structure in the middle is the Liberty Memorial and on each side there is Memory Hall and Exhibit Hall. Underneath Liberty Memorial is where you will find the main museum where you can purchase tickets.
Vanessa Righeimer/Only In Missouri
After purchasing your museum ticket, take a ride on the elevator up to the top of the Memorial. The museum's elevator conductor will give you a brief history of the memorial which was built and completed in 1926. There is a short spiral section of stairs that visitors will have to climb to reach the top, so unfortunately this portion is not ADA accessible.
The two halls that stand atop the main museum are always changing with different exhibits housed inside. The exhibits are curated from over 100, 000 archived objects and documents that the museum has access to. This month, visitors can see, Posters as Ammunition, Wacht im Osten and They Shall Not Pass, on display.
Related Stories
You'll Never Guess What Was Unearthed From This Sunken Steamboat In Missouri
The Remote Winery In Missouri That's Picture Perfect For A Day Trip
You'll Want To Take This Epic Donut Day Trip In Missouri Again And Again
Many of these murals were salvaged from the war and tell stories of the main people of importance during that time. To get a better understanding of who is who, the museum has monitors around the exhibit halls where you can hover over a digital copy of the mural and get information on each person depicted.
Advertisement
Visiting the World War I Museum is a marathon, not a sprint. There is just so much to see and learn, that you owe it to yourself to sit down for a small break to eat. At Over There Cafe you can order sandwiches, soups and salads. My favorite entree is the "Eat Like A Soldier", which showcases the types of food that soldiers ate during the war.
When you first enter into the main museum hall, you'll come across the Chronology of the War wall. This is a great place to start because it gives an informative timeline of the war, starting from its origins all the way to the very end of the war.
This was probably my favorite section of the museum, but I tend to be a fan of the theatrics. An expansive set is on display which features a replicated "No Man's Land". A huge screen in the background rotates through an informative film that explains the events that led to America entering the war.
Before you head home, grab a bite to eat at Pierpont's in Union Station. They are best known for their delicious steaks and top shelf liquors that sometimes require a ladder for the bartender to reach.
Address:
Union Station
30 W. Pershing Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
Address:
Union Station
30 W. Pershing Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. For more information on admission and summer hours, click here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.