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All United States Missouri Kansas City

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Kansas City

22 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Kansas City, Missouri

Updated August 25, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Kansas City

Exterior West side.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City Workhouse

This abandoned prison castle has become an imposing gallery of graffiti art.
A typical SubTropolis building.

Kansas City, Missouri

SubTropolis

The "World's Largest Underground Business Complex," a 55,000,000-square-foot city underneath Missouri.
View of the "books."

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City Library's Community Bookshelf

Community bookshelf of 25-foot-tall book spines.
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

Kansas City, Missouri

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

The world's largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one the nation's largest collections of antique toys.
View of south side of museum.

Kansas City, Missouri

World's Largest Shuttlecocks

Four, 18-foot-tall badminton shuttlecocks lie scattered about the lawn of a Kansas City museum.
Munitions.

Kansas City, Missouri

Treasures of the Steamboat Arabia

Two hundred tons of pioneer artifacts were painstakingly recovered from a shipwreck at the bottom of the Missouri River.
This relic supposedly holds John the Baptist's finger.

Kansas City, Missouri

The Holy Finger of Kansas City

A piece of John the Baptist in the American heartland.
Imperial Brewery in Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

Imperial Brewery

Undone by Prohibition, this abandoned brewery-turned-flour mill is now ready for its third act.
See All 22 Things To Do in Kansas City

Discover More Wonder in Kansas City

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Sponsored By Visit KC

Itinerary

9 Hidden Wonders in the Heart of Kansas City

Explore the secret side of Kansas City with a trip to these local gems.
Sponsored by Visit KC
A mural on the side of the building was painted by local artist Alexander Austin in honor of area native jazz great Charlie “Bird” Parker.

Kansas City, Missouri

Mutual Musicians Foundation

Soak in the soul of Kansas City at the oldest continually-operating jazz club in the country.
Sponsored by Visit KC
The tempura-fried pork tenderloin is Kitty’s most popular order. The recipe has never been changed since the cafe opened in 1951.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kitty’s Cafe

Savor the famous tempura-fried pork tenderloin sandwich at this long-standing Kansas City food counter.
Sponsored by Visit KC
The nursery showcases metal toys and shares information about the Baby Boom years inside the 1950s All-Electric House.

Overland Park, Kansas

1950s All-Electric House

Step back in time at this 1950s display home, built to showcase once cutting-edge electric amenities.
Sponsored by Visit KC

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Kansas City

The tempura-fried pork tenderloin is Kitty’s most popular order. The recipe has never been changed since the cafe opened in 1951.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kitty’s Cafe

Savor the famous tempura-fried pork tenderloin sandwich at this long-standing Kansas City food counter.
Sponsored by Visit KC
In partnership with KAYAK

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Sponsored by Visit KC

From the Heart

KANSAS CITY

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

9 Hidden Wonders in the Heart of Kansas City

To soak in the soul of Kansas City, you can sink your teeth into succulent brisket burnt-ends, bask in the melodies of live jazz at one of the city’s legendary venues, or catch a thrilling Chiefs game– and that's just the beginning of uncovering its rich tapestry. But there’s another side to KC—under-the radar destinations that are packed with wonder and intrigue. Peel back a layer, and Kansas City reveals unexplored magic: from a holy finger housed in a world-class museum and a 70-year-old lunch counter that still keeps lines out the door, to the historic social epicenter of Black jazz and an original private-collection Winston Churchill work of art – and there’s even more waiting to be explored. Here are nine hidden wonders of Kansas City.

View Itinerary

Explore Kansas City, Missouri

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Abandoned 3
Museums And Collections 3

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Recent Kansas City Activity

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    wants to go to Prospero's Books

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    wants to go to Union Station Lamp Post Clock

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    wants to go to The Holy Finger of Kansas City

Stories About Kansas City

Podcast: SubTropolis

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
October 10, 2022
Vincent van Gogh used to complain about the difficulty of working outdoors (Musée d'Orsay, 1889).

Found: A Grasshopper Embedded in a Van Gogh

One of the perils of painting outdoors.
by Vittoria Traverso
November 8, 2017
Hallmark artists at work, making some of America's most loved and popular greetings cards.

Why the Hallmark Card Company Owns Thousands of Priceless Artworks

Exploring the modern art collection at Hallmark HQ in Kansas City.
by Luke Spencer
September 30, 2016

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