Skip to content
visitorfun
BusinessesGrow
AttractionsFamily FavoriteOutdoor Adventure

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

6800 Zoo Dr · Kansas City, MO

Why you should go…

Polar bears, penguins, an African savanna and a sky tram spread across 202 rolling acres of Swope Park. The Sobela Ocean Aquarium adds sharks, rays and a mesmerizing coral reef to the lineup. Easily a full-day adventure for the whole crew.

  • #zoo
  • #aquarium
  • #animals
  • #family
  • #kids

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Theatre & Events
    Iconic

    Starlight Theatre

    $25–$50

    Broadway under the stars since 1950, a nearly 8,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre in Swope Park hosting touring musicals and big-name concerts.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Kansas City, Kansas

    Free

    Kansas's third-largest city, home to Kansas Speedway, the Legends shopping district, and Sporting KC's stadium.

    3.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

    Under $25

    The world's largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and antique toys, pure wonder at any age.

    3.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family favorite

    Crown Center

    Free

    Hallmark's 85-acre downtown campus packs an aquarium, LEGOLAND, free kids' art studio, and a winter ice rink into one walkable complex.

    5.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City

    $25–$50

    Indoor LEGO-themed family attraction with rides, play zones and a 4D cinema at Crown Center.

    5.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Union Station Kansas City

    Free

    A gloriously restored 1914 rail palace packed with Science City, blockbuster exhibits and a planetarium.

    6.2 mi awayMore like this