Union Station
Union Station
4.5
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
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690 within 3 miles
Attractions
282 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- TheRealJTForRealHopkinsville, Kentucky590 contributionsCertainly more than meets the eye. We walked in not knowing what to expect as we had never been to a train/railroad station like this. From a restaurant to a coffee shop, movie theater, museum and model train display, we explored for an hour and a half or so. The architecture was amazing. Certainly a fun stop for the railroad enthusiast out there.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 30, 2024
- Not Quite Adult ;)London, United Kingdom101 contributionsLiterally the prettiest station I have ever been in and I thought that Grand Central Station in New York city was the best! Also your new airport was the nicest I've ever seen. In addition your people; the kindest We sat down a lovely bar watching the hustle and bustle close to the gorgeous Christmas tree. Well worth the visit to see such a stunning place. Coming from somebody who's not a Train Spotter and a big fan of aeroplanes this is a big deal. ❤️Visited November 2024Traveled soloWritten January 17, 2025
- newuanda1Des Moines, Iowa12 contributionsOur kids love the big expansive hall - Grand Plaza. Gave Harry Potter vibes in the bathroom and walking around the station. Visit the free train models while you are there. There are a lot of other fun kid activities (admission costs required) to do and restaurants. Fountains were not on as it was too early in the season. We went during the day - would be fun to go at night to see the building lit up.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 22, 2024
- Twila ELahaina, Hawaii140 contributionsWhat a gem of a building! This was a highlight of our trip and should not be missed by anyone coming to Kansas City for a visit. Beautifully restored interior and exterior, a true grand dame of the city. Especially interesting was the porcelain ware on display with historical narrative describing the use of the dishes and how meal service came about on trains back in the ‘50’s. Memorable!Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 2, 2024
- Lisa SCenterview, Missouri20 contributionsOur KC day trip starts at Union Station. Parking is always close in the garage. We always start with a chai latte at LaParisi, then head out to the streetcar. Make sure you check out the mini train museum and any other exhibits in the station. This station holds a lot of generational memories for my family and I. We love to visit❤️Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten July 1, 2024
- Shamr0ckGNaples, Florida462 contributionsVery wise people in Kansas City decided to restore this gem. It’s a spectacular venue with lots to do and see. Restaurants, train exhibits, theatres, a Disney exhibition, historical displays. You can easily spend the better part of a day exploring. Put Union Station on your 'must see' list. Lunch at Pierpont's was icing on the cake!Visited August 2024Traveled with friendsWritten August 27, 2024
- Joeanne MKells, Ireland814 contributionsA beautifully majestic restored station. Worth a visit. I sat and had a coffee and wiled away the time people watching. The reminders of old station days are dotted around and worth a look.Visited November 2024Traveled soloWritten November 23, 2024
- elchacoHouston, Texas1,085 contributionsWe went to walk around Union Station and take in the beauty of it! It is truly an amazing building with many things to do inside. We didn't get to do anything other than walk around because we were short on time, but there is enough to spend almost a whole day there!Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 12, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,588 reviews
Excellent
1,503
Very good
814
Average
207
Poor
40
Terrible
24
Sean M
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Family
My family and I went to Union Station to see the holiday light exhibit and unfortunately thought we had purchased tickets for an hour earlier than we actually had. We took a look around Union Station and got some coffee while we waited, after about 30 minutes of waiting we asked if there was a possibility of getting in to the exhibit a little early as our youngest son with autism has a difficult time with waiting. The attendant told us we couldn’t get in right then but could in another 15 minutes.
Although our son was getting affected, we still waited the 15 minutes that was stated to us, but when we returned, the attendant told us we would have to wait more. After telling the attendant we already waited the time he stated and telling him that we had a finite amount of time to see the exhibit before our son went into a meltdown, the attendant showed no cares or compassion and simply ignored us.
We left after that, not getting to see the exhibit, disappointing our kids and wasting time and money. I would not recommend anyone with kids or loved ones with special needs to visit somewhere so cold and callus. Do better!
Although our son was getting affected, we still waited the 15 minutes that was stated to us, but when we returned, the attendant told us we would have to wait more. After telling the attendant we already waited the time he stated and telling him that we had a finite amount of time to see the exhibit before our son went into a meltdown, the attendant showed no cares or compassion and simply ignored us.
We left after that, not getting to see the exhibit, disappointing our kids and wasting time and money. I would not recommend anyone with kids or loved ones with special needs to visit somewhere so cold and callus. Do better!
Written December 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN17,323 contributions
Mar 2023
We happened to be at a antique shop in West Bottoms where we chatted with the owner of the shop. He said we should go visit the Union Station which was built in 1914 after the original Kansas City Union Depot located in West Bottoms which used to be the original downtown but flooded badly in 1906.
Anyway, we drove out to see the Union Station on our last day in KC, Thursday, March 9, 2023. It is an amazing building rivaling the Union Depot in Chicago, not quite Grand Central Station in NY, but still well worth a visit. It is free to visit the station public areas, but you must pay for parking if staying more than 30 minutes. There are several event areas and exhibits but those are also require paid admission. We were only staying for an hour or so. We viewed as much as we could for free. Great place to visit on a rainy day.
Anyway, we drove out to see the Union Station on our last day in KC, Thursday, March 9, 2023. It is an amazing building rivaling the Union Depot in Chicago, not quite Grand Central Station in NY, but still well worth a visit. It is free to visit the station public areas, but you must pay for parking if staying more than 30 minutes. There are several event areas and exhibits but those are also require paid admission. We were only staying for an hour or so. We viewed as much as we could for free. Great place to visit on a rainy day.
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica K
Tarpon Springs, FL762 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
We stopped in to see the architectural aspects of this historic building. Normally there is a 30 minute free parking option, but during the holidays they have a ‘special event’ of lights and displays so no free parking - it was $12 in the garage or $15 at the nearest lots. Everything was for an additional fee - all the holiday light displays, Disney, science fair, planetarium - all at an additional fee. We walked around the main concourse which was nicely decorated for the holiday, and free. The place was packed. We did pay to go into the science part, but it was really more for little kids (like a hands on playground with a science themed). Not sure any of it was worth the money, but it did get us out of the cold.
Written January 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M.
1 contribution
Dec 2020
Disappointed. Brought my 4 grandchildren; we have often come to see the free model train exhibit; if there was an event in the large hall, people could still access the model train exhibit by going thru the outdoor walkway - but today, after walking thru the cold, the door to get in was locked 😳! Closed to general public unless you pay extra fees for the Christmas event. With 75% less income since covid, the parking fee had also increased from the usual $5. to $10. Made me think of “no room at the inn” for baby Jesus. But thankfully He had a barn to go to, and we went for a snack across the street.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M M
1 contribution
Dec 2022
We went to the Holiday Reflections and I couldn't of been more disappointed. As you first enter, more than half of the evergreen forest lights were out, the model train exhibit, plus the mini train were closed due to technical difficulties, and it just ended up being a bunch of Christmas themed selfie and photo stations with long lines and over crowding. the VR sleigh ride was additional cost with long lines as well. Overall I was sorely let down.
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingCAgal
San Diego, CA1,116 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We couldn’t find a convenient place to park so we simply took turns going inside to look at this station. It is enormous and quite beautiful! There’s something very iconic about older train stations in big cities!
Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicia J
1 contribution
Oct 2021 • Couples
My brother and I had purchased tickets for the 4pm Auchwitz Exhibit because we were flying into Kansas City that day. I feel we got ripped off in only getting to spend 2 hours there. We were not able to watch videos, listen to our personal devices, see, and read everything. After 1 hour, we were at station 22 of 66 stations. At that point we felt rushed.
Cons:
NOT enough seating for the videos. One hard bench that seats two is ridiculous!
Rooms are kept too warm.
Stupid that women cannot bring in their purse.
4pm ticket holders have to rush through.
No gift shop for books, memorabilia.
Pros:
Beautiful building to walk around
Awesome personal devices to listen to!
Beautifully set up.
Very affordable! In fact, was worth more.
Cons:
NOT enough seating for the videos. One hard bench that seats two is ridiculous!
Rooms are kept too warm.
Stupid that women cannot bring in their purse.
4pm ticket holders have to rush through.
No gift shop for books, memorabilia.
Pros:
Beautiful building to walk around
Awesome personal devices to listen to!
Beautifully set up.
Very affordable! In fact, was worth more.
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert B
Plattsmouth, NE489 contributions
Jan 2023
We drove to KC for the Maya display and really enjoyed the presentation. It was very informative and had a ton of really cool pieces. I really liked the larger tablets that showed life in the Mayan times. I would suggest a few hours for the display and to really take the time to read and learn about the life of the Mayans. Union Station is always a cool location and it is fun to just walk around and take in the beauty of the building. There is also really cool areas that provide information about the construction and history of the building.
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mc.iles
Sherrill, NY265 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Nicely renovated train station, cool to see something that old still standing and being utilized today. Several different attractions, includes shops, restaurants, theaters, exhibits and an interactive science center. You can hop on the KC streetcar and take it all the way to City Market free of charge.
Written December 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parasols2
Detroit, MI58 contributions
Sep 2022
There was a wedding reception that was going to take place later in the evening im the main hall- I was able to get a pic, even though it was roped off. Very beautiful- they did a great job restoring it. There are restaurants and a shop or two inside. It is walking distance to the WWI museum - we didn't go inside that, but outside, up the hill and steps gives you the iconic cityscape view of Kansas City.
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there overnight/ long term parking near the station? Website isn’t super helpful.
Written October 1, 2023
My elderly mother and I will be arriving on the southwest chief at 10PM on a Monday. We’re staying at the Westin. What is the best way to get from the train station to the Westin? It looks like the hotel is across the street but the streets are busy. Also how safe is the area for two ladies at 10-11 PM?
Written December 4, 2019
i think the area is safe & secure.
Written December 15, 2019
Is there parking available around there if someone's picking me up at the train station just for a couple hours
Written August 17, 2019
Yes there is parking in front of union station as well as a spacious parking garage. Parking is paid so plan for $5-$10.
Written September 21, 2019
How come you don't let the passengers inside the train station at nite they have to stand out side
Written March 9, 2019
Sorry, do not know. Contact them directly for this question.
Written March 17, 2019
Is there free parking at Union Station if you are taking the Amtrak Train to Chicago for the week?
Written April 28, 2018
I’m not sure if there’s free parking or not. We parked in the parking garage and paid $10 but it was good for all day! Didn’t have to worry about the time on parking meters and it was a secure location.
Written June 12, 2018
I am assuming the question is regarding the current exhibit at Union Station. Per Union Station, tickets to Pompeii exhibit are available through April 30th.
Written March 24, 2017
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