Arabia Steamboat Museum Reviews

many times i had driven thru Kansas city and i would see the sign, ''Arabia Steamboat Museum''. i wondered what it was. then one saturday morning laying in bed and not wanting to get up i turned on tv. the History Channel had a program at 5:30 a.m. that morning and it was about the Arabia Steamboat. it showed heavy equipment digging in the soil. seeing as that was my line of work i watched the show and found out that the ship went down in the Missouri river when it hit a ''snag''. that's a tree or a log in the river and it ''snags'' your ship and you get hung up or sink when it punctures the hull. in 1856 it went down with 220 tons of cargo on board but all passengers were saved. so now that i knew what it was i had to plan a trip to see it for myself. my wife & i went in 2007 to see it and we were impressed with the building, the tour & all of the artifacts that have been preserved & continue to be preserved as they are still working on it to this day.i went back again before a Mecum auto auction last year.

This was a FABULOUS place to visit. The Arabia Steamboat Museum was so unique and well done we spent twice as much time there as we thought we would. It was much more than expected and very different from all the other old west/frontier museums I've seen....and I have seen a lot of museums!! The family store of discovery and excavation is fascinating. The museum captures and presents a very unique part of history unlike any other museum in a wonderful combination of videos and displays. The family has done a wonderful job preserving and presenting history that is not displayed any where else I have traveled. Bravo!!!
Sincerely,
The gal who stops at every museum along the way.

It opened 29 years ago and every year we thought about going. This year I took teenage grandkids and it was great. The guide walked with us for 30 min or so, then there was a short film and then we were on our own to explore. Just the right amount of time. Very interesting.

Who would have thought that the remains of a steamship that floated along the Missouri River would be found in a Kansas cornfield, but it was! The highlight of our tour was speaking to one of the Hawleys, who participated in the dig. He added so much and we really enjoyed asking him questions. A good stop if you’re in the KC area.

During dinner this evening my husband asked me what was my favorite part of our day. Without hesitation I stated the Arabia Steamboat Museum in the Central Market district of Kansas City. How fortunate. upon arrival David Hawley, one of the founders of the vessel and developers of this historic pre-civil war place. It is truly a time capsule and part of each Americans past. A labor of love by th Hawley family devoted to preserving their treasures and sharing them with whomever ventures in. Meeting David we could feel his passion for the Arabia and all she offers. Conveniently located near the Central Market stop on the free trolley. Cost: $14.50/adult, $5 children, free<3years and senior discounts. Thank you Hawley family for you devotion and tenacity in brinigng to life this important part of American history.

Fascinating museum about a steamboat wrecked in 1856, lost more than 100 years, discovered 45 feet under a cornfield by five friends, and salvaged with most of its 200 tons of cargo, which is exhibited. The parallel stories of steamboats on the frontier and finding the wreck are very compelling. Free parking on north side, not south. Plenty of good lunch spots next door.

I was proud to show the museum to family in from Tulsa. I have taken several through the years and everyone is always amazed.

Steamboat Arabia museum is great. Friendly staff, wonderful displays, easy to ask questions about the collection and the history of the museum and steamboat.

I love this place. Have been several times. This is a collection of items from a Steamboat that went down in the Missouri River. The displays are awesome

We had never heard of it, but so many places were closed I was trying to find something to do on our trip to K C. Searched online and this popped up. Very interesting and highly recommend.

I expected a touristy type of experience but this was totally cool and real. The story behind the museum and the archaeological excavation taken to recover the items in the museum is a fascinating story. It is family owned and there is always one person from the family there to answer questions and discuss their experience. I would recommend this very highly.

We enjoyed our visit to the Steamboat Arabia today. The short films were all very informative, and the artifacts were incredible, it was amazing how all well these artifacts survived, including the pickles!

I have been to this museum several times, and it's a great place to take out of town company! The process to acquire this collection is so interesting, and the sheer volume of artifacts is astounding. One of the most interesting museums I have ever been to.

I hesitated to go to this museum because I thought it might be just a collection of artifacts. But it is much more than that. The museum tells the story of 300 boats that sank in the Missouri River in the 1800's, and what it was like for people to travel on the river. Even the story of the reclamation of the river boat that sank in 1856 from the deep mud by a group of local men was interesting.

This is a fantastic display of American history. The amount of time, money, and effort that went into the recovery of these treasures is remarkable. The choice is yours... You can see the exhibit (including the videos) in 60 to 90 minutes.... Or you can spend the better part of the day, if you want.

I thought about skipping this part of my tour with Road Scholar because I didn't think I would like it and we had a "keep the pace" type of tour with 2-3 places to visit everyday. But I would have missed so much. After our tour here, which told the story of the sunken ship and how it was found and excavated, we watched a movie about it. One of the 4 men who had been on the team that arranged to find and excavate the boat and now run this museum, came in to speak with us and answered questions. There are thousands of PRE CIVIL war artifacts on view and a room the real length of the steamboat so you can get the feel of being on the ship. You can watch people restoring other artifacts, such as a saddle. The ship had a cargo hold of goods to deliver along the Missouri river stops but sank and was lost for many years.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum was much better than we expected. First, we saw that they did a good job of laying out the story of steamboat travel as well as the process that went into finding the Arabia. Then, we got to see the thousands of artifacts, and at the end of the tour we actually got to meet David Hawley, who is one of the five original treasure hunters who dug up the steamboat. We spent about 90 minutes in the museum, and we thought the teenagers were very interested. They will likely move the museum in 2024 when the lease ends, so make sure you go and see it!

This museum is interesting in many fashions.
It captures frontier life coupled with the steamboats.
The Arabia in particular capsized in the MO river before the civil war losing its entire cargo. It was located by folklore in a cornfield and excavated. There are many artifacts and videos explaining. It’s located within the City Market. We found it interesting.

We stumbled on this exhibit. Interesting things in there to see and purchase. It was located within the city market area.

This is a must-see museum. The display is constantly changing as they finish restoring more items. It is moving - I hope not too far away.

Interesting museum located in the downtown City Market where there are many things to see and do. The steamship was found and recovered by a local family and one of them spoke with us and answered our questions which added a very personal touch to the experience.

I would not recommend for small children, older children may be mildly interested.

Yes, $18 to enter the museum. Just did not seem worth it. You could see the giant water wheel from the outside. Rest is not worth the entrance which is a ripoff.

We visited this museum on our trip across the USA and with friends from Kansas. What can i say but an incredible experience. Something i would recommend to all Kansas citizens. While in the museum we were lucky enough to speak to Matt Hawley son of David Hawley one of the founders. He informed us of the experience of finding the steamboat and the work involved in the restoration. The museum is amazing and i highly recommended that you take a visit if in the area.

It's safe to say there's really nothing like this anywhere else. You won't spend a whole day here (probably 1-2 hours), but the story of this museum and the collection is incredibly unique. It's worth checking out if you're in Kansas City.

We visited on a morning when we had some time. Parking is limited so we got there when it opened. It was a little crowded with school field trips. The presentation was excellent. The videos are very informative and very well done. We only had 2 hours to spend but we could have spent more time. It has an amazing collection of items from the steamboat.

Fascinating story about the recovery of a sunken steamboat. They tell the story well, and the recovered and restored items on display are amazing. We were able to talk to the son of one of the men who was involved on the recovery, which made it even more interesting.

Have been many times, but always fun to take friends who haven't been, so we had friends from TN coming to visit us in Springfield, MO...and they had never visited this museum, so we headed up for a few days in July to show them our favorite places there. They loved Steamboat Arabia...it is amazing to hear the story of the recovery & as usual one of the men who found the Arabia was there to answer questions & tell the first-hand story of it's discovery. Such a wonderful way to see what life was like for the pioneers who were headed west & to see all the items they were transporting to start their new lives. From china to shoes and everything in between including a big section of the steamboat, it is awesome to see the quantities of items & see the process for restoring them. Staff will answer any questions as you go on a self-guided tour and the videos thru the museum are worth watching also.

We had a good trip to the Museum, but it could have been great.
It all started with a very serious parking issue. Let me begin by saying My wife and I are in our sixties which I believe is their target audience. Upon arriving we noticed a sign on the cement wall explining parking procedures, that turned out to be FAKE.
This sign contained a QR code that wanted our info to pay for parking.
Well 15 minutes later our credit card was compromised, luckily our bank caught it and shut our card off.
So we are safe from the charges but now have no credit card!
We loved the musem but our whole visit was colored by the horrible parking experience.
The people at the museum were wonderful at explaining everything!

I have had a long interest in riverboats and their history. They are a true American icon.

I can’t say enough about this museum! It is worth the time. It is worth the money. It is just worth it period!

The tour starts every half hour with a tour guide who explains the history of the sinking, they show a video explaining how this archeological find took place and one of the people involved with the digging at the site spoke to the group. This was accomplished by a family and some of their friends. They decided to go find this boat and they did it! I am impressed by how much they have preserved from this sunken boat.

This is not a small museum with just a few artifacts. This is an amazing display and they are still growing it. There is even a mock up of a deck of a steamboat that has the boilers from the wreck that guests can walk around.

If you are any type of history buff or a maritime enthusiast, go here! You will not be disappointed!

The was so much better than just reading the reviews. The way the Arabia was found and then the cargo that was found are both amazing. Worth every penny!

This is the coolest museum! It's so different from other historical digs because it was just some guys looking for buried treasure. They didn't have grants, they new nothing about digging out a 150 year old boat, they were not historians. Just simple people who had a dream. After visiting you will want to go find a boat of your own!

A wonderful glimpse into the past! The stories and history of steamboat travel and all of the beautifully preserved artifacts is amazing. I had no idea an entire steamboat was found relatively intact in a farmers field. Well worth the admission and worth a few hours if you’re in KC.

An educational museum about a disaster I had never heard of. The tour is mostly self guided with different stations with videos on the history (closed captioning is in all videos). However, there are staff nearby if you have questions. The most impressive thing was the thousands of items recovered from the Arabia. Everything from tools to jewelry to preserved food is on display. Very cool!

I had no idea what to expect before visiting, but WOW... what an interesting story. The passion, the history, the beautiful exhibits... this is an amazing place. The tour was excellent.

Been here a few times. Very interesting story of some regular guys deciding to find a wrecked steamboat (now in a farmer's field because the river moved), what they found, and the resulting museum.

This is one amazing museum. We loved that ordinary people found such an extraordinary find. Everything you will see is so interesting. We had our 11 year old grandson and he really liked what he saw.

This is an amazing collection of pre-Civil War items and an excellent experience. The last time we were here they had docents telling you about the collection, but now they have video presentations that are great! It is hard to believe that they are not even done with the cataloging and restoring process yet. This is a must see if you are even remotely interested in history, river boats, or cool things.

Went here on a whim and was glad we did. This museum was fantastic. The difference videos explaining what the Arabia was, how it was found and the history was well done. The museum was well layed out which made the experience even better. To our surprise one of the finders and extravator was working that day, Dave. He answered our questions and gave us more insights into the find. There was another lady there restoring more items recovered. She was very nice and willing to answer our questions.
I would highty recommend visiting this museum when in Kansas City. It is in the river market area. The gift shop had a lot of neat items as well.

Did this many years ago with my kids. They have a lots of stuff and thought a good value. You have to like something unique

I visited here about 20 years ago and returned today with my husband. Terrific story of the steamboat and how it was found. Artifacts are amazing. I don’t think young children would like it unless they are interested in history.

Stepping into this museum is like stepping back in time; my husband and I are avid museum enthusiasts and we have never experienced a place like this before! You will feel like you are walking through the 1850’s, and you have a wonderful tour guide to navigate you through not only the life of a pioneer traveling westward, but the realization of an American dream. The men who excavated the steamboat were not trained archaeologists, but average joes like you and me. It was an exceptional museum. Even our teenage kids enjoyed it - and anyone with teen boys know that’s saying a lot!

This is a most unusual and amazing museum! You will be astounded by the story of a sunken ship loaded with treasure buried in a farmers field! Totally preserved artifacts so well displayed. A good video is shown at the beginning which explains the whole story. So unique. A great place for visitors. A nice gift shop to go through at the end.

They try to always have a family member on site from one of the families involved in the restoration of the steamboat to welcome visitors and answer questions. It is simply amazing how they were able to pump out the water long enough to dig down and bring up treasures that had been buried for decades! I was impressed with the generosity of the men who dug up the steamboat. They could have sold the treasure and kept it for themselves, but they chose to put it in a museum for the whole world to enjoy!

We took our time and really explored this. So interesting to hear the entire story and see such a large well kept collection. When we got around to the preservationist at the table, Melody, we had an awesomely informative talk with her. She was so personable, knowledgeable and willing to share. She was quite a treasure in herself. There was only 1 other couple going through who started about 5 minutes after us and finished about 30 minutes before us. If you go do NOT just breeze through so fast.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a must-see. Honestly, I only went because my husband was really excited about seeing a steamboat that had been trapped in a river for a century. Last time we were at the farmers market I didn't even notice the museum.

It was beyond our expectations. The videos are very informative and set visitors up for positive experience. The amount of artifacts is overwhelming, but they are very well organized. I was shocked when one of the original excavating people was present to answer questions and show us around. He was very nice
There is something for everyone because it discusses the boat, the river, the engineering, the excavation -- it's fascinating.

This is a must see for adults and older kids! The folks at the museum are amazing! The story of the Arabia tells the tale of hazards going westward in the 1850’s. The recovery of the steamship in the late 1980’s is one of perseverance and possibilities! What an awesome history lesson for this teacher and her grandkid crew!

Another excellent place to visit in KC. Don't let the name fool you. The artifacts recovered will amaze you.

What a fascinating museum! The story of recovering the Arabia was interesting, but walking through the displays of the cargo they found on the steamboat was really quite incredible. It’s described as a time capsule and that’s so true. I felt like I was looking at the shelves of Mr Olsen’s mercantile from Little House on the Prairie. Plus this museum is located in the City Market, which has plenty of restaurants to choose from before/after you visit the museum. And Betty Rae’s Ice Cream is just down the street! Plan to spend 1-2 hours at the museum then explore the area. You can easily spend a half-day.

We were walking the downtown area. Was. It sure about the museum from the first look. It was well worth the time and money. It a unique and fun museum.

A surprising hit: I didn’t have great expectations of this museum but it was great - such a fascinating tale, both of the men who searched for and discovered the remains of the ship and then what they found.

I go to a lot of museums. This one is unobtrusive, but it's one of the best that I've visited in a long time. This museum is the product of some amateur historians/archaeologists that were determined to excavate a steamboat. The results of their tireless efforts is one of the most informative museums of 1850s American history that I have ever seen.

This the first time visiting this place and the overall experience was excellent! Our tour guide for the first part of the tour was excellent! The Museum has a short video explaining the recovery of the Arabia Steamboat. The items found were in mint condition for the most part! One of the best pre-civil war exhibits I have ever seen! Plan on spending at least about an hour and half at this place. Very interesting history on Steamboats that traveled on the Missouri river. Parking is available with a time limit of two hours. Discounts are available for seniors. Worth a stop!

Very well done museum. It starts with audio visual peoviding a background of the steamboat and the team that excavated it. Then the artifacts which were phenomenal. We were fortunate enough to meet one of the founders of the project which was an extra highlight.

We had never heard of the Arabia Steamboat Museum, but thought it might be interesting. Wow....what a find. The Museum did a wonderful job, through movies, explaining how the boat sank & how it was found 138 yrs. later. They have the most amazing display & a work station where an employee explained a number of steps that had to be taken to preserve the artifacts. I'd very HIGHLY recommend stopping to see it. As seniors the cost was $14.00 & there's free parking on one side of museum....metered parking on the other side.

I wasn't sure what to expect. You start by watching 3 TV's that tell the story of the Arabia and the history about it's excavation. It was so fascinating to learn about the Arabia's history, but more amazing was seeing some of the artifacts recovered from the wreck. It's the largest collection of pre-Civil war artifacts in the world! One of the original excavators was there and was talking with a large group that was touring the museum. We talked with him a little, and it was interesting learn about how the museum was laid out like the ouline of the Arabia. If you are looking for something to do in the KC area, this is definitely worth a stop.

It's a HUGE Cargo ship that got stranded in the river channel. Tons of items of how people lived and wore back then.

We found the story of the sinking of the Arabia 1856, discovering the site and now the preservation of the tiems that were frozen in time. Overwhelmed by the large cargo on board.Start the tour with a guide and short film to give overview of the history of Arabia and the family. Then explore the museum at your own pace. The tickets are good for entire day.

I didn’t not expect much from this museum and how very wrong I was. What an amazing story of a family with a dream, passion and determination. This is well worth the time and the small entrance fee. And, this venue is surrounded by the city market with great food options. Easy access on the free streetcar!

Absolutely outstanding! Cannot recommend highly enough

We toured this museum on a Sunday afternoon and were surprised to find it mostly empty. Short videos explain how the 4 fellows came across the initial idea and how they set forth to find the sunken ship. Super interesting.

The goods displayed are mostly in like new condition - just amazing. The variety of goods displayed was also mind-blowing. We were fortunate enough to meet the only surviving fellow, Mr. Dave Hawley, and he was very gracious.

Go - just go!

I always thought I wanted to visit this museum but didn't think it would be much but to my surprise it was outstanding. There are thousands of things on display and many more to be restored. Make sure to watch the movie, very interesting and well worth the few minutes of your time. One of the family members walks around speaking to visitors. Asking him questions was a really great way to fill in the blanks.

A great museum outlining the steamboat’s sinking and then the discovery/recovery. Interesting history of the river and frontier life. Fascinating story of the individuals that undertook the research and recovery of the vessel and it’s cargo. Tons of recovered items. I would highly recommend a visit!

Really enjoyed the tour.
The story of the steamboat salvage was neat.
Fun seeing all the artifacts.
Tour was about the right length.

Every dream of treasure hunting? Visit and learn about a group of friends who went on a treasure hunt and found s treasure they didn't expect. Take some time to learn and listen, you will not be disappointed.

Wow!!! What an unexpected pleasure... Artifacts are in incredible condition.
Largest collection of Civil War Era collection of everything from soup to nuts.
If there was a WalMart back then,...this is the entire inventory...
Well narrated, with a short movie for background, followed with plenty of free time for a self guided tour and exploration.
Highly recommend.

The Arabia Museum is a must-visit for any would-be treasure hunter. The collection of Pre-Civil War consumer goods is unparalleled.

We went to KCMO mainly for the World War 1 museum and wanted to see what else the area offered. This museum was walking distance from our AirBNB in the City Market area. We did not know what to expect, but the museum and information are very well done. The sinking of the Steamboat Arabia was devastating for many people on board and for those waiting for the boat to bring their purchased goods further upstream in the frontier. The items carried on the boat were items new settlers were bringing with them for a new life in the west. It was also carrying items for the general store: nails, tools, boots, shoes, door knobs, farm implements and more.

There are active restoration of glassware, porcelain, fabrics and more. The staff are friendly and are willing to talk with you about what they are restoring and how they do it.

As we were making our way to the last display, we were greeted by one of the Hawley family members. Matt, one of the sons of David Hawley, gave us more information about the recovery and his recollections as a child on the dig site. He was 5 years old, he was told to play and stay out of the way. That meant we was frequently playing in the mud and having a great time. He also told us of their next steamboat recovery and said that it was going to be more difficult because that boat still lies in the channel of the Missouri River.

Don't rush through the museum if you want to learn about this recovery. We took approximately 3 hours to get through and it was worth the time. Across the street is City Market that has many restaurants to choose from.

Wasn't aware of Arabia Steamboat Museum when arrived in town. If not familiar this steamboat was full of cargo traveling in the river delivering tons of all types of goods, weapons, good, drinks, clothes, jewelry, home furnishings & so much more. Sank in 1889's but all survived. Cargo sank with it & was there for hundred years with repeated trips to recover goods. Family found it buried under a corn field after river rerouted itself. Goods/cargo are being restored to as close to original design. Unique how so much cargo survived. Items on display. Found very interesting.

It was worth it! My friends told me this was a must see while in town and they were right! Amazing story of how the Arabia was found and all the artifacts were restored!

This is a very interesting museum and tour. The guided tour portion and movie are very informative to start. It was funny that our guide said that only a portion of the stern is in the museum though. We wondered at first what the fuss was about—only the stern?? But then they let you view the artifacts pulled up from the boat (which they’re still working on after 30 years) and we were amazed. The quantity of goods is astounding and there are helpful people around to add more information as needed. Highly recommended.

Liked the quality and display of the artifacts. It is in down town so not much family stuff to do. Did the St louis Arch and this meusum all in a big day.

Just the films on how this sunken steamboat was located, excavated, and restored is a phenomenal story and a world-class documentary. But the way the everything is arrayed, displayed, and presented is top-notch museum curatorship. If you are going to go one museum to understand how river traffic on the Missouri shaped our national expansion, this is the place to go. My understanding is that the museum may be forced to relocate (for a parking garage - you've got to be kidding!). Visit this treasure before it is too late!

A amazing story.
History found in recent time, showing a dedication of 4 friends looking for a 1856 steamboat with history of the past. This museum is a fresh water artifact found in a farmers field. The family members are around to talk about the Arabia Steamboat and others in the future to excavate. You can watch the preservation being done. A amazing museum. We took us 2 hours to go through.

This place is full of history and relics from a steamboat that sunk in the Missouri River. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and the collection is incredible.

Very interesting place, lots of amazingly preserved artifacts from the recovered steamship. Lost for over 100 years, buried tens of feet underground, and recovered in the 1980s, lots of items were amazingly well preserved.

This was so interesting. The guided tour, the movie and the self guided tour were all wonderful. So fascinating! Who knew?

Thought this would be more of an engineer’s field trip when I read about it. I was pleasantly surprised; something for the whole family. Our tour was led by George & his knowledge base was extensive. Light hearted & very informative.

We all learned so much and spent almost 3 hours without even realizing the amount of time that had passed. I cannot believe the undertaking of finding and exhuming the ship and the number of items recovered. The volume & condition of the items is impressive.

I did not know what to expect visiting this museum but it is well worth a visit! This paddle wheeler loaded with supplies destined for homesteaders in the west sunk long ago. A group of men decided to try to salvage it and were successful. This museum chronicles their endeavor and shares with us the amazing amount of things they recovered including glassware, china, clothing, building supplies, tools,fabric, shoes and boots....rooms and rooms of what they recovered and restored, cleaned and repaired.

Kept our family of 5 entertained, we were all pleasantly surprised on the amount of history was there, the heirlooms collected, and hearing the story. Great to do.

I thought originally this was more of kids museum, I was wrong.

The museum has many artifacts from an era that opened the west to settlers traveling west and displays that will impress the members of the younger generation

Here are two reasons to visit the "Arabia Steamboat Museum":

(1) The Arabia was a steamboat that was loaded with merchant cargo when it sank. They didn't recover single specimens of artifacts; they recovered whole inventories of trade goods. And the presentation of recovered artifacts is very good; so is contextualization.

(2) "Are the days of the museum at City Market numbered?" I read a couple of newspaper articles (online). The museum announced in 2019 that it planned to move when its lease expired in 2026. The museum had signed a letter of intent to move from Kansas City to St Charles--but that plan fell through (Dec-2022).

The reason I would not visit this museum again--or suggest skipping this attraction:

The entry fee for an adult was $17.98. I went through the museum in about 30 minutes.

I had never been to Kansas City before. This was my first visit--maybe it's my last visit. I had a long list of things I wanted to do and places I wanted to visit: The National WWI Museum; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, etc.

I do not regret visiting this museum. I just don't think a got a lot of bang for my buck.

BTW .. "City Market" provides up to 2-hours of free parking. I believe that the parking lot uses a license plate reader to keep tabs on vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot, and that is how they keep track of how long you have been in the parking lot.

Very unexpected. Very unusual museum with a lot to see with lots of information on steamboats and their whole era. Astounding number of artifacts.

What an awesome story and display! We really enjoyed learning about the boat and then the recovery. The condition and quantity of the merchandise recovered is absolutely amazing! Thank you to the team that took the time and spent the money to make this happen and thank you for keeping it all together for everyone to see!

This museum was one of the main reasons for visiting Kansas City. I read about this museum online and immediately wanted to visit it in person. I was blown away and this exceeded every expectation I had. The history of the ship, the discovery and the determination of the family who excavated it, the huge, huge collection is so incredible. It is hard to believe so much was aboard one 1800s steamboat. I learned so much here and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a true hidden gem, though very easy to find.
One small negative: We arrived at the 10 AM opening time on a Wednesday, March 8, 2023. We believed it would not be very busy on a morning mid-week. We were wrong, as we walked up to the entrance, there were 3 large school buses parked. We went inside to the ticket desk to be told that we could not go in because the museum was reserved for 200 middle school children until noon. There was no indication on the museum website that the place would be closed to the public or that it could be totally reserved during open hours. So we had to find something else to do for two hours.

The story of how 5 regular (albeit determined and hardworking) guys set out to find buried treasure near the Missouri River is amazing! And the treasure they found is on display in this wonderful museum -- 200 tons of treasure from 1856! Such a cool story and you can actually talk to the treasure hunters themselves as they stroll around the museum answering questions. Totally worth seeing!

This was an amazing experience!! A steamboat sank in the Missouri River back in 1856, carrying thousands of goods and supplies for frontier families. The only “casualty,” per se, was a mule, callously left tied tightly on the boat, then lied about by the owner. 132 years later, the Arabia was discovered in a farmer’s field and excavated. This museum, run by a son of an original discovery team member, displays the items found in the wreckage, along with part of the hull itself. It also has a display of the mule.

Fascinating tale about how a steam boat sank, and wound up in a cornfield. Lots of artifacts. THis is worth the trip.

We voted this our favorite museum out of the several we visited in Kansas City. The story behind it is astounding and heartwarming, and the collection is beautifully displayed. It’s worth every vacation penny and minute spent.

I have been to this unique steamboat museum several time, as field-trips with 6th graders and with friends. They have a great deal of authentic artifacts taken from the Steamboat Arabia after it had been buried in a field for 150 yrs. So interesting. It's a peek into the history of riverboat travel and a first-hand view of what the culture of the time was. Very worth visiting. I'm planning another trip there for this summer.

Thoroughly enjoyed this museum. The explanation and film at the beginning was helpful for background information. Everything is well displayed and staff nearby to answer questions.

This is a hidden gem; the story of the steamboat was interesting and well presented via short videos as well as written word in the display areas. The artifacts were amazing to see and displayed in a very organized presentation; which is great as there is a lot to see!

This was a fun experience with my mother and father in law and two young boys (3&8). We all had fun learning about the steamboat and seeing lots of things that were found on discovery.

Don't be confused. This is not about seeing a paddle wheel boat. This is about seeing the amazing artifacts retrieved almost 30 years ago from the wreck of the Arabia which went down in 1856. The family team collected an amazing treasure trove of a huge range of objects that have updated our understanding of life prior to the Civil War. Even Antiques Roadshow has visited here. There are formal tours with very knowledgeable docents. There's a good video detailing the family's story about finding and retrieving all of the cargo from the wreck, now buried several yards below a soy field. You can also see active conservation efforts. This is definitely worth a visit and it's an absolutely amazing collection of pre-Civil War artifacts. You should plan about 2 hours minimum but you could easily spend more time if you thoroughly read and view all that there is to see. There's some paid parking in the front and some free 2 hour parking in back (M-F only). The front is a unique pay in advance system where you input your license plate number. You have to estimate your length of stay but can put in your cell number for expiration reminders and some way to increase the time remotely. There are other shops and restaurants in the complex so you could end up spending quite a bit of time here. Don't miss it.

This is truly worth a stop in Kansas City Missouri even if you are just driving through. I was even more amazed at one of the original discoverers Was actually on site to answer any questions that you might have. The amount of artifacts that were recovered is he it's huge.

This museum is wonderful in so many respects - history, of course, but also a great story of how this sunken steamboat, its cargo, and this nice museum came to be available - because of several good friends, just working together - for us to see. I wished the signage on many items in the exhibits was better / more detailed, but this is a great place to visit, no matter what your age.

Saw this as a top attraction and was unsure. So glad we made the visit. Really neat story and museum. Great flow to the site with large monitors telling the stories and all the discovered artifacts. You would never guess this beautiful museum is in this galleria style mall. Such a great visit!

I read the reviews and think we may have been at a different place than others described. It may be the most boring, dry, and non-entertaining museum we’ve ever visited. A complete waste of $40! Would not recommend.

Absolutely fabulous, enjoyed this museum even more than we had anticipated.

Amazing story of how the ship was found and excavated.

Shows how our pioneer ancestors lived in the “good?” old days with interesting artifacts of days gone by. Worth the money

The museum is located in the City Market in the northern part of Kansas City. Paid parking is available nearby and also the free streetcar has a stop nearby. Admission is USD 16.50 plus tax with reductions for seniors and children.

Short videos give an excellent introduction to the exhibits and tell the fascinating history behind the excavation of the steamboat Arabia. The exhibits give a good impression of everyday frontier life around the 1850’s and we really enjoyed the museum.

We were lucky to actually meet one of the museum’s founding family members, which should be commended for their great and visionary work.

Fascinating museum! So impressive that amateur treasure hunters discovered and excavated this steamship that predates the Civil War! This is a must-see!

I really enjoyed this experience! We spent around 2 1/2 hours touring the museum and taking in all that it had to offer. It was very enlightening as to what occurred with this discovery of the steamboat back in 1856 and how it was found 130 years later. To see where and how the group found it and what they did to recovery it and the items on display was a great example of historical significance and something that should be seen by anyone in the Kansas City area.
This museum would be of interest to younger children through adults and especially if you had a guide/docent to take you through to show you what all was on display and answer any questions concerning this time period or the incident of how the boat met its demise or especially the excavation of the steamboat and its contents. The museum is comprised of visual displays, films, tours and much of the remaining steamboat itself and how they contents have been preserved.

This museum is like a pioneer Walmart. The story of how it came about is fascinating. Our guide did a nice job and the movie pulled it altogether. One of the original gentlemen who searched for the Steamboat Arabia came in to answer questions. We had a great time.

We had been by on Saturday and didn't realize what we missed, so we ended up driving back on Sunday and so thankful we did! We had an amazing time hearing about the history and how they have made the past come to life! I have told so many people already about this place and hughly recommend.

To be honest, we thought we would only spend a little time here, because the building is deceiving (looks small)! Would also come back again to see new things uncovered and preserved!

I went with family to see this place. As they did the planning, I didn't really look into the museum so I thought it was going to just be a standard explanation about steamboats. Instead, it was a fascinating story about a family who found what is literally a time capsule. The museum is clearly a labor of love. You will step back in time and see a wide range of times (from tools to shoes to clothes to books) that all were amazingly preserved when the steamboat sank and was buried in the mud of the river. I would say there is nothing like this place. Well worth a visit.

The museum is very well done, detailing the story of the Arabia Steamboat, which hit a snag in the Missouri River and sank in 1856 and was salvaged in 1988. The Arabia's cargo was preserved instead of sold, and presents quite a display at the museum. A definitely must-see!

I had no idea how much history was involved in the Mississippi River steamboat era. This small museum was very educational. It's quite well laid out, very easy to navigate. The artifacts that were salvaged were simply amazing.

What a find..literally!! Our tour group of "seasoned" travelers and gray-haired adventurers spent almost 2 hours viewing the unearthed relics of a by-gone era, and talking with some of the people who have spent the better part of the last 30 years digging for treasure in the Missouri mud. If this is your only chance to see the Museum and visit with the treasure hunters, plan on more than a couple of hours - especially if you include strolling through the City Market located in the same block. Even the short film kept our interest! Makes a great lunch-stop; there's plenty of restaurants, diners, cafes and food trucks close-by. The only drawback is the scarcity of motor coach parking and tight city streets further narrowed to allow for the KC Trolleys; plan on a mid-week or Sunday morning visit for large groups on buses.

A nice museum for those who enjoy history and those who imagine finding treasure.
A family looked for a sunken ship that travelled the river, but the river path had changed.
They found many treasures from a time period that hadn't previously been preserved very well.
One of the family is generally at the museum to chat and answer questions.

Fascinating exhibits of excavation and preservation of articles from frontier life in 1850s. Better than the Titanic! Great tiyr guides, cute gift shop. Reasonable price for private museum. No government funding.

Went to the Arabia Steamboat museum today, because of the good reviews on T/A. No disappointments here.
An incredible story of a rescued sunken steamboat that was buried for a 132 years. A family dug it up and almost all the cargo has been totally preserved & is in it's original state.
My tour guide was Dr. Trish, a beautiful young woman who knew all the facts about the ship, its cargo & family who rescued it. We even got to meet one of the grandsons who answered questions for us.
Definitely plan on visiting this museum if you are in KC. It's in a market area with neat shops all around....

Treasure hunts are always fun, and this is the story of one family's treasure hunt (for historic purposes) that you are invited to join them as they tell the story. There is a video documenting the dig, how they found the Arabia, what they had to do to recover it, and the artifacts representing the lost treasures and dreams of those traveling to a new place. They work hard to make the tour very personal. It was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon in the city market area!

A great museum and tour, priced right. So interesting and very well presented. The original digger showed up at the tour and answered many questions. Clean and friendly group. Have already sent 2 other friends there, highly recommend it.

I always play tour guide when people come to town. I find it fun to show Kansas City to people. If they have time, I take them to three places and the Steamship Arabia is one of those three. Everyone who I have taken has loved it, some have gone back on their next visit. You will not only learn a lot, but you will also see a lot. Every age group will love it. I think elementary age children probably are amazed at how people lived and the tools they had in 1854. My other two top three are The Wold War One museum and the Negro Leagues museum.

This was my second time to visit this museum because I liked it so much the first time. It's like visiting a huge general store from long ago. All generations will enjoy it, but I think the older folk will particularly have fun as they recognize things that were in their homes. This is so unique -- it is definitely a must-see in Kansas City.

I really liked it esp. the part where one of the family member will come out and talk to visitors at the end of the video. Just loved that personal touch! I was not expecting much and we we're not planning to visit but when we pass by the museum on our way to the River market via the KC Streetcar, we said to ourselves, why not?

I thought it was surprisingly good museum, I don't know anything about steamboat and I came out of it loving it!

I highly recommend it.

The museum is in the Market Center which charges $1/hour for parking. You pay your museum admission fee in the gift shop. From there you go down a ramp to the museum. It is an outstanding history of the steamship Arabia, and efforts to retrieve the cargo that was lost when the ship sank in the Missouri River. There are several examples of steamship equipment with explanations of how they work. You can see a full sized paddle wheel in action, boilers, and many more things. When you get to the display of the actual cargo recovered from the ship, it is truly amazing. The combination of temperature and lack of sunlight means that much of the cargo looks as good as new. They claim to have the largest collection of pre-civil war artifacts in the world. I believe them. COVID-19: the staff wears masks and they expect you to wear one also. They also request you follow social distancing protocols.

This museum exceeded my expectations! I never knew about the Arabia before visiting and I learned a lot. The collection of pristine goods from that era of American history was amazing. The take of the discovery and excavation was extremely well done.

This museum is relatively unknown. There is a movie that explains what happened to this Steamboat on the Missouri in 1852 and how the relics were found and prepared for exhibit. There are so many exhibits of the merchandise they were able to recover that you will be truly amazed and develop sympathy for the prairie folks whose goods were thus never delivered and the hardships they must have borne. The tour is guided only and our docent was extremely interesting and seemed really involved and loved her job and the tour. Spend about 1-2 hours. Even teenagers might like this.

A hidden gem in the River Market area. I was surprised at the huge amount of artifacts they were able to bring up from the ship. They are in perfect condition. After viewing a film showing the history of the ship & the tedious job of bringing the ship out of the ground, we got to watch a lady very carefully stitching up a pair of shoes. Very interesting. Loved it!

This old boat was found buried in a farmers field years after sinking and the river changed its course. Interesting and allows for a different perspective on transport and horsepower.

This museum displays the many items recovered in the 1980's from the Arabia Steamboat, which sank in 1856 near Kansas City. There were a lot of items on display, and the preservation is impressive considering the steamboat was 45 feet underground in the mud. I liked the museum and the story of this project, but it was somewhat disappointing in that most of the items were rather mundane. The quantity of items WAS impressive. Overall, pretty good.

I went in kicking and screaming. The whole concept seemed dumb. They pulled me out kicking and screaming. It is FASCINATING from numerous angles. History. Science. The human spirit and American sense of adventure. Easily could have spent another hour there.

This Museum has a focus on one thing and the treasure it reviles. The most impressing thing is it is all there to see and enjoy, learn and appreciate.

The steamboat Arabia sank in 1852. The only loss of life was a mule; however, thousands of goods bound for market to sell to American settlers were lost. Some years ago, those goods were recovered. They have been cleaned and put on display at this very interesting museum. China looks new, as do guns, powder flasks, keys, locks, tools and much more. A lab co-located with the display, exhibits how each artifact is carefully restored to its original, almost like new quality. Not only are there dry goods, but some bottles of liquor and pickles were recovered from a depth of over 40 feet in the dirt. The liquor was drinkable and one of the men who was involved in the recovery said the pickles tasted as good and sweet as if they were newly prepared.

The museum is set up, in much of it, to look like a store front. It is a wonderful display.

This isn't a museum about steamboats in general, but a special one that was unearthed by a group of enthusiasts simply because they wanted to uncover it. A ridiculous amount of its cargo is on display here (with an impressive degree of organization) along with actual components of the once-sunk boat. Between the mandatory parking fee and slightly-high admission fee (considering the museum requires about an hour to complete), its value could be called into question just a little, but the experience itself isn't up for debate.

Unique experience. Loved the history lessons and movie before touring the museum. We enjoyed talking to the two people cleaning up items dug out of the cornfield remaining from the steamboat sinking and being recovered. You should see this place!

This place was amazing. The story of how they found this boat and got all the stuff from it was amazing. All artifacts come from pre-civil war time. You have got to see this place especially if you like history

A real pleasant surprise, an expectedly attraction. At first blush this appeared to be a pure tourist trap. Instead it is a well done, well thought out attraction centered around a timeless story of treasure hunting. The treasure hunt itself was a failure but this plan B to make the story a paid attraction turned it into a success. You won’t be sorry to put this attraction at the top of your tourist to do list, certainly ahead of the Negro baseball museum.

This museum was incredible. I wish we would have arrived earlier, but we were coming from Branson, MO. Because it was Memorial Day, they closed an hour earlier than usual. It was fascinating. We were there for more than 2 hours, and we could have stayed longer. The videos at the beginning were a good intro for those that don't know the story behind the Arabia. The artifacts were amazing...all those buttons! The way the museum is laid out is so that it follows the timeline. I would really like to come back again. I highly recommend this museum.

We loved our visit here. It is so well done that it far exceeded my expectations. You first go on a quick and informative guided tour, then watch a video telling you more about the Steamboat and the finding and recovering of it. At the end of the video a family member spoke to us and took questions. This was something that I never expected and was wonderful to talk to and get more information from. You then get to tour the rest at your own pace. We took our time and looked at pretty much everything. They did a wonderful job of telling the history, the story and the display of the items was fantastic. It was funny because in a way it looked like an 1800's Ikea :) All kidding aside, this place is amazing and worth a visit for sure!

I had heard that this museum was worth a visit, but I didn't believe until I saw it with my own eyes. It is like a Walmart with pre- Civil War merchandise. The story behind the sinking of the steamship is so interesting and the pristine condition of the cargo that has been salvaged is amazing. We heard such great stories from the docent who was on duty. I can't say enough good things!

The story as told on "vintage" video was helpful in setting the date/time of recovery. Number of artifacts recovered and their condition was amazing. Best part was having a son of one of the original recoverers available as a resource!

I really did not know what to expect from this museum. But I was intrigued all the way. The tour is self guided and has TVs with videos to first strait your tour, and then you look at he the exhibits afterwards. The amount of things that were recovered is so impressive. Th time it took the team to care for the artificers and display them is incredible. The video in the theater is very good as well. I highly recommend seeing this hidden gem! Admission is so worth the price! Sometimes if you get lucky, some of the excavators are there! What a great piece of history!

Monday. The museum opened at 10, and we were part of the first tour, which lasts about 20 minutes. You're then funneled into a room to watch a 10-minute movie that basically repeats everything the tour guide told us. The owners probably need to correct that. After that, you're free to see all the displays.

We were blown away, not by the items themselves (they're basic everyday items) but by their state of almost perfect preservation after 150 years buried in the mud. What also blew me away was that two of the original men who did the excavation were in the museum roaming around. One took time to show me unique details on some items and even discussed the new steamboat they've found!

Plan on about 1.5 hours. There's paid parking out front for about $2.

No problems - not busy right now, great location at the Farmer's Market. The visit was great and was pleasantly surprised.

A very informative and interesting account of the salvation of the Arabia Steamboat disaster. Informational videos and short movie showed actual footage of the excavation of the ruins after it sank 135 years ago. The museum housed thousand of artifacts rescued from the soggy and muddy farm field where it lay dormant for years. It housed the remains of the original steamboat and its many parts. The family endeavor to excavate the boat was a touching tribute of the exceptional family who decided to share it with the world. It took around two hours to tour the entire museum.

Could not even imagine what we saw. Incredible story of how the steamboat was even found. The displays of the findings were fantastic. Family member there to greet the crowd. Highly recommend seeing this unique museum. Tour guide was outstanding.

Here on business and visited during our free time. Allow 2 hours minimum to hear the study behind the amateur treasure hunters and read all the plaques about artifacts found! We even heard from the wife of one treasure hunter.

The first part of the tour was awful. If they are going to have a speaker conduct part of the tour, they need a better sound system. Our "guide" used a mic with a portable speaker and his speech was garbled. No one in our party could understand a word he said. Also, you purchase a ticket for a specific time but the crowd was too large for the first part of the tour to be interesting. After the first 20 minutes, I would have rated the attraction a "1".

The redeeming quality was the video which very informative about the whole salvage project. The best part of the video was one of the original members of the project answered questions afterward.

The exhibits of the artifacts recovered are interesting although a bit repetitive (a large number of the same items displayed).

We were in Kansas City for a reunion and were told about this museum. At first I did not think to much about it but since we had some time, we decided to visit the museum and we were really glad that we did. My wife especially enjoyed the story of the Arabia Steamboat and the story that does with it. A must see if you are in the Kansas City area..

Really neat museum in Kansas City's City Market area. Especially enjoyed learning more about frontier life in the Midwest. You'll learn so many great details on being human in the 1850s of America including what they ate, how they lived, and so many of their interesting possessions. Glad I finally got to see!

This unique museum displays salvaged parts of a steamship, as well as thousands of articles meant for sale. From tools and boots to beads and china. The museum is run & owned by the original diggers, and you may meet them. Don't miss.

I was not expecting this place to be quite so impressive. You're used to seeing museums with a few small collections - some pottery or clothing - but the overwhelming scale of material here just blew my mind. Seeing hundreds of locks and keys or barrells full of hats and pins and nails and china and.... just SO MUCH. It really was astonishing. The tour guide we had was also fantastic.

If you ever are in KC, you would be an idiot to not take a couple hours to go through this museum. The exhibits are very interesting and are in such great shape. They are such a step back in time.

The family and I were amazed by the museum and all it had to offer. From the informational videos to the display of the items found kept us intrigued the whole time. We will definitely go back again.

We have been planning to go there for years and took the time to go. Have to agree, this is an amazing collection the brought up. Just as mind-boggling is that what is on display is less than 40-50% of what they found. We had a great tour guide. Amazing.

he folks who resurrected the boat had real tenacity and vision

the place has restored and some in fact never blemished artifacts from over 100 yrs ago

This is a small museum but was very interesting to learn about the steamboat and see all the items they have recovered. Parking was convenient and free. They have a small gift shop where you buy your tickets to the museum. It is located near some shops and restaurants also.

This museum provides a truly one-of-a-kind view into a time in the past. All of the cargo (200 tons) from a steamship that was sunk in 1856 and only recovered in 1988 is on display in this truly amazing museum.
The story of the 5 friends who decided to dig it up and their decision to create a museum is fascinating.
Then there are the items that were the cargo: dishes, cookware, cutlery, doorknobs, hinges, tools, building supplies, wagon wheels, wagon chassis, pickles, bottled fruit, clothing, cloth, shoes. Impossible to grasp the variety of goods until you can see the endless displays. The river was the source for most manufactured goods and you can imagine the impact on all of the families that had to wait for the next shipment to build their home or buy new shoes.
History made real.

Loved this museum, the story behind it, and the history of the river. The artifacts are amazing and it’s unbelievable what they uncovered when they dug out the Arabia.

Interesting video and items found underwater. There is a cool giant water wheel that works! It is indoors at the City Market. It is a quick and easy self guided tour. If you like KC history recommend a visit.

A unique historical museum with Americana on display. If you stop in, take the time to let your mind wander back to another time and place to immerse yourself in travel 100 years ago. The perseverance of locating the Arabia is amazing; a true treasure story for the history books!

My husband and I stopped here on our visit to Kansas City today and I’m glad we did! It was very interesting and the collection of artifacts is so well preserved and the tour is well done. I lived in Kansas City for years and never visited and now I’m glad I took the time to visit. It was worth the time!

The tour guides fo this museum offer so much fascinating information about the settlers coming to this area and how goods were transported via river boat, sometimes entire homes. You must visit this museum to find out exactly where the thousands of perfectly preserved artifacts from a sunken ship were found several years ago which thereafter were painstakingly cleaned and put on display.

This is a fascinating museum. The number of artifacts is amazing .
The exhibits are well organized, neat and clean. There are persons available to answer questions if needed. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this museum.

We love to visit museums when traveling. The Arabia was truly an exceptional visit. This covers such an important part of American history that is seldom seen in this context. The amount of artifacts and their condition is amazing. But, the task of digging up the Arabia is an adventure in itself. Looking at the cargo was like imagining they were going to stock Walmart or Ace Hardware store when they reached their destination. Overall, it was a fun museum to visit.

We were looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day and decided to give The Arabia Steamboat museum a go. One enters the building and goes to the gift shop where tickets for a guided tour can be purchased (Adult $14.50 and Senior $13.50. M-Sat 10:00-5:00 and Sun Noon-5:00). We were a little late for the tour but met up with our Guide Emily and quickly caught up. Emily was bright, well versed in all things Arabia and willing to answer questions. We started at a piece of the back or stern of the hull. Emily explained how the steamboat was located in a field, the extensive and laborious process to locate and excavate, the extent of the "haul" and the great lengths that are taken to identify, remove and preserve each item. There was then a short film with actual footage of the team of treasure hunters as well as the Site and the particulars of the excavation. One of the team members was on site and thanked us for coming and invited us to find him if we had any questions. I was really impressed by his humility and commitment to this project that began in 1988 (Boat sunk in Sept 1856. Recovery began Winter 1988. Reclamation of items found continues to this day). We were then unleashed into several rooms of Pre-civil War artifacts the likes of which I have never seen. There is china, textiles, farm and carpentry tools, dolls, leather goods, food stuffs, etc. Additionally there is a preservationist restoring artifacts that is available to share the arduous process. In my case, Lydia was painstakingly restoring a leather shoe. This is a treasure not to be missed if you visit Kansas City!

I didnt expect to love this museum as much as I did! Truly fascinating story and museum. I urge anyone reading this to visit. You start with a guided tour and movie and then have time to explore on your own. The museum is well ran and you will be amazed at the sheer quantity of items on display!

Blows all other museums away in Kansas city area. Enjoyed the movie, meeting the actual people that embarked on such an undertaking. Great to see all the perfectly preserved items of the 1800's, as if they were made yesterday! A must see.

I learn about the steamboat in Missouri was dangers they had lot great artifacts i will be coming back see how they doing

This was the second time I've been to the Steamboat Arabia Museum and it never ceases to amaze me how much time and effort they put into this exhibit! It is definitely worth visiting; you won't be disappointed.

Like walking into a Walmart or Target store of the mid 1800's....incredible collection of artifacts! Didn't expect such detail. The discovery and excavation story was interesting.

This was a great find ! Be sure to take the tour - so much information ! It was well worth the money . Not very big but a fascinating story ! We got lucky & met one of the “diggers” !

I honestly had never heard of this steamboat or realized the importance of steamboat transportation before the railroads took over. The story of this steamboat is told through a few short videos on tv screens as you make your way down to a small theater to see how the small team of five dug out and preserved the Arabia. A special treat for us was meeting one of the team members, David, who is so genuine and passionate about this story. He answered all of our questions and it was a pleasure to see him in the museum sharing his story. The things they saved is amazing and how it is set up is so well done. I highly recommend a stop to this museum! The little souvenir shop is nice and there is also a great little board game shop real close that we also enjoyed.

You will never find a better display of day-to-day artifacts from that time period. It was very much like walking into an 1856 version of Walmart. For a history buff like me, it was a thrilling display. The story of the Arabia's sinking and digging down to it 130-years later was fascinating, too. Having seen the Mary Rose at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, I was entranced by the similarities of the two shipwrecks and their subsequent resurrections (though most of the Arabia herself is still buried). The Arabia Steamboat Museum might not be the best museum in the country, but for what it is, its uniqueness, and the artifacts it holds, the museum is outstanding in the extreme.

One of the most interesting museums I have ever been in! The story of 5 men who went treasure hunting and found a snapshot of Pre-Civil War life by finding a steamboat that had been buried for over 100 years. Make sure you watch all the videos and be blown away by the story, the collection of intact artifacts, and the ongoing restoration of what they found. I'm so glad we were told not to miss this museum!

I don't know how I have lived here for years without visiting here! We have passed by the big paddle wheel many times when at the River Market. It took out of town guests to get us there and we are so glad we did.
The museum opens at 10am and tours start every half hour. Parking is free right outside in the farmers market area during the week and other nearby lots on weekends.
The beginning of the tour is a twenty minute guided history of the Steamboat Arabia and the families who excavated it in 1988. We then watched a very informative fifteen minute video of the family and details of the excavation. When we left the video a member of one of the museum families spoke to us for a few minutes before we set off on our own to explore.
It was amazing to see the huge number of artifacts that were unearthed and the wonderful condition they were in. In addition to the artifacts there were a number of photos and information on the walls, pieces of the steamboat, maps and the large paddle wheel (it is part original and part replica)
We spent over an hour and a half and really enjoyed it. There are nice restrooms and a cute gift shop. We felt the price was worth it.
Afterwards it's fun to visit some of the nearby shops and stop at one of many restaurants.

This museum is priced high at $18.00 per adult, which is a bit steep for something that takes less than an hour to go through. Don't get me wrong, it's a neat little museum, but at those prices, I can't recommend that it is worth it.

It’s amazing the history uncovered when they found this sunken treasure. The work work it took is explained well and the displays are wonderful. The tour guide is both informative and easily accessible for questions.

This tour was fascinating! We found it well worth our time. We were impressed that someone from the founding families are always there to speak and answer questions! Very well done!

What an amazing museum, I saddest anyone who comes to visit Kansas City Missouri this is a must see.

This is a great place to see. The determination of the men to find the lost steamboat was inspirational and the families that stuck by them even when there was doubt was beyond words. Unbelievable how many tons of cargo had been preserved and presented in a very organized manner throughout the museum. So grateful for the opportunity to see this display!

The story about how it was found & the ongoing recovery is interesting. Our guide was very informative & was able to answer our questions.

The museum is really well done. Their restoration work on the artifacts is amazing. Restored wool clothing, leather boots, still edible pickles, blueberry's and thousands of other items necessary to be a pioneer in the west. A real eye opener.

Very well put together and staff is very knowledgeable on the items salvaged and preserved. You better not miss this while it is still in Kc! It is moving to a new location soon!

We were looking forward to seeing this museum, but nothing prepared us for the full story and the extent of the collection. It is remarkable how well preserved the items are- and they have much more they haven't been able to clean up yet. The collection is a microcosm of life at the time for people moving west. Because the steamboat was carrying items meant for sale in general stores, they have a diverse collection of items. This isn't a collection of rusted items - some of the items look like they did when they were made. It is just amazing.

It starts with a guided tour, includes a movie, and then you can explore at your leisure. As an added bonus for us - one of the original team who discovered the Arabia took over the tour part way through. That was just so special.

I would not miss this museum.

An amazing display of things in common use in the. 1800's. Tools, boots, shoes, buttons, things you never see because they wore out and were replaced with newer fashions or styles of tools.learning about the dangers and toil involved in running a commercial boat on the Missouri River. Cutting and burning six cords of wood a day to power the boat. Shifting sandbars that would strand you, and snags and tree stumps washed down the river that would sink you, not to mention the danger of the steam engine itself blowing up and burning the boat to the waterline. This boat was loaded for winter supplies for the river towns when it sank. In the years after the sinking, the river cut new channels and the boat was found buried deep in a cornfield. A fascinating story and a fastening load of cargo to view.

LOVED this tour. Even bought the tshirt. :) No masks required. We enjoyed the video screen history (four 5 min shows) before we saw all the artifacts. What they pulled out of that boat was frankly astonishing in scope. Loved hearing about their excavation, their finds, and hearing about the history of the time period. Very well done museum. I hope they don't have to move to St Louis, it's farther away from us and we'd love to take our kids there on a different trip someday. You could spend hours here... we bought 3 hrs of parking out front and spent about 2 hrs here. Could have easily stayed longer but were getting hungry.

Meticulous restoration of the part of the steamboat they excavated (most is again under 45 ft. of silt) and all the articles they have preserved and displayed. Just as interesting as the display items is the story of private citizens/treasure hunters who decided to dig up the steamboat and sell the "loot" they found. When they saw what was there, they again used loans and person funds to build the museum instead. Instead of going into private collections, we all get to see it. YOU MUST GO.

This is one of the best tours we been on. You And it wasn’t extravagant prices to get in. The tour guide knew her stuff! It is laid out very well. It’s as long as you make it. The guided tour was approximately 30 minutes but allow 2 hours. There’s someone there to answer any questions you may have. Great family museum!
Would we go again? Yes

The Museum staff was terrific to work with & helped coordinate in setting up a tour for a convention group that I was hosting. Every attendee gave me favorable feedback.

I knew nothing about this museum before I went to Kansas City last month with my wife. The lady at the hotel desk said that she thought that we would enjoy this attraction. She was RIGHT! The museum was easily accessible. The story is presented in video as one walks through the museum. The thousands of items on display were recovered from the Arabia Steamboat more than 120 years after it sank in the Missouri River.

This was a fascinating story to us and one which we hope others will have the opportunity to experience. As a long time history teacher who was unfamiliar with the story of the Arabia Steamboat, I whole heartedly recommend this museum to you! Your children will enjoy it too.WOW

It is surprising on how preserved the items on display are. Good history on riverboats and the region. You could spend how ever long you want looking over the recovered items, but overall it doesn't take much time to get a good look in general; less than two hours.

I had planned to just walk around the City Market, when I walked past the gift shop- I thought, why not? Let’s check it out, what do I have to lose? Boy was I glad I decided to see this museum. If you’re into treasure hunting stories, this is going to be a treat for you. I can’t believe how much stuff they retrieved and have on display. My mind is still blown. 5 stars.

The whole museum was fascinating. The process of finding the ship and the entire process of unearthing it was presented. Most of the items found in the ship had been cleaned and restored and were on display.

Love this museum! Was given a short guided tour of the history of the arabia and then watched a short film on the history of it. Was then able to talk to one of the treasure hunters which is a common occurrence on the weekends. He talked of the history of the Arabia and how his family come to be treasure hunters and salvaged the Arabia. If you live history you will love this and all the treasures they saved! I will go again!

This museum uses several videos to set the stage for the original sailing of the steamship, the accident/sinking of the steamship, and then the discovery and excavation of the ship’s contents. There was a helpful staff member that was available to answer any questions, and there is another person actively doing restoration on additional artifacts that you can ask questions of. Many of the artifacts displayed help portray the life of the pioneers heading to their new homes. We were even lucky to have one of the original five explorers that found the wreck make an impromptu walk through the museum to answer some of our questions. We spent about two hours in the museum, but you could easily spend another hour if you spent more time reading all of the informational placards.

I don’t write a lot of reviews. I have seen some of the best jackpot finds out there such as the full Tut tomb at the Cairo Museum and the Terra Cotta warriors in Xian, and this still had me saying wow more than once. It’s like stumbling into an 1856 Walmart.

Great museum showing glimpse of life in the west just after Civil War. The artifacts recovered were everyday items but survived being submerged in mud for over 100 years. Well worth the visit

It was Fantastic..its an amazing place and to hear how it was found and the accomplishments they have done..to look at all the artifacts is amazing..

On a recent visit to the KC area with a friend, we visited this phenomenal museum!!! After navigating the Missouri River for about 3 years, the Arabia hit a tree snag & sunk in 1856. Of the 400 known steamboat fatalities on the Missouri River, 300 of them met their demise via "tree snags". The 130 people on board the Arabia survived. Then the river changed course and the 200-ton cargo remained buried until its excavation in 1989. This 30,000 square-foot museum opened in November of 1991. Keep in mind as you walk the 171-foot-long full-scale reproduction of the Arabia's main deck that you are only seeing about half of the excavated artifacts. You will see videos, the original boilers, engine, anchor, the skeleton of a mule (the only fatality), the 6-ton stern & a reconstructed paddle wheel. Most of the brand new merchandise on board was headed to general stores on the frontier. It's estimated that the painstaking restoration of the remaining artifacts in storage will probably take another 10-12 years to complete. The lease on this structure housing this exhibit will expire in 2026. Right now there is talk that the exhibit will most likely be moved to a larger structure, that will house the Arabia, plus additional excavated steamboats---to the St. Charles, MO area. The partners of River Salvage Inc., who excavated the Arabia & opened the museum, claim to have the largest single collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world. DON'T MISS VISITING THIS MUSEUM!!!

The Arabia Steamboat Museum was not on our list of things to do in Kansas City. What an oversight. Several people suggested it and I am so glad they did. The collection of 19th Century artifacts is totally amazing. It's like the world's largest collection of Antiques that are all brand new - 160 years old and never used!

We were visiting Kansas City with my wife's brother and his companion last week to look at the high points of the city as she had never been there before. I have always known of the Arabia Steamboat Exhibit but have never visited and as almost an afterthought I suggested we take the tour. As luck would have it, this turned out to be extremely impressive decision. The history and artifacts of this steamboat are incredibly presented in an as easy to understand manner. The work that the five men that started the excavation and saw it thru the current museum is truly outstanding. We even had personal time with one of these legendary men in my opinion during our visit. David Hawley spoke with us at length about many personal thoughts about the dig and recovery of thousands of goods that were needed to build the West. He talked with us as family to share the history of the Arabia which to us was a blessing. You owe to yourself to visit and believe me they did not charge enough.

A for effort - the story of the team's search, discovery, recovery is very interesting and you have to give them huge props for seeing the adventure through. Must have taken years to recoup the investment. Praise for all of this, though the museum itself comes down to the rather unexceptional cargo of a steamboat which sank without much drama and no tragedy (exception for the mule, sadly still hitched - nice find). There is a decent effort at contextualizing the times, steamboat travel, impact of the event on those expecting life building provisions, etc., and one has to truly appreciate the labor of love that this has become, but it lacks the hook or the drama to make a riveting tale. Wonderful to contemplate how much cargo you could fit into one of these things, and how much that meant not just to the travelers themselves, but to the ultimate intended purchasers, there are in the end, only so many salvaged workaday finds one can contemplate. Worth a stop, but 'good' rather than exceptional.

I had heard about the Arabia Steamboat Museum a number of years ago, but didn't manage to visit until this past weekend. This among the most astonishing collections of artifacts that show aspects of former lives in the world! I have not ever seen in some very extensive travels, so much knowledge and information about the way things were. The collection is massive and it is only about 2/3 complete. The museum continues to clean and preserve artifacts ongoing. They estimate that it will take another 15 years to complete the work!

Extremely well presented and high quality curated museum displaying the "treasure" from a buried 1900's steamboat. Excellent commentary on the history of the westward expansion and how the river trade supported outpost towns along the Missouri. Graphically and visually rich example or modern archaeology! Suitable for middle school and older kids. Less certain of its appeal for younger kids as I didn't notice many things to manipulate or handle. Handicapped accessible. Pay parking in front of the museum.

The interesting museum is located in the midst of a bustling, pedestrian farmer’s market with plenty of ice cream shops and restaurants.

This is a very interesting collection of historical items. It is amazing how well preserved the items were. We never new that rubber shoes existed in 1850.

Museum is not big but with a lot information. You will learn how they find the sinking boat site, how they dug it up, and how they clean it. We were amazed they can even retrieve those tiny beads, pearl and even thin hair pin

What an amazing museum this is! The stuff that survived 132 years in the mud in the middle of cornfield was amazing. We loved the history of it. Our grandsons favorite place we went to.

This is amazing that a group of private citizens located and uncovered this buried steamboat, erected a museum, and continuing preserving the found items. Note- we arrived at 10:05 and had to wait until 10:30 for a tour. If we had known, we would have arrived at 10. I only mention this because we had to pay for parking ahead of time and then leave the museum before the time expired. Would have liked the extra 20 minutes.

My husband and I absolutely loved this museum! We arrived for the first tour on a Wednesday morning and after the video one of the couple's who had a hand in the museum spoke with the group and took questions. This couple (Jerry Mackey and wife) even followed our tour and told little side stories about the items that they had found and they were more than happy to answer any questions. This place is set up so beautifully and you can see the labor of love that the owners have put into it.

Adults and kids (7 and 9) loved this! So interesting - loved the mini informational videos and original longer video, too (don’t skip it). We even got to meet one of the men who helped with then expedition - he was so kind and was truly the best part of the experience. You actually get to see and speak to people helping to restore artifacts - they were very kind and informative.

The displays of items were like a 1850’s Walmart. Amazing for the quantity and quality. It was a step back in time. It is unique Midwest history worth the time and then walk the city market for a complete visit

Stumbled upon this place as another plan fell through and we had a free afternoon. It is a neat story. You learn not only part of the steamboat era but the challenges of finding and salvaging a wreck that has been locked in the mud for over a century. The collection of artifacts is world class as well as the efforts of preservation. The history and story telling is very interesting especially if you are from the Midwest or interested in the pioneer era.
Parking was close and free on the weekend, not sure what it costs on weekdays. The tour is self guided with multiple stops to watch looped videos (approximately 5 minutes each) explaining different things you are seeing. You can see and ask questions of a preservationist at work. We were treated to a visit from one of the original members of the exploration, David Hawley, who personally interacted with guests and took time to answer questions and elaborate on the exhibits. Thanks David! It took us about 2 and a 1/2 hours to see the museum and I feel that was about the right amount of time to get a full experience.

I have lived in Missouri most of my life and have not heard much about this museum. Finally decided to check it out and what a great surprise. Make sure and watch all the videos as you enter to learn how they discovered the ship. So many cool artifacts. I would now consider this a “must visit” if you are in KC.

Visited the Friday before Thanksgiving and it was a thrill to see a museum that was created as a result of unearthing the Arabia Steamboat that sank in 1856. The best part for me was that one of the founders, David Henley, was actually there that day to answer questions and describe the various challenges that he, his father, brother and others had to excavate the site and remove thousands of artifacts and parts of the boat from under 40 plus feet of sediment. The museum had too many artifacts to mention from the frontier which included various tools, dishes, utensils, weapons, jewelry, clothing, supplies which were masterfully restored using modern cleaning and restoration methods.

There was a film describing the digging process which started in late 1988 into 1989 as well as some other interesting topics. the stern of the boat was also on display as many of the items were well preserved due to being buried for over 130 years in fresh water and sediment while not being exposed to oxygen and the elements. There was also a lab on the site where they are still restoring clothing and items to this day. I spent almost 3 hours during my visit which included a brief stop in the gift shop upstairs. This museum is a chapter right out of American history and if you love history or antiques, it is a must see!

Very interesting to hear the story behind the search of this steamboat and see all the items found so many years later. Was thankful a local recommended this.

It has been a little while since I have been there. They are going to update some of the exhibits. It is interesting. They told the story of how the ship wrecked, and how they found the wreck.

The Arabia museum was very cool if you enjoy history and see old artifacts. I’d say you don’t need more then 90mins to watch all the videos and walk though. The recovers artifacts are very well keeps and you can still see all the detail on the objects.

The steamboat Arabia sunk in 1856. It’s amazing to see the items preserved since then, especially after they were sitting in mud in the bottom of the river for well over 100 years before excavation. But it’s the mud that preserved them. I was fascinated by the process needed to “rescue” these items and clean them up to put on display--from tools to dishes to clothing.

I happened to be there the day that an elementary classroom visited so I got the benefit of hearing the group’s tour guide, which was very informational and easy to follow. Also, a man from the family involved with the excavation showed up for a Q & A session. He said that the displays will be added to over the next 15 years as they continue to wash more items and put them in the showcases. So even if you’ve been here before, you’ll see new things next time.

We absolutely loved this museum. From the history of steamboat culture in the early 1800s to the families love of finding the treasure. Must see!!!

This is a privately owned museum with a rich history about how they found the wreckage of the steamboat Arabia that sank on the Missouri river in 1856. It shows how they resurrected the ship and it's contents and they are still refurbishing the contents from the ship. Very interesting.

This is a wonderful museum. We stopped for the second time and we were very glad we did. The staff is very helpful. The video really helps explain everything.

This museum is about so much more than finding a sunken ship. It’ the story of families with a dream. It’s about westward expansion, 1850s lifestyle, Indian trade and more. If you love history then you can’t miss this.

Wow! What an amazing layout and informative set up!
Starting with the video about how the museum and artifacts were salvaged and preserved to walking around the spacious galleries it is a great experience to see what life was like back in the late 1800's.
There are even preservationiats working while you take in the history. Very good information from the time period and also excellent information about how artifacts are preserved.

Amazing! So many rich stories woven into this. The Hawley family locating and recovering the wreck, the artifacts, the rare steam engine…
A must see!
Came from Wisconsin to see it, and would go again.

I wasn't sure what to expect here as I went in blindly simply knowing it was a museum related to steamboats. Essentially, the site is based around remnants of one excavated steamboat that sunk and was buried nearby. What remains of the wooden ship is probably the least interesting part of the museum. It's easily recognizable as a big hulk of the underside of a boat but not that exciting.

The interesting part of the museum are the many rooms of items recovered from the stricken vessel. It was loaded with supplies destined for a town in Iowa. It's like walking through a Victorian Home Depot as they have recovered everything from nails, hammers, saw and plates, to bottles of beer, and ship menus. If you take the time to browse the artifacts it gives you a real insight into life at that time.

Fascinating & unexpected. We enjoyed the exhibits and being able to discuss them with renovation staff. The gift shop should sell more related articles, however.

Stopped here while on a bus trip. It was very interesting to hear and learn about. It was amazing to see what all was recovered!

This is a very interesting and well-done museum. Good videos and displays. We spent about 2 hours there and could have stayed longer. The museum is scheduled to close November 2026. It should be seen before it closes.

I enjoyed this museum very much. The Steamboat Arabia was dug up from its resting place in the mud (the river changed course) in a field. The contents were protected until being dug out and placed in exhibit for us to see. I was amazed that the 130 year old pickles still looked fresh. There are dishes, boots, hardware etc. on exhibit that were destined for stores in the "West."

The coolest parts of any museum are those that surprise you and make you think. This museum does that. I never thought about river sinkings and the material that was headed out west. Also, there's usually a person from the excavation on-hand that will give you additional and specific information if you just ask!

This museum is one of the best museums I have ever been to, you start your entrance into the exhibits with a tour and a video, so as you mosey around, you are familiar with what you are looking at, and it helps control the flood of people. You can really take your time and read without 40 people trying to read the same plaque as you. It was beautifully organized, which makes every visitor feel like they have a private, insider experience without a crazy price tag. Now, don’t get me wrong, the staff is fun and the artifacts are fascinating, so no stuffy overblown exhibits here! A family member or a excavator themselves tries to accompany every group so you can hear stories and facts straight from the horses mouth. I would go again and again and again, as their exhibit is sill unfinished and is constantly changing!

A great store about a group of men and women that catch a dream and spend much more money and time to complete. You still can meet family members that were involved in this dream. They have great stories and love to share.

I will never get tired of this most excellent display of American history! Very well presented in all ways - visually, audio, tech, video, even one of the original excavators wandering around and visiting and answering questions. It’s also very affordable and easy to access. Don’t miss this!

Yes there are some videos and yes there is some reading, but this was a really interesting story and "PBS-like" experience. Do not miss. You might be lucky like we were to have an open and long discussion with a member of the family that accomplished this recovery. They are planning to hunt another one (of >200 sinkings) and hope to recover a full-sized steamboat similar to the Stockholm, Sweden museum about the preserved warship Vasa from 1628.

What an interesting museum! Trisha, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable. She explained the entire process of recovery of the Arabia. An amazing amount of work has gone into preserving the cargo from the boat. We took the streetcar up and down Main Street. Very convenient!

This museum is extremely interesting. I have visited twice and would visit every time I go to Kansas City. The amount of goods they've salvaged and the amount they have still to do is phenomenal.

What I also found as a highlight, the personal tour at the beginning led by one of the historians working on cleaning up the materials salvaged. In addition a family member comes out after the video to talk about the project. We were extra lucky to have one of the original men and his wife who discovered the Arabia talk to us. To see them in person and talk to them as we wandered through the museum was an extra bonus.

Another highlight is the lab where they're doing the clean up of materials still is right there and the historians working on the material are glad to talk to you and answer questions.

this is one of the best museums I've visited!

Went here with daughter and friends. Its a bit pricey but they give a wonderful tour and then you have time to look at your own pace throughout the museum. We got to meet some of the original family members that discovered the boat. Nice warm atmosphere. Fun gift shoppe

Great exhibit with very interesting story! They even had one of the diggers in the museum talking to guests which was a cool experience!

This is a great little museum right in Kansas City, across from the Market. We arrived early and had no issues with parking, but when we left at noon, the lots were filled.

Very well laid out and informative. Amazing to see how much cargo was rescued. One of the treasure hunters was on site and stopped to see if we had any questions. What a nice surprise!

This museum is a must see for both locals and visitors alike. The enormity of the collection of artifacts recovered from the sunken Arabia is truly breathtaking. The museum lay out is done so well and the introductory film really helps to both inform and set the tone for the excitement of the discovery so many years later. The museum staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We even had to opportunity to meet one of the treasure hunters himself and had a nice q&a session following the film. Wonderfully located in the center of the River Market, this museum is a great stop for people of all ages.

What a story of persistence and adventure! The museum is well designed and interprets the discovery, uncovering, and preservation of thousands of artifacts from pre-Civil War Frontier life. Meeting one of the original partners in this sunken steamboat treasure hunt was icing on the cake! Please put the Arabia on your Must See list on any visit near Kansas City. You will not regret it! A shining example of persistence and following your dreams!

It was very interesting to go thru and learn how the found the Arabia. I would say that story was more interesting for me then the artifacts found on the Arabia. Worth the visit if you're down in City Market anyway.

This is such a unique and fun exhibit. So much history and so many really cool artifacts have been retrieved and restored.
We highly recommend this.

Can’t say enough about how unique the subject and presentation of the contents of the Arabia steamboat is. You’ll never see pre-civil war lifestyle gods and supplies so fully presented. Kudos for the efforts and respectful preservation accomplished by a single family in behalf of human interest for the reclamation of the steamboat and its contents! Go!! Enjoy free and excellent tour guides as well as an education on “how to” for such work.

This is an extremely unique exhibit with the largest collection of pre-Civil War items in the country. We were given an excellent guided tour and a family member of one of the families that helped excavate the Arabia spoke to us. It's a treasure that we should be glad is preserved for us.

Always take family to the Arabia Steamboat Museum when they are in town visiting. First a short film is shown explaining how several friends decided to search for this 100-year old steamship that was buried 40 ft below ground because of the Missouri River changing its course. Unbelievable the inventory that they were able to salvage and is now displayed in the museum. So much to see that it takes over a hour to see it all. This museum is a must to see.

We spent about two hours here roaming around on a Thur morning soaking in lots of history from that time period (1850s) and even spoke to a man who was one of the original discoverers.

There are videos telling the story of how the Arabia was found and excavated. The museum shows what was recovered, all sorts of merchandise that was to be sold up/down river and parts unknown. It is well presented and very interesting. It is worth the effort to go back in time and marvel at how similar many things they used we still use today except all were hand made and not mass produced.

It is amazing to think that a hundred and fifty years later we can look back into this time capsule that was buried so long ago. Riverboats helped build this country and to see what they were like and what they carried is amazing.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is one of the best museums I've been to. It tells the story of a Missouri River steamboat that sank and then was dug up decades later in a field after the river had shifted course. The museum has a good mix of video story telling, items on display, pictures, and placards to read. The displays of items were extremely aesthetically pleasing in how they were laid out: bunches of skeleton keys fanned out in a circle, porcelain buttons grouped into little dishes by color, etc. The overwhelming amount of stuff they recovered was less overwhelming to view because of how well it was laid out, but you still got the point about how much they found.

The staff were very friendly and helpful, happy to chat about the exhibit and the restoration work still being done on various items from the steamboat.

Assume at least 2 hours if you want to watch all the videos and read all the explanations.

It's not suited for small children, but school-age kids who are curious and like to read will enjoy it.

Food and most beverages are not allowed, but there a some restaurants in walking distance.

We parked at Union Station and rode the free streetcar over and back.

What a unique museum and story. Definitely worth your time and money. So much to see inside and the story of how it was found and dug up is amazing!

Upon arrival at the museum there are three quick videos that give you the history of the Arabia. After the videos we walked into the exhibit rooms, and we were delighted to be greeted and given a tour by Jerry Mackey, one of the excavators!

This was a second visit to this museum. It's unique in its display of the entire contents of a paddlewheeler which sank fully loaded. The museum uses short films throughout to detail the discovery and recovery efforts. Large displays show the hundreds of shoes, tools, some clothing that survived, buttons, canned food and so much more that comprised everything settlers would need to stock up on when they ventured west. It is possible to view and talk with conservators working in an open area to preserve items. It's impossible not to be fascinated by the story of the Arabia and those who decided to share what they found with the public instead of selling off artifacts one by one.

At is amazing all the wonderful things that came off of those boats from that time period, and it is also sad that all of those goods got lost for such a long time and weren't able to get to the people that were in want and need of them then. I really enjoyed looking at all the beads that they found! It was really a nice place to spend a few hours in.

Pleasantly surprised by the number of objects to look at in this museum. And the videos showing the history and collection process were fascinating. They were even restoring items at a desk while we were there. Staff was excited to tell you about the find, history and what it's like to open the crates and barrels. They still have more to sort through!

The well preserved cargo of this Missouri River steamboat, which sank in 1856, primarily consists of the initial inventories for 54 small general stores in the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska.Middle class daily life is revealed through an incredible assortment of items intended for sale to settlers. The tour was fascinating! It was led by a knowledgeable guide who set out the story of the sinking of the boat and the three families who unearthed it 132 years later.. truly a gem and a must see!

Thanks to the families for preserving the history for us rather than selling off these treasures. I’ve gone about every 3-5 years since the museum’s first year with house guests from various states, countries. I’m never disappointed as there are always new displays. A true gem for Kansas City.

We visited as a family while in KC. It was very interesting. The guide explained everything really well. The objects from the boat are beautifully displayed. Well worth a visit.

I love History, and this is so full of that! It's hard to imagine the story of this Steamboat and the way they discovered it! GO!!!!

Did not really know what to expect. We had a few hours to fill and wanted to visit a couple of museums. Best that we visited was the one about the recovery of the Steamboat Arabia. Lots of great detail about how the recovery was accomplished. One of the owners and a member of the original team that recovered so much from the Arabia was there and stopped to talk to our tour group. Amazing the amount of stuff recovered and cleaned to be displayed. They are constantly adding items once they are cleaned to the collection. An example of Missouri River life during the 19th century

Great place to go and see history. One of the greatest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts out there. I went there on a rainy day. Great activity since it is all indoors. the son of one the original friends that dug up the Arabia was there and is full of insight.

I have seen the PBS teleivision special detailing the initial search, hardships and eventual discovery of the sunken Arabia Steamboat that was headed for the frontier towns of Kansas with every day supplies for farmers, ranchers and town stores. The television special never went beyond that. This museum displays the thousands upon thousands of everyday arifacts that were recovered from the cargo holds of the steamship riverboat destined for the Kansas pioneers that needed these implements of trade, agriculture, farming and everyday life. They are still in the process of preserving and restoring hundreds items as we speak. The organized displays are unfathomable! A visit to this museum is well worth it!

This was one of our favorite things of our entire trip. We weren’t sure by the title BUT it was excellent!!!!!! So interesting. Be sure and watch all the little 5 minute movie clips and then the 15 min one. Who knew this all happened?!?? Definitely put on your list to do.

Definitely visit if you are in KC and have an hour or so to spend there. This museum has the largest collection of Pre Civil War goods in the world. The story of how the local Treasure Hunters found this treasure is fantastic. If you enjoy history and a great story this is a Must Visit!!!

More than just a museum. This place is fascinating. I loved that an original member of the rescue team is there to visit with you. Lovely displays and the film was so informative. Been here twice.

Have you ever heard of a tory where a shipwreck is lost for over a hundred years, the path of the river changed and somehow, incredibly, the shipwreck was found with fully intact items? Well if you say no to that, you are going to want to visit this museum and hear about the whole story. You will be facinated by the fully intact items that look like they could have been taken off of a store shelf that day. They even found the remains of the mule!

Awesome story, awesome museum, fascinating artifacts. We visited this museum many years ago, and the story is as awesome today as it was 20 years ago. Being able to see the perfectly preserved provisioning for an entire frontier town from the 1850s is almost beyond comprehension.- but here it is. Do not miss this museum if you have a lick of history in you.

The Steamboat Arabia Museum is like no other museum. As you walk through and take in the artifacts, you feel as if you get to know the people who were waiting for this cargo. You can spend a couple of hours or all afternoon looking over the treasures that were discovered. Don't be surprised if you run into one of the Hawley family members during your visit. They make themselves available to give you a first hand account of their family's treasure. The Steamboat Arabia is a must see!

Wow! If you think the Titanic traveling exhibit is good - you will be floored by the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Family discovered, family excavated, and still family run top notch professional museum. They refused government funding to keep it locally owned and operated. It works! Gold plated dishes, tools, foods, and all the things a pioneer family would need as they ventured west toward the different trails going west are preserved in excellent condition and displayed for our learning and fascination. Who knew a steam boat carried such riches and treasure? Price is more than reasonable for what you get to see and learn.

You have opportunities to take as much or as little time as you please going through exhibits. Children may want to whiz through . It’s interesting and worth your time.

This museum is all about the recovery of the Steamboat Arabia. It was so interesting to hear about the whole process of recovery and then to see the results of that recovery. Also, two of the group that recovered this steamboat were at the museum and we talked to them. One of the men, Jerry, was 90.

You will be amazed at the treasures recovered and restored and the story! Great display and history. Glad collection kept together for the impact of the amount of merchandise on the steamboat when it sunk!!

Insanely expensive for a trip to your grandparents basement. What a terrible display of worthless junk and pointless facts. It was over in ten minutes and cost nearly 40 dollars for two tickets. It’s just old dinning utensils and boots. Don’t waste your money and time. Spend your hard earned cash on food at the city market outside, don’t go into this tourist trap.

Due to Covid, the tours are only self-guided. Rather than hearing the stories from a guide, they have a series of videos to watch that tell the history of the Arabia Steamboat, how it sank and how it was recovered 150 years later. The story of the recovery was fascinating. After watching the videos, you wander through the museum to see the recovered items. The museum is nicely laid out, really giving you a sense of what life might have been like on the steamboat and how impactful the losses were to the families that survived the sinking (the only death was a mule). The collection and restoration of items was really impressive. My husband and I love history and this museum was just up our alley.
We only paid for an hour of parking, as that was our expected time allotment, so we left at about the hour mark. We saw everything and read several of the informational placards, but may have spent another 15 or 30 minutes reading even more and/or watching the additional video in the small theater room if I had opted for another $1 parking fee (it wasn’t worth walking out to add the extra time, though). We also had to skip the gift shop, which looked like it had a nice variety of items to browse.

This was a nice tour. It’s split up with part guided tour then self guided the rest of time. I can’t believe they found it so preserved. Even the steps of preservation were interesting. I also appreciate that the family turned it into a museum.

Bus trip with 50 of our closest friends!!
We needed a lunch stop and this was a great break in our day.
Very interesting tour of treasure hunters hitting it big! One of the sons was actually there to answer questions, great bonus.
Guides were very helpful. A must do!!

This is a great place to visit and also take out of town guests. Given that Kansas City is on the river and has riverboard casinos, this is a very relevant and interesting museum. It is full of artifacts and guides with extensive knowledge. The excavation of the relics is fascinating and it appears that they continue to add items as found. Highly recommended as a must see in Kansas City.

We had never heard of the Arabia until we came to Kansas City. It is totally amazing to hear the story and see how this was discovered and raised. The intense on going project is just unbelieveable. They have found and cleaned so many treasures and its just so unreal that hardly any of them were broken. I can't imagine their task of cleaning all of the things and displaying them.

This was a surprisingly interesting museum. If you are unsure if you want to see it, go ahead and do it. The tour was very interesting and the brief video really brought the steamboat alive. You will learn some local history and really have a sense of adventure as you go through it all.

My wife and I stopped at the Arabia Steamboat Museum when we had just a day in KC to spend. The museum is part of an outdoor market which has many unique shops and restaurants which had we realized, we would have scheduled more time.
The museum entry is timed and includes a 15 minute movie and 30 minute personal live tour before you are free to see the rest of the collection at your own pace. The story of how the steamboat was found and recovered is fascinating. We got to hear directly from one of the gentlemen who dug up the steamboat and developed the museum. What a cool personal touch! The artifacts are amazing and presented in a brilliant way. The restoration lab is available for viewing. Total time spent at the museum will typically be 1.5 to 2 hours. Parking was free. Great attraction for all ages and extremely unique. Highly recommend!

Have been to the steamboat Arabia a couple others times. Always enjoy my time there. I can't wait until the uncover another steamboat.

In my first visit to KC, I wanted to get a sense of local history. This filled the bill, because it was a story within a story, both local, but over 150 years apart. In 1988 5 local men decided to raise one of the many steamboats that sank on the Missouri River. The museum recounts the hugely expensive project and the amazing results of their work. There are many pieces of the boat displayed and much background info on 1856 Missouri. The most remarkable part is the
display cases of all they recovered. SO much was found intact. Really unique museum.

We were surprised how much we enjoyed this museum. Really glad we did that as part of our visit to City Market. One tip: watch all the videos as you enter the exhibit. They are short, but give some really great context to the process it took to find and recover the Arabia Steamboat. Pretty fascinating. We also really enjoyed the shops and food vendors in City Market.

The history of steamboat travel on the Missouri river is very interesting and this museum does a nice job of educating about it and the Arabia in particular.
I loved how they arranged the "treasures" from the boat.

Outstanding collection of artifacts. We even had one of the original discoverers at the museum answering questions and providing information.

This is a wonderful display of a storehouse of 1856 supplies found on a sunken riverboat located by some 1980’s “treasure hunters” in the area. It’s a great story and wonderful exhibit. All ages are going to enjoy this. Helpful docents.

What a pleasant visit to this wonderful museum. It’s about an hour long exhibit. It’s very well maintained. Lots of cool history exhibits. We spoke with Dave who was one of the original diggers of the site. He was very helpful. My kids enjoyed themselves. And so did the parents! Highly recommended! Must visit if you’re in the area.

The collection of artifacts recovered from this shipwreck gives a unique insight into life in the 19th century. The personal introduction and personal Q&A withone of the family who excavated the ship, and who own the collection, adds to the enjoyment of this excellent museum.

I would equate this experience as awe inspiring as a visit to a King Tut exhibit replacing the entombed elite boy king with the average, rough and ready pioneers. The vast array of pristinely maintained goods lost to the Missouri River before reaching their buyers is astounding. The artifacts paint the picture of life out West with no need for the help of a Monet, Russell, or Hopper. The items are notable for their unnoticeability. But, I must admit to marveling over the beautifully inked buttons- I had never seen such handiwork which must have been standard. The films and text dedicated to explain are thorough and absorbing. There are also some QR code’s to enter on your phone - if you decide not to do this, then at least ask the docent for an explanation of the Mexican Mustang Liniment. The Arabia was much more intriguing than I had imagined because I was continually time-machined into the past wondering who was the intended recipient of the shoes, pans, or table china I was looking at. The staff are open to all questions.

A unique experience with great artifact and loved the shops, especially with African clothing. Loved the maps, pictures and ambiance.

This jewel of a museum is fabulous to visit and to learn about the history of the site discovery and the family who still actively restore the artifacts that were dug up. Watch the short film in the auditorium and get the quick tour before going on in to see the treasures that were unearthed. Loved this place!

We just thought this was going to be a history of steamboats. We were truly impressed!!! A heartfelt exhibit and would definitely recommend!!! Amazing!!

This was my 2nd time to visit. I think this place is just awesome. I love that an owner will talk to you after the film. Well worth your time

Walking in and seeing the big wheel and smelling the must I was a bit hesitant….They had me from the first video! Very interesting and if you love history make sure you visit! The collection is amazing and you can even talk to A restorationist while she’s doing her job. One of the owners was also walking around but we weren’t fortunate enough to get to chat with him. We’ve hit three or four museums in two days and that was our favorite so far! (Be sure to ask for your AAA discount)

This is one of those places that might not seem all that interesting, but everyone we've taken there was amazed and thanked us for insisting they had to see it. One of the most unusual, historical museums you'll ever see.

We decided to visit this museum after seeing positive reviews. We didn't really know what to expect. It's a very nice museum that's very well done. There are some video presentations that include the history of the Arabia as well as the salvage that occurred over 100 years after it sank. The number of artifacts from the boat and the condition that they're in is incredible. It's amazing that things like clothing and shoes as well as a huge variety of commercial goods survived over 100 years underground in such good condition.

We recommend visiting

A very unusual and interesting museum. The story behind it as well as what was found is just fascinating and our guide, Hib was excellent.

This seemed like it could go either way, but we enjoyed it. Sometimes, private museums are all BS and a gift shop, but this had an interesting story and abundant artifacts in historical context. Maybe not the very best museum in KC, but worth a visit.

Indescribable! Wow, what a find! A must see museum! You may hear;”A Steamboat Museum, I Don’t Think So.” Don’t fall for that line! This place is a one of a kind place and a rare find. So much lost history brought back to reality, like it had never been under water and mud for over a hundred years! And there are more then 60 Tons of findings still to be cleaned for showing! All I can say is, GO, GO, GO! A Must See! And you will be supporting another Steamboat recovery set to start next year!

Excellent must see
A large comprehensive museum tons to see largest pre Civil war artifact collection
Knowledgeable staff

When back in the area I will definitely return. It is located in a mall area with extra shops. But the real attraction is how wonderfully they curated the artifacts. It's a real up close look at life in the early days of the Missouri River.

This is more than just a museum, it is view into life of the pre-Civil War era. It is stated to be the largest single collection of pre-Civil War artifacts. Great displays of a large variety of items. The story of the recovery is worth the price of admission in itself. It is well worth a visit.

This is a great museum with many interesting items from the sunken but recovered steamboat Arabia. They start with a short guided tour and short film before allowing us to wander the many displays. The second visit was better than the first! They are always adding new items to the displays. Can hardly wait for my next visit.

Loved the story of how the steamboat was found and restored - truly a labor of love. Definitely worthwhile if you are in KC.

This is such a riveting story about a loaded steamboat that sank after being stabbed by a walnut trunk in the Missouri River. The ship was full of cool stuff being brought to the wild Wild West that was everywhere west of Missouri in the mid 1800’s before the civil war. The river change course and this shop was located by a giant magnetometer 45 feet under a farmers corn field. The story of how they got the contents and parts of the ship out of the ground is super interesting. One of the guys who dug it up is in the museum and will tell you all about it. And all of the contents are restored and on display. Seriously fun and really cool!!!

Highly recommend this museum! It's well-planned and well-presented. The videos do an excellent job of explaining the history of steamboats on the Missouri River and the fascinating story of how the Arabia was found and its treasure unearthed. Overall, the museum was great! BUT BEWARE: Be careful where you park. The lot outside the Steamboat Museum is ENTIRELY paid parking. We parked in a space that had no number and no signage indicating parking fees had to be paid in an "honor box" hidden from view at the corner of the lot. We came out to find we had a $15 parking citation! Unfair! (But we paid it within 24 hours, before the fine increased to $20, and to $40 a day later.)

We've known about the Arabia since the 90s when our daughters' school took field trips to the museum. We now take our grandchildren (ages 7 and 12) here so they can learn about Missouri history. It boasts of the most extensive pre-Civil War collection of artifacts in the nation and it's not hard to see why. Numerous floor to ceiling display cases showcase the treasures found on the steamboat that was headed up the Missouri River to supply the frontier settlers. It is truly an astounding piece of history and the labor of love that is going into preserving these artifacts is remarkable. It's a must see for everyone interested in the history of the United States. Please note, there is no flash photography allowed.