National WWI Museum and Memorial Reviews

Fantastic museum full of artifacts from the GREAT WAR. Displays were well organized and attractive. Very informative - The simulated crater is impactful if you really look at everything in the crater. The tower provided awesome views of downtown KC. Be prepared though as those 75 steps past the elevator are not the easiest. Museum shop was not as impressive. Snack bar was adequate but I wouldn't depend on it for a meal.

Beautiful facility with a very informative display. Take the time to read and watch the presentations. You will not be disappointed. It is divided into two primary parts, before and after the US entered the war. Viewing life in the trenches (there are a few presentations/displays) was a highlight for me.

You pay extra to go up in the tower, but there can be a wait and once at the top, there is not much to see other than a view of the local area. Unless you really want to go up a tower, I recommend you pass on that part of the trip.

Set aside a minimum two hours to be able to read and absorb the information. At least three hours are needed to read and participate in everything.

The design of this war museum is incredible.
So much sad information but the how it is presented is amazing to see. The Poppy Field entrance brought me to tears. The design of each room pulls you in and makes you want to know more. An unforgettable experience. Highly recommend.

Within minutes, I understood why the museum has such high reviews. It’s a beautiful display and the added information about everything was appreciated. (Example: who wore uniforms or used the items.)
We spent the money to go up into the tower and view the special display, The Little War. (The Little War was a temporary display, but I have no doubt any future displays will be equally worth seeing.)
This is a must see extraction. And no, I am not typically a history buff.

What an amazing museum of WWI. I knew a little about WWI but this museum tells the rest of the story. Tells the reasons for the war and the chronology of events and battles and the world during the war.
An amazing collection of military weapons and impedimenta from all of the countries involved in the war. Where did they find all of these items? Guns, knives, uniforms, tanks. Displays of all kinds.
We only had a few hours, but you could spend days in this great museum. The docents all seemed to be military veterans and could answer any question that I had.
We watched the introductory movie and it gives you a good start on understanding the war.
We paid the additional $2 to go up into the tower and it did provide great views of Kansas City.
I think young kids would not enjoy the museum unless they are true budding historians. But, if you are a military historian, you will enjoy this museum!
Found free safe parking in the ellipse area.
Museum opens at 10 AM. Has a snack bar area for lunch.
A hidden gem in Kansas City!

This museum is so well done! It is located in a nice park setting with free parking up and down the street in front of it. They are doing a great job with COVID, and we were greeted by staff who guided us to tickets and then to the main exhibit. Masks are required, and there is hand sanitizer available everywhere. We had visited previously with kids and found that because the exhibits are text-heavy, we couldn't take everything in. This visit, we left the kids at home! :-) It took two hours to go through the main exhibit, and the tower was closed, but that would obviously add extra time. The exhibit is divided into two chronological areas, and in between is where they play the videos. Don't miss those, because the projection is unique and interesting. The artifacts were well-presented, and there are displays of cannons, equipment, and trenches as well. There is also an interactive table display in a room off to the side. Highly recommend this museum!

My wife and I knew so little about World War I and this museum really explained how the war started and how each country got involved. The movies are so informative and the displays are so cool. This is a must-see while in Kansas City. There is an admission charged but it’s well worth it. Additionally there is a major display section about the development of prosthetics from 600 BC till present times.

Highly recommend. Out of my whole weekend in Kansas city, this is arguably my favorite stop. Such a fascinating place. Many types of exhibits about the first world war. Guns, uniforms, videos, and good interpretation. They also have several areas with specialize exhibits that they change out periodically. They also have a great observation tower you can go to the top of. It provides a fantastic view of the city. And looks right over top of Union station which is cool. If you're at all interested in war history it is a great place to go. It is also a very good value.

This is a great WWI museum! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.

The introductory movie is a must see! The displays were very well done.

We both learned a lot and would encourage you to visit. You could spend a whole day there and not see everything!

I live just outside of Kansas City and have the opportunity to visit this wonderfully informational and interesting museum often, a visit I never tire of. The 'trip up the tower' is worth the visit alone as it gives you a wonderful view of Kansas City. You must, also remember, that this is the official World War 1 museum, not in Washington, DC, but in Kansas City.

Having been to the WWII museum in New Orleans I was looking forward to visiting the WWI museum and hoping it would be as interesting. Well, it is awesome. This museum is the very reason I visited Kansas City and it was well worth the trip. The presentations are varied and expertly done, covering every aspect of the war. The staff are friendly and accommodating. As we approached the museum in our rental car we were dismayed by the long stairs going up the incline. We kept driving and when we saw two young men who looked like they worked there we told them we couldn't climb the stairs or walk very far. One of them preceeded our car, on foot, taking us to a flat area very near the front fountain and let us park there.

I saw the reviews on TripAdvisor, and I just had to see for myself. It was unbelievable. So full of history and memorabilia. The stories were moving and sad, but had to be seen to be appreciated. Be sure to go to the Tower. It is spectacular. One word of warning -- if you are going in the summer, visit the Tower before noon as the volunteers close the tower due to intense heat. The volunteers at the museum are among the finest. They are so knowledgeable. Give this one a looksee for sure!

This is an incredible museum. Lots of interesting exhibits and tells history from many different nations' perspectives. The trip up the tower is definitely worth it for the views.

The National WWI Museum is located just south of the Union Station. Good and free parking is available around the museum and Memorial area. It is a large museum with much to see and we chose the general admission and the tower which is USD 22.50 for adults with reductions for seniors, military and children.

We were greeted by members of the friendly and helpful voluntary team who gave good information about the different parts of the museum. We visited on a warm and clear day and began our visit at the top of the Memorial Tower with excellent views of Kansas City.

We liked the layout of the museum with a timeline, making it possible to follow the events in chronological order. Several interesting political and military details are presented and the museum is really excellent. A couple of good movies and a well stocked gift shop should also be mentioned.

The National World War One Memorial. This is the premier museum and memorial dedicated to the Great War.

Plan to spend several hours and make sure to visit the monument at dusk for incredible views of the city.

We have been here twice, returned because there were still things we wanted to see. It can easily be a two time trip if you just want to view it all, days for an enthusiast (I’m not). It’s well laid out, loved the huge timeline on the walls. We enjoyed it; my opinion is it is a Don’t Miss, at least for a visit while in KC. Time spent would depend on your interests.

This museum is beautiful and informative. We loved learning about this historical time. The volunteers were so helpful and knowledgeable. This is a must do!

This was our last stop to visit on our Kansas trip, and it was a great place to visit. The exhibitions are amazing and there is a lot of interesting things to see at the museum and quite a lot of areas to explore. You should get a combo ticket that includes the Tower for great views across the city.

Very comprehensive display of WWI artifacts, weapons, etc. Trench recreations, some evocative. Decent explanation of the causes, a little bit light on the effects - ran slightly out of steam at the end. Extensive discussion/illustration of military course of the conflict. Overall most impressive. I took the audio guide but you would not need to (indeed it might be better used for someone who actually isn't taking the time to do some in depth reading). Poppy bridge is haunting, almost disconcerting. I'm assuming this is the preeminent US WWI museum; deservedly so. Plan at least 2 hours, better 3.

We've been to 3 different World War I Museums: the one in Australia (Canberra), the Imperial War Museum (London), and this one. All are excellent, including this one. There's a wide range of artifacts, and the exhibits are helpful at contextualizing things and fitting them in a timeline. General Pershing was from Missouri, so there's understandably quite a bit of material related to him. The tower was closed due to COVID, but we enjoyed both the new museum (underground) and the older exhibits above ground in the original memorial. Highly recommended!

Cannot say enough about this place. Very well done displays. A complete review of the history of WW I. The write ups were easy to read and in chronological order. There were many volunteer people who asked us several times if we had any questions. We did and they seemed to know their history and were more than willing to share it. This is one of the most complete WWI museums in the country. Anyone who is a history buff will want to visit here.

Spent four hours here and learned a lot about the WWI and VietNam war. Went mainly for the traveling Viet Nam war memorial from NY. Both were very informative and educational.

We spent four hours checking out everything this museum had to offer. It was time well spent. They have plenty of volunteers around to answer any question you might have. If you can do the guided tour, you won't be sorry. The guides know a lot more about the subject than you can read. We did the standard tour and seniors are $15.50 each. There are other exhibits at an additional cost too.

Very nice museum and well done, however it was small compared to the size of the building. Must buy tickets. Not all it was cracked up to be.

The knowledge the Museum had to offer I was very pleased with. Great pictures, monument etc. Also Union station was walking distance and great food.

We cannot say enough good things about this museum. The walk through, the memorabilia, the videos, please take it all in. We also went up the tower for a few extra dollars, also worth it.

I have been in museums all over the world, and I have never been in one so loud and disrespectful to those who gave their lives in a war. The museum’s installations are good, I wish I could have enjoyed them! Instead, I was forced to listen to LOUD tour guides putting up a show for the groups of high-schoolers who were there on a field trip. The kids themselves were fairly quiet and respectful of the space, I wish the museum personnel would have been as well!! Let’s start treating young adults as such, and not as children with a 1-second attention span. You do not need to make war “entertaining”, you do not need to yell “BOOM” for them to understand that bombs are loud, you do not need to yell “one gold star for you” through a megaphone when they answer a question correctly. Places like this should teach our youth about history, and about respecting it. War is not a game and should not be presented as such. I am appalled by the experienced we had in this place.

This is a great museum and memorial. One of the best military museums I've been to. My favorite part was the poppy field entrance. I have extreme vertigo and thankfully they have a rug to make the walkway easier to handle and a volunteer walked beside me and told me the story behind the exhibit. It was so wonderful and moving. All of the staff were so informative and helpful. Do not miss the chance to let them share their stories and knowledge with you. Don't forget to visit the tower, the view of the city is great. Make sure to set aside a minimum of 3 hours so that you can see and experience everything.

My son and husband really enjoyed this museum as they are into military history There are an overwhelming number of displays and plaques to read with informational videos secattered throughout. Plan on spending several hours at the museum as it is a lot to take in. The view from the monument is amazing, but the elevator and small and tight. If you are a history buff, this museum is for you.
The parking was free and there was plenty of spots.

Visited the World War I museum. Really great museum, lot of things to see from that era. Found a little area though with a really unique display. It was multiple letters from a son to his parents. When the parents responded the Dad would draw art work on the envelopes. I have included pics of a few of the letters and the envelopes. The art work is great. The view of Kanas City from above the museum is outstanding.

Phenomenal, organized and balanced illumination of a war that did not end all wars. Informative displays were spliced with video and semi-hidden cubbies where you can peer in to see into trenches that showcase the horror of the time.

Museum is beautiful and very informative. Gives you a great understanding of the history of the war. The layout is great and easy to follow.

This is my third time visiting the National WW1 museum and it is an amazing museum, and one almost everyone should visit. The volunteers are excellent. The entrance to the museum is well done as visitors enter the main part of the museum over a field of poppies. You start with the World War, 1914 to 1919, and then move to the American experience. There are two short films that are excellent. I strongly recommend viewing both. The siting of the museum is excellent. Parking is easy. This museum is one of the best I have been to anywhere in the world and would be appropriate for all ages, whether you're a military history buff or not.

Highly recommend that the museum is well worth a visit. Museum does an excellent job of presenting information about WWW 1, to include a broad interpretation of what causes war, what happened in the war and why WW2 occurred. Don’t miss.

We stayed 3 hours and could have stayed much longer. So many interesting exhibits and movies. We learned a lot, makes today in USA seem better than when we did when we walked in.

This was an absolutely wonderful museum. I loved that it focused so much on the culture of the time and some of the complex issues at the time that led to the war. There was a good movie that you could watch before you did the museum tour to cover some of that. The artifacts were very well preserved, labeled, and explained. I am disabled and had called ahead to ensure that I could reserve a wheelchair, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there were enough benches throughout the exhibits that I could rest as often as I needed and didn't have to use the wheelchair. One thing that stood out to me is the fact that, although the difficult aspects of war were covered in the museum, it was done very tactfully and didn't include anything super shocking or upsetting, like some of the exhibits I've seen at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Obviously you want to not gloss over the sadder or grisly aspects of war, but I felt like this museum would be appropriate for children due to how the subject was handled. My husband hates anything to do with war, so I had to drag him to this museum with me, but he told me afterward that he loved it and thought it was done so well. There's something here of interest to everyone, and it does a great job in honoring those who served in the war. Highly recommended.

Visited the week before Thanksgiving and the admission was $18, but for another $10, you could see the 45 minute film on WWI prisoners. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to see the film. But, for another $5, you can take the elevator up to the tower and walk the final distance of 45 steps on your way to the top, which I did as it provided spectacular views of the city and it's surroundings. The tower serves as a memorial to WWI that was constructed after the war. I walked through the museum and saw plenty of weapons, aircraft, a French tank and countless other items related to the war. There were plenty of personal stories related to the war and it's aftermath. Also, the museum takes you through the war chronologically from the beginning to the end.

There is a gift shop and a small cafeteria which I used to eat a quick lunch during my visit. The museum is very conveniently located to downtown and is literally across the street from the Amtrak train station for those who arrive by train as I did. My visit lasted just over 4 hours but this included a quick lunch and a trip up to the top of the tower. If I ever visit KC again, I would visit this museum and see the film as there is a lot to see here for history buffs and those wishing to learn more about the war.

Mud, blood, lice, rats, and death.

Many of the war museums I've toured have a brave and glorious portrayal of battles.

This museum shows what war was really like in the trenches- a stark portrayal of sacrifice by brave men who were sent to be dismembered, machine-gunned for the glory and treasuries of the Royal families of Europe.

There was no glory, no real resolution, just suffering

This is a very interesting museum. There is plenty of staff to answer questions. I only read the main placards and the two big timelines and was there almost 4 hours. There is a lot of information in there. The tower is neat, but honestly it was just ok - it's a tower. if you don't want to do it you really aren't missing that much. I paid for the special exhibit about children during the war, and it was honestly disappointing, which is why I took off 1 star. I would not recommend that add-on.

This museum is world class! Not only do they have an incredible collection of WWI artifacts, but there are some very moving displays and photographs. Museum docents were very helpful and knowledgeable, too.

This is a great museum for people who are interested in WW1. They have a lot of artifacts from both the Western and Eastern fronts. Each display comes with detailed descriptions and explanations.

We spent 2 hours here and yet we didn't get to see it all. You'll need 3-4 hours to properly go through everything and watch all the videos. I would definitely come again and allow for more time to see everything.

We visited the museum on a very warm Sunday and spent about four hours or so enjoying the varied exhibits, which cover the conflict from its beginning, with many interesting artifacts. The many volunteer docents were incredibly willing to share their knowledge of the items on display as well as their understanding of the war. If you go, be certain to visit the two large display buildings above the museum, one containing a very interesting panoramic painting from the post-war period and the other currently displaying war-related items (uniforms, toys, etc.) with relevance to children of the period. A trip up the tower (by elevator, thankfully) provides a tremendous view of the Kansas City downtown area. This is a fantastic museum!

I waited through a year of Covid prison to finally get to see this museum. It was worth the wait and worth the flight out to KC. Well done, great collection, nice facility, helpful volunteers -- just all around wonderful. A must see for all.

This was an amazing museum depicting the history of ww1 from beginning to end. Highly recommend everyone visit this museum!

Wow. I could've spent several more hours in the main museum. Lots of great stuff. Make sure not to miss the trench that goes around the first half of the museum.

Outstanding museum telling the story of World War 1, not only the war but also the global events that led up to it. One of the best military museums I’ve ever visited and not to be missed if you have any interest in history. After watching an introductory film, you walk across the very moving glass bridge over the “poppy field” and you will then enter the main galleries filled with many WW1 artifacts including tanks, planes and armaments along with many interactive displays. There are replica trenches and the film in the Horizon Theater is outstanding and includes a replication of a “No Man’s Land”. The extra amount we paid for the audio guide was well worth it. Make sure to include a visit outside to the Memorial which dates back to 1926 when the museum first opened and ride the elevator to the top for some great views of Downtown KC. Allow at least 3 hours to fully enjoy the museum.

This was a fantastic Museum. The history was well told. Amazing artifacts backed up with great stories.

We visited the museum on a hot day and it was ice to be in the air conditioning. The museum is very nice and has a lot of artifacts. I thought the fact that they identified who used the uniform and other items during the war really brought home the personal effects of the war. It is possibly to see it in two hours or so but if history is your thing you could spend all day. All of the people working there were very nice and helpful. Note that the restaurant closes at 2:30. The museum has a lot of free parking and the entry price to the museum is quite reasonable.

An excellent museum enough content for an entire day Interactive displays Excellent collection of artifacts and 2 die hard era enthusiasts learned stuff they didnt know

Knowledgeable friendly staff

This place was awesome and so glad we got to go during our trip. I feel like WWII gets more of the attention so a WWI museum was very interesting. Even if you're not a history buff, there's something for everyone in just being a window to how the world was in that era. The short films did a great job of setting the stage and breaking it down so that everyone can understand the context. Lots of artifacts to view and interesting to see the lineage of some military units that exist today.

If you're getting general admission, be sure to pay the extra $2 for the tower view, it's worth it! This place is run by volunteers as well, loved that.

Been wanting to see this for a number of years on our trips out west and finally had to time to visit. The collection is impressive and so well done. The films are excellent and so informative. We enjoyed it immensely and are already planning a return visit

An awesome museum to learn the history of WW1. This was a nice trip for the family. I would recommend adding this museum trip if you are heading to KC.

We visited Memorial Day half price tickets. Crowded because of the holiday. Great museum. Many facts and real WW1 artifacts. Took us about 2 hours. To walk through. Great historical facts for all.

We didn't go up the tower, but the grounds are a great place to walk around and enjoy the views. We were able to find parking quite easily when we got there. You can get a great pic of Union Station with downtown in the background from here. We also walked inside but only went to the gift shop. They have a bunch of neat souvenirs. I bought what has been one of the best books I've read here, To Conquer Hell. I wish we would've had more time to actually walk the museum.

good view of kansas city skyline from here. because it is at elevated grounds.

perfect for just laying on the grass and relaxing

if you wish to go up the tower, you can get the ticket from the museum before walking over to the base of the tower.

Wow, we live in the KC area and have been to the observation deck many times but have never taken the time to visit the museum. Such a vast array of artifacts from so many nations and first hand accounts of the WWI era. Top quality museum. The top of the tower is worth it. Great views ok KC skyline. The volunteers were very knowledgable and eager to share information and provide details.

World class museum on World War One right in Kansas City. Surprisingly, many foreign tourists, too.
Wonderful exhibits using computers, artifacts ,posters, canons, uniforms, guns, movies, virtual reality and everything you can think of to teach people about the war. Very interesting and cleverly put together.
Good cafe, too, with surprisingly good food. I enjoyed the trench special, with a hearty soup, biscuit and coke slaw. .
Excellent staff at the museum is very well informed and ready to share their knowledge.
Only criticism is when entering this huge structure on foot, must have been 200 stairs to climb! If I ever visit again, I will enter from the parking lot side .

We went to the WWI Museum today when it opened and that turned out a mistake. There happened to be two tour groups there at the same time we got there. They monopolized the museum which meant we had to wait to see anything. We also missed seeing some stuff because we were trying to get away from them. The museum itself seemed to be well laid out, but it wasn’t as good as I expected it to be.

Fascinating informative and extremely moving. Huge collection of historical artifacts and informative texts. Our docent made the tour into a brilliant narrative of the origins, progress and consquences of the war.

There is so much to learn about this largely forgotten war. Allot 2-3 hours, at least. Superb layout and storytelling. The experience is broken up by a couple films that fill in a lot of details. Definitely recommend.

Offers a panoramic view of the city, which was romantic at night. Great 1920s architecture. The monument has an Art Deco feel.

This is a national treasure recording the first global War and America’s involvement. The displays are exceptionally good quality. The videos are very good however there was only standing room at the second one which is hard for senior citizens. We could have easily spent 2 days here.

The museum is staffed with friendliest and helpful staff you will ever find.
We did it all from going to the top of tower to view the Kansas City sky line. The last 45 steps will be hard for older visitors with health problems. I have asthma so it really took a while to catch my breath.
The exhibit and videos in the main building do a great job of explaining what caused Ww1 and who were pitted against each other.
The A1 googles put you right in the trenches for 15 minutes to experience trench warfare. It can get expensive as the tower, and A1 experience were options.

The visit was absolutely phenomenal 9/10 staff members encountered were extremely friendly and helpful. One was not. We had 6 kids 10 and under in total and they had a blast!

My only nitpick was the rudeness of a female staff member who was tasked with mask enforcement. I understand the policy and I understand the rules. The employee was incredibly rude when she demanded one in our group put their mask on “otherwise I’ll have to escort you outside. Now we have been in this pandemic and year and I’ve met many many employees elsewhere who are able to politely articulate putting your mask on. Yes, people can still forget to wear a mask everywhere so the occasional reminder is needed. This employee’s tone was incredibly condescending and rude,almost causing a scene. For that the museum personnel loses a star. Otherwise the WWI is 5/5 in itself.

This is an excellent museum and is highly ranked for a reason. It tells the story of WW1 in both a comprehensive and approachable way. It’s very good for the history buff and the person who just wants to know the highlights about the war. This can be visited in 2-3 hours but will be a full day visit for the history buffs. Note that the Over There Cafe is a bit disappointing - it’s got one grab and go cooler with sandwiches and salads. If you’re making a day of it you might consider walking to Union Station for lunch. Overall this should not be missed when visiting KC.

This is a very informative and fun museum. Even with covid restrictions we didn't feel like we were shortchanged on any of the experiences. Great use of artifacts and media.

We were visiting relatives in KC and they were looking for ways to entertain us (other than eating some really good BBQ) and suggested we go here. I didn't even know there was a National WWI Museum and Memorial. And I wouldn't have expected it to be in KC but why not, I suppose.
I am so glad they suggested this and that we were willing. This was everything you would expect from a National Museum and Memorial and then some. The museum is incredibly well done with exhibits of everything from handheld weapons to crew-served artillery to recreations of the trenches and the conditions the troops on both sides endured. There is quite a bit of walking but there are places to sit down and take a rest, if needed. And it's easily accessible with a walker or wheelchair.
The memorial is of the Washington Monument type. There is an elevator most of the way up but there are stairs to climb towards the top. Definitely not handicap accessible beyond the elevator level. The view from the top though is worth those stairs if you can do it. It's open air, 360 degree walk around with unobstructed views. No Plexiglas or bars. I took a couple of panoramic pictures with my iPhone but they don't do it justice. And with having family with us that have lived in KC for years, they were able to point out a lot of the buildings in the city and what they were. When you go, I recommend doing the memorial first. The elevator has limited capacity as does the area at the top and we were told the wait gets longer as the day goes on. There is a small extra charge to go up to the top of the memorial but it is well worth it. I can't imagine passing that up. And at the bottom of the memorial are several displays of items from the time including clothing, uniforms, letters, entertainment and yes, prophylactics that were distributed to the troops. Just an example of the variety of items on display. All very well done and explained.
We spent about five hours there and, if everyone hadn't been eager to go to Joe's and get BBQ, I could have and would have spent the rest of the day there. There is that much to see. It's very educational and interesting and shows how much the folks of that time, throughout the world , endured during "The War To End All Wars...that unfortunately wasn't.

A wonderful museum memorializing an often overlooked critical time in the history of the world. All guides were wonderful and helpful, freely offering information and suggestions. The displays were outstanding, and still being updated. I overheard one guide say that they consider this museum second only to The Imperial War Museum in London. Having now been to both, I agree. In fairness, the one in London covers all wars. We visited „The Little People“ exhibit about children during the war, and found it very interesting. If one has the opportunity to see this museum, take it!

This is a great exhibit and museum. There are items in this museum that you will not see in other military museums. The staff is extremely helpful and they go out of their way to see that if you have any questions. We were surprised that we spent almost four hours in this museum and we still did not have time to read all of the exhibits. We loved the research table that let you search for relatives who served in WWI. Awesome and moving experience!

From the viewpoint of displaying history, this is great. Also, the complicated relations between the various powers in Europe which basically lead to the war strt were well explained.

What an amazing museum in an unlikely place of a war that is mostly forgotten. All the exhibits and displays are top notch and loaded with information. There are a couple of great and informative movies to watch as well. A must visit.

On a recent visit to the KC, MO area, I & a friend (both senior women) experienced a profound 2-hour "emotional journey" both visually & verbally" of the atrocities of the GREAT WAR!! Brilliant informative exhibits, interactive displays, videos, & artifacts tell the vivid, gruesome tale of WWI, from 1914-1918, & the killing of 9 million human beings! The wonderful, friendly volunteers added to the story! This museum is the only one in the USA that is completely devoted to the telling of this war's story, which should never be forgotten. The "tower" was closed the day we went, but the museum is an absolute "must see" if you are in the area. The structure itself is impressive & it's contents is an "inclusive tribute" to a horrific war!

I was absolutely amazed at the scope and comprehensive coverage of "The War to End all Wars!" There was so much to see and listen to from videos to watch that explained how the war began to so many artifacts from all over the world that I was astonished. Not only was I amazed to learn how the war wasn't started just because of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand but all the complex social and societal changes that were happening due to the Industrial Revolution also played a part. I learned so much that I didn't know about this war and was amazed at the collection of artifacts from all over the world that must have taken decades to collect. This is an absolute gold mine of WWI artifacts; from uniforms to tanks, ambulances, guns, knives, cannons and personal items from soldiers, it's all here. No wonder this is considered The National World War I museum. It is a monument to remember all those who sacrificed everything to maintain world order. It even tells how the United States stayed out of the war for a long time and then it truly became a World War with nations helping other nations to develop democracy. We only had 3 hours and it still wasn't enough to see everything I wanted to see. This is a "must see" museum. It should be on everyone's bucket list. This place is a national treasure! Well done!

If you are a history buff, especially military history, this is a must see museum. This was my 4th visit and there were still new things to see. The museum is well laid out and artifacts well described. The volunteers were very helpful and courteous. An aspect that I hadn't noticed before was their computer stations that allowed searches into veterans military records from all eras. If i had been aware of that I would have come more prepared. AS it was, I was able to find my Dad's draft registration card from 1941 and a great grandfather from the Civil War.

Sitting atop a hill overlooking much of Kansas City is the Memorial and Museum. Free parking is available in front and it is a level walk to the entrance. The Memorial above the museum involves some steps but the climb is worth it for the views.

The museum is down a ramp/stairs and is actually quite modern considering the subject matter. It occupies a few floors and and the exhibits detail the various aspects of the Great War.

Staff is helpful and tours are offered particularly for student groups. Facility is clean and well laid out. Now over a 100 years after, the museum brings the causes and effects of the war home to current generations.

Take your time. There is a cafe that is reasonable and food is good. There is also a store for bringing something home to remember your visit.

As a veteran, I truly appreciate the efforts made to educate and offer historical perspectives

A second visit, several years after the first - and it did not disappoint. Even in the time of COVID, the visit experience was well done - and the volunteers made the visit even more special.

If you are in the area, this memorial is worth the short walk that you do to get there and it’s right near a great BBQ joint. The staff here are very knowledgeable and friendly. They were great to share additional details that I may have missed otherwise. This is a solemn experience, but located on a beautiful green park like area. The walk was nice, even in the rain. The memorial is well done and had beautiful architecture and quote along the pathway.

We did not pay to go inside, but the outside memorials are great to walk around and get a fantastic view of Kansas City. Sad part is that unless you want to pay admission fees that is really all you get to see.

This place is very well organized and has friendly volunteer staff scattered throughout the exhibits. I especially appreciated how they had separate sections covering before and after U.S. involvement in the war. A terrible period of world history, covered with attention to detail.

We went to visit the Museum and were stunned at all the info displayed. The film was great as well! Definitely will return!

The best WWI museum in the country. Very immersive and educational. Can spend half a day in here learning and looking. Lots of artillery and a tank.

I have to admit I didn’t know very much about WW1 before arriving but learned a ton. I was also surprised on the large number of actual items from the war on display as well. A pleasant surprise is that parking is free, as there is some street parking in front, and there is a side lot as well.

They recommend (and I agree) that you visit the tower the earlier the better in the day to beat the heat. It’s taller than the Statue of Liberty and you can get more detailed information in the basement of the main museum. The elevator has a limit of only seven people, but the wait still wasn’t that long. You still have to take some stairs after that but it’s not hard. Once at the top, you get a nice view of downtown KC, but the area isn’t that big and within five minutes (or less) you’ll be ready to go down.

There are two other budlings next to the tower. One was an exhibit that showed how soldiers spent their spare time and was interesting. The other building had a virtual reality experience but unfortunately was closed, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise since there was so much to do.

Once you are in the main museum, you’ll see a beautiful tribute on the lower level with poppy flowers (and each one of the 9,000 flowers represents 10,000 lives lost). There are a couple of different movies you can watch, while both are good, the first one is really recommended if you need to get an understanding on how the war started. The information about the war (and the eventual US involvement) is presented in multiple ways and there are a few interactive displays as well. The volunteers there (everyone I saw was a veteran) were very friendly and happy to provide information. We spent about four hours there but could easily done another one or two if we really wanted to.

We did stop at the café for lunch and while it’s not that large, the food was decent and as you would expect, it’s not cheap. We paid extra for the special exhibit, and it was around prosthetics. While I learned a couple of things, you can skip it and save a few dollars.

Overall, this museum is great and highly recommend.

Very cool experience. If in Kansas City this museum is a worthy experience. I learned a lot about World War 1 and the history behind what thrust the United States into the war. Pay the extra feel for the audio tour. You’ll be glad you did.

A stop on our first day of our May 2024 road trip. The museum and Memorial was actually our third attraction in Kansas City.

Parking was surprisingly easy to find even though it appeared parking spots were not plentiful. My biggest complaint was the ticket pricing and upgrades. Their were several upgrades available but none were explained at all by the ticketing agent. We selected the basic general admission for 2 adults.

The amount of artifacts and items on display was simply amazing. The displays were put together very well and informative.

Another criticism I had was the staff or the volunteers, I could not really tell who was what. The majority of them were older and not as engaging or helpful as I would have liked.

Visiting the National WWI Museum and Memorial was a deeply moving experience. The exhibits, filled with personal letters and artifacts, brought the stories of the Great War to life, making its impact feel incredibly real. Standing beneath the towering Liberty Memorial filled me with reverence, reminding me of the immense sacrifices made. It’s a powerful place of remembrance that leaves a lasting impression—definitely a must-visit in Kansas City.

Beautiful memorial and museum. Its a must see if you are in KC. Make sure to take the trip up in the tower. Goregeous view of Kansas City

I've visited many times, as I live in Kansas City, MO and worked in that neighborhood for many years.

This is one of the most well organized and interesting museums I’ve visited. With a mix of displays, films, and mixed media presentations, visitors are guided through the timeline of World War One. We spent about two hours exploring the museum, exhibits and the beautiful grounds with a great view of downtown Kansas City.

This was very interesting and educational. I went with my in laws and 2 young boys (3&8) so I didn’t really get to read everything but they saw some amazing things.

This museum is nicely done and takes you sequentially through the events of WWI. There is a short film prior to entering the museum. There is a small gift shop that was open. The cafe wasn't open. We paid extra to go up the memorial tower to enjoy the view; however, we were only up there about 30 seconds. There were swarms of wasps making it impossible to enjoy the view and we immediately went back down. That is the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars. Otherwise, it is an informative and worthwhile experience.

Excellent museum with timelines and video from the outbreak of the war until the US entered the war and then another timeline after the US entered the war. Lots of artifacts; helpful docents. Beautiful view of Kansas City.

Very interesting history lesson and lots of pieces of history to tell the story. I purchased the audio tour with my General Admission. Worth it if you don’t have time to read or don’t like to read about each exhibit.

In scope, design, and elevation, this is one of the country's best memorials and museums. Visiting this picturesque site is free, and it is easily accessible, and parking is free and convenient. The museum is housed directly beneath the obelisk, a fitting location given the notorious history of trench warfare from that global conflict (the recreation of some of this in certain exhibits is frightening). Admission required, but it's well curated and staffed, and supposedly contains the largest collection of WW One artifacts anywhere, and includes a theatre-rama film that gives a 12-minute overview of how this catastrophe started. I skipped the obelisk ride to the top. Although DT Kansas City can be a little tricky to navigate, the memorial can be seen from many vantage points, and is directly across from Union Station, another desirable landmark for your visit. Highly recommended.

Complete history of American help in WW I. It is sad that it happened and should never be forgotten.

The WEI museum was opened with the generals for our side in attendance: Pershing, Foch, etc. I have been to Verdun, where 750,000 lives were wasted in 9 months. The KC museum is superior, and not just because the exhibit signs are in English

Extensive display of a time that should not be forgotten. The horrors and bravery of war are on full display. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The films and interactive displays add to the experience.

The National World War I Museum is not only fascinating in its depth of information and historical artifacts of the First World War, but also in its presentation. The museum offers a look at everything from reproduction trenches, to artillery pieces, tanks, and even aircraft from World War I. If the museum did not offer enough, the memorial is truly a spectacle in its Art Deco style that is atop the museum. Take a moment to look out from the memorial area for great views of Kansas City. The gift shop also offers a great selection of books and other souvenirs that make it worth a visit as well.

A wonderful tribute to the fallen, and lest we forget a history lesson for us all. The museum is dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the world. As you pass through the front doors, you are immediately taken aback by the poppy field beneath your feet, as the entrance path into the museum is clear glass. You start your experience by viewing an excellent movie that gives insights into world events leading to war in Europe. As you tour the exhibits, you'll see state of the art displays include artifacts, film projections, and audio remembrances. A second theater shows a 15-minute program about how Americans supported the Allies, and eventually how we entered the war ourselves. Docents are located throughout the museum and are very accessible, as they want to give you the best experience. You can stop for a quick coffee or bite at the "Over there café", and naturally there's a gift shop on your way out. Quite an experience. To best view and photograph the poppies, go downstairs to the research center where you can view them at eye level.

Had a couple of hours before my flight. The museum is very impressive from outside. It is situated on a hill above Kansas City and the view is from there is spectacular.

The museum itself was kind of disappointment. Collection is small. No large objects such as tanks, planes or armored cars. A lot of areas are closed.

Compared to the WW2 museum in New Orleans, it is much smaller. Though, again, architecture is impressive.

Never miss a chance to visit our countries museums especially our military. If your in KC this is a must see. For your children or yourself it is a good chance to familiarize yourself with our military history.

This is a very extensive museum with lots of information about the causes, battles, weaponry, technology, and people involved in "The Great War." It was fascinating to step into models of the different types of trenches. I was also very interested in the exhibits on the variety of propaganda and songs used in the war.

There are literally tons of artifacts, and you could certainly spend hours here, but if your time is limited, you can see the highlights in 90 minutes or so. Be sure to get a ticket to the top of the tower to enjoy the lovely view of the city. There is plenty of free parking along the mall in front of the memorial.

This is a large collection of items. I loved the video on how to fire the gun on the Renault tank. The exhibits are impressive. You might want to plan around 3:45 hours to give this museum justice. We loved the computers for relative searches in the war. The staff were incredibly attentive and helpful!

This memorial to WWI was the highlight of our visit to Kansas City. Admission was reasonable, the tower has an elevator almost to the top, only 43 steps at top and a spectacular view of the city. We knew very little about WWI and we got a wealth of knowledge from touring the museum and watching the two informative films as well as following the progression of the war. We only planned to be here 2 hours but ended up spending 3-1/2 hrs. There is so much to digest here.

This muesums was amazing! There Qasim so much information, it was up above us and even down below glass flooring. They also had a video playing and real looking trenches. They also did really well with telling the whole timeline of events from each month.

This is a wonderful museum! We could have spent more time here, if we weren't on such a tight schedule. They have many fascinating artifacts and artillery very nicely displayed. The mural on the wall with the flags along the main exhibit area is very impressive. We really enjoyed the tower and its views of Kansas City. The glass over the poppy fields is a wonderful, yet haunting display to honor all those lives lost. The staff members were extremely nice and knowledgeable.

Educational. Enjoyed the exhibits and the films. Great staff. Lots to see. Worth the time to go and learn.

Kansas City should NOT HOLD NIGHTIME EVENTS on the Memorial Mall grounds of the WW1 Memorial until they PROVIDE LIGHTING ON THE HUNDREDS OF CONCRETE STAIRWAYS and REPAIR THE CRACKS AND HOLES EVERYWHERE ON THE SIDEWALK AND STEPS! We attended the Kansas City Great Balloon Blow last night and tripped on the stairs and almost fell a number of times. We saw people fall - and one woman fell very hard and hurt herself. The concrete stairs have heaved and settled and are sloped downward - not good. There was NOT ONE STREET LIGHT ON STAIRCASES or asphalt walkways (but there were dozens of street lights lit next to the few glowing hot air balloons spoiling the view). THIS IS A SERIOUS TRIP HAZARD and Kansas City and the honorable Mayor "Q" should be sued for injuries. These walkways and steps are NOT HANDICAP accessible or useable. No hand rails either. We will never return until the hazards are repaired.

This place is amazing. You could go a ton and still see something new and learn new things. Would be great for a family thing too.

If I could I would give it a 10 out of 5. This museum truly depicts WWI from its start to its finish. You get the feel for what was felt at the time. The experience points out the importance of knowing history so bad mistakes are not repeated. You also see how people came together to support each other in this trying time

Learned a lot about why the war started. Many artifacts. Very well laid out. Give yourself 4 hours to see it all. Longer if you want to read it all, shorter if you just like to look and not read to much.

The Memorial was inspiring and though-provoking. We fought through construction to get to the upper parking and enjoyed the sights and atmosphere of the park, the monuments, the fountains and the view. It was a wonderful oasis of calm in the busy city, and well worth the drive.

Disappointed, the displays were ok, the artifacts amazing but the museum did not have a good flow. It could use a redo with deep thought needed on how to make it more appealing to the average tourist.

Excellent museum, well staffed with knowledgeable volunteers, great view of the city from the tower. Easy to follow timeline of all the major events of the War.

The Excellent rating with 5446 reviews (as of today) speaks volumes. Fantastic details with many personal stories. Spent 3.5 hours, yet was only planning to spend 2. I am neither a WWI buff nor keen on military maneuvers. I do enjoy history. Be prepared to stand for the duration. There are some benches but the majority of the time is on your feet in front of cases with explanations and artifacts.

One of the best Museum I've seen. Lots to see and learn if you're a history buff and want to learn about WW 1. I was glad I did go and the price was reasonable.

This is an extraordinarily brilliant memorial and museum. A true monument to the heroes of freedom and all those impacted by WW I.

The tower is an iconic art deco American treasure make certain you go to the top for wonderful views

The collection inside is an invaluable treasure which tells the powerful story of this transformative war

I recommend you arrive early and go to the top of the tower first

Go enjoy

We were a little worried our 6 and 11 year olds would be bored. We loved it and our 2 kids really enjoyed the scavenger hunt and the overall experience was enlightening. They offered a AAA discount too :)

Beautiful & moving museum & memorial that covers the war from an entire global perspective. A terrific salute to those brave men and women, from all countries, who fought in and lived through “The Great War”. Very recommend.

The museum provided a comprehensive look at the causes, alliances, battles and weapons of WW I. To get the full content, there is a lot of reading, so bring your reading glasses if you use them! The short videos were well done and did a great job of breaking down complex issues. The exhibits were varied and interesting. Highly recommend, but maybe not for young kids.

We have visited many military museums on several continents, and this ranks right up at the top. The displays are well presented using the latest technology, and the videos give important insight into the causes of World War I and its aftermath. We bought a combination ticket, and on a warm summer morning we started by going up the tower. Staff recommended this option, as it often is too hot to ascend on summer afternoons. The views were great from atop the tower. We toured the exhibits by the tower as well, and found those about the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires to be excellent. But the best exhibits were downstairs, and we spent a lot of time in the various galleries, and took in the movies. We also toured the special exhibition about Jim Crow, which is worth a stop. All in all, a great museum; it was worth coming to Kansas City for this reason alone.

This museum blew me away, I went with my husband, son and father-in-law who are really into history and WWI. I couldn't help but be impressed at the thoughtfulness and thoroughness of the place. The poppies in the front set the stage for a total immersion into history. The stunning towers out front were a marvel in themselves. Everyone should visit this museum. The gift shop was very impressive, lots of neat things, not just junk. My son got gifts for all his friends and they loved them.

This museum is a must for anyone traveling in Kansas City who is interested in WW I or even just US History. The facility is very well laid out, the interactive exhibits fun and educational, and the films set the stage for all the information perfectly. We opted to add in the tower to our visit, and as suggested by the docents took the elevator to the top first so that we were able to do that before the day got much hotter. It was definitely worth the extra charge of $6.00. We did not opt for the special exhibit and I'm glad we chose not to. Not because it would not be worth it, but because there is so much to see in the permanent exhibits. We spent about 2 1/2 hours in the museum itself and I feel like we were only able to focus on 40% of what is there. It is all wonderfully presented and calls for multiple visits to truly appreciate it.

We arrived about 10:30. Parking was easy on the roadway leading to the museum, but I suspect it could get pretty crowded later in the day. All the docents were very helpful and many if not all are volunteers. I did see one couple on a private tour, I think that might be very interesting if possible. Wear your comfortable shoes and plan on staying for a while!

This is a must visit if you are in KC. The inside is extremely interesting with WW1 history and many artifacts and interactive displays. Make sure to walk around outside as well since you can see some of the best views of KC around. Great visit. A+

We ended up here just driving around downtown KC totally an unplanned visit. We were knocked out at how the story of WW1 was told through this museum. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The exhibits were well planned out and intricate in detail. So much history and information available here. Our time was well spent at this outstanding museum.

When we planned to visit the KC area, I somehow didn't know that this museum was in KC.

What a testament to the community that within the immediate years after the Great War Armistice, the people of Kansas City contributed over $2 million in 10 days - the equivalent of $40 million in today's dollars - to make this stunning museum and memorial happen.

The Museum is organized into pre- and post-US entry into the Great War sections. The movie just before the US entry section is particularly well done in terms of the multimedia representation of the horrible realiies of trench warfare - this is beautifully reinforced through exhibits that demonstrate the differences between each country's trench realities.

This Museum is well-staffed with as many engaging, positive volunteers as we've ever encountered. If I were planning a visit again, I'd probably upgrade to a guided tour as we observed a couple going by and those seemed even more amazing in details and key highlights.

We were glad we added the Bespoke Bodies exhibit and a trip up the tower to a combo ticket. Make sure you check out the above ground areas open with a ticket - currently one entited "Entertaining the Troops" while the other building is transitioned. That building has a partially preserved portrait project from The Great War that took or breath away in its beauty.

Our road trip itinerary didn’t allow time for this museum, which in hindsight is disappointing, as it looks like a very nice museum for those interested in history, like we are. Instead, we spent a while walking the very beautiful, well-maintained grounds. The monumental pillar is impressive and worth a stop to see. The view of the city, from the base of the monument, was nice; if Covid hadn’t shut down the elevator rides to the top of the pillar, we probably would have allotted the time to do at least that. Oh well. Maybe next time (if we’re ever in Kansas City again).

Great museum with several different experiences. We were two adults visiting. We first went to the tower, where we saw a great view of Kansas City. We were lucky to have a clear view on that day. The workers or volunteers (not sure) were very friendly, informative, and willing to tell us their stories, which was the best part by far. Each of the people working there added something to the room and to the overall experience. Once we finished the tower, and another small room at the top - we went to the main museum. There are two sides which walk through the overall years of the war, 1914-1918. There is a movie in the middle which is a nice time to take a break and sit down. Just doing these two pieced took us about 2 hours, reading most of the text. I learned a lot. The visuals are very helpful, for those of us who don't remember everything from history class. One thing I would recommend (that I didn't see up front), is there is an audio tour that wasn't well advertised on the website, but I found when I arrived. There are two special exhibits - snapshots and war remains (a VR setup). We would have needed more time to see these two pieces - each were an extra charge. Overall, great experience.

We made a stop here on our road trip out west. Very friendly staff and a wonderful museum. My family really enjoyed it.

I took my 10 and 14 year old boys to the museum this week. We all had a good time. We didn't get there as early as we wanted so our visit was rushed. There was a ton of stuff to see. The staff were so so friendly and very knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend going to this museum.

We spent a few hours here at the museum. It was very cool how they tied the films shown and exhibits together. Also, the staff was supper knowledgeable about all things WWI.

Great view of downtown area and Union Station! The green fields around it was perfect for our kids to play on. We didn't make it inside for the tour this time around but well kept and we enjoyed all the accessible outside areas.

I actually visited the museum in November 2018 (over the centenary of the 1918 Armistice weekend) with my father and uncle. The entire experience was amazing from start to finish. The space is pristine, and looks "state of the art," if such phrasing can be applied here. The exhibit spaces were spectacular, of special note was the model trench space and explanation of weapons. I really don't have the words to impress on you how wonderful it was. I was looking forward to this visit for a long time, and it more than lived up to my personal expectations!

Very well done. A lot of exhibits, some videos and two theater presentations. Time line presentation understandable.

Moving and very well presented. The museum is arranged in a semi circle that tells the story of the war in chronological order. Many exhibits show uniforms, statistics, personal stories, etc. Amazingly large collection of WWI artifacts.

We spent 3 hours here. (It was nearly as good as the WWII museum in NOLA, but smaller.) They had a scavenger hunt book that our 13 year old liked to do. The Museum was split into 2 sides, one which was first few years before the United States got involved in the war, and the other which was when the US was in the war. In between, there was a short movie. They also had a small café, but we did not go to it and can’t comment on it. We were surprised at the variety of artifacts that they had from many different nations. The docents were very helpful and knowledgeable.

[If you have kids: It’s not dangerous but there are so many places that you will spend some time looking for them.]

The museum was very nice and informative on the causes of WWI as well as the atrocities of what the battles were like. The tower and the view from it were simply stunning. You should beware that on the super hot days they will close the tower, so it is best to arrive early on the hotter days of summer and go ahead and enjoy that view!

Life-changing experience for people of any age. I thought I was a student of history but I did not know 5 % of what is featured here. Totally worth a trip to KC just to see this. Excellent execution of a great idea.

Fantastic museum so much too see. The staff was very friendly and smart. There is so much to look at and read you could spend hours here. We didn’t do the tower but wish we had it has a great view of KC

Great use of variety of media really conveyed the horrors of trench warfare. artifacts and weapons more than impressive!

This museum is a modern, state of the art, experience that chronicles World War I. It begins with an introductory movie that sets the stage for the causes of the war. You then enter the galleries that have a timeline of the events combined with interactive displays and cases filled with artifacts. At the half-way point you have another movie that outlines America's entrance into the war. From that point on you finish the story with more displays and remnants from the war. This is an amazing museum that makes history come alive.

A beautiful memorial to the Great War. When in KC MO it is a must see. Easy parking too! War is Hell.

I absolutely loved this place! There is so much to see and to do. The building and monuments are beautiful. There are great views from the Tower. The special exhibit - "The Little War" - was very interesting. The Memorial Hall has stories of KC WWI veterans. The museum is full of important WWI history. In addition, every volunteer we met was kind and helpful and eager to answer any questions you might have. I would definitely visit this place again. Highly recommend!

An incredible museum that’s worth every penny. Would certainly go again & highly recommend. The only disappointment was a young lady in admissions was wearing a black history matters tshirt that was offensive & inappropriate. How does that bs have anything to do with WWI history?

I have been anticipating this adventure for the past eight years. After spending a little more than a day in this museum, I can recommend it without reservation. there are so many things to see in this museum that tells the story of the Great War. In our first visit to Kansas CIty, I have finally made it to this outstanding museum. The part of the museum which focuses on trench warfare was my most favorite.

Deep dive into artifacts, while a timeline takes you through the "center" of the museum. Complex story, with the second half more focused on US involvement. Lots of displays and easy to miss rooms and the basement displays. A portion of the museum was closed for renovations or a new display, which was a disappointment. Lots of volunteers available to answer questions. How did actions in 1918 impact the world today? Many, many ways.

If you are a history buff this is a must. The introductory video is so well done and reminded me of the history and time line of event. Excellent artifacts and well displayed. Sadly it was not the war to end all wars. A quote that hit me was "Peace is just a pause of war. "

The movies that they showed were excellent and very educational. They had an incredible amount of military hardware. If that interests you, You will be very pleased. For me that got a bit old. For me there was too much of it. My husband loved it.

My husband and I visited this museum in 2017 and loved it. We came back with our 2 teens on Memorial Day. There have been a few changes since we were here before but not major ones. Our teens who both like history really enjoyed it. I am not a history buff but have enjoyed it both times. I highly recommend. Also an added bonus was being there on Memorial Day with many veterans there, very special.

Visited over the Memorial Day holiday and it was an emotionally stirring memorial that pays tribute to the men and women who served. Give yourself at least 3 hours to enjoy the scenery and exhibits inside the Museum and Memorial.

I loved this museum. It had such a variety of artifacts, and lots of personal history items. I highly recommend for military or history buffs.

Well-done informative museum that has something for everyone, resulting in an increased understanding of World War I for all ages. We spent 5 hours exploring all the displays and the tower. Suggest allowing at least 3 hours to gain an understanding of the war, its causes, and its effects. Movies are excellent.

The WW1 museum is an excellent display of what the war was about. The stories told, the visual displays, and the history presented is excellent. The displays are a fantastic display of WW1 weapons and equipment.

This is a must see museum for all ages for a glimpse of world history. The exhibits are well laid out and very informative. The amount of time to spend here will depend on your level of interest and how much reading you want to do. It is a wonderful learning experience.

We enjoyed visiting this museum. It has a huge collection of artifacts from the war. The collection represents items from many of the countries involved, not just the US. It would take days to read about everything included. There are several movies to help explain the war and the volunteer staff is very helpful.

The free parking and AAA discount were a bonus.

We highly recommend

An interesting museum that depicts a time not talked about anymore. There are not a lot of interactive exhibits but it is still worth the visit.

This is a world class memorial and museum. WWI is covered with sober respect and honor. It delivers excellent exhibits, displays, movies and educational information. The best part? No partisan baloney. Just the facts, Ma'am.
The exterior tower and sculptures are majestic. Go up the steps behind the tower to enjoy a spectacular view of the KC skyline.

The National WWI Museum is a must see experience! My son and I spent the whole day looking at the exhibits. There is so much to learn and ponder. We will definitely visit again!

The War Timeline is well presented, the display of artillery, uniforms and mementos was interesting. The video presentation of US involvement impressive. Great for history buffs, remarkable for those who are not as inclined. The Memorial is humbling.

This museum is full of war artifacts, displays from various countries involved in the war, displays of bunkers, etc. there are 2 different video areas to watch. The first one tells you how the war got started and the second one talks about the USA entering. Art is also present. Volunteers love to share about the building. Well done.

This was one of the highlights of our trip for the family. We spent almost 5 hours exploring the museum and learning. The wide variety of artifacts, presentations, displays and information presented was amazing. You never really understand what these people did for our current way of life unless you lived it or experience it through this museum. This is a place we are going to come back to in the future.

Budget at least three to four hours to fully explore the WW1 museum. A couple more hours if you want to view the additional exhibits. A fantastic memorial to our veterans and allies.

Similar to the World War II museum in NOLA, there never seems to be enough time to explore all the exhibits. Many uniforms, artillery pieces, an airplane, a tank and other memorabilia. This museum helps one to understand a very confusing war unlike World War II. The whys are hard to ferret out. If you’re planning to do the tower do it early as you can if it’s a warm day because it’s not accessible totally by elevator and it gets warm at the top. Also, you probably don’t want to be waiting in line on a hot day. Be aware there is a steep 45 step stairway to the top
One thing I noticed was that even though none of the volunteers could’ve been around during World I they were incredibly knowledgeable and eager to help. One of the volunteers took quite a bit of time to ask our grand children if they understood and what they enjoyed most. I would highly recommend this museum because WWI is confusing and this is the best explanation I’ve ever seen. Graphic were Excellent. Wayne graphics could be challenging. We did not do War Remains which is a virtual experience because of the $28 fee. I guess I regret that
YOLO.

Exhibits include lots of artifacts, but the main attraction is really reading or listening to descriptions about what happened. Great place to learn some history lessons. The building itself and the view of downtown from the roof is worth a visit. We didn’t add the tower option - be prepared fo a long wait if that’s important to you.

We were a little surprised to find this museum here….never really learning why it was placed in Kansas City. Nonetheless, it is a good historical reflection on why the war started and what the ultimate outcomes would be. The combo ticket gets you to the top of the adjacent tower, in addition to the museum. The exhibits showed various aspects of world war one including equipment, techniques, and observations from all countries concerned. Not for children (low attention spans). Recommended

Amazing museum. So much history, stories, artifacts, etc. Very well laid out but also overwhelming with the amount info available (in a good way). Recommend the audio tour which might make the info presented more manageable. Every volunteer we interacted with was pleasant, professional and knowledgeable. A must see when in KC IF you are a military history buff.

One of the most interesting historical museums that we have ever visited. This was our second time and there is so much to take in that we will have to go again to get it all. A very comprehensive study of the 1st world war. The exhibits and research i amazing.A wonderful experience

Great museum. Easy to get to and lots of parking. Really nice safe place to walk around outside. View of downtown Kansas City.

I loved this. There was a large selection of artifacts from all realms of the war. From Japanese uniforms to the largest display of hand grenades I have ever seen. It give a very good showing of how the war started to the war and then the joining of the Americans. We were there almost 3 hours.

We're not museum people but we were told we should really go here. We did. We enjoyed it. Very informative. Took a trip up the tower at the end of the day and had great views. Recommended.

This is a great museum! I am a big history buff and there is so much information in here! Make sure to give yourself a few hours to fully take it in.

Not going to find a better ww1 meusm anywhere in the US. Top notch overall. I think even a non history buff would enjoy

Well worth the money…. We visited the museum and the tower …. Nice view!
Staff was friendly and knowledgeable

This is a world class museum and education jewel. Plan on spending a lot of time as you will get caught up in all of the exhibits and history of this forgotten war. It was a teller of new information for me and a reminder of what I had forgotten. The gift shop is excellent and could stand as its own library on World War I. All of the staff were helpful and kind as well. I highly recommend!

Really enjoyed our 2 hour visit. Entry prices for seniors was $15.50. There are plenty of volunteers to help with any question. Lots and lots of original clothing/weapons/metals - everything you can imagine. The museum follows a timeline that really helped me better understand certain events.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (Overall 4.5/5)

Volunteers – 5 Stars
The volunteers were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the museum. They really enhanced the overall experience and made the visit feel personal and welcoming.

Exhibits – 5 Stars
The exhibits are beautifully curated and full of fascinating history. Everything is well-presented and easy to follow, making it an amazing experience for anyone interested in World War I.

Additional Costs – 3 Stars
Some exhibits require an extra fee, which was a bit disappointing since the main ticket price is already on the higher side. Still, the overall experience makes it worth a visit.

Best art city ever.great city a lotta fun .I love Main Street and the trolleys and all the restaurants are great .

History buff, so this was on the top of my list to visit while in KC on a business trip. Superb visit…winds were too string to go up in the tower, but frankly, left more time to focus on exhibits and talk with the museum volunteers. Easy access by LYFT and appeared sufficient parking for visitors. I ordered my tix online, so very quick to show upon entering so I was able to skip the line! Started off with the video overview that highlighted the issues leading to the war then, that still burns today…tip…take the elevator up and see the exhibit of the Russian uniforms, the flags and the huge painting. Very well done and very engaging! Thanks again to all the volunteers…and Slava Ukraini!!!!!

We had a guide who was a retired physician. She was excellent. There are outstanding views from the "platform" across to Union Station and beyond. There are recreated trenches showing French and American trenches. There are many artifacts and illustrated stories about the war.

Dedicate a whole day here if you can! So much information, you really need time to take it all in. One of the best in the city!

Highly recommend you check out this museum and plan on spending a few hours here. The amount to read and listen to is overwhelming in a good way. I was not expecting the quality of this museum to be as impressive as it was.

Went Memorial weekend and admission was free for military and 1/2 price for civilians.
We spent the day here -a good 5+ hours.
Extra displays outside of the fallen and found a young man from our town in the display.
I recommend paying extra to go to the top of the tower, 45 stairs weren’t too bad (I need a hip replacement and did it fine) the views were worth it - you can see a lot of the landscape of downtown Kansas City.
I enjoyed the films and really liked the display under one particular viewing area that looked as though you were above a battlefield.
So much history to see and explore!
Lots to see.

The memorial consists of a tower that shoots a commemorative flame into the night sky. (The tower is temporarily under renovation, so the tower is unlit at this time.)

The museum is impressive! Give yourself at least 2 hours to absorb whichever exhibits impress you the most. Be sure to catch both films. The first film describes the social, political, and economic factors in Europe that led up to the war. The second film describes the U.S. perspective.

Some of the exhibits that impressed me the most were: the opportunity to immerse myself into a trench, a crater formed by a bomb, a listening room where I could hear the first-hand accounts of soldiers. The timeline was very informative.

Very beautiful tribute to WWI and it was very cool to see all the outfits, weapons and much more they gather from both America and Europe. The videos are very well done and not dry at all, make you well informed before entering different sections and they are not to long either.

First off, this is pretty far from most Hotels downtown. I walked and took UBER back or you can take free Transit. Transit station is across from Union Station, comes every 15 minutes, free! $15 for Seniors, good price! 2 main levels. Entry level, you go counterclockwise, between exhibits and Film presentations. Area was clean and well lit. Says they have over 350,000 artifacts. What's cool is that you can see the new donated articles downstairs, through the glass shelving and rooms. Cafe was closed, when we were there (too late) Gift shop is nice. Not as big as WW2 in New Orleans, but very informative.

Wheel chairs available at no charge. You will need several hours to see the whole exhibit. Learned a lot about WWI that I did. not know

Beautiful grounds. Enjoy the way the museum was laid out. Helpful staff/ volunteers. Highly recommend.

The workers are so helpful and the museum is nice. A bit crowded but the heat outside was probably the cause. We really enjoyed it.

An excellent museum to a vital but completely misunderstood period of global history. Engineering and weapons technology completely eclipsed the combined intelligence of political and military leaders… it’s absolutely worth two or more hours to absorb and reflect.

We loved it. The staff defined professional. Go and enjoy a few hours of quality family time. Next, grab some delicious barbeque from the many local restaurants.

So glad we went, it was an amazing experience and overwhelming amount to learn. They did a great job with breaking up sections with videos. It was crowded being a holiday weekend but totally worth it. The tower was disappointing, it is very small and tight area at the top but if you want an excellent 360 view it is the place to go.

My wife and I visited the national World War I museum in Kansas City recently. It was one of the highlights of our recent trip to the area. The museum was excellent! I recommend planning about 2 hours overall.

We started out going to the top of the tower for stunning views of downtown Kansas City and the whole area. We recommend hitting the tower early as it gets crowded later in the day with school groups and larger crowds.

The museum starts off with a film about the lead up to the war. The first section of the museum focuses on 1914 - 1916 before the US declared war with the second section covering 1917 - 1918. There were many artifacts from the war including artillery, airplanes, and a rare French tanks. The only disappointing thing was the trench warfare section was being renovated so there was less on that subject available currently. If you’re a bookworm like me, the bookstore was the best place to get books on almost any subject related to the war. This is a must-visit place to go in Kansas City!

What an amazing museum! I wasn’t as informed of WW 1 history but this place covers it! They have wonderful displays- areas that are well organized and short film clips for added information. Volunteers are around to help answer questions. I believe active military and veterans get a discount.
We did go up in the tower- elevator was adequate and operated by staff personnel. Wonderful view of the city!

Take a look at the ticket options before you buy them — there’s multiple offers of things to do. We chose the main tour and the tower tour, and we wish we would have bought the Code Talker tickets ($5) fir the virtual experience. This wonderful museum will take hours for you to walk through, experience the movies, and get to the top of the tower. Hint: if it’s warm outside, go to the tower first before it gets too hot.

This is an incredibly well done memorial to WWI in the fashion of other federal monuments. There is a lot to take in so plan to spend some time here. The supplemental films are helpful to put the exhibits in context.
The tower is usually open so you can go to the top and get a great view of Kansas City but unfortunately was closed due to covid-restrictions when we visited.
Don't miss the memorial hall. The volunteers who staff this site are a great source of information on our nation's history.

We are in town visiting family but staying at a hotel. I walked over to this museum and was blown away by it. Beautifully designed. Deals with very somber facts with dignity and grace. This war was a long time ago but is very important to learn about. I think it might be a bit overwhelming for small kids but was very educational and interesting for anyone else. They say the only way to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself is to learn about history!! Go to this museum. It’s a gem.

First time visiting with a friend. I had already researched the museum so I knew it was great. Plan to be there a long time. There was SO much to see. Pay the extra ticket to go up in the monolith because the view is amazing.

WORLD WAR 1 (along with the Civil War) were the two conflicts that set the foundation of the America as we know it .. .. WW1 set the stage for the eventual defeat of fascism in the 1910s and 1940s .. ..

BRILLIANT museum that should be a must-see for everyone in the country .. ..

Amazing amount of exhibits, terrific panoramas and lots of interactive exhibits that were scaled down a little bit because of the wuhan-flu precautions .. ..

On a nice day, there's lots of green space for a lovely picnic overlooking Union Station .. .. Before I noticed, I was there for THREE HOURS and still had more to see .. ..

BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT MUSEUM!!

We enjoyed our visit, learning the little things that led to the start of the war as well as interesting tidbits on how ranks changed between ww1 and ww2 between certain individuals and the anomosity that came because of that!

Amazing way to experience what WWI must have been like. Make sure to read the timeline they have. It's a beautiful property with a great view of the city as well.

I arrived a bit later than planned, so I only had an hour. I needed closer to 3 hours. If you have a history degree or are especially interested in military history, then plan a 3 hour stop. If you just want to zoom around and glance at everything, then an hour will due.
Every exhibit is well put together. The curators deserve awards. The best exhibit was the trenches. They were done in such a way that you can imagine being there for weeks and months. It was very moving. They also, have a film that plays every hour or so, which I hear is worth watching. I didn't have the time. There were so many exhibits that it'd take me ages to tell you about them all, so just head over to check it out.

Excellent museum complex, very friendly staff and volunteers everywhere to help you with questions. We enjoyed our visit there, spent probably 3 hours or more looking at the exhibits. Also enjoyed going up in the tower and viewing the city.

We were unprepared for the scope of the exhibitions. The sheer number of items is staggering and only 10-14% are on display. They are enlarging and improving currently. It was a bit of a pain to get to as there is a lot of construction, but worth it. The letters. The uniforms. The guns, tanks, planes, swords, photographs and more, were incredibly interesting. The newsreel type presentation was also very interesting. What I found most interesting were peek-a-boo life-size display, which reminded me of a diorama. Very poignant. There is a nice little cafe, where a lovely lady ran the till. Plentiful washrooms and water fountains too. The tower? An elevator followed by 45 steps and 360 degree views! Fabulous. Awestruck and sobering to see.

My wife and I visited this Museum recently during a quick trip to Kansas City. Although my wife was initially reluctant to visit this museum, having tolerated my trips to many other military museums, she and AU were deeply impressed by the quality of the displays - not just cases of guns and uniforms, but thoughtful and detailed narratives and commentaries that provided key background information about the origins and progress of the war. The museum gives one- half of its display area to pre-U.S. involvement and one-half to U.S. involvement and immediate postwar issues. The staff members to whom we spoke were uniformly friendly and helpful. I would rate this among the best military museums I have ever visited in the United States and the United Kingdom.

So well done. This museum does a great job of building context for those who are unaware of the events that led to the Great War. While I only learned a couple of things I didn't know already, the experience of being present with these artifacts and seeing the tower was so wonderful. I highly recommend this museum to anyone with even a passing interest in world history. We also bought tickets for War Remains and it was epic. It is a must do for anyone visiting the museum. Trench warfare and its horrors are impossible to imagine. Dan Carlin made it possible for us to get just a glimpse of what trench warfare was like. One of the best experiences of my life.

WARNING. If you take the Streetcar to Union Station, the walk to the Museum/Memorial is about one mile up a rather steep hill. This walk is not for those who have ambulatory issues.
That said, the Museum is one of the better sites we've visited. The staff and volunteers are very friendly and they know the Museum very well. The collection is vast, and very meaningful. We spent three to four hours in the Museum. And we know we just barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer. We did take the tour of the Tower but again a WARNING; from the elevator at the top to the observation deck there are 45 rather steep steps to climb and it's a circular staircase. Thus anyone with mobility issues may want to consider the trip.

This is a National Treasure located in Kansas City, Missouri
There is not enough time in the day to experience everything in the museum. At times, it is overwhelming.
The memorial itself is a must-see for any visitor to KC

Go early because you are going to want to stay late. It is has excellent displays and important artifacts of the war. Even if you are not into history, it is the best thing to see in KC. Plan to spend at least 2 hours and it might take you all day. Buy the entire plan to do everything including going to the tower to see all of KC.

The museum was top notch & the displays were beautifully done. Modern & much to see. There was a lot of reading. The outside of the building was beautiful. We walked to the top of building & had a great view of City & Union Station.

I'd planned to visit the museum prior to coming to Kansas City but I arrived a little late and the attractions in town don't have that long of hours so I couldn't spend as much time as I wanted. It's a must see for anyone visiting the area lots of war history about Europe and the strong influence Germany, Britain and France had over most of the other European countries. It's good for anyone any age can learn from and it has gift shops and replicas of war tools.

Great Museum with a lot of information about the Great war!
This Museum is a must visit!
It has a lot of interactive presentations that make learning fun and not just giving you boring monotone information.

I did not expect to enjoy this museum as much as I did. Great balancing act between visual information - timelines, movies & videos - and physical artifacts. Exhibits well explained; and environment was appropriate. Only regret, there was too much information for me to digest it all in one visit.

The museum is nice and thorough, but for a national museum, it’s expensive and the pricing is deceptive.

The sign at the ticket counter states: General Admission gives access to the Main Exhibit, Memory Hall, and a few other select areas. We did not want to pay for the Jim Crow exhibit, but I though we would be fine for the others because it clearly stated that we had access to Memory Hall. I pointed this out when we were told we didn’t have the proper tickets, and the kid working at the entrance to Memory Hall actually said, “I don’t believe you.”

I told him I would take a photo of the sign and show him so I could gain entry, so I went back down the elevator, snapped a photo, and showed him (see attached). He said some nonsense about there being a special exhibit and that there was a sign by the elevator. When I asked him where we purchased tickets, he said, “At the ticket counter,” which is, of course, where the sign indicates you’ll get access to Memory Hall. He said it was too close to being over for them to make the signage accurate for patrons.

We informed Guest Services and they also said the signage didn’t matter. For $18 per person (!) I should be able to fire off a test shot from one of the many cannons on display, but at the very least, honor what you advertise and fix it after the fact. It’s really unacceptable and shows a lack of integrity to advertise something, even if it was a mistake, and refuse to honor it.

so we went there to see the museum and we were told if we are not members, active duty and veterans have to pay. what a disgrace. not worth it, went elsewhere.

Great way to spend a rainy day as there are literally hundreds of objects to view about the war. Right now there is a special exhibit on Prosthetics that shows what a long way science has come in developing ways to help people. If it is a nice day and you'd like a great view of Kansas City, include a trip to the Tower with your ticket. We also had lunch there and my husband enjoyed the Trench Stew.

Visiting from New Zealand with a friend and we spent a morning at this museum. It was great and very cool when I found the mention of the ANZACS who played a significant part in WW1. My grandfather was a sniper in France and was one of the lucky ones who got to come home. I recommend this asca good place for any one to visit

This museum is the only WW1 Museum in
America. Don't miss it if you want to know the history and relevance of the Great War. Excellent museum

Prepare to spend several hours on your feet if you go through the whole museum. Very important part of history that this museum brings to life.

The only World War I museum and a great place with uniforms and planes on display. Lots of interactive exhibits and an unfortunate FT-17 that was the recipient of a German artillery shell. Walk thru trenches are really interesting,

Went to the museum today. Free parking nearby. The movies were part of the exhibits, which made the artifacts more meaningful. I recommend taking time to check it out

We spent the afternoon exploring this museum while in town for a wedding. There are excellent exhibits that thoroughly explain the cause of WWI and the European and American experience. Several movies and the tower were my favorite parts.

Very nice museum that told the story of the American troops in World War I. The poppy field at the entrance is particularly effective. Lots of exhibits to see and appreciate.

Amazing museum in downtown Kansas City. Very well done. Very detailed description of WWI prior to US involvement, how world events spurred the conflict. Well worth the visit. We spent 4+ hours & felt we could stayed longer & learned more

The monument and museum are in the heart of downtown in a massive city park. The parking is easy and free. The history is interesting and well worth the visit.

An amazing Museaum and Memorial of WWI laid out in monthly timelines of the development of the factions and declaration of war to the armistice that ended it. There is an exceptional display of equipment, uniforms, weapons, and life size dioramas depicting events. This should be a must see for everyone.

We visited this memorial and museum on June 13. There is parking at the entrance of the museum. You can buy a ticket for the museum or a combination with a temporary exhibition and/or visit to the tower. The introductory film explains how the economic, social and colonial situation led to the Great War. There are dioramas where you can see how the soldiers of both camps lived in the trenches.

This is an incredibly interesting and modern museum filled with fascinating exhibits, photos, and historical insights. The well-produced films provide a great understanding of what the battles of World War I were like. One of the most impressive features is the model beneath the theater screen, which realistically depicts the battlefield and defensive positions.

This museum is a must-visit, not just for history enthusiasts. I highly recommend it to everyone! After exploring the exhibits, be sure to walk to the area where the tower is located to enjoy a stunning view of Kansas City.

Another highlight is the interactive multimedia game about how different military units communicated fun and educational!

I am from Flanders where we also have some WWI museums and this is by far the best WWI museum I ever visited. Brilliant museum.

Give yourself three hours and pay the extra few dollar to go up into the tower. It is good for anyone 10 to 100 years old.

This museum is incredible. It is interactive at various points and that combined with the extensive collection, makes your immersion into WWI complete. We loved it so much I recommended it to all.my colleagues. They were all equally blown away by it. Small warning, there are a very large number of steps to the memorial from the Union Station side. Completely worth it. Go see this!

We had come to KC to see a Royals/Brewers game and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and only found out about this site after we arrived, but it was definitely the highlight of our trip.

The staff was AMAZING; everyone was super friendly and accommodating. We learned so much. The memorabilia is incredible and displayed in a flow that is logical. The films throughout add context and are also very well done.

The facility itself is a work of art and the grounds were immaculate.

Our son is in a wheelchair and we found the facility easy to navigate. You can even go on top to see the Sphinx and memorial easily. There are also great views of the Kansas City skyline from there.

I am not going to do this place justice in my review but it is definitely a must see.

Wonderful exhibits, great volunteers working. Awesome gift shop. They charge displays on a regular basis. They have a very nice café.

We had a short window of time during a volleyball tournament at the convention center and chose this museum for an afternoon. It is a very well-done museum and well worth a visit. The view from the top of the tower is fantastic too.

This museum is extraordinary! It combines several historic short documentaries with timelines of events, including the historic cultural changes during World War I, with hands-on artifacts, interactive areas, and lots of information, all very engaging and interesting. We were greatly entertained and we learned a lot we didn’t know, even though we are history buffs. Even though they might not understand all of it, even grade school children will be engaged and learn from this museum visit.

Neat stop over as we drove through! The history is cool and very relevant for today. Their interactive displays were trendy but, my favorite was seeing the collection of physical items in the basement.

Visited KC for a long weekend and this was by far the coolest thing in the city. The monument is very cool to see up on a big hill (if walking from downtown/Union Station area, be advised that it is a very big hill and may be difficult for kids/elderly to walk up, there is parking on the other side though).

Didn't know a ton about WWI, but spent around 2 hours here. Good mix of facts, artifacts, short films on different parts of the war and interactive exhibits. Didn't get an audio tour, but definitely got my money's worth reading everything, there was so much I had never known. If I had more time, I think I could've spent another hour here as well. 100% recommend coming here.

I walked in here, not really knowing what the cause(s) of WW1 was/were. Needless to say, I have a much better understanding now! This place is very well laid out, and has many different styles of exhibits. One complaint... the discount for veterans is NOT much!

I've always been interested in World War II history and found World War I history harder to grasp. This museum made the era's history very relatable and interesting. The exhibits were excellent and I loved the way they transitioned the story of the war before and after the United States become involved. Great experience!

When you consider when this museum was built, it is a phenomenal visit. The tower is best earlier in the day before it gets hot. Amazing exhibits. Don’t miss this.

What an amazing museum. Carefully curated and more artifacts than you could imagine. We easily spent nearly three hours exploring all the museum had to offer. The tower was not open, but the view from the tower's base was still spectacular. I would highly recommend visiting if you are ever in KC.

One of the best museum in America the movies are very informative the time line on the walls are very informative and nice memorabilia

Whether you are a war history enthusiast or just enjoy good museums, the WWI museum should be on your list. I had the honor to take my grandfather, dad and son to the museum and it was fantastic. Certainly set a side several hours to explore the museum. History buffs could easily spend a whole day or more there.
If you plan to go up in the Liberty Tower, be sure to go on a warmer day with no expected snowfall or ice. The tower was unfortunately closed due to icy conditions while we were there but the museum gave us non-expiring replacement tickets for the tower should we get the chance to return.

I came for the architecture of the building and was not disappointed. The exhibits in the museum were also interesting. Its a great way to spend a rainy day.

I was able to visit this place and it’s beautiful. There were people taking wedding pictures. This place has a awesome view overlooking Kansas City.

This is one of my favorite places in KC. Lived in Washington, DC for 10 years and loved going to Smithsonians every weekend. The Kansas City WWI Museum and Memorial are as good as any SMithsonian. Great museum, interactive, and love the various events. Attended “Taps at the Tower” in June 2021 and it was also very nice. I would recommend that anyone visiting KC visit this Museum.

Exceptionally well done exhibits. We were there for two hours which gave us a great overview of this brutal conflict. Good mix of historical objects, short videos, and well crafted exhibits.

The audio tour is very well done and certainly worth the extra $5. I feel this is one of the best museums in the nation.

An exceptional display of information detailing man’s inhumanity to mankind. Sobering and thought-provoking. There were so many things I had heard about, but seeing them was eye-opening, particularly the trenches as used by the different countries.

We brought our students the weekends before Veterans Day. All of our boys really enjoyed looking around the museum and learning about the historic events. We really liked the movies and the videos! Their favorite part was going up the tower and looking at the views of Kansas City. Phenomenal experience! Huge thanks to all the staff at the WWI museum!

Really fantastic experience! The museum was very well done and the complexity of the history of WWI was clearly laid out and easy to understand after this visit. The volunteer docents were all very friendly and eager to answer questions. Plan on 2-4 hours to walk through and read/interact with the very logically laid out exhibits.

Unbelievable presentations and stories of the war. Pictures, staff very knowledgeable. It is limited to WW1. Easy to spend the day there and the food is good if there for lunch. Traveling display worth always going to it.

This was truly an amazing place. I have been to museums all over the world and this is definitely in the top three. Each piece of the exhibition was flawless and historically accurate. Also, the workers were first rate and so professional. This is a must see in Kansas City!

This is a beautiful memorial and its location provides stunning views of the city. One of the things that touched me most was that several of the memorial pavers were given in memory of Quakers and others who were conscientous objectors during WWI. At least one of them died in Leavenworth Prison.

There is so much information at this museum. It was very interesting. Be sure to visit the galleries on the roof and take the elevator to the top of the tower.

Very interesting. Lots to see and read. I don’t think many children would find it interesting. Workers and volunteers were very nice and had lots to share. If you enjoy history, I would recommend a visit.

I rarely get impressed with anything, but this is a must visit for anyone interested in history. it is an impressive museum.

The museum is divided into 2 sections: 1914-1917 prior to U.S. involvement and 1917-1918. So much was affected by this war. Tanks, poison gas, airplanes all changed the nature of fighting. Women replaced men in factories, on farms and in industry which led to gaining the right to vote in 1919.
Lunch is available at the Over There Cafe.

This is a must do. It does an excellent job of telling the story of World War I in both a traditional museum and interactive way. The videos are really well done and the sheer volume of artifacts and materials they have is stunning. We bought tickets online to cut the line that included the Liberty Memorial Tower. If you arrive in the morning, especially in the summer, go to the tower first because it gets really hot up there. Views are spectacular.

After many trips to KC I finally made time to check out this museum. It is a beautiful museum on the outside with stunning views of downtown and a tower to go up in if you choose. The grounds and fountains are terrific as well and there are many walkers and joggers. The standard fee is 18 dollars then there are several add ons as well. I started the tour with an informative film about the beginnings of the Great War and then you move right into the exhibits. There are thousands of small items and several field artillery pieces as well as one tank and a couple of airplanes. There are lots of interpretive stations and you can spend as little as an hour or you could easily spend all day. There were tons of docents and staff to help. It doesn’t flow exceptionally well in my opinion but if you backtrack on accident there will be things you missed anyway. This is a must for anyone that loves history or had an ancestor in the war.

A dignified memorial dedicated to the men and women in World War I. The grounds are green and handsome. A good museum plus a towering memorial and plaza. You can great views of the city from the plaza and also if you go up to the observation deck.

The National World War I Museum and Memorial is one of the best museums that I have ever visited and is hands down the best repository of WWI artifacts that I have seen on display in any one place. The museum is comprehensive with uniforms, weapons, equipment, insignia, etc. is all professionally displayed with outstanding detailed information. If provides a great experience for any visitor from children to scholars with a PHD in History.

The landscapes are extremely incredible, a wonderful place, anyone who visits this place will definitely want to come back many times without a doubt.

This is a recently refurbished museum, about WWi allowing for a variety of perspectives. Two excellent short films summarize the historic facts. Displays are compact but well documented and the tower gives an amazing view of the surrounding city.

This is the second time back here as we didn't see it all last year. There really is too much to see and read here. You can spend anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours if you read all the info as well as watch the videos. Very somber place!

Be prepared for a sobering experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and it was highly educational. Seeing the artifacts, the life size dioramas and the timelines of the war was an experience you will never forget.
Be prepared to take at least two hours if not more. Also if you don’t want to walk uphill make sure you drive to the back entrance.

There are several short films that provide a lot of information. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to enjoy the exhibits. There is an additional museum at the top that required an extra charge. It was only $3 more but I didn't want to walk back down to pay. We learned later we could have used the FREE trolley to get most of the way there.

I have now been here 3 different times and with 3 different groups of people. Each time I walk away with a varying degree of increased awe and a newfound respect for those that fought in the great war. From the intro video that sets the tone for your experience, to the fantastic layout and gigantic graphic timeline that stretches out the length of the entire place, you are fully immersed in what it felt like in WWI.

I spent a total of 3 plus hours here and could've spent even longer if i wasn't getting hungry. There are plenty of options for that right close as well! This place can definitely be enjoyed by groups of all ages, and absolutely recommend to families.

this museum is phenomenal. all of the exhibits are so informative and really put you in ww1. the workers are all so knowledgeable about the war as well. they even have a station where you can research your own genealogy relating to the war.

This museum succeeds in picturing the horrors of trench warfare. Lots of detailed exhibits take on not only the war but the events that led up to it. An excellent way to spend a hot or rainy day I Kansas City. Plenty to amuse the kids.

We have enjoyed visiting the museum. Volunteer Guides were mostly older gentlemen who were very helpful and patient in trying to explain some of the histories to us as we strolled through the exhibits. Museum was very well laid out, and there is also a cafe in the building to grab a bite after the tour. Highly recommend for anyone interested in war history.

My family and I had a ball. We love exploring for lost treasures. I love that the museum is free for the public. Great first time experience with the family.

$30 million dollar remodel completed and is open for the public. Classy, informative, interactive and something everyone American should see.

The WWI Museum Is located next to the World War One memorial tower across from the Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. There is an extensive collection of uniforms, photos, weapons including artillery pieces and items carried by soldiers in WWI. It is a very good museum and worth a few hours to visit.

We visited the WWI museum during the NFL draft in KC & it didn’t disappoint whatsoever! Great exhibits! Awesome staff who I learned quite a bit about the history of the world! I would definitely recommend visiting to someone living in KC or visiting KC

The National World War I Museum is an awesome place to visit, especially over Memorial Day Weekend! My 2 best friends and I went on Saturday, and were able to see a ton of vehicles and gear from several wars, and were also able to climb in a Huey, a Vietnam era helicopter that had been shot down 4 different times during the war. This was an awesome experience before we even stepped into the Museum itself!

The Museum is huge, and has an amazing collection of helmets, rifles, uniforms, larger artillery, and even a 1915 Harley Davidson motorcycle used for messenger services! It was striking to learn about how WWI took place on many fronts, and there were some great video presentations as well, to help one learn about the varied reasons for the beginning of the war, the complex treaties that existed at the time, and the political situation of the world in those days. It was also cool to see 3 different planes inside, understanding that this was an old meets new sort of war, with horses and ground combat still used, but also with torpedoes, tanks, planes, and vehicles also being used!

Overall, a really neat experience! I knew so little about WWI, having spent years reading about WWII, which was my Grandparents' era of their youth. This was a really cool experience to be able to learn more about the events that set the world stage up for both World Wars, and about the key players in those wars as well, as most of the world leaders in WWII were soldiers or politicians during the WWI era.

It was not extremely busy when we were there, we went about 1:00 on a Saturday, though I would think during the week it would be even less crowded. It was a ton of fun, check it out!!

Excellent Museum, very extensive and detailed WW 1 experience, worth visiting when in KC area. Great view of KC from the top of the Museum tower and you can easily spend 2 hours or more checking out all that this museum has to offer.

Outstanding museum with the largest collection of WWI artifacts in the world. I recommend purchasing your admission and tower access tickets ahead of time online, then if you arrive in the morning proceed straight to the upper level and visit the tower. The tower elevator and stairs have limited space, so best to visit that before the crowd arrives and the temperature rises. Tower provides great views of KC. Then visit the special exhibits also located on that upper level - some special treasures in there and a unique approach to displaying items as they did so thematically. Then go downstairs (elevator available) and proceed to the main exhibit. If you like to read everything and watch all of the videos, plan to be there a few hours. The docents were knowledgeable and are always willing to share their stories (ask about the poppy field). There is another display on a lower level, a bit hard to find. Cafe was reasonably priced and had a decent selection for families. Good gift shop as well. Highly recommend visiting.

This is an incredible museum. The artifacts are outstanding and many special exhibits enhance the experience. The volunteers who staff the museum were also extremely friendly and helpful. Our family loved this place. Make sure you venture up the tower for the beautiful views of KC.

The view was spectacular! Gives you really nice view of kansas city at the same time honoring fallen soldiers and veterans from world war 1.

A very big museum with lots of exhibits. For views of the city I recommend taking the elevator to the top of the monument.

Great experience visiting the WW1 museum. So much history covered so well by the museum. It is a smart lay out and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. It is important that we keep this history alive so we can educate future generations.

I thought we’d stop in and see a few dusty old artifacts and be out in an hour! WRONG!!!!
This is an absolutely amazing history museum and one of the best that I have visited in the continental US. It sure exceeded my expectations. There is a good mix of media/movies, memorabilia and timelines. We spent a few hours and didn’t cover it all.
It’s a very poignant museum, one crosses over a field of poppies upon entering, calling to mind all the blood that we spilled as a result of this horrific conflict and of all the youth who died.

We arrived here at 11:00 am on a Tuesday and spent 4.5 hours here because my husband is a history buff and must see/read everything. He also watches all the short films available, which he recommends here. As other reviewers had advised, we did the tower first, which was a really good choice that day because they informed us they were closing it at 1:00 pm due to the extreme heat. The museum's exhibits are very well done; however, some construction inside and outside impacted our complete enjoyment of the experience because of the noise. We were also disappointed that Memory Hall was closed so staff could dismantle a recent exhibit.

We only visited the Memorial from the outside, because I am not a big museumgoer on my part and the museum still charges admission. The Memorial is well done with a beautiful green space and the impressive tower. Even if you don't want to visit the museum, it's worth visiting from the outside.

This is listed as having the largest collection of WWI memorabilia, and it is certainly true. There is armament and personal weopans as well as uniforms and insignia and paraphernalia from the era. We saw only the main part of the museum reading all the timelines and viewing the films. The life size trenches were helpful in bringing home the horrors of the time. The gift shop was very nice; the cafe had very basic offerings, but that being said, the chicken Cesar salad was outstanding. I have never seen so many volunteers in a museum.

If time allows make sure you stop to see the WWI Museum. Many have no idea this National gem is in K City. I try to go back each time im in town to visit family. Well worth it & you wont be disappointed.

This museum has a lot to offer. There is so much information and artifacts. So much to see and learn about. Definitely recommend if you’re interested in learning more of our history. Also the memorial tower offers the best view of KC and was so awesome to see.

A stunning museum with excellent storytelling. Here you learn and see so many facets of the war with displays and items from the different countries involved including those most didn't think were even involved in the conflict, like China. The first half of the museum covers the war before the US entry and then the second half is mostly US-centric. We could have spent several days here because there is SO much to see. The smaller museums up by the column were worth a quick look. If you're short on time, it is not tragic to miss those. But the museum itself is a definite must see.

For these Covid times, the museum didn't seem to limit entry but there were not so many people there making socially distancing fairly easy. Masks inside were mandatory. The inside of the pillar was closed until further notice.

I spent nearly half my life in KC and I had no idea they had this great museum. I am not aware of many museums in the country that feature "The War to End All Wars." I have always been interested in our county's many conflicts, but this place gave me a new perspective and taught me many things I did not know about WW 1. If you care at all about what happened during those years, don't miss this marvelous exhibit!

My husband and I are history buffs but admittedly we didm’t know a lot about WW1. This was absolutely amazing! The visit starts off with a short film that gives the background of what led up to the war. Walking across the field of poppies was unique, and then immediately getting in to all of the exhibits was perfect. Seeing the trenches and the depth of the holes left by bombs was sobering. WW1 is often termed the forgotten war, and sadly that is true. Very grateful for this memorial that causes us to reflect and remember the price so highly paid for freedom. Thank you for educating those of us who needed to be!

We did not originally plan to visit this museum/memorial. I am so thankful that we did not skip this fitting tribute to our WW I vets. History, artifacts, and a tower that keeps a watchful eye on KC. Please don't pass this museum by.

Amazing! Informative!
We spent 3 1/2 hours here. Learned so much about the trench war... from the outside, the building looks like a bunker.

I visited this museum with my sister and brother in 2017. I was so impressed that when my husband and I were in Kansas City in 2021, I suggested we visit. My husband loves US military history and has visited the WWII museum in New Orleans and Pearl Harbor. He was duly impressed with this venue.

The layout of this museum is chronological. Very well done in a clockwise semi-circle with plenty of rest spots. Because this was a 2021 visit there were no listening guides, but we took our time walking through time. We spent 3.5 hours including lunch at their cafe and a visit to the gift shop. It wasn't enough time to take in all the extra exhibits but enough for the timeline.

Entrance fee: $14 per senior plus a $10 donation

We only visited the park and grounds since the museum was closed when we drove through Kansas City. It is pretty much a park so it's a good place to stop for a picnic. The tower is of course the centerpiece, worthy enough to visit on its own. The area behind the museum has some nice wall sculptures and fountains. It also offers a good view of the Kansas City skyline, especially with Union Station at foreground.

I’d been to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans several years ago, so I was excited to see what the WWI one had to offer. While it isn’t quite as awesome as the WWII Museum, it’s pretty spectacular in its own right. Definitely worth the time to check it out.

I consider this museum akin to the WWII museum in New Orleans (reviewed separately). It’s the best one out there.

I am a history nerd, but in general, knew very little about WWI other than it was started by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

First, I recommend you watch the introductory film. I’m not always a museum film person, but this one helps prepare you, and will later help you internalize it all.

The museum is bursting with artifacts. Soldier uniforms of all kinds (British, Turkish, Russian, and even African). It also presents numerous weapons, from pistols to rifles to missiles to tanks.

It does a great job of using multi-media to lay out a clear timeline of the war, as well as an outline of motivations behind each segment of the war. You actually learn why, in smaller and more easily digestible bits, the war happened and progressed as it did.

One of my favorite parts was the reflecting booths, where you could listen to music, poems, etc. from the time. You really could visualize what it would be like to be there.

There was also an amazing exhibit on black soldiers and Jim Crow during my visit.

I also did the tower, which has panoramic views of Kansas City.

Both the black soldier exhibit and the tower had separate ticket fees (though I bought them all at once on a single e-ticket).

All staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

This museum really taught me a lot. Wish I could go back now that I’ve had time to reflect. Maybe I will. You should visit too! Totally worthwhile.

Amazing museum! Lots to see and new experiences all the time. Would definitely recommend for any aviation or history buff. The airplane fly days are also a sight to see

Eye opening.
Far superior to a college history class.
Very humbling.
Superb museum.
Allow 3 hours.
Due to the weather, I skipped the tower.
Very helpful staff.
This is a must-visit.

A very educational and well presented museum, highly recommended.
There are many artifacts from WW1 and audio visual presentations that bring this awful war to life.

Every European country will have a museum/memorial dedicated to war. What make this one special it does not take any side (who is write/wrong, good/bad). It just shows how bad war is. The historical artifacts are amazing. A must see

My wife and I visited this museum today. It is very impressive, with lots of information about the war and a great collection of artifacts. They cover a LOT of ground. There is a lot to take in. There could have been more seating for the longest movie presentation, and perhaps more interactive exhibits. The memorial tower is impressive to see. There are good views of the city from the museum. Lots of wedding parties today!! Highly recommend.

We visited here not for the WW1 Museum but for some close-up views of the Liberty Tower, which is impressive to stand next to! Unknown to us at the time, was the incredible views you get of Downtown Kansas from the area surrounding the tower, this was a great surprise. Whilst there, we were lucky enough to find out you could actually take an elevator ride to the top of the tower for about $5-$7 each, we hadn’t seen this advertised anywhere, so we gave it a go. We had to go back down into the museum to purchase tickets which was a little annoying, that you could not just purchase tickets at the tower, but we then proceeded to ride the elevator to the top for some even more amazing views. It is pretty tight at the top, and whilst we were there – there was some kind of bee or hornet nest at the top which made things somewhat difficult! If you are charging customers to go to the top, you should really keep them safe and have something like that removed. Overall, we really enjoyed it and thought it was good value and would highly recommend.