4 night Itinerary help…

Question

Hi,

My husband and I are coming to Kansas City for 4 nights next month, moan purpose of the trip is to see the TX Rangers play at Kauffman and then we’d like to hit some of the presidential libraries in the area and Marceline for Walt Disney. Staying downtown KC and we’ll have a rental car.

Trying to put our itinerary together for this trip; this is what I have got soo far; not sure if we should be travelling out of town to either Eisenhower or Marceline on our depart day - don’t want to get stuck in traffic or on our arrival day - too much?

Baseball is either Friday night, Saturday night or day game on Sunday - we usually like to hit two games up, not sure if this will be possible.

Friday - Land 7:30am, explore KC, baseball at 6:40pm

Sat - Roadtrip to Eisenhower Pres Lib (closed Mondays) and hit up Brown V Board (closed Sundays and Mondays) and Bob Dole (closed Mondays) - would we able to make it back in town for baseball at 6:10?

Sun - Roadtrip to Marceline to visit Walt Disney sites. (Closed Mondays)

Mon - Truman Pres Lib and other local sities - any good hiking trails/nature to see ?

Tues - we could do either Eisenhower or Marceline this day but our flight departs at 8pm so not sure how comfortable I feel with a 4 hr round trip drive, getting stuck in traffic etc… so local KC sites. I would like to free up some time we can hit baseball twice ?

Thoughts? recommendations?

Many Thanks

Answer

Here’s a detailed approach to planning your 4-night Kansas City trip with baseball, presidential libraries, and Walt Disney sites in mind. Since you have a rental car, you have flexibility for day trips, but timing and museum hours will be key.

Day 1 – Friday: Arrival and First Baseball Game

You’ll land at 7:30am. After picking up your rental car and settling in, you can explore downtown Kansas City before the evening game at Kauffman Stadium (6:40pm). Consider lighter activities to avoid fatigue after your early flight:

Walk the Power & Light District and grab lunch at one of the casual restaurants there.
Explore Union Station if you want a quick indoor stop with some history and exhibits.
Return to your hotel to rest and prepare for the evening game.

Day 2 – Saturday: Presidential Libraries Road Trip

Saturday could be a long day, as you want to visit Eisenhower, Brown v. Board of Education, and Bob Dole Presidential Libraries. Travel times and museum hours are important here:

Eisenhower Presidential Library: Located in Abilene, KS, roughly 2.5 hours from KC. Opens at 9am.
Brown v. Board of Education: In Topeka, ~45 minutes from Abilene. Check hours; closed Sundays and Mondays.
Bob Dole Library: Also in Topeka, near Brown v. Board. Can be quick stops.

Given the distances, hitting all three and returning in time for a 6:10pm baseball game in KC may be tight. Consider:

Option 1: Focus on Eisenhower in the morning, then return to KC for the game, skipping Topeka stops.
Option 2: Visit Eisenhower and Brown v. Board, then watch a day game on Sunday instead of Saturday evening.

Day 3 – Sunday: Marceline and Walt Disney Sites

Sunday is a good day for Marceline. It’s about a 2.5–3 hour drive each way, so plan an early departure. Explore:

Walt Disney Hometown Museum – small but rich in Disney history.
Walk through Main Street Marceline and nearby parks for photos and exploration.

Return to KC in the evening. You may want to skip a second baseball game if the roundtrip feels too rushed.

Day 4 – Monday: Truman Presidential Library and Local Nature

Monday can be more relaxed, with local sites and nature hikes:

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in Independence.
Optional nearby hiking: Lake Jacomo or Swope Park for easy trails and outdoor walking.
Explore downtown KC at your leisure, maybe try Westport for food and boutiques.

Day 5 – Tuesday: Flex Day / Departure

With an 8pm flight, it’s advisable to stay local rather than attempt another Eisenhower or Marceline trip:

Enjoy breakfast and a morning stroll in the Crossroads Arts District.
Visit any last-minute KC attractions like Kansas City Museum or Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Return your rental car and head to the airport without stress.

Recommendations to maximize baseball and sightseeing:

Prioritize one long road trip day (Eisenhower or Marceline) to avoid fatigue.
Book baseball tickets for Friday night and Sunday day game if possible; Saturday can be sightseeing-heavy.
Consider staying in downtown KC for ease of access to stadium and dining options.
Use Monday and Tuesday for local museums, dining, and light hiking.

By structuring your trip this way, you balance baseball, road trips, and local exploration without cramming too much into a single day.