National WWI Museum and Memorial
Kansas City, MO
The official American museum of the First World War, set beneath a tall memorial tower on a hill south of downtown. Exhibits are thorough and well made, and the tower's top gives a wide view of the Kansas City skyline.
Soon after the Armistice of 1918, the citizens of Kansas City resolved to build a memorial to those who died in the First World War; in 1919 they raised $2.5 million in just ten days. The Liberty Memorial Tower was completed in 1926, stands 217 ft (66 m) tall and is topped by the Flame of Inspiration; President Coolidge dedicated the site that same year. The grounds also include the four 40-ft (12 m) Guardian Spirits and the Great Frieze on the north wall. The museum itself describes its collection as the most comprehensive on World War I in the world.
Allow at least two to three hours for the museum and memorial, longer if you like to read the exhibits in full. The tower has an observation deck. The museum sits on Memorial Drive just south of downtown; it is closed on Tuesdays (as of October 2026), so check current hours before you go.
- Nearest town
- Kansas City, MO
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.0817, -94.5859
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
© Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
© Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0Fort Scott National Historic Site
© Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domainKonza Prairie Biological Station
© olekinderhook · CC BY 3.0Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
Campsites nearby
- Worlds of Fun VillageCampsite8 mi from National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Longview CampgroundCampsite15 mi from National WWI Museum and Memorial · 87 pitches
- Lake Jacomo CampgroundCampsite16 mi from National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Bassword ResortCampsite22 mi from National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Suncatcher Lake RV ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from National WWI Museum and MemorialMotorhomes
- Primitive Camping and Horseback Riding AreaCampsite24 mi from National WWI Museum and MemorialTentsFree
All campsites in Missouri · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is National WWI Museum and Memorial?
National WWI Museum and Memorial is in Kansas City, MO, at GPS 39.0817, -94.5859. It is about 107 mi from Council Grove.
Can you camp near National WWI Museum and Memorial?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Parking and Camping area, about 6 mi away; within 25 mi there are 50 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near National WWI Museum and Memorial?
Places worth a stop nearby: Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (58 mi), Fort Scott National Historic Site (86 mi), Konza Prairie Biological Station (108 mi) and Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (115 mi).
When is the best time to visit National WWI Museum and Memorial?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)