Kansas City, MO

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
One of America’s best encyclopedic art museums, it's comprehensive features include a growing collection of modern sculpture enhanced with works by contemporary African American artists such as Alison Saar, Betye Saar and Martin Puryear; considered one of the nation's leading private museums, the Nelson houses treasures from around the world; recently expanded with major new wings and a reflecting pool; this museum is so comprehensive in its holdings you can visit for 3 hours or 3 days, yet leave with an equal sense of delight; 4525 Oak; 816-751-1278; http://www.nelson-atkins.org

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Opened 1994, a entrance features an articulated skylight atrium and is the signature of this 23,000 square feet venue; features selections from the permanent collection and while is smaller galleries feature rotating exhibitions; works of art are always on view in each wing; presents 10–12 special exhibitions; group and solo artist exhibitions feature established and emerging artists from the America and worldwide, including Alison Saar; lectures, film and video series, performances, and workshops are offered on a regular basis; Tue–Thu 10a–4p, Fri–Sat 10a–9p, Sun 11a–5p; 4420 Warwick Blvd; 816-753-5784; http://www.kemperart.org

Liberty Memorial & National World War I Museum
The Liberty Memorial was dedicated in 1926; its grounds include two large sphinx sculptures and the landmark 217-foot tower; in 2006 the $26 million National World War I Museum opened at the site as well; although it has a large collection of artifacts from the war, the new exhibits are quite engaging; 100 West 26th Street; 816-784-1918; http://www.libertymemorialmuseum.org

Arabia Steamboat Museum
Nicknamed the “King Tut's Tomb of the Missouri River”, it features more than 200 tons of recovered artifacts from the sunken 1856 steamboat Arabia; exhibits and touchable treasures tell the story of the boat's Missouri River demise and amazing rediscovery in 1988; admission fee; Mon-Sat 10a-5:30p (last tour begins at 4p), Sun Noon-5p (last tour begins at 3:30p); 400 Grand Blvd; 816-471-1856; http://www.1856.com

Toy & Miniature Museum
A renovated 1911 mansion on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus features 33 rooms filled with antique toys, dollhouses, marbles and scale miniatures dating from the mid-1800s to the present; includes an impressive collection of fine scale miniatures like Noah's Ark and the Palace of Versailles, antique dollhouses and the largest marble collection on display in the world; small admission fee; Wed-Sat 10a-4p, Sun 1p-4p, closed in September; 5235 Oak Street; 816-333-9328; http://www.umkc.edu/tmm

American Royal Museum
Showcases some of Tom Bass’ contributions; born in Mexico, Missouri in 1856, his mother was a slave and his father a plantation owner’s son; Bass is credited with inspiring and paunching the precursor to Kansas City’s American Royal Horse Show, including the “Bass but”, which is still considered standard equipment at many stables; 1701 American Royal Court; 816-221-9800; http://www.americanroyal.com

Kansas City Museum
Its like visiting a time machine – okay maybe that’s a stretch, but the mansion-turned-museum gives you a sense of Kansas City from the 1800s onwards with regional history displays, a 50-seat planetarium and natural history dioramas; Starlight Inside The Museum Planetarium lets you gaze upon the stars with each show is designed to highlight constellations as they appear throughout the year; donations suggested upon entry; Tue-Sat 9:30a-4:30p,
Sun Noon-4:30p; 3218 Gladstone Blvd;
816-483-8300; http://www.unionstation.org/kcmuseum.cfm

Independence, MO

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
Became President in 1945, when Franklin Roosevelt died in office; Famous for the sign on his desk which read, “The Buck Stops Here”; Despite a lot of political heat, President Truman deserves props for issuing the executive order in 1947 to integrate America’s armed services; his papers which formally desegregated the services are on view here; US-24 & Delaware; Mon-Sun 9a-5p; Thu 9a-9p; 816-833-1225; http://www.trumanlibrary.org

Liberty, MO

Jesse James Bank Museum
Site of the first U.S. daylight, peacetime bank robbery; located on the northeast corner of the historic Liberty square; Mon-Sat 10a-4p; small admission charge; 103 North Water Street; 816-781-4458; http://www.jessejamesmuseum.org