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Johnson County Museum

4.8 (20 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

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Fun photo op
Christina B.

Very nice display of the history of the area, modern and interesting reading and artifacts. My grandkids especially love the play town area and the electric house. I also like the seating in the top level and the staff is nice and welcoming.

Ellyn H.

I have to say, this place is surprisingly great. I have no ties to KC so the sentiment of it being the old King Louie is lost on me, but as far as a clean/safe place to take kids to play...hands down the best. There is a wide open kids space with a market area, ice cream shop, park, theater, school, jail, and hospital. It can get a bit chaotic when a school group comes in, but if you go first thing in the morning it's cheap and a perfect way to kill a couple hours. It's like Wonderscope but clean and all in one open space for the kids to run free and be creative. The museum itself is cool, and a nice place to walk through to find out a little more about JoCo. Give this place a go, you won't be disappointed.

Inside kidscape

Only come here for kidscape, a fun little play area downstairs full of imagination play scenes and outfits. Great if you have younger kids. Not sure the cost of a membership, but a day pass is fairly cheap and definitely worth it.

Immaculate I.

Museums have always fascinated me. This was a spur of the moment decision to visit. There was a $5/adult admission fee and you get a wristband to wear. The actual museum is downstairs via elevator or stairs. I'm one of those people who always walk to the left of where I am so I walked backward for a few minutes before realizing it was chronological to the right. This isn't clear but not exactly rocket science. It was around 2pm on a weekday so mostly empty. They offer tours but I'm not sure if you pay for them or how often they're offered. The room that celebrates the 50th anniversary is really cool. It has the traditional and modern gifts for wedding anniversaries. Definitely recommend.

Ralphie S.

There was a lot of bad press when Johnson County bought this abandoned ice skating rink and bowling alley. The refurbishment is done and the ribbon is cut and it is a spectacular space! It truly is a multi-purpose facility with a museum of Johnson County's history, growth and future. It also showcases multiple area artists throughout the lobby with large open spaces with areas to relax. There is also a dance space, meeting rooms, class rooms, and an events space, where a performance of Grease was taking place while I visited. OP and JOCO you did great!

Entering the museum
Liz B.

JoCo has done am AMAZING job on their new museum and arts center. I always enjoyed their old location, but this new one is so much better. If you have a love of mid century/1950s/Atomic Age you need to make the trip to set this place. The museum focuses on Johnson County in the 50s. They are the home of the 1950s All-Electric house. It's fully restored and you'll instantly fall in love with it. Make sure you check out the process they went through to move the house across KC to its new home! They also have a wonderful play area for kids called "Kidscape". Very interactive. It's one giant room so your kids can enjoy themselves without you feeling like you are going to lose track of them. I would say it's better for younger kids. Maybe 10 and under. I can't wait to see what else they do now that they have all this space. We'll definitely be back.

Curtis D.

This place is filled with great nostalgia from the history of the area. Well preserved specimens of everything from matchbook covers to an entire house. Yep, there is an entire house where the ice skating rink at the old King Louie used to be. I expected to enjoy my visit but I ended up loving my visit. It's worth a repeat trip for sure. And the price is right.

4 year old and a rotary phone!

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9 years ago

really nice, a great place to bring kids and it is great they did something with the building

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Review Highlights - Johnson County Museum

Only come here for kidscape, a fun little play area downstairs full of imagination play scenes and outfits.

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The Rabbit hOle

The Rabbit hOle

4.7
(53 reviews)
12.6 mi

Anyone who looks at my reviews know that a 5 is rare! This exceeded any expectation I had and I was…read moresmiling so Much my cheeks hurt. What an Immersive experience! Books were SO much a part of our parenting I was transported to such deep memories. The attention to detail! The places to sit and read incorporated throughout! We went to an Adults only event just to check It out and we have already bought tickets to take our adult kids next month!!!

Saying I love children's books is a massive understatement. I'm an avid collector of vintage…read morechildren's literature (including many first editions), so my standards are high! That's why I'm telling you: if you have kids, or if you're just a kid at heart who loves great stories, you have to visit The Rabbit Hole. It's an immersive, straight-up magical dream. It brings the books we all cherished growing up to life in a way I never thought imaginable. Saying I love children's books is a huge understatement. I'm an avid collector of vintage children's books (including many first editions), so my standards are high! That's why I'm telling you: if you have kids, or if you're just a kid at heart who loves great stories, you have to visit The Rabbit Hole. It's an immersive, straight-up magical dream come to life. Adults and children appreciated the mastery of the designs throughout this place. It brings the books we all cherished growing up to life in a way I never thought imaginable. It costs $15 for each person and it's worth every penny. You walk by Madeleine displays on your way to Barbar, and The Last Stop on Market Street. Each one better than the last. Kids climbing, laughing, and embracing each one with an eye of awe. I learned about the author of story My Fathers Dragon and it was fascinating. So much so I went to the bookshop to buy a copy, along with other books and prints. And that's where such a beautiful experience went south. When I asked the two girls working in the shop about a book and a limited-series print, they were incredibly curt with me. They condescendingly told me I had already passed the book, making me feel like I had done something wrong. It instantly reminded me of when your mom gets frustrated with you simply because you don't know the answer to a question you're asking. It's a shame that such a breathtaking museum experience was bookended by such dismissive customer service in the retail shop. Go for the magic of the exhibits, but be prepared for a cold reception at checkout.

Photos
Where The Sidewalk Ends
Where The Sidewalk Ends
Main floor room
Main floor room
The Dog Man font! Her favorite

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The Dog Man font! Her favorite
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

4.7
(15 reviews)
8.8 mi

I'm so glad this place was preserved! The entire farm is delightful to tour and it's great to just…read morewander and imagine what it was like during the height of migration.

I've been here three times by now, and I can't say enough good things about this place. There's a…read morefull farm with a active stagecoach and driver, and for a nominal fee you can actually ride in a real stagecoach which is an experience that everyone should experience to appreciate modernity. The house is fully restored and owned by the city of Olathe, marked as a national landmark. There's a functional blacksmith and lessons on particulars of blacksmithing. There is a wash station, and goats and chickens and sheep and horses and all the accompanying accoutrement. The house particularly is wonderful. The stagecoach stop was essentially like a gas station of the old world, and one would get off the stagecoach, which was like a bus, and go down into the cellar of that stagecoach house to have supper at this massive table with functioning 1850s kitchen that they use to this day to make samples in the wood fire. It's really something to see, and they even have an ice house that they tried to make functional but couldn't figure it out. Essentially a massive building where you put huge blocks of ice packed with sawdust that keep the ice Frozen for a year nearly. It's such a neat place, and the dedicated staff really commit. I would recommend anybody that lives in Kansas to go here and check it out, because it truly is living history.

Photos
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
The mudwagon style stagecoach rests in front of the 1865 limestone Mahaffie home.
The mudwagon style stagecoach rests in front of the 1865 limestone Mahaffie home.
Beautiful wood furnishings!

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Beautiful wood furnishings!
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

4.8
(687 reviews)
7.0 mi

The Nelson-Atkins is synonymous with Kansas City and an absolute must-visit for visitors and locals…read morealike. Where to even start? This encyclopedic museum was built in the 1930s in a traditional beaux arts style. The original 1930s building is just as stunning today as it was 90 years ago. The original courtyard has been modified and transformed into a restaurant, but aside from that it remains largely untouched. In the 2000s the museum expanded with the Bloch building - an architectural marvel all it's own. Drive by at night to see each lens lit up. Currently they are working on another expansion, that will bring the museum into the modern era. I've spent so much time here it's ridiculous. From exploring as a child with my grandmother, to my time as a student, to exploring now as an adult there is really something here for just about anyone. Being an encyclopedic museum it features art from across the world and spanning the timeline of humanity. You can use the Nelson as a launching pad for discussing nearly any moment in time through the lens of art, which is really an impressive feat for a midsize city like KC. Some of my favorite pieces include a relic with the "finger bone" of st. John the Baptist (it's likely a chicken bone), "Woman IV" by Willem de Kooning, "Boulevard des Capucines" by Claude Monet, and "Persephone" by Thomas Hart Benton. This is the place I take all of my guests, and the place I come to when I need to reset or recharge myself. It's always beautiful, always therapeutic, and always FREE. I'm not sure folks really understand the incredible gift we have as a community to have access to this incredible place. My top KC treasure, and I hope every person gets a chance to visit someday.

My visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was extremely disappointing. While the museum itself…read morewas beautiful the behavior of several staff members completely ruined the experience. Throughout our visit we were repeatedly followed and monitored. At one point, as we were leaving through a doorway a staff member who was entering saw us exiting and immediately turned around after looking directly at us. Another staff member approached us in a very confrontational manner under the guise of "guiding" us and even laughed after I responded with "yikes." The micro-aggressions were impossible to ignore. They didn't even seem "micro." The behavior from staff was excessive, unwelcoming, and deeply uncomfortable. It's unfortunate that such a culturally significant and visually appealing place is staffed by people who ruin the experience. I genuinely hope the museum addresses and provides better training on how staff members interact with guests.

Photos
October 2024
October 2024
Van Gogh
Van Gogh
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

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The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

4.7
(93 reviews)
6.3 mi

This is one of KCs gems - and thankfully not so hidden. This museum was founded by 2 women - 1 with…read morea love of toys and 1 with a love of miniatures. I've visited several times and am always amazed at the popular toys from each decade and the incredible to scale miniatures. During this visit we were one of the first to attend the grand opening of the Native American miniatures exhibit. It's so cool. I recommend everyone check it out. This museum is a must visit for all ages.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, despite being one of the bigger museums in KC, is…read morehonestly kind of a hidden gem in town. I never went before they renovated, but once they did I made my way here and immediately wondered what had taken me so long. You might think to yourself that this is for kids or on the flip side you might think that it's just for collectors - both couldn't be more untrue. The first fun thing is just the massive historic building that this place is in - if you like architecture and exploring old buildings you'll enjoy that part of it. The next thing you'll notice is that there is a ton to see here, from the ornate details of dollhouses, to miniatures that will blow your mind, to nostalgic barbies, there really is something for just about anyone. I like how you can come here to be reminded that everyone once was a kid and that toys tell a unique story about humanity in their own way. If you haven't been this is a great thing to do on a rainy day in KC. I would recommend it for older kids - maybe 10+ and for anyone who enjoys history or museums.

Photos
Yes. It's miniature.
Yes. It's miniature.
Interior
Interior
Fun photo opp

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Fun photo opp
The Regnier Family Wonderscope

The Regnier Family Wonderscope

3.8
(88 reviews)
5.3 mi

This was a fun place to spend an hour or two with my toddlers before starting a long car drive! We…read moregot in for about 50% off using our Children's museum pass from another state. Loved the outdoor space to explore with little trikes and a playhouse, wheelbarrows, etc. There were several reading books set areas set up with books to read to your kids, a large overhead climbing area, lots of busy boards, tables set up with smaller building toys for older kids, and more!

My visit and I was impressed! Things for all kids 2 years and up. I I am looking into buying a…read moremembership because I could see going back several times as my granddaughter gross. There is real life activities, such as a kitchen, a grocery store, a train, that has additional things for kids to do that mock real life, which includes a cooking apron, a train engineer, coat, etc. They have an outdoor area and when we were there, it was cooler and rainy, but I could see that this is a wonderful extension to additional play areas suggest a treehouse, a farm silo and a farmers market. Now the treehouse was a little bit dirty, but I think it's probably the time of the year and that it was really damp and wet during our visit. There's a place for you to have lunch. There are organized activities in the afternoon, which we did not participate in, but that goes additional things to do in the afternoon if you're there for a long period of time. The employees there were more than helpful and friendly . Facility was very clean and well organized.

Photos
The Regnier Family Wonderscope
The Regnier Family Wonderscope
The Regnier Family Wonderscope

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Johnson County Museum - museums - Updated July 2026

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