Activities for Seniors in Kansas City

Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri and one of the most populated in the country. The city is home to almost 500,000 people and was recently ranked #49 as one of the country’s “Best Places to Retire” according to US News & World Reports.

Kansas City is especially known for its rich and diverse history that lives through its soulful jazz scene. The city’s unique brand of BBQ is a claim to fame as well. Kansas City offers its residents a beautiful city geography as it sits at the coming together of both the Kansas and Missouri Rivers.

If you're interested in working part-time with seniors and older adults in Kansas City, consider becoming a Papa Pal companion caregiver. The role of a Papa Pal varies from day to day. Some Papa Pals lend a hand around the house and help with errands, tech support, housekeeping, pet care, and gardening. Others offer company on a walk around the neighborhood or provide transportation to help seniors and older adults enjoy everything their community has to offer. It’s the perfect flexible job for friendly people.

There are plenty of senior-friendly activities to do in Kansas City from breweries to parks to rich cultural exhibits. We’ll cover them all below, but a great place to start are with the local senior centers that serve the community day-in and day-out.

The MARC program services over 100 cities and is the main oversight in the greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. Think of MARC as an umbrella of oversight on the several localized senior centers.

Don Bosco serves seniors in Kansas City who are either over the age of 60 or living with a disability. They are the largest and most comprehensive senior city in the Kansas City area and provides over 500 meals a day through different methods. They also provide educational, socialization, and health & wellness services.

If you’re looking to schedule your own activities, at Papa we recommend considering some of the most popular stops in Kansas City listed below. The city isn’t exactly known for it’s outdoorsy spirit, but we’ve found some great options for seniors looking to get their dose of fresh air and sunshine.  

The Ewing & Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is a legacy to Kansas City culture. It sits on over 2 acres and is home to a beautiful botanical exhibit with fountains and walkways. You’ll be hard spent to find a more beautiful setting in the heart of Kansas City.

Loose Park is another one of Kansas City’s most acclaimed natural exhibits. This park is over 75 scenic acres and has historical significance as a previous battleground during the Civil War. Loose Park is a perfect daytrip for the entire family and even has its own Rose Garden.

Kansas City’s Riverfront Park is a perfect fit for those who enjoy walking along more aquatic scenery. This trail is perfect for strollers or bikers who want to get a feel for the city. You can rent parks or enjoy the tables for a midday picnic.

Swope Park is much more than just a park. This public amenity sits on over 1,805 acres and is the 51st largest municipal park in the entire United States. Swope Park is home to the Starlight Theatre, a PGA Caliber Golf Course, and the Kansas City Zoo. Make sure to give yourself multiple days to enjoy a plethora of senior-friendly activities within the Swope Park. There is nothing in Kansas City quite like it!

Kansas City is well-rounded and dynamic American city. It has an active Downtown along with a rich cultural influence of arts, music, and history. People of all ages, especially seniors, will find there is plenty of fun activities to enjoy that are unique to Kansas City.

Kansas City is home to some of the best barbeque in the country. The city is also home to a slew of breweries, wineries, and grand public spaces that create a fantastic culinary environment. Below are some of our suggested places to grab a bite and a beer.

City Market is one of the largest public farmer’s markets in the entire Midwest United States. This public forum has been around since 1857 and is home to over 30 vendors, 140 farmer stalls, events, and of course some of the freshest produce you can find. Dancing, arts, or antique cars are just a few things you may find when you plan your lunch for City Market.

39th Street is one of Kansas City’s major east/west thoroughfares and has been dubbed Restaurant Row. Needless to say 39th Street is an absolute must if you’re looking to enjoy the best of what Kansas City has to offer. The district is home to a vast amount of local shops and restaurants to satisfy whatever your stomach desires.

Country Club Plaza, or simply known as “The Plaza” is one of Kansas City’s favorite districts. It was established in 1922 and is home to some of the higher-end housing and shopping in Kansas City. If you enjoy the finer things, there is no better way to spend a day than enjoying the shopping and dining options of The Plaza.

Kansas City is rich with American history and has nurtured a booming art scene that gives its vintage feel a modern twist. Below are some senior-friendly stops where you can take it all in.

Union Square is one of Kansas City’s most popular attractions. It has so much to offer that it’s almost hard to properly put into words. At Union Square you can find rotating exhibits, new and old movies played in their own Theatre District, and over 850,000 square feet of architectural beauty. This local treasure was originally built in 1914 and was wonderfully renovated in 1996 to provide the city with its true cultural center piece.

This American Museum is one of Kansas City’s most prominent historical exhibits. This institution remembers, interprets, and maintains the history of World War One. It continues to educate the future generations and is absolutely worth a day trip.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the coming together of art and community in Kansas City. There are over 40,000 works of art in this beautiful facility that touches both domestic and international culture. Admission is free, so there is no reason not to spend a day or two taking in all the Nelson-Atkins Museum has to offer.

Kauffman Center is the premier performance center in Kansas City. It is known as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Concert Halls and functions as a non-profit organization. The Kauffman Center is a recently constructed facility that was built in 2011. It hosts plays, concerts, Broadway performances, and offers a fantastic amenity to Kansas City. The concert hall is beautiful enough that you might want to arrive an hour before your event just to take a tour.

With so many senior-friendly activities, we want you to visit Kansas City, Missouri.

If you want to work part-time while helping the community, you’ll love the flexibility that being a Papa Pal companion caregiver offers.

Ready to share your time and talents with your community? Click here to learn more.