American Jazz Museum
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Experience Type: cultural heritage, museum
In Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum celebrates America’s most original art form. Interactive exhibits, live performances, and rare artifacts immerse visitors in the rhythm, creativity, and the enduring legacy of jazz.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Explore Interactive Exhibits – Experiment with melody, rhythm, and improvisation through hands-on displays and listening stations that bring the history and sound of jazz to life.
- View Artifacts from Jazz Legends – See Charlie Parker’s saxophone, Ella Fitzgerald’s gown, and other memorabilia honoring the musicians who shaped America’s jazz story.
- Walk the Jazz Walk of Fame – Stroll the sidewalk outside the museum to discover tributes and plaques honoring the greatest names in jazz history.
- See Live Music at The Blue Room – Catch top local and national artists in this intimate, smoke-free jazz club hosting more than 20 shows each month.
- Watch the Short Film – At the Horace M. Peterson III Visitor Center, watch A People’s Journey to discover how the 18th & Vine community helped shape America’s cultural identity.
Recommended Reading: Sittin’ In: Jazz Clubs of the 1940s and 1950s features powerful photographs and stories from an era when jazz clubs shaped the genre and stood among the first desegregated spaces in America.
Photo Credit: Visit Missouri