Rockhurst University – Free Activities

Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, is a private Jesuit university founded in 1910. It offers both undergraduate and graduate programs and is conveniently located near downtown Kansas City. This gives Rockhurst University students access to a vibrant city, as well as a calm, peaceful campus.

It’s no secret that many college students don’t have much money to spend. So for Rockhurst University students, finding free activities in Kansas City is important. In addition, visitors to Kansas City may want to enjoy some affordable activities as well. This guide can give students and visitors alike an idea on how to explore the city without breaking the bank.

Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden

On a sunny day, there’s nothing like a visit to the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, just a 15-minute walk, or three-minute drive, from Rockhurst University. Muriel Kauffman was a civic leader in Kansas City, and along with her entrepreneur husband Ewing, they became prominent philanthropists. In addition to their generous contributions to the community, the couple founded the Kansas City Royals baseball team.

The two-acre Kauffman Memorial Garden is a celebration of their incredible lives. This botanical garden is filled with bright flowers, bronze statues, and beautiful fountains, making it the perfect place to stroll on a warm day in Kansas City. Pack a lunch and enjoy this greenspace. It’s a relaxing and affordable way to spend an afternoon near Rockhurst University.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

A world-class art collection awaits you at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a four-minute drive from Rockhurst University. The outside of the museum is a perfect example of neoclassical architecture, with tall columns and carved murals on the outside. Also outside is a beautiful sculpture garden, which features impressive statues of all kinds.

Meanwhile, inside the museum is a vast collection of approximately 40,000 items, including a substantial collection of Asian art. In addition to its permanent collections, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features traveling exhibitions to bring even more art to the people of Kansas City.

It’s truly incredible that the museum is free. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is recognized as one of the best art museums in the country, so it’s highly recommended that you visit!

KC Streetcar

Before you can even start to enjoy the free attractions, you need a way to get around Kansas City. This is where KC Streetcar, formally known as the RideKC Streetcar, comes in handy.

This streetcar line takes riders through downtown Kansas City and various interesting neighborhoods. The service is completely free and consists of 16 stops along a 2.2-mile path. The KC Streetcar stop closest to Rockhurst University is a 15-minute drive away, so head on over, drop the car off, and embrace the convenience of a free public transportation system.

Boulevard Brewing Company

One of the biggest craft breweries in the Midwest, Boulevard Brewing Company is quite a popular place to visit while in Kansas City. Their large buildings and enormous smokestack emblazoned with their green logo makes the facility really stand out.

Hundreds of Kansas City visitors make their way over to Boulevard to take a tour of the facility. These tours are usually $5 but are free on Wednesdays. This guided experience goes through the history of the company while providing a behind-the-scenes look and a deeper understanding of the brewing process. The best part is that at the end of each tour, guests get a free tasting of Boulevard beers!

Boulevard Brewing Company is only 12 minutes from Rockhurst University and is a definite must-visit, especially on Wednesdays!

City Market

At the end of the KC Streetcar line is the historic City Market, which has been around since 1857. This expansive market is located along the Missouri River, creating a beautiful backdrop to spend an afternoon exploring the market. There is definitely a lot to see, and visitors can spend hours perusing the unique gifts, fresh produce, food stands, and more. This open-air market features numerous restaurants, shops, entertainment, and even a farmer’s market. It’s one of the largest in the area, and welcomes more than 1.3 million visitors each year.

City Market regularly holds special events, such as farm-to-table dinners, sidewalk sales, yoga classes, and even a Grub Crawl. During this event, guests sample the restaurants throughout City Market while listening to live music.

As you can see, City Market is a fantastic place to visit, and can be experienced without spending any money. It’s just over 10 minutes from Rockhurst University, so be sure to add it to your free activity bucket list!

Hallmark Visitors Center

Certainly the most famous company to come out of Kansas City, Hallmark Cards is a huge attraction in the area. This billion-dollar corporation has been a household name for more than a century, and the Hallmark Visitors Center in Kansas City is an outstandingly popular tourist destination.

Hallmark Visitors Center, located 12 minutes from Rockhurst University, is an interactive experience that shows guests the history of the company as well as what’s to come. Guests are especially fascinated by the timeline of Hallmark cards, which shows how much the company has evolved over the course of a century.

Kaleidoscope

Inside the Hallmark Visitors Center is Kaleidoscope, a free art studio where kids can spend a fun afternoon tapping into their creative side.

All of the art materials and items in the Kaleidoscope studio are by-products from Hallmark’s manufacturing process. These materials include cardboard, bows, paper, crayons, and more. Pay a visit to Kaleidoscope after a tour through the Hallmark Visitor Center; you’ll be happy you did!