Union Station keeps Kansas City’s history alive while changing with the times

Kansas City Union Station
Reflection of Union Station against a contemporary building

We love Kansas City’s Union Station. It’s a venerable building with beautiful architecture and design. Built in 1914, Union Station saw more than 1 million travelers come through its door during World War II.

As time passed, people started traveling by other means, so the passenger rail business has slacked. It’s currently home to an Amtrak stop.

Kansas City Union Station
Union Station is home to an Amtrak stop

The view of Kansas City’s skyline (from the World War I memorial observation deck) is enhanced with Union Station standing proudly in the front. You can see the city’s progression from older buildings to contemporary.

Kansas City Union Station
The KC skyline anchored by Union Station

Today, Union Station is home to museums, theaters and special exhibits. Families can check out Science City. People can catch a variety of movies at the theater.

The Grand Hall is huge and beautiful. It’s 95 feet tall, with chandeliers that each about 3,500 lbs. The Grand Hall has a visitors information kiosk, as well as a restaurant.

Kansas City Union Station
The Great Hall

The hall is home to the annual holiday display. Several Christmas trees are located throughout the area. The main tree stands tall near the entrance. Union Station sponsors a series of local performers during the Christmas season, including singers and musicians.

Kansas City Union Station
The Great Hall is home to the Union Station Christmas tree display

Union Station is home to several special exhibits. We’ve had the pleasure of checking out a few over the years – a Norman Rockwell photo exhibit of his drawings, King Tut exhibit, a Pirates exhibit, as well as a traveling exhibit of artifacts from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kansas City Union Station
We visited the King Tut exhibit on a previous trip

Union Station has a permanent model railroad display free to the public. The train exhibit has several model trains of varying scales.

Kansas City Union Station
Union Station has a large model train exhibit, free to the public

As many times as we’ve been there, we recently learned about a bridge that crosses high above railroad tracks. You can stand there and watch trains pass through.

Kansas City Union Station
You can watch trains pass through overhead on the Freighthouse Bridge

As you walk to the bridge, you pass through a display highlighting a piece of Union Station history. You see sculptures of people who likely visited the location during their travel days. A scene recreates an old lunch counter from Union Station with a waitress and a couple of customers.

Kansas City Union Station
One of the train-related exhibits you can see at Union Station

A visit to Union Station wouldn’t be complete without checking bullet marks from 1933’s “Kansas City Massacre.” Mobsters, including “Pretty Boy” Floyd, ambushed law enforcement agents in an attempt to free a friend and associate. Four police officers were killed. Bullets lodged into the side of the east entrance of Union Station. The holes were eventually covered, but you can see the markings. A historical marker also recognizes the attack.

Kansas City Union Station
Bullet holes once penetrated the marble wall during an attempted prisoner escape in the 1930s

Union Station has had a vibrant history and has survived through the years, changing its mission to acclimate. The building’s location helps make it a great attraction. You can visit the World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial, as well as Crown Center Mall.

For more information on Union Station, please visit www.visitkc.com or www.unionstation.org.