Visit & See
Planning your visit to the Nelson-Atkins

Hours

Sat-Mon | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tue-Wed | CLOSED
Thur-Fri | 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.


Admission Admission is free every day, for everyone.

General admission to the museum and most galleries is completely free. Admission to featured exhibitions requires an additional ticket purchase.

Guests are required to check in before they can enter museum galleries or Rozzelle Court Restaurant – either in person or online in advance of their visit. Staffed and self-service check-in kiosks are located at museum entrances. If you’ve checked-in online, you’ll need to provide the QR code you received with your reservation confirmation email.

Once you’ve checked in at the museum, you’ll receive a wristband and access to all general admission galleries.

CHECK IN ONLINE

If you are a museum member, scan your membership card to check in.


Parking & Access

PARKING
Our parking garage is located on Oak Street, on the west side of the museum and just south of 45th Street. Parking for the general public is $14 per vehicle. Members park for free.

Guests with disabilities may park for free in the garage with an accessible placard. Show the attendant your placard when exiting the garage and they will waive your fee.

Free, limited-space parking is available at Rockhill Road and 45th Street.

ENTRANCES
Parking garage: After you park, you can enter through the Bloch Building lobby — near the Museum Store, coat check, and information desk.

North entrances: We have two entrances on the north side of the museum’s Level One, near our reflecting pool. One enters through the Nelson-Atkins building, the other through the Bloch Building. 

South entrances: We have three entrances on the south side of the museum, near the Sculpture Park. One enters through the Nelson-Atkins building, two through the Bloch Building.

see map

ACCESSIBILITY
We strive to make the museum accessible for all guests, regardless of ability. Learn more about accommodations and Nelson-Atkins access initiatives.


Rules & Guidelines

THREE RULES OF THE MUSEUM
To help ensure the safety and preservation of the art, we ask that all guests follow three basic rules in our galleries: 

Do not touch the art. Please keep a two-foot distance from all art, including outdoor sculptures and the reflecting pool.  

No food or drink in the galleries. Guests are permitted to eat and drink outdoors or inside Rozzelle Court Restaurant and Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters.

Do not wear your bag or backpack on your back. Bags can be checked for free at coat check in the Bloch Building lobby. Alternatively, carry it or wear it on one shoulder or the front of your body.

STROLLERS AND CARRIERS
Strollers are allowed in most spaces and galleries. They may be prohibited in some exhibitions. If you’re unsure, ask a museum staff member, call 816-751-1278, or email ask@nelson-atkins.org. 

For the safety of all guests and to protect the art, children may not be carried on the back or shoulders of an adult. Child carriers that attach to the front are allowed.

PHOTOGRAPHY
The Nelson-Atkins allows some forms of photography and restricts others. Flash photography is not permitted inside the galleries.

Personal: Although personal cameras and photography are permitted inside the museum, personal photoshoots, including portrait photography, are not. Equipment such as tripods or monopods are not permitted in the galleries. Selfie sticks must be used responsibly. Photography in exhibitions may be restricted. Contact 816-751-1278 or ask@nelson-atkins.org for guidance. 

Professional: Portrait, bridal, or any other form of professional photography is prohibited inside the museum. If you are taking outdoor photography, you must first complete our photography sign-in and consent form. 

Commercial: To arrange a commercial photoshoot, call 816-751-1278.


Tours

Guided and group tours
We offer tours designed for various age groups, interests, and abilities. Review our full list of options and opportunities.

Self-guided audio tours
Smartify is a mobile app that offers several self-guided audio tours based on various themes and collections in the museum. It also offers American Sign Language tours for guests who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The app is free and available on the App Store and Google Play.


Where to start New and next at the Nelson-Atkins

Explore our current exhibitions
We proudly offer an array of regularly rotated exhibitions, most of which you can see for free. See what’s on view and coming up.

Catch a movie 
Cinema is alive and well at the Nelson-Atkins, thanks to our year-round Tivoli screenings. Don’t let the setting fool you – it isn’t all art-house fare. Preview our coming attractions.

See what’s new on the menu 
Rozzelle Court Restaurant’s stately architecture and first-class fare makes for a memorable meal between galleries. See the latest additions to our menu.