At the cultural heart of Kansas City, see more than 5,000 years of world-class art for free
Museum Hours
Museum
Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters
Spencer Art Reference Library
Holidays
Museum
Museum is currently open.
Museum will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
These are the hours for indoor access to the museum.
The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park is free to visit and open from sunrise to sundown.
Hours | |
| Mon: | 10am–5pm |
| Tue: | Closed |
| Wed: | Closed |
| Thu: | 10am–9pm |
| Fri: | 10am–9pm |
| Sat: | 10am–5pm |
| Sun: | 10am–5pm |
Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Rozzelle Court Restaurant is currently open.
Lunch: 11 am-2 pm
Coffee and dessert: 2-4 pm
Sips & Snacks, Thursday and Friday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. in Bloch Lobby Assorted small plates, beer, wine and mixed drinks
Rozzelle Court Restaurant is on level one of the Atkins Building near Kirkwood Hall.
Hours | |
| Mon: | 11am–4pm |
| Tue: | Closed |
| Wed: | Closed |
| Thu: | 11am–4pm |
| Fri: | 11am–4pm |
| Sat: | 11am–4pm |
| Sun: | 11am–4pm |
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters is currently open.
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters is on level one of the Bloch Building near the north plaza entrance.
Hours | |
| Mon: | 10am–5pm |
| Tue: | Closed |
| Wed: | Closed |
| Thu: | 10am–5pm |
| Fri: | 10am–5pm |
| Sat: | 10am–5pm |
| Sun: | 10am–5pm |
Spencer Art Reference Library
Spencer Art Reference Library is currently open.
Spencer Art Reference Library, a free resource open to all guests, is on level two of the Bloch Building.
In addition to the listed hours, the library is open 10 am-5pm on the first Saturday of the month.
Hours | |
| Mon: | 10am–5pm |
| Tue: | Closed |
| Wed: | Closed |
| Thu: | 10am–5pm |
| Fri: | 10am–5pm |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
Holidays
Holiday Closures
| Christmas Eve | Dec 24, 2024 |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2024 |
| New Years Day | Jan 1, 2025 |
| 4th of July: Museum Closed | Jul 4, 2025 |
| Thanksgiving: Museum Closed | Nov 27, 2025 |
The museum is open regular hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
The museum is closed on the following holidays:
Admission
Admission is free every day, for everyone.
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 were emailed when you registered for your visit.
Once you’ve checked in at the museum, you’ll receive a wristband and access to all general admission galleries.
If you are a museum member, you do not need to check in. Simply scan your membership card upon admission.
Accessibility
We strive to make the museum accessible for all visitors. Learn more about accommodations and Nelson-Atkins access initiatives.
Parking and 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. Nelson-Atkins members park for free.
Visitors with disabilities may park for free in the garage with an accessible placard.
Free, limited-space parking is available at Rockhill Road and 45th Street.
Parking Garage:
After you park, you can enter through the Bloch Building lobby (near the Museum Store, coat check, and the information desk).
North Entrances:
There are 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:
There are 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.
Rules
The Three Basic Rules of the Museum
To help ensure the safety and preservation of the art, we ask that all guests follow three basic rules when they visit the Nelson-Atkins:
1
Do not touch the art.
Please keep a two-foot distance from all art, including outdoor sculptures and the reflecting pool.
2
No food or drink in the galleries.
Guests are permitted to eat and drink outdoors as well as within designated dining areas at Rozzelle Court, Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters, and the Art Course snack bar.
3
Do not wear your bag or backpack on your back.
We strongly recommend checking your bag at our free coat check in the Bloch Building lobby. Alternatively, wear it on one shoulder, carry it, or place it in a cart or stroller. This rule is to prevent guests’ bags from accidentally bumping into art when moving through galleries.
Photography
We allow some forms of photography and restrict others.
Personal:
Personal cameras and photography are allowed in the museum. Flash photography and additional equipment such as tripods, monopods and the like are not permitted. Photography in certain exhibitions may be restricted. Contact 816-751-1278 or ask@nelson-atkins.org for more guidance.
Professional:
Portrait, bridal, or any other form of professional photography is prohibited inside the museum without prior authorization. You may take professional photos outdoors on the grounds of the museum, and must first complete our photography sign-in and consent form.
Commercial:
To arrange a commercial photoshoot, call 816-751-1234. Fees may be required based on staffing and scope.
Tours
Groups and guided tours
We offer tours designed for various age groups, interests, and abilities. Review our full list of options and opportunities.
Self-guided mobile 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.
New at the Nelson-Atkins
See the special exhibition
Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is open through Jan. 5, 2025.
Check out what’s new on the menu
We frequently update the menu at our acclaimed Rozzelle Court Restaurant. See the latest additions – then start planning your culinary itinerary.
Catch a movie
Cinema is alive and well at the Nelson-Atkins, thanks to our year-round Tivoli screenings. Preview our coming attractions.
View more current and upcoming events: