FAQs
Visiting
Should I eat barbecue in Kansas City?
Yes. You should go out and find the best barbecue in Kansas City. You should eat all the barbecue. And tell us which one was your favorite. We might send you something to say thanks for the recommendation.
Where do I park?
Crown Center has a covered parking garage. Crown Center uses the Metropolis parking app. Apple users can find it here. Android users can find it here.
There is a fee to park in the garage; but if you make a purchase at the Museum of BBQ, we can offer validation for 2 hours of free parking. If you spend more than $50, you can bring your receipt to the Customer Service desk (just down the hall from us on the second floor) for a validation that provides up to 5 hours of free parking.
Where do I park my bus?
Crown Center has bus parking available in two locations. You can park along Warwick Trafficway between 26th and 27th streets, as well as along McGee Street Trafficway (north of 26th Street). Here’s a map of the available parking.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring your digital ticket (it has the QR code to check you in). If you’re under 16 years old, we ask you to please bring someone that is over 16 with you. We’ll provide the rest.
Where is the Museum of BBQ located?
We are located in the shops at Crown Center (2450 Grand Boulevard, Suite 231, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108). We’re on the second floor between Chip’s Chocolate Factory and Sportibles, on Parking Level 2A in the garage.
What are the hours of the Museum of BBQ?
We’re open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Holiday Hours
November 28th to December 23rd
We’re open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
December 26th to December 30th
We’re open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Holidays
We’re open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’re closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Where do I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets on this site – good job you’re in the right place – or in person (if we’re not sold out in advance) at the check-in counter in our shop on the second floor of Crown Center.
Do you have a gift shop?
You betcha. We have sauce and rubs and merch and dog toys and plush mustards. Let us help you find the perfect gift for the barbecue lover in your life, whether that’s you or someone you love.
Do you have a bathroom?
We don’t; but Crown Center has bathrooms on each level. And the bathroom on the second floor is located down the hall out our front door. Take your first left and then your first right and you’re there. If you hit the parking garage, you went too far. Apologies for the dad directions.
Is your museum wheelchair accessible?
It is wheelchair accessible; but our bean pit does require that guests must be able to walk up and down stairs on their own.
Can children come to the Museum of BBQ?
We encourage them to come. This is a family friendly experience with lots of interactive elements that encourage people of all ages to play while they learn. Entrance is free for children 4 years old and younger.
What if I want to buy tickets for a group?
Who wouldn’t? This is a place for friends and family to enjoy together. If you’ve got a group of 10 or more, reach out to us. We’ll find a time that works for your group and be glad to have you at the Museum of BBQ.
When should I arrive if I’ve bought tickets?
Please arrive in the 30-minute-window on your tickets. If you happen to arrive after that, we’ll do our best to find the next available time you can tour the museum.
How do I check in?
The check-in counter is on your right-hand side when you walk in the front doors of our gift shop. Head to the register closest to the smoker door (furthest from the main entrance) and have your QR code ticket ready to be scanned by one of our team members. They’ll welcome you and talk you through your visit.
Is this a self-guided tour?
Yes. We want you to be able to go at your own pace and spend time where you want among the elements and different regions of barbecue. But we ask you to please only go one way through the exhibits to give everyone a chance to see the sites.
Do you serve food?
We don’t. But you’ll find your other senses – touch, sight, smell and hearing – all engaged as you make your way through our exhibits. We know you’ll be hungry afterwards and there’s a barbecue restaurant – Burnt End BBQ – on the first floor of Crown Center.
How long does a visit to the Museum of BBQ last?
A visit to the museum is 30 to 45 minutes for most guests. But it may be longer, as there are lots of interactive elements, history to learn, and plenty of sauces and rubs to check out in our gift shop.
What will I experience at the Museum of BBQ?
Joy. You will experience joy. And you’ll get hungry. Sorry. Not Sorry. There are 10 installations, each with interactive elements that explore the elements and regions of barbecue. You’ll get to smell the different spices in rub, touch the wood that fuels smokers, hear from pitmasters how to cook great barbecue, and get a few small surprises from us along the way.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes, you can walk up and purchase tickets if they’re available. Tickets can sell out, so we recommend purchasing them in advance.
How do I know you’re one of the best things to do in Kansas City?
We’ve been regularly recognized as one of the top Kansas City attractions since we opened in 2025. USA Today named us one of the 10 Best New Museums in the U.S. and NBC’s Today Show visited to share how we’re “honoring America’s long, spicy history of barbecue.” We’re the best decision you’ll make today.
Who has the best barbecue in Kansas City?
Starting out with the big questions. We love it. The answer – now hold on – is it depends. We’ve got to talk through it with you to find out what you want to eat and what kind of atmosphere you’re looking for in a barbecue joint. Who has the best barbecue in Kansas City? Let’s find out together. Drop us a line to hello@museumofbbq.co and we’ll get you some recommendations.
What is Kansas City BBQ?
Thanks for asking. Kansas City is often called a melting pot of barbecue. We took influences from the southern and eastern parts of the United States. We also are a bbq city that smokes lots of meats and even some veggies (we can help you find a mean portobello or jackfruit situation). But, what is Kansas City BBQ? Well, it’s a sweet and savory dry rub that’s often combined with a tomato and molasses-based sauce or vinegar and pepper-based sauce. And the signature barbecue dish of KC is burnt ends, the crispy edges of the brisket with a luscious center that melts in your mouth in one perfect bite.
Are you one of the museums near me right now?
If you’re in Kansas City and looking for museums near me, you’re in luck. We’re located at the very beginnings of downtown in Crown Center. We’re accessible via the Kansas City streetcar, the shopping center has an attached parking garage, and we are definitely one of the museums near you.
Are you one of the fun things to do in Kansas City?
Yes. We might be the funnest thing. Most fun thing? Really fun thing to do with family and friends. We want you to come learn about barbecue, enjoy yourself while you’re learning, and then go eat barbecue across Kansas City.
Events
Can I host an event at the Museum of BBQ?
You betcha. We’ve got a creative team and a space designed to be flexible. Reach out with the details. Let’s get it on the calendar.
Can we bring a field trip to the Museum of BBQ?
Yes. We’re kid friendly by design. This is a space where we want kids and grown-up kids to learn about barbecue. Reach out to coordinate your visit.
What types of events do you offer?
Sauce tasting. Private museum tours. Barbecue judging. Pitmaster classes. We’ve got a deep roster of barbecue experts who love telling stories and teaching people how to make great barbecue.
Can you bring the Museum of BBQ to me?
We don’t have a rib-mobile (yet); but we have taken our show on the road. If you’re planning a convention in Kansas City or would like to have an experience off-site, let’s talk about what’s possible.
Do you have any group event ideas?
We do. We have almost too many group outing ideas. Maybe you want to learn how to be a pitmaster or take a tour through barbecue regions from the heart of the country. We delight in creating a memorable night for you with some barbecue sampling, a little bit of trivia, and lots of memorable moments. We’re a popular spot for group events in Kansas City for a reason. Come find out why.
What about team building?
You’re in Kansas City looking for team building activities. We’re a terrific place to bring your team for a chance to bond, learn together, and take a moment to forget about work. Let us put together a memorable evening with team event ideas designed by us for your team. Whether it’s a custom program for a night at the Museum or a workshop offsite, we’ve got a wide selection of Kansas City team building activities.
Can I rent out the Museum of BBQ?
Darn Tootin’. We’re one of the most unique event spaces in Kansas City. We offer the opportunity for intimate sit-down dinners, dynamite social hours, and engaging nights filled with tastings and plenty of opportunities for your team to connect.
PARTNERS
Who is helping to bring the Museum of BBQ to life?
We’re fortunate to have sponsors help us create a memorable experience for visitors to the Museum of BBQ. Our sponsors are Bush’s® Beans, Prairie Fresh, Southern Pride, Visit KC, and the National Barbecue & Grilling Association.
I’m interested in sponsoring the Museum of BBQ.
We knew it. Drop us a line. Let’s talk about what you have in mind.
Still have questions? We’ve got answers.
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