Every day you meet a new animal is a good day, indeed. Kansas City has plenty of opportunities for just that, whether educational, philanthropic, or just plain fun. Here’s a list of the top animal experiences in the metro.
Stingray Bay at Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
The entire Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is an experience. You can soar over giraffes’ heads on a ski lift (that’s the African Sky Safari), watch penguins out on their daily walk (that’s the Penguin March), and try to spot chimpanzees living in a massive enclosed hillside of Swope Park.
If we had to recommend an animal experience here that you’ll never forget, we’d have to choose touching the stingrays at Stingray Bay. You put your hand flat and let the school of southern and cownose stingrays—big ones and babies alike—swim against your palm. It’s safe, and it’s worth it.
A Walk Through Lakeside Nature Center
Swope Park has more than the zoo for animal lovers. There’s the Kansas City Pet Project, a big off-leash dog park, and trails and blinds great for birding. One of our favorites is an underappreciated gem: Lakeside Nature Center.
Inside the nature center—which also rehabs sick, injured, and orphaned Missouri wildlife—there are rabbits, reptiles, and even squirrels and moles. Outside but visible from indoors, there’s Cody, the rescued coyote, and several birds of prey, which you can see from inside. Each sign has great information about the animals.
It’s free to go through, but they accept donations. They also accept empty egg cardboard egg cartons to store animal food. Say hi to Wilma, the ornate box turtle. She’s 86.
Dogs Day Out
Sometimes, you just need a dog’s company. A dog always needs yours.
KC Pet Project and Raytown’s Midwest Animal ResQ have a lovely program where you can take a shelter dog out on an adventure. Maybe that’s a walk. Maybe it’s a trip to Home Depot, or a patio lunch, or a nap and a movie, or even a sleepover. (The only things off limits are dog parks and interactions with other animals in your home.)
It’s a win-win. A 2019 study study showed that sleepovers reduce shelter dogs’ stress levels, and a 2023 study found that shelter dogs who go on short outings are five times more likely to get adopted (and not necessarily by you). Dogs that stayed for one or two nights were 14 times more likely to get adopted.
KC Pet Project’s program requires you to sign up as a foster; Midwest Animal ResQ allows walk-ins.
See Elk, Bison, Oxen, and More in Fleming Park
Seeing a giant animal in the zoo feels right—but it takes some of the magnitude away. Seeing one at a county park brings the proper weight back.
There’s something special about going to Fleming Park in Blue Springs and catching a glimpse of the bison and elk in the Native Hooved Animal Enclosure, or seeing the sweet-faced oxen at Missouri Town Living History Museum. The latter attraction has several other farm animals, too (and is a treat for history nerds).
Cat Cafes
Stressed at work? Stressed at home? Add a kitty to your lap.
There are several cat cafes in the Kansas City area, including Whiskers Cat Cafe & Coffeehouse in Midtown, Sugar Kittens Cafe & Cattery in Liberty and Lee’s Summit, and Second Cup Cat Café in Olathe. It’s simple: you go in, get some coffee, and chill with some cats. It’s a lovely changeup, and many of the cats are adoptable.
Note: It might smell like cats.
Volunteer
Of course, the animal organizations in town are always looking for help. KC Pet Project needs you, and Midwest Animal ResQ does, too. Same for the humane society and the zoo and several other organizations. Help animals live happier lives, and you might just do the same for yourself.