Negro Leagues Baseball Museum — Attraction in Kansas City

It's been two weeks since my visit and I still think fondly of this trip. While the glossy sheen of the moment is long past, I'm still so happy I could be there.

THE historic 18th and Vine? It felt absurdly surreal. Then going into the museum was moving and spiritual. This place felt alive. It felt full of memories and long forgotten stories brought to the big stage.

Everything was curated with such a meticulous hand, yet my one (tiny) critique was that everything was a bit claustrophobic. I wish I would have learned more about the different leagues, the different players, the varying and overlapping timelines at a more leisured pace (however, this problem seemingly will be rectified as a bigger place will be built).

It felt like your favorite library/book store nook. It felt like sitting in front of a cozy fire. It felt like the sound of soft, steady rain. I am not by any means romanticizing the past. The awful, sickly horrors Black Americans had to dodge by the second were on full display. The unveiled, open hatred for Black, Hispanic, and Native baseballers were acknowledged at every turn. The lip curling rage pumps the blood. Then, there'd be something to make you smile, to make you rejoice, to make you linger at that placard a bit longer. While you knew the racism was there, the pride in this subculture was an invigorating jolt to the system. The poise, the grace, the true elegance far out weighed the ugliness.

My true regret is not showing up and showing out. How dare I not dazzle and sparkle as the occasion demanded. Next time, I'll be sure to not look as though I'm raking leaves (which is exactly how I looked in my shorts and plaid shirt).

When asked how I felt being there, it was like trying to describe the beauty of baseball. Just sit back, watch, cheer, and be swept up...

Wow—this museum was incredibly cool. We spent about an hour here, and honestly, the time flew by. Tickets were only $10, I absolutely would’ve paid more for the experience.

When you walk in, there are a few different exhibits in the same building, but we specifically visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. It was so well done—thoughtful, informative, and moving. The layout strikes a great balance between storytelling and visuals. There’s a lot of reading, yes, but it’s broken up with tons of photos, historical team snapshots, and tributes to famous players.

One thing I really appreciated was how the museum highlighted individual players and teams. It wasn’t just a broad overview—it dove into the people and stories that made the Negro Leagues so powerful and important. There’s also a short 15-minute video near the start that sums up much of what you’ll read, but in a way that’s engaging and accessible, with archival photos and footage that really bring the stories to life.

A highlight for me was the miniature baseball field at the end, with bronze statues of the players in their positions. It was powerful to stand there and imagine what it must have been like on those fields. The statues felt like more than art—they felt like a tribute.

And while the museum focuses on celebrating the talent, grit, and community of the Negro Leagues, it also reminds you of the heavy reality these players faced. I truly cannot imagine the kind of barriers, racism, and injustice they endured just to play the game they loved. Their resilience and talent in the face of all that is humbling.

Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, this museum is absolutely worth a visit. It’s not just a sports museum—it’s a powerful piece of...

On 7/26/25,. we came to the museum with high hopes. We travelled from San Diego, Ca and had been looking forward to the visit since we are big baseball fans. The website confirmed hours of operation and we knew the museum closed at 5pm. All the signs on the property, both permanent and temporary stand-ups, listed the close time as 5pm. We arrived at 1 pm and were told the museum was closed. We were given no reason and there was no signage. We tried the gift shop and were treated very rudely by the female cashier. It was a major disappointment for my family and the dozens of others who were turned away; and paired with the rudeness, it really made me think twice about supporting this establishment again. How hard was it to post changed hours for a special event and be respectful to people who are trying to support the museum? I walk away with Major frustration and not even a magnet to memorialize my trip!!!o

It appears someone with management realized they made a serious oversight. Now if you log into the website, they have a post about being closed due to filming for Ted Lasso. It doesn't help all the people who wasted their time and money for on line...