Hallmark Visitor Center in Kansas City – Where Traditions are Made

On a trip to watch the Angles play the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, we explored the area when we weren’t at the games 🙂  One of the most enjoyable things we experienced while in Kansas City, Missouri was the Hallmark Visitors Center. Hallmark is an exciting company that has been creating greeting cards and many other products in 30 languages that reach 100 countries around the globe for over 100 years.

Apparently, the company was founded on January 10, 1910, with a shoebox full of postcards by Joyce C Hall, an 18-year-old entrepreneur from Nebraska. It was so interesting to follow the timeline through the years. It’s also amazing to see the creativity and innovation that go into making Hallmark products.

When I think of Hallmark, I immediately think of Christmas ornaments and their commercials. Thus, I was really looking forward to seeing their collection of old ornaments. I wasn’t disappointed. They have many Keepsake Ornaments and ornament series on display, along with a video featuring “Four Decades of Magic:  Hallmark Keepsake Ornament”. It was fun to look at and see how they had changed through the years. We had actually bought our first house a few years earlier and saw the ornament I bought that year to hang on our tree. It was silly, but it was really cool to see it there.

The number of greeting cards on display was shocking. I walked around and looked at quite a few, but there we so many, lol. Some of them were hilarious and very entertaining. We had a blast, but the kids around us even had more fun. They enjoyed pushing the button on the bow machine to create their own star-shaped bow. It was fun to watch it being made, and after they were done playing, I had to make one of my own, lol. Besides the bows, I enjoyed seeing some of the other products they manufacture such as party goods, gift wrap, stationery, flowers, books, sentimental picture frames, bookmarks, recordable plush toys, pillows, games, clothing, and snow globes.

I left there feeling like I wanted to move to Kansas City just to work in the factory. It was entertaining watching the workers do what they do. I really felt the spirit of Hallmark as we were walking around reading the cards.  You should definitely add this to your to-do list while in Kansas City, especially if you have kids. They will have a lot of fun, and your wallet will get a break. The Hallmark Visitor’s Center is completely free!  Here is a link to their website with hours, etc. Hope you are able to enjoy a visit the next time you are in the area.

Hallmark Visitor Center Information

Address:

2450 Grand, Kansas City, MO, 64108

Phone:

816-274-3613

Hours:

Monday – Saturday
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hallmark Gold Crown
Mini Shop
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday
CLOSED

Tours:

Self Guided

Tours are self-guided so it’s completely up to you! You may spend 10 minutes, one hour, or four hours – any length of time is welcome. If you love history and are as fascinated by the Hallmark story as we think you will be, you’ll want to plan at least one hour.

Make sure you check out their site to meet the creators of some of our most popular products and visit our Field Trip page to learn about kid-friendly activities.

Guided

Full-guided tours for up to 15 guests are available Monday thru Friday at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Please call 816-274-3613 to reserve your spot. Tours last approximately 60 minutes. Contact us to inquire about tours at other times.

Price:

Free for all ages

Directions

Directions from the North on I-29, I-35 and Broadway Bridge

Follow I-35 South to the 20th Street exit (#1D). Turn left onto 20th Street and go to Grand. Turn right onto Grand. We recommend parking in the Crown Center garage on the east side of Grand.

Directions from the South on I-35

Follow I-35 North to the Broadway exit (#2U). Turn right on Broadway and follow Pershing Road. Turn left at Pershing and go to Grand. Turn right onto Grand. We recommend parking in the Crown Center garage on the east side of Grand.

Directions from the South on 71 Hwy

Follow 71 Hwy North to the Linwood Blvd./31st Street Exit. Turn left onto Linwood Blvd. and follow to Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street and go to Grand. Turn a slight right onto Grand. We recommend parking in the Crown Center garage on the east side of Grand.

Directions from the East on I-70

Follow I-70 West toward downtown Kansas City. Take the 2Q Exit toward Truman Road. Make a slight right to stay straight on Truman Road. Take the second left onto Grand. Follow Grand to Crown Center. We recommend parking in the Crown Center garage on the east side of Grand.

Directions from the West on I-70

Follow I-70 East to I-670 East. Take the I-35 South exit. Stay in the right lane. Exit at 20th Street (#1D). Turn left onto 20th Street and turn right onto Grand. We recommend parking in the Crown Center garage on the east side of Grand.

Parking:

They recommend parking in the garage on the East side of Grand on the Blue Level. Once you’ve parked, enter to the right of the Security Office and take the elevator to the third floor. Turn left out of the elevator. Follow the signs and go down the steps toward the double doors leading outside.

If parking in the garage on the West side of Grand, you will need to take the escalators to the 3rd floor of Crown Center and walk through Halls on Grand. Once you pass through Halls, turn right, go through the glass double doors, take an immediate left outside, and pass The American Restaurant to the end of the covered walkway then turn right.

The Hallmark Visitors Center is just ahead. They happily provide a validation slip for 3 hours of free parking.