Kansas City Highlights: What to Do, See & Experience

Becs

Aug 31

5 min read

Planning a trip to Kansas City? As a KC local who spends a lot of time exploring my own city, I’ve put together some of my favorite ways to experience it—from local sports and outdoor adventures to museums, entertainment, food and a few experiences you might not expect to find here.

This guide is designed primarily for visitors, but if you call KC home, you might find a few ideas to add to your own weekend plans too!

Catch a Kansas City Game

One thing I always do when traveling is check whether there’s a sporting event happening while I’m in town, and Kansas City has plenty to choose from! Depending on the season, catch the Chiefs at Arrowhead, a Royals game at The K, a Sporting KC match, indoor soccer with the KC Comets, or a KC Mavericks hockey game.

KC is also a great city to support women’s sports. Catch the KC Current at CPKC Stadium, professional fastpitch softball with the new KC Diamonds, or women’s tackle football with KC Glory.

Explore Kansas City’s Museums

Kansas City has some seriously impressive museums, whether you’re into art, history, sports or something a little more interactive. Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (and snap a photo with the giant Shuttlecocks!), explore American history at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, or learn about an important piece of KC history at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

A few more worth adding to your list are the Arabia Steamboat Museum, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Illusions, and Science City at Union Station—especially if you’re visiting with kids.

Many of these can easily be paired with other nearby KC attractions, so they’re great additions to a weekend itinerary or a rainy day in the city.

You Can’t Visit KC Without Trying the BBQ

Kansas City and BBQ go hand in hand, so make sure at least one BBQ stop makes it onto your itinerary! Some of the classics include Joe’s Kansas City, Q39, Jack Stack, Gates, and Arthur Bryant’s—and everyone in KC will probably give you a different answer when you ask which one is best.

My personal favorite? Scott’s Kitchen. It’s a little outside the typical tourist route near the airport, but I think it’s absolutely worth the stop. If you’re flying in or out of KCI, it’s an especially easy way to make BBQ your first—or last—meal in Kansas City!

Take a Tour of Kansas City

One of the easiest ways to get to know Kansas City is through a tour! Explore the city on a KC Segway Tour, hop aboard KC Fun Tours, or see neighborhoods on foot with Urban Hikes KC. If food is more your speed, work your way through the KCK BBQ Trail and try some of the area’s best-known BBQ along the way.

You can also explore at your own pace with the online KCK BBQ Trail or KCK Cultural Arts Trail—both are great options if you’d rather turn your sightseeing into a self-guided adventure.

KC also has several brewery and distillery tours, so there are plenty of ways to experience the city based on what you're into.

Experience Kansas City’s Live Jazz Scene

Jazz is a huge part of Kansas City’s history, and catching a live show is one of my favorite ways to experience the city after dark. For the classic KC jazz experience, check out The Blue Room in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, The Phoenix, The Majestic, or the Black Dolphin in the Crossroads.

A couple of newer spots I’ve been loving are Ted’s Taproom, an intimate jazz club in the Crossroads with cocktails and shareable food, and The Greenhorn in Westport, where you can grab dinner and drinks while catching live music and other entertainment.

You can also check out Chaz on the Plaza, Lonnie’s Reno Club for more of a dinner-and-show experience, or the historic Mutual Musicians Foundation for late-night jazz.

Grab a Cocktail at One of KC’s Best Bars

Kansas City has an impressive cocktail scene, from rooftops with skyline views to intimate lounges and speakeasies. For an elevated night out, some of my favorites include Moonstone on the riverfront, Fern Bar KC in the Crossroads, and Prime Social near the Plaza.

I’d also add The Monarch Bar and The Mercury Room for visitors who want more of a special-occasion cocktail experience, plus Swordfish Tom’s if they want the speakeasy vibe. KC really has enough good cocktail bars that you could build an entire night around them.

Explore KC’s Brewery Scene

Kansas City has plenty of local breweries to work into your trip. Boulevard Brewing Company is the obvious stop for first-time visitors—you can visit the Beer Hall or make an experience out of it with a brewery tour.

For a more neighborhood brewery experience, check out Casual Animal Brewing Co. in the Crossroads, Cinder Block Brewery in North Kansas City, or BKS Artisan Ales in Brookside. You could easily brewery-hop through the Crossroads or make one a casual afternoon stop.

Shop Local in Kansas City

Kansas City has so many great ways to shop local, from farmers markets and makers to vintage shops and boutiques. Spend a weekend morning wandering City Market in the River Market for produce, flowers, baked goods and local vendors, then explore the surrounding shops and restaurants.

On the Kansas side, the Overland Park Farmers’ Market is another favorite and pairs perfectly with exploring the locally owned shops and restaurants throughout Downtown Overland Park.

If you love antiques and vintage finds, head to the West Bottoms, especially during First Friday Weekend when the historic warehouses fill with antique and vintage vendors. And for KC-made goods, apparel, art and gifts, Made in KChas several locations around the metro.

Where to Stay in Kansas City

I actually think this section should say what kind of traveler each hotel is good for, rather than just listing hotels.

For something smaller and more unique, KC has some gorgeous boutique stays. Southmoreland on the Plaza, The Truittand Aida Hotel are great options near the Plaza and museums, while Cherry Warehouse Hotel offers a design-forward stay in Union Hill.

If you want to stay closer to the action, No Vacancy is a fun boutique option in the Crossroads, while Loews Kansas City Hotel is a great larger downtown option with easy access to the Convention Center, Power & Light and the streetcar.

For visitors who want gaming and entertainment built into their stay, Harrah's Kansas City - A Caesars Rewards Destination is another option in North Kansas City.

Take a Break at Klā Sanctuary

If you’re visiting Kansas City and need a break between all the sightseeing, food and activities, add Klā Sanctuary in the West Bottoms to your itinerary.

After experiencing bathhouse culture while traveling, especially in Japan, I love that Kansas City has a space that encourages you to slow down in a similar way. Klā’s thermal bathing experience includes hot, warm and cold baths, plus an infrared sauna and herbal steam room.

You can also book solo or couples massages to make more of a spa day out of it. I loved the thoughtful details throughout the space too, including warm tea and water, clean locker rooms, showers and places to freshen up afterward.

It’s a great addition to a couples trip, girls’ weekend or even a solo day in Kansas City when you want a few hours to simply relax.

Keep Exploring Kansas City

There’s always something new happening in Kansas City, so consider this guide a work in progress! I’ll continue updating it with new experiences, restaurants and places worth visiting as I explore more of my own city.

Have a KC favorite you think visitors need to experience? Send me your recommendations—I’m always looking for something new to add to the list!