Barbecue, Music, Boutique Hotels, and a Flourishing Womens’ Sports Scene

Some visitors think of Kansas City, Missouri as either flyover country or a pit stop; perhaps a place to swing through to sample some burnt ends or potentially run into Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.

Elliott Scott, director of marketing and communications for the Kansas City Sports Commission and WIN for KC, initially was among them. “I didn’t expect to love Kansas City when I came here,” he admits, “but the people, the culture, and the opportunity of this Midwestern city captured my heart.” He’s now called Kansas City home for more than 15 years. “A coworker who recently moved from the Pacific Northwest nailed it when he told me, ‘I’ve been a lot of places where people are nice. But Kansas Citians are kind,'” he says. “It’s an alchemical mix of civic pride tempered by humility and hustle softened by kindness. Simply put: it’s magic.”

A microcosm of sports, history, culture, art, food, and drink awaits in Kansas City, which is equal parts Southern, Western, and Midwestern, according to six-year resident Martin Cizmar, who was editor-in-chief of Kansas City Magazine for five of those years.

With a current population of around 508,000, per the U.S. Census, “you get the creativity and buzz of a big city, but without the crazy traffic, pollution and overcrowded-ness,” says lifelong local Tyler Shane, food editor and restaurant critic for Kansas City Magazine.

As someone who lives a three-hour drive away and makes frequent weekend trips to Kansas City from Des Moines, Iowa, I can see (and taste) why it was selected as one of Travel + Leisure‘s 50 best places to travel in 2024. Read on for where to stay, what to eat, and the neighborhoods to explore as you stop and stay awhile.

Best Hotels and Resorts

No Vacancy

At the heart of the Crossroads neighborhood, you’ll quickly understand why this boutique hotel earned its name: it has just eight rooms. But if you’re lucky enough to reserve one, you’ll be able to pick one that fits with your preferred aesthetic, whether you’re feeling playful (a gold disco ball shines above the bed in suite 4) or serene (studio 6 will transport you to a chic, southwestern escape).

Crossroads Hotel

Get a taste of all things local before you even begin to explore town. At this 131-room Crossroads haven, you’ll be surrounded by Missouri-made art, chocolates, linens, and wallpaper. Stop in the 24/7 public art gallery before heading up to a favorite of 11-year-resident Jhy Coulter, restaurateur and CEO of Orange By Devoured and Devoured Pizza: Percheron Rooftop Bar. It’s the perfect place to sip on a Skyline Old Fashioned as you enjoy the view.

The Fontaine

Shopping fans, this chic 132-room luxury hotel is for you. Situated within Country Club Plaza, a 15-block walkable area peppered with more than 70 shops and 20 restaurants, these polished rooms offer plenty of space to store your investments — and kick your feet up. Start the day in the Solarium with a French pastry, then watch the sunset from your private rooftop poolside cabana.

Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton

Two blocks from the Power and Light District, a popular area for entertainment, is a 216-room hotel that beautifully fuses some things old with many things new. The art-deco decor scheme gives a nod to the 1930 building’s origins. As does the basement bar, the ultra-luxe P.S. Speakeasy. The rooms are thoroughly modern, though, complete with rejuvenating pillow-top beds, granite fixtures, and blackout curtains.

21c Museum Hotel Kansas City

Between Power and Light District and River Market in downtown Kansas City you’ll find this 120-room contemporary art-focused property. While the on-site restaurant, Savoy, celebrates the modern Midwest, the art in the on-site museum and in the rooms is curated from around the world. For an immersive experience, book the Panther Room, which is actually an active art installation created by artist Patty Carroll. (You’ll spy panther motifs scattered throughout the space.)

Best Things to Do

Enjoy a flight at a brewery.

Just a few decades ago, Kansas City was overflowing with beers from Budweiser, which is based in nearby St. Louis. Today, options abound if you’re into the craft brewing scene. Pull up a stool at a taproom like Coulter’s favorite, Casual Animal Brewery, or at Vine Street Brewing Co., to sip on thoughtfully crafted ales, sours, and stouts.

Build your own barbecue crawl.

“Barbecue and jazz are the two things that are most unique here, and both come in flavors that you don’t readily find elsewhere,” Scott says. “Don’t skip the burnt ends, essentially nuggets of barbecue brisket, which were said to be created here.” Henry Perry is thought of by many to be the founder of Kansas City-style barbecue. He planted a seed for more than 100 years of drippy goodness that have followed. Feast your way through it at Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, Chef J BBQ , Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue, Gates Bar-B-Q, or Slap’s BBQ.

Catch a movie at Screenland Armour Theatre.

Although Leawood, Kansas–based AMC Theatres dominate the area, Scott says this independently owned and operated movie house more than holds its own. In summer, enjoy a retro flick outdoors. Or if weather isn’t ideal, cozy up in the theater for an indie film or Friday Night Frights, a weekly horror movie offering. If your stomach growls at any time, Scott suggests asking for “The Kevin Bacon,” a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon, mozzarella, white cheddar, and garlic aioli.

Attend a show by the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra.

While the Kansas City Symphony and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts rightfully earn accolades and attention in abundance (Kauffman is also where you can find the Kansas City Ballet and touring Broadway shows), Kansas City has another classical music option that Scott deems very worthy of consideration: The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. Performances are polished, however, gatherings are more informal and affordable, “which makes this an approachable way to experience classic music while helping support professional artists in the community,” he adds.

Root for the home team during a Kansas City Current soccer match.

Kansas City’s sports scene has been gaining a lot of steam over the last decade. Sporting Kansas City won the MLS Cup in 2013, followed by a 2015 World Series victory by the Kansas City Royals, and 2020, 2023, and 2024 Super Bowl wins by the Kansas City Chiefs. Those successes have cemented Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes as household names, but “nothing has energized the community like the Kansas City Current’s historic investment in women’s sports, specifically the construction of the first purpose-built stadium for a professional womens’ team in the world: CPKC Stadium,” Scott says. “Kansas City is being swept away by Current fever.” Co-owned in part by Mahomes and his wife Brittany, this team has been kicking it and drawing crowds since 2021. Restaurant concessions are local, “ the energy of the fans is contagious,” according to Scott, and the potential is palpable. “To be there is to feel inspired and excited about the future of girls and women in Kansas City,” Scott explains.

Best Restaurants

Extra Virgin

Michael Smith’s tapas restaurant has had a long and popular run in the Crossroads District for good reason. Its bright decor echoes the vibe and appearance of the eclectic, flavorful dishes. Scott recommends sitting at the large, central bar and sampling the herbaceous fattoush salad, some chickpea fries with romesco sauce, and the harissa- and preserved lemon-scented roasted branzino.

Billie’s Grocery

About 190 miles away in Des Moines, I caught wind of the cult-like following that surrounds this organic eatery. So the last time I was in town, I convinced my pals to stop in for brunch. We were met with a warm hello and warm light streaming from the windows into the airy, white space. After perusing the small market of cookbooks, spirit-free drink mixers, and condiments, we made our way to the counter to order a “boujee blueberry-lemon streusel poptart” (many baked goods are vegan, gluten-free, and/or raw), the Turkish eggs and grilled halloumi, and a kimchi bloody mary. It was all so incredible, we couldn’t resist snagging copycat Snickers and Twix bars and a six-pack of gluten-free donut holes to enjoy on the way home.

Baba’s Pantry

Baba immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1970s as a Palestinian refugee. Feeling wistful for grandma’s home cooking, he’d call his mom frequently to ask for family heirloom recipes so he could try to recreate them stateside. He did just that, and did it so well that professors, friends, and colleagues asked for more. That’s how Baba’s Pantry was born. About a 20-minute drive south of downtown, Baba’s is ideal for lunch. “This small bodega-style restaurant makes velvety hummus, golden falafel, and delicious shawarma wraps in its colorful, cozy space,” Shane says. Wash it all down with Baba’s iced black tea, which is sweetened with date syrup.

Antler Room

With names like Rene Redzepi and Danny Meyer on their resumes, husband-wife team ‍Leslie and ‍Nick Goellner certainly put in their reps before they planted their roots at the Antler Room. You can sense the finesse in seasonal small plates (roasted cauliflower with  gochujang dressing and quinoa furikake) and homemade pastas (braised lamb-stuffed cappelletti with pickled beets). “Head here for your modern American gastronomic dining experience,” Shane advises. “The cozy space excels in innovative fine dining and top notch service,” which has earned the team three nominations for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Midwest award.

Earl’s Premier

“A cluttered East Coast fish house and oyster bar might seem out of place smack dab in the middle of the country,” Shane concedes. But trust the locals, who line up for the best oysters in the city. (The menu touts that Earl’s is truly premier because the team puts in serious TLC to source the “freshest, highest-quality farm-raised oysters available here in the Midwest.”) Share “Champagne and a dozen” — 12 oysters with a half-bottle of bubbly — then round out the meal with a bowl of New England clam chowder with fried saltines and a classic cheeseburger on a pillowy potato bun, Shane suggests.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is spring or fall. Kansas City experiences all four seasons, so after long winters, “our city comes alive in the spring,” Shane says. From brewery patios to farmers markets to parks in full bloom, April through June are divine. Fall is also fantastic. September and October usher in sweater weather, meet at the axis of Current and Chiefs seasons, and showcase vibrant fall foliage.

“Kansas City’s outdoor event season is firmly rooted in autumn. As scorching temperatures begin to fall in mid-September, traditions like the Plaza Art Fair, American Royal World Series of Barbecue, and Garmin Kansas City Marathon draw people back outside,” Scott says.

While days are usually warm during these periods, mornings can be brisk, so it’s wise to pack layers.

How to Get There

Take flight via Kansas City International Airport. Just 15 miles northwest of downtown, this newly renovated airport is a frequent destination for carriers like Southwest and Delta. 

Kansas City is an easy drive from other heartland hubs like Des Moines (three hours), St. Louis (four hours), Oklahoma City (five hours), Omaha (two hours and 45 minutes), and the Ozarks (three and a half hours).

Neighborhoods to Visit

Brookside

Cizmar might be a little biased since he lives in this Southwest Kansas City neighborhood, but he’s a firm believer that “it’s the most walkable place in the city with some art galleries, restaurants, and bars.” Brookside just so happened to win “best neighborhood” in Kansas City Magazine‘s readers’ choice poll during his reign, “and not because I rigged it,” Cizmar laughs. For the best perspective, walk along the Trolley Track Trail between the Plaza and the quaint small downtown of Brookside, zigzagging into any shops and restaurants that catch your eye.

Crossroads

From fine art (the Kauffman Center and T-Mobile Center are known for their concerts and performances) to fine dining (Farina, Corvino, and Affare are additional best restaurant picks from Shane), this arts district is “a must-visit,” Shane and Cizmar agree. “Don’t forget to head to Brewer’s Alley for the best craft breweries,” Shane says.

West Bottoms

Throughout the month, this historic district thrives thanks to restaurants like the Golden Ox and The Campground, live music at The Ship, and dive bars like Lucky Boys. The best day to swing by is during a First Friday, “when all the vintage shops come alive for their monthly opening,” Shane says.

River Market

Home to “one of the most lively farmers markets in the city,” according to Shane, as well as a diverse restaurant scene, this centrally located neighborhood is simultaneously charmingly historic (the Arabia Steamboat Museum) and forward-thinking (Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters). Whichever restaurants you choose, be sure to save room for dessert at beloved Betty Rae’s Ice Cream. “Betty Rae’s unique flavors like Candied Walnut-Goat Cheese and Creme Brûlée make visitors and locals alike melt,” Shane says.

Overland Park

Technically a suburb on the south side of Kansas City, many people who don’t have an Overland Park zip code tend to ignore it. But Cizmar believes it’s certainly worth a stop. “The downtown area has cool restaurants, a food hall, and a nice record shop,” he says. “It’s also home to one of the best farmers markets in the city on Saturday mornings.”

How to Get Around

“Although Kansas City remains a destination best explored by car, free transit options and dedicated bike lanes are slowly reducing the metro’s reliance on personal vehicles,” Scott says.

Your best bets for local transportation include:

• Renting a car from a brand like Avis, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz
• Renting a bike using RideKC Bike share
• Using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft

You can also hop aboard the free 2.2-mile RideKC Streetcar, which makes 16 stops to connect Main Street to River Market to Union Station.