Guidebook for Kansas City
Food Scene
This is one of our family favorites. Gary loves the Jalapeno Burrito (smothered in their sinfully delicious white cheese & spinach dip). Laura loves the XXX hot sauce. If George is tending bar, tell him we sent you and order the skinny margarita. Monday 2 for 1 tacos.
11 locals recommend
Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant
6318 Brookside PlazaThis is one of our family favorites. Gary loves the Jalapeno Burrito (smothered in their sinfully delicious white cheese & spinach dip). Laura loves the XXX hot sauce. If George is tending bar, tell him we sent you and order the skinny margarita. Monday 2 for 1 tacos.
Started by our son's friend (an entrepreneur in his 20s) Bip roasts delicious coffee and caters to motorcycle enthusiasts.
15 locals recommend
Blip Roasters
1301 Woodswether RdStarted by our son's friend (an entrepreneur in his 20s) Bip roasts delicious coffee and caters to motorcycle enthusiasts.
There are several excellent BBQ joints in KC . . . BB's is a blues joint that serves good BBQ. Live music most nights, super casual, long picnic-style tables that you'll share with other goers. $5 cover charge. Try the BBQ Sundae or the Catfish.
30 locals recommend
B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ
1205 E 85th StThere are several excellent BBQ joints in KC . . . BB's is a blues joint that serves good BBQ. Live music most nights, super casual, long picnic-style tables that you'll share with other goers. $5 cover charge. Try the BBQ Sundae or the Catfish.
Best pizza. Really, the best. Locals argue between Minsky's and Waldo's, try both and let us know what you think. Favorites: Prime Cut (for the meat lovers), Chicken Cordon Bleu (unusual and decadent), or Natures Choice on gluten-free crust.
61 locals recommend
Minsky's Pizza
427 Main StBest pizza. Really, the best. Locals argue between Minsky's and Waldo's, try both and let us know what you think. Favorites: Prime Cut (for the meat lovers), Chicken Cordon Bleu (unusual and decadent), or Natures Choice on gluten-free crust.
This is the other Best Pizza. Locals argue. Huge selection of beers, both on-tap and bottled. Hard to say our favorite, they have a massive selection of toppings including normal stuff, but also coffee maple sausage, real crab meat, jalapeno bacon, lamb merguez, porcini thyme sausage & pork belly.
52 locals recommend
Waldo Pizza
7433 Broadway StThis is the other Best Pizza. Locals argue. Huge selection of beers, both on-tap and bottled. Hard to say our favorite, they have a massive selection of toppings including normal stuff, but also coffee maple sausage, real crab meat, jalapeno bacon, lamb merguez, porcini thyme sausage & pork belly.
Authentic Pakistan/Indian eatery. An outdoor patio on the east side of the building so no heat from the sun. Set in a neighborhood, not commercial. It is small, so call ahead to see if you need a reservation. If ordering Pakistan intimidates you, not to worry, just ask the server for recommendations and be sure to have the Indian Omelet, "grandma's recipe". They do not serve alcohol.
12 locals recommend
Chai Shai
651 E 59th StAuthentic Pakistan/Indian eatery. An outdoor patio on the east side of the building so no heat from the sun. Set in a neighborhood, not commercial. It is small, so call ahead to see if you need a reservation. If ordering Pakistan intimidates you, not to worry, just ask the server for recommendations and be sure to have the Indian Omelet, "grandma's recipe". They do not serve alcohol.
Entertainment & Activities
The zoo is huge for a fun day of walking - or ride the train or use the sky lifts for a different perspective (and rest). Gary was the penguin education consultant on the exhibit, don't miss it.
214 locals recommend
Kansas City Zoo
6800 Zoo DrThe zoo is huge for a fun day of walking - or ride the train or use the sky lifts for a different perspective (and rest). Gary was the penguin education consultant on the exhibit, don't miss it.
Shanelle is the real deal in leading your yoga practice. She provides mats and everything so it is super easy to drop in for a class. I use MindBody app to look at schedules and register for specific classes.
Nella Yoga
Shanelle is the real deal in leading your yoga practice. She provides mats and everything so it is super easy to drop in for a class. I use MindBody app to look at schedules and register for specific classes.
Zip lines and lots of tree top climbing, etc. Fun, fun!
10 locals recommend
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
7331 Oakwood DrZip lines and lots of tree top climbing, etc. Fun, fun!
Arts & Culture
An absolute must-see, and free admission (parking on the street or $10 garage). You can spend an hour or an entire day wandering through this art museum. Closed Monday and Tuesday, but you can still walk around on the grounds and view the sculptures. Open late (9pm) on Thursday and Friday. A personal favorite: 3D labyrinth outdoors. Check the schedule for special events like concerts, yoga, games.
674 locals recommend
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak StAn absolute must-see, and free admission (parking on the street or $10 garage). You can spend an hour or an entire day wandering through this art museum. Closed Monday and Tuesday, but you can still walk around on the grounds and view the sculptures. Open late (9pm) on Thursday and Friday. A personal favorite: 3D labyrinth outdoors. Check the schedule for special events like concerts, yoga, games.
Broadway-style shows during the summer season, and many concerts at other times. All 8,000 seats are outdoors, making for a one-of-a-kind special evening. All seats have a good view, but you can get really hot on a summer evening. Most nights you can take a water bottle in with you, but nothing else is allowed.
73 locals recommend
Starlight Theatre
4600 Starlight RdBroadway-style shows during the summer season, and many concerts at other times. All 8,000 seats are outdoors, making for a one-of-a-kind special evening. All seats have a good view, but you can get really hot on a summer evening. Most nights you can take a water bottle in with you, but nothing else is allowed.
Parks & Nature
This is a mountain bike trail, but also offers a beautiful hike, and surprisingly remote, given you are in the city. Wear hiking boots, as you'll do some gentle climbing and there are loose rock. Take bug spray and water.
Swope Park Mountain Bike Trailhead
6001 Oakwood DrThis is a mountain bike trail, but also offers a beautiful hike, and surprisingly remote, given you are in the city. Wear hiking boots, as you'll do some gentle climbing and there are loose rock. Take bug spray and water.
See Wilma, an 80 year old box turtle. In total, Lakeside has about about 75 animals including two bald eagles, two turkey vultures, three barred owls, three varieties of hawks and two Kestrel falcons. This is one of MO’s largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities and provides education & recreation focused on the environment. Nice hiking trails too!
11 locals recommend
Lakeside Nature Center
4701 E Gregory BlvdSee Wilma, an 80 year old box turtle. In total, Lakeside has about about 75 animals including two bald eagles, two turkey vultures, three barred owls, three varieties of hawks and two Kestrel falcons. This is one of MO’s largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities and provides education & recreation focused on the environment. Nice hiking trails too!
Shopping
Locals call it "The Plaza" where you'll find 150 shops (mostly high-end clothing). Several fine restaurants, lots of people and it is all outdoors on 15 blocks. Very pedestrian. The architecture is Spanish, designed in 1922 as the nation's first suburban shopping district.
505 locals recommend
Country Club Plaza
4706 Broadway BlvdLocals call it "The Plaza" where you'll find 150 shops (mostly high-end clothing). Several fine restaurants, lots of people and it is all outdoors on 15 blocks. Very pedestrian. The architecture is Spanish, designed in 1922 as the nation's first suburban shopping district.
Two sisters operate this funky, artistic store full of one-of-a-kind "stuff". Much more fun than chain stores, and very Kansas City!
8 locals recommend
Stuff
316 W 63rd StTwo sisters operate this funky, artistic store full of one-of-a-kind "stuff". Much more fun than chain stores, and very Kansas City!
This is a cross between a nostalgic, old-fashioned variety store with a convenience store - deodorant, greeting cards, stationery, crafts, seasonal goods, slinkys. Notice the old wooden floors and wow! the candy aisle with candies you (or your parents) haven't seen since the 60s.
The New Dime Store
314 W 63rd StThis is a cross between a nostalgic, old-fashioned variety store with a convenience store - deodorant, greeting cards, stationery, crafts, seasonal goods, slinkys. Notice the old wooden floors and wow! the candy aisle with candies you (or your parents) haven't seen since the 60s.
Sightseeing
National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial DrThe interior is beautiful, but even if you can only drive by, the parking garage appears to be 40+ books in a shelf (10th Street between Wyandotte Street and Baltimore Avenue)
23 locals recommend
The Kansas City Public Library: Central Library
14 W 10th StThe interior is beautiful, but even if you can only drive by, the parking garage appears to be 40+ books in a shelf (10th Street between Wyandotte Street and Baltimore Avenue)
The memorial sits up on a cliff, overlooking Swope Park, Starlight Theater & the Zoo. This is a very picturesque location, seldom visited, and bit quirky - massive lions and a U-shaped colonnade. Beautiful vista of KC.
Swope Memorial
6900 Swope Memorial DrThe memorial sits up on a cliff, overlooking Swope Park, Starlight Theater & the Zoo. This is a very picturesque location, seldom visited, and bit quirky - massive lions and a U-shaped colonnade. Beautiful vista of KC.
Drinks & Nightlife
Upscale bar food, always good. Whiskey nights (1/2 price pours). Ask to sit on the rooftop, and have a drink at sunset. Lovely.
27 locals recommend
The Well Bar - Grill and Rooftop
7421 BroadwayUpscale bar food, always good. Whiskey nights (1/2 price pours). Ask to sit on the rooftop, and have a drink at sunset. Lovely.