Phillip’s Kansas City Guidebook
Kansas City Iconic Spots
A world-class museum located just a few blocks away down Rockhill Road. Spend a full day in the outdoor sculpture garden, browse the priceless antiquities, or enjoy the modern, classic, ancient, and impressionist art from around the world. Tell them you’re staying at Phillip’s Airbnb to get in free 😉😋
674 locals recommend
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak StA world-class museum located just a few blocks away down Rockhill Road. Spend a full day in the outdoor sculpture garden, browse the priceless antiquities, or enjoy the modern, classic, ancient, and impressionist art from around the world. Tell them you’re staying at Phillip’s Airbnb to get in free 😉😋
One of the best views of downtown Kansas City, as well as one of the must-visit museums in the US. You will enjoy the park around the museum as much as you enjoy the exhibits inside.
400 locals recommend
National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial DrOne of the best views of downtown Kansas City, as well as one of the must-visit museums in the US. You will enjoy the park around the museum as much as you enjoy the exhibits inside.
Gorgeous gardens dedicated to the late Kansas City icon Ewing Kauffman, and his wife Muriel. Worth a (free) visit if you’re looking for a peaceful place.
63 locals recommend
The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
4800 Rockhill RdGorgeous gardens dedicated to the late Kansas City icon Ewing Kauffman, and his wife Muriel. Worth a (free) visit if you’re looking for a peaceful place.
(My favorite spot in KC) it’s just called “Loose Park” by the locals, this iconic and giant park borders the Plaza, and is surrounded by the homes of some of Kansas City’s wealthiest residents. Bring a picnic, bike, stroller, frisbee, or kite; this place has something for everyone. Enjoy.
213 locals recommend
Jacob L. Loose Park
5200 Wornall Rd(My favorite spot in KC) it’s just called “Loose Park” by the locals, this iconic and giant park borders the Plaza, and is surrounded by the homes of some of Kansas City’s wealthiest residents. Bring a picnic, bike, stroller, frisbee, or kite; this place has something for everyone. Enjoy.
Kansas City’s most iconic (and most gorgeous) building. Inside includes a kids science museum, restaurants, a movie theater, stores, cafes, activities, (and of course) a train station. If you’re a history or architecture fan, it’s worth the visit just to admire the beauty inside.
290 locals recommend
Union Station Kansas City
30 W Pershing RdKansas City’s most iconic (and most gorgeous) building. Inside includes a kids science museum, restaurants, a movie theater, stores, cafes, activities, (and of course) a train station. If you’re a history or architecture fan, it’s worth the visit just to admire the beauty inside.
Neighborhoods
Great walkable and upscale neighborhood for dining and shopping. Fountains and Spanish architecture galore.
89 locals recommend
Country Club Plaza
Great walkable and upscale neighborhood for dining and shopping. Fountains and Spanish architecture galore.
This area is huge. Made up of many gorgeous sub-neighborhoods and thoroughfares, it’s located between the Plaza and Crown Center. It’s heavy on hipsters and folks who like to party. It’s improved maybe more than any other area of Kansas City in the last 15 years, and offers quite a bit to explore.
99 locals recommend
Midtown - Westport
This area is huge. Made up of many gorgeous sub-neighborhoods and thoroughfares, it’s located between the Plaza and Crown Center. It’s heavy on hipsters and folks who like to party. It’s improved maybe more than any other area of Kansas City in the last 15 years, and offers quite a bit to explore.
Great for families. This area includes Union Station, the WWI Museum & Memorial, as well as Crown Center Mall (great stores and restaurants for kids). It’s a wonderful area for families to walk around and see views of downtown KC, or catch the (free) streetcar to give you a tour of the area to the north (The Crossroads, Downtown, and River Market)
234 locals recommend
Crown Center
2450 Grand BlvdGreat for families. This area includes Union Station, the WWI Museum & Memorial, as well as Crown Center Mall (great stores and restaurants for kids). It’s a wonderful area for families to walk around and see views of downtown KC, or catch the (free) streetcar to give you a tour of the area to the north (The Crossroads, Downtown, and River Market)
Watering Holes
Great spots to grab a drink and watch the game or hang out.
This upscale sports bar is right in the neighborhood. Great for catching the game or grabbing a drink. LGBT-owned and family friendly.
Gaels Public House & Sports
5424 Troost AvenueThis upscale sports bar is right in the neighborhood. Great for catching the game or grabbing a drink. LGBT-owned and family friendly.
Get yourself a dollar dog 🌭 on Saturday, or just roll up to grab a beer and a burger and watch the game. This place is a Brookside staple, and plays host to generations of high school and family reunions.
21 locals recommend
Charlie Hooper's
12 W 63rd StGet yourself a dollar dog 🌭 on Saturday, or just roll up to grab a beer and a burger and watch the game. This place is a Brookside staple, and plays host to generations of high school and family reunions.
Food scene
This little bakery in the neighborhood is possibly the best in KC! Don’t expect everything to still be available if you’re a late riser 😉
9 locals recommend
Blackhole Bakery
5531 Troost AveThis little bakery in the neighborhood is possibly the best in KC! Don’t expect everything to still be available if you’re a late riser 😉
Anthony Bourdain called this place one of the 13 places to eat before you die. Possibly the #1 BBQ joint in the world, it’s literally built inside a gas station. Expect a long wait on weekends, but it’s worth it. Call ahead to order if you’re not one to sit and enjoy the ambience.
344 locals recommend
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
3002 W 47th AveAnthony Bourdain called this place one of the 13 places to eat before you die. Possibly the #1 BBQ joint in the world, it’s literally built inside a gas station. Expect a long wait on weekends, but it’s worth it. Call ahead to order if you’re not one to sit and enjoy the ambience.
Amazing little neighborhood ice cream shop, open right around the corner! Seriously good eats 🍦 You couldn’t ask for a better place to grab an ice cream cone.
High Hopes Ice Cream
5536 Troost AvenueAmazing little neighborhood ice cream shop, open right around the corner! Seriously good eats 🍦 You couldn’t ask for a better place to grab an ice cream cone.
A lovely French restaurant in Brookside, nestled alongside the Trolley Track Trail. This upscale neighborhood eatery is about a 10 minute walk from our home. Come early for coffee & croissants, or later for drinks and dinner. Sit inside for ambience, our outside for a gorgeous experience en plein air.
24 locals recommend
Aixois
251 E 55th StA lovely French restaurant in Brookside, nestled alongside the Trolley Track Trail. This upscale neighborhood eatery is about a 10 minute walk from our home. Come early for coffee & croissants, or later for drinks and dinner. Sit inside for ambience, our outside for a gorgeous experience en plein air.
Great local spot for breakfast/brunch for families. No mimosas, but breakfast sandwiches and pastries galore.
27 locals recommend
McLain's Bakery
201 E Gregory BlvdGreat local spot for breakfast/brunch for families. No mimosas, but breakfast sandwiches and pastries galore.
Neighborhood favorites
The local Brookside families walk or bike down to this spot of rotating food trucks. Families gather on weekend mornings for the coffee or crepe truck posted up in Brookside Park, on 56th street. Super cute.
East 56th Street & Brookside Boulevard
The local Brookside families walk or bike down to this spot of rotating food trucks. Families gather on weekend mornings for the coffee or crepe truck posted up in Brookside Park, on 56th street. Super cute.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Drive or take public transportation?
Cars are the fastest and easiest way to get around, and parking is usually free. Uber and Lyft are great too. That being said, the bus and streetcar systems are FREE and very reliable. I suggest planning your route using google maps or the transit app for live tracking of bus locations. If you’re downtown, the streetcar is the easiest way to get around, and kids love it. If you’re taking the bus, I recommend the Main St. MAX express line, as its route is more scenic & hits most major destinations.
Getting around
Where to explore safely in Kansas City
Kansas City is very North-South oriented. Most visitors remain in the “Main Street Corridor” from the River (in the north) to 85th Street (in the south), and between State Line (bordering Kansas on the west) and Troost (to the east). West of State Line is mostly suburban, and east of Troost is lower income. 90% of arts and culture is within this area, and you can’t go wrong exploring anywhere here!