Things To Do
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Dean’s favorite barbeque. Don’t let the gas station exterior fool you. Chef Anthony Bourdain named Joe’s original gas station location in his “13 Places You Must Eat Before You Die.” Great ribs, burnt ends, the Z-man sandwich, and great sides – all recommended. But order ahead for take-out unless you enjoy standing in line! Closed on Sundays.
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque
Mr. and Mrs. Starr’s favorite barbeque. And Ted Lasso’s, too! New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin declared, “...the single best restaurant in the world is Arthur Bryant's Barbecue at 18th & Brooklyn in Kansas City.” This is where former Presidents Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama came for ribs, burnt ends, battered onion rings, and a unique paprika-based sauce. It’s near the historic 18th and Vine, home of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the American Jazz Museum, and the Black Archives Museum.
The Peanut
A classic American dive bar, the Peanut on Main is Kansas City’s oldest bar and grill. Prior to its formal founding in December of 1933, The Peanut was a speakeasy during Prohibition. Dean recommends their buffalo wings, whose size nearly challenges that of a pterodactyl!
Prime Social
Lily and Dean’s favorite upscale cocktail lounge, conveniently located on Country Club Plaza. Enjoy the modern and refined rooftop experience while you relax by the fire pit and take in the panoramic views.
Country Club Plaza
Welcome to the nation’s first planned outdoor shopping center. Developed in 1923 by JC Nichols, an urban planner and early proponent of the City Beautiful movement, the Plaza echoes the architecture of our sister city, Seville, Spain.
Boulevard Brewing Company Beer Hall
One of the largest craft brewers in the US, Boulevard began in 1989, producing its Boulevard Pale Ale. Boulevard’s Beer Hall is the ideal place to explore a wide variety of fresh, flavorful beers. 30 tap handles feature an assortment of year-round, seasonal and limited offerings, including test beers available only at the Beer Hall. Boulevard Wheat and Tank 7 are two family favorites.
J. Rieger & Co. Distillery
Who would have thought Kansas City was the center of illicit activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? It was! Jazz, booze, and the Mob. J. Rieger was the largest mail-order whiskey house in the US before prohibition and sat on the “wettest block in the world.” Prohibition interfered, but a local bartender revived the brand in 2014. Book a tour online!
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Initially two museums funded by two families, the Nelson Atkins was bequeathed cash rather than art from its named founders. As a result, the curators had cash to create a collection, just as the Great Depression flooded the world with art. The museum created one of the country's largest art collections from the flood of available pieces for sale. The Bloch building, which looks like a jewel box at night, was added in 1993. Walk through the outdoor sculpture park to see the largest collection of Henry Moore bronzes, as well as Calder, Rodin, and Claes Oldenburg’s Shuttlecocks. Inside, you will find art from ancient and contemporary times spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The Burnap Collection was Irma Starr’s inspiration for her pottery, and you will find her artwork for sale in the gift shop.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Don't let the giant spider scare you away from this accessible museum, which is free of charge. The contemporary collection contains Louise Bourgeois, Tom Otterness, Ken Ferguson (Irma's pottery teacher), and Dale Chihuly, along with walls full of the work of famous and up-and-coming artists. The on-site restaurant, Cafe Sebastienne, is open for lunch, and 100 paintings by Frederick James Brown fill the room from floor to ceiling. And you can often find Irma's work in the Kemper gift shop.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum & American Jazz Museum
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum share a building at 18th & Vine, the center of African-American life in the early 1900s. The baseball museum chronicles the Negro Leagues from its inception in 1920 until it ended in 1962. The Kansas City Monarchs had the longest-running franchise in the league, and several of its players, including Buck O'Neil, founded the museum in 1990. Jackie Robinson played for the Monarchs before breaking baseball's color barrier. Charlie Parker came from these parts, and his saxophone from the night he played with Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, and Bud Powell is one of the centerpieces of this collection. Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and other jazz greats are also featured. The Blue Room, a working jazz club, is in the museum.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
This interactive museum explores the global events leading up to World War I and takes visitors through the war until the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. Climb to the rooftop, and an elevator takes you to the top of the Liberty Tower, which offers an unobstructed view of Kansas City. The tower is adorned with four Guardian Spirits representing Honor, Courage, Patriotism, and Sacrifice. And guess what! The gift shop features mugs and other memorabilia designed by Irma Starr!
The Rabbit hOle
You don’t have to be a kid to love children’s books. Especially if they come to life in front of you. Artists Pete Cowdin and Debbie Pettid worked with hundreds of award-winning authors and illustrators to create something unique. Enter through the Rabbit Hole, and you can walk with Madeline or cast a spell with Strega Nona. There’s even a telephone in the great green room, where you can sit in the yellow chair and whisper hush.
City Market
This is where Kansas City began in the 1820s as a French fur trading post along the Missouri River. Now, it is one of the Midwest's most established farmers’ markets. On the weekends, local vendors arrive to sell among the established shops.
Kansas City Haunted Houses
Happy spooky season! During October, we change from the “City of Fountains” to the “Haunted House Capital of the World.” The Edge, which began in 1975, is the most infamous. The Beast is nationally renowned for its special effects, while Macabre Cinema puts you in the middle of the horror film. Cross into Kansas, and Exiled leaves you alone in pitch-black woods to find your way out.