Known for the giant Shuttlecocks installation out front (go on and take a selfie), the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses nearly 40,000 works of art. Home to ancient and contemporary collections and an extensive collection of Asian art, the Nelson is regarded as one of the best museums in the country, and admission is free.
Just look for the pyramid-shaped building with a four-story spider statue out front. Yeah. While not much can outshine the Nelson-Atkins, just a short walk away is the (much more intimate) Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, which boasts a collection of modern and contemporary works, and hosts exhibitions, installations, film and video series, lectures, concerts, workshops, and other creative programs.
Shelby's favorite bakery/ chocolates in KC- 10/10 recommend for lunch or snacks.
A gold ceiling, a dark wooden bar, and a candlelit space are what you'll find in this iconic KC jazz club. There's no cover and no reason not to pop in for an hour ... or five. There's also a comfortable, quiet tone, which offers a nice respite from the rowdier entries on this list. The owner's motto is "Stiff drinks, good jazz, no homicides.” What could be more inviting?
This little craft-brewery-that-could is now one of the largest in the Midwest. Learn about the incredible history of this native-to-Kansas-City company and about Boulevard’s brewing process on a 45-minute tour that starts and ends with free beer. Afterward, make sure to get a photo in the little RV/photo booth and hit up the gift shop to take home your favorite brews. Be on the lookout for various events like Boulevardia, when the brewery hosts a block party with some pretty major headliners.
Local musicians, singers and spoken word poets jam together at the Foundation on Fridays and Saturdays from midnight until dawn, as they have done since 1930. The walls are covered in Kansas City jazz history, but don’t expect anything fancy here (drinks are served in plastic cups at the bar) – it’s all about the music. Pay the $10 cover and listen to talented players jam until the cows come home.
One of the finest distilleries in the city is also a must-stop dining destination. Opt for a few different dining experiences – from a sampling flight at the bar to a high-end dinner in the ballroom – where every cocktail is made with Tom's signature spirits, produced in the machines directly behind you. If you do not sample their gin, you have not successfully completed your Kansas City trip.
OPEN 24/7 Every city has that one diner/burger joint that’s been around since the dawn of time. In Kansas City, that is Town Topic Hamburgers. Step into this time machine and head back to the quaint 1950s for all your classic favorites: eggs and hashbrowns, chili, hot dogs, milkshakes and, obviously, hamburgers. Smashed thin and cooked until crispy, you’re probably going to want a double or triple cheeseburger. Don’t worry, no one will judge you.
In a former railroad house just north of Kansas City's historic Union Station, Lidia's evokes the warmth of an old Italian farmhouse. The blown-glass chandeliers set the tone for the Northern Italian menu, presented by Emmy award-winning PBS TV show chef Lidia Bastianich. You can play this one however you want. Go for the $65 ribeye or you could choose to get unlimited portions of the day's pasta trio. I suggest you do the later. (This is where Shelby started cooking professionally)
First opened directly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1935, The Ship was a place where politicians, gamblers, and all classes in-between could mingle freely. In the 1990s, the bar was dismantled, removing the decorations made from an actual wooden ship, but in the 2000s, a local team scoured the city to recover the lost elements, and re-opened the bar with much of its original glory. The drinks are cheap, the food portions are threatening, and it plays double duty as an intimate concert venue.
KC's premier gay nightclub is open 365 days a year until 3am, and is always ready to serve you a series of powerful drinks at bargain prices. The main floor hosts nightly events ranging from cabaret and karaoke to live game shows. The upstairs bar features the city's best dance floor and a leather shop. If you're looking for a way to end your night with the most positive energy imaginable, swing through.
Nationally-recognized Monarch walks the fine line between being fancy and still accessible. It's the kind of place where a semi-formal dress code is enforced, men are required to remove their hats, and people often arrive in their Sunday best to have a drink or two. But that's all part of the fun. Don't order your usual; Insted ask the bartender to surprise you with a concoction using their selection of locally produced liquors. You might just find your new favorite to remember the city by.
You can’t go to Kansas City and skip out on BBQ and Joe’s is your very best bet for the good stuff. We recommend getting the two-meat BBQ dinner with brisket and ribs to be able to taste a little bit of everything. In the mood for a sandwich? Order the Z-Man: a stack of brisket, smoke provolone and onion rings on a Kaiser roll. Beware: you’re going to be very full.
With so many BBQ joints in town, Q39 had to find a way to separate itself from the pack. The solution? Serve great BBQ, but add chef-driven apps, sides and entrées cooked over wood fire. The smoked fried chicken with chipotle BBQ will make your knees shake and the pork belly and sausage corn dogs will make you weep with joy.
True foodies know that what Michael Corvino is doing at Corvino Supper Club is not to be missed. The dramatic restaurant offers two concepts: sit in the main dining room and order from a number of shareable plates or steal a seat in the 18-seat tasting room where the kitchen becomes your theater. Watch as the team creates a meal you won’t forget right before your eyes.