A Kansas City, MO travel guide is a must: This is a foodie city, a museum town, and a barbecue mecca — so when you think about how to plan a trip to Kansas City, Missouri realize that there are so many things to do that you probably can’t fit them all in one visit. Though it’s located smack dab in the middle of the country, this ain’t flyover country. It’s a vibrant, creative city, filled with interesting neighborhoods and ample arts and cultural attractions. It’s also a city of fountains (more than 200). Here’s a Kansas City, MO travel guide to get you started on how to plan a trip to one of Missouri’s leading lights.
When to Visit
The temperature in Kansas City spans quite a range. It’s cold in winter, and it’s hot and humid in summer. Summers, though, are quite popular times to visit, especially for the International Jazz Festival, and the annual, gigantic world-famous barbecue competition, American Royal World Series of Barbecue, is held in September. But for the best weather – not too hot, not too cold – head to town in Fall months, when it’s still beautiful outside. If you’re looking for the best hotel deal, then visit during Winter, when it might be colder, but there’s plenty of both seasonal fun and indoor activities to be had year-round. And if you’re Irish, consider coming on St. Patrick’s Day for their fantastic parade. Check out Forbes for more information.
Getting Around
As any Kansas City, MO travel guide would be remiss not to point out, like many American cities, the town is easy to get around if you rent or drive your own car. That said, if you’re flying into town for a fun weekend getaway and don’t want to ride it out, there are plenty of options. First off, there’s a new streetcar system that links up some of the major areas you’d want to visit, and it’s free. There’s also a reliable bus system to be utilized, including a rapid transit that connects neighborhoods and attractions you’d likely be interested in visiting. There are also taxis and bike sharing options when it comes to transportation, too. For an overview, check here.
Best Tours in Kansas City, MO
A tour is a great idea if you want an overview of the city, especially from a local who knows the city’s secrets. There are many great options to be had in town, including a hop-on-hop-off double decker bus tour, which will give you an overview of top attractions and take you to all the major sites. Since KC is a barbecue mecca, a barbecue tour also is a good option. There’s also a beer tour, foodie tours, Segway tours, and plenty of other choices to pick from. Here’s a list of many other great options.
Top Sights and Attractions
If it’s your first time in Kansas City, there are several things you won’t want to miss. The first is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which is not only world-class, but free to enter. You also won’t want to miss the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, which also is free and features a rockin’ good restaurant. The zoo is also pretty cool, and if you’re into shopping, then Country Club Plaza is your destination. And definitely check out the city’s fountains – Kansas City offers more than 200, and is famous for them.
Best Restaurants in KC, MO
Eating in Kansas City is an adventure. Kansas City is known for its barbecue, and really, you can’t leave town without stopping at one of the hundred (yes, 100) or so places you can get really good brisket, pork and ribs. Check out Jack Stack Barbecue, Gates BBQ, and/or Arthur Bryant’s, though there’s so much more to enjoy. For a gastropub experience, try Blvd Tavern. For beer-paired delights, give the aptly named Beer Kitchen and whirl. Corvino Supper Club is also great for gourmet 13-course tastings of yummies. For more ideas, visit Eater – as most Kansas City, MO travel guides point out, there’s no shortage of great dining options in town.
Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
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