I grew up in a small town 20 minutes outside of Kansas City and I figured what better place to write about than my home town. Kansas City is a large(ish) city on the border of Missouri and Kansas. Which means there is a Kansas City Kansas and a Kansas City Missouri. What most people don’t know is that the Kansas City most people talk about is on the Missouri side. The only things on the Kansas side are factories and plant fields.
I must say, since leaving Missouri I have lived in Utah, California Florida and Texas. I think Missouri is a great place to live. A lot of the midwest gets overlooked when people are considering places to vacation and sight see. However, I would argue that you get much of the same beauty you can find elsewhere without any of the crowds!
One last thing, just like much of the midwest, things in Kansas City are really spread out. The best way to get around and see things is by car either renting one or borrowing one. Alright so lets get to it, here are all of my favorite things in the Kansas City area.
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Grinter Sunflower Farm
Alright so most of the sunflower farms are actually on the Kansas side. Most tend to be in the middle or western side of the state. However, The Grinter Family though has a gorgeous farm right here near Kansas City and they open up their farm to visitors and pictures. It is completely free to go and see, they simply ask that you pay $1 per sunflower you pluck. It is all on the honer system so please pay for what you take and don’t ruin it for everyone.
This is a seasonal sight to see. The sunflowers are in season from mid-August till mid to end September.
Read More: 12 Best Sunflower Fields in Kansas to Visit
Eat Barbecue
Kansas City BBQ is world renown and SO DELICIOUS. Remember I also lived in Texas and although this may be an unpopular opinion I prefer Kansas City’s! Now within my family we are split between Kansas City Joes and Jack Stacks, and 312 is a new restaurant we have discovered. You can’t go wrong with any of them in my opinion.
Kansas City Joes BBQ
KC Joes was originally called Oklahoma Joes, IDK why because it was started in a gas station in Missouri. That gas station is still functional along with the original restaurant. However the lines are crazy long so you’re better off going to some of the other, newer locations to save on time. It is fun to go to the original though if you do have the time. Ribs are always my favorite and go to thing to order here. Brisket is another great option.
Jack Stacks
Jack Stacks is a more upscale restaurant chain, but that also means it is a little more expensive than KC Joes. The Fire Kissed wings appetizer is to die for! It is my husbands and fathers favorite thing on the menu. They are so yummy! I would also recommend the burnt ends, they are a Kansas City specialty.
Q39 BBQ
I hadn’t tried this one until more recently but I wish we had heard about it sooner because it was delicious! It is definitely one to add to the list if you have time.
I had the ribs here and loved them!
Listen to Kansas City Jazz Music
New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz but Kansas City has been called the cradle. The influences Kansas City had on Jazz created the genre as we know it today. So even if jazz isn’t normally your scene make sure you check some out while you’re here.
We visited a jazz lounge called Green Lady Lounge. They have a great drink menu and even some good mocktails if you don’t drink alcohol. The music is really great and this is a great place to relax after dinner with friends.
Go to a Sporting Event
Kansas City has several really great sporting teams. So no matter what time of year you’re visiting there is something you’ll be able to go see!
Royals Game
The Kansas City Royals are a great baseball team and the stadium is located just a short drive outside the city.
The Royals won the World Series in 2015 and the whole city was flooded with blue! One thing Kansas City is really amazing at is team pride. No matter what team it is we will cheer and hope for the best through thick and thin.
Chiefs Game
The Chiefs have been having a GREAT last couple of years. Our quarterback Mahomes may be young but he is a great player. Arrowhead Stadium is right next to the Royals stadium and happens to hold the record for loudest stadium in the world. What can I say, Kansas City people know how to show their pride.
Sporting KC and Mavericks
Sporting KC (previously the Wizards) are our soccer team. The Mavericks are a hockey team. Both are bound to be entertaining and full of fun!
Related United State Travel:
Union Station
Union Station started as a train station in 1914 and later the main building was converted into a series of museums, exhibits and small shops. Still today it is a functioning train station!
In high school I even gave a science presentation here during one of their events!
The building is beautiful and the lawn out front is a great place to hang out on a warm day and maybe even grab a picnic.
Crayola Center
This place is GREAT for kids. They have so many areas where kids can play and get creative. I used to go all the time, either on field trips or on visits as a family.
There are places to draw, you can watch christmas bows being made, and a HUGE shop with all the latest Crayola products. It is kid heaven.
WWI Museum and Memorial
This national monument stands for all the lives lost in WWI. There is a field of poppy’s planted under a glass bridge where each poppy represents 1,000 lives lost.
General admission tickets are $18 and to go up the tower is an additional $5. The outside is free and still offers a great view of the city.
The grounds surrounding the museum are full of walking trails and grassy field that are popular on warm sunny days.
Power and Light District
If you like drinking and music this is the place to go. Tons of fun bars with in a contained area so that you can drink outside and stages where local bands play. I have never been myself but many of my friends go often and it seems like a great place to hang out for an evening of drinking.
Kansas City Zoo
This is an especially great option if you have kids. A good sized zoo that will take an afternoon to a day to go through depending on how thorough you are seeing all the animals. They have elephants, penguins and toucans just to name a few. Pick a cool day and wander around with the animals.
Starlight Theatre
Very close to the zoo is Starlight Theatre. It is an open air theatre used by local groups as well as traveling troupes. Make sure you check out the shows that are going on while you visit to see what appeals to you.
We saw a fun magic show while we were living in the area that was really cool. If you are going in the early spring or late fall feel free to bring in blankets for extra warmth.
Related International Travel:
Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
Worlds of Fun is a huge amusement park similar to Six Flags. It has a kids area and some of the best rids I’ve ever ridden which makes it fun for all ages. Oceans of Fun is the water Park connected to it. Also fun to visit but if you’re only doing one I personally would pick Worlds of Fun. If you’re here in the off season for the park they also do haunted houses in October and a christmas festival in December.
Nelson Atkins Art Museum
The giant shuttlecock in the lawn is really iconic of Kansas City Missouri, you’ll find it in many pictures. The museum has a lot to offer indoors and outdoors so it is perfect for any weather good or bad.
The indoor galleries are free and you only pay $18 if you want to see the exhibitions that are occurring during your visit. There are additional discounts for students and seniors.
What to do in Kansas City
And there you have it, all my best suggestions on what to do in Kansas City. I hope all this has convinced you to put Kansas City on your bucket list.
Kansas City is not the biggest city around by any means, its definitely no New York City! However there is still so much to do and see, there will be no shortage of excitement.
You’re right! Q-39 is one of the best places to eat bbq in KC. I always order the burnt ends.
Burnt ends are so good! I could go for some BBQ right now.