Things to do in Kansas City
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Eden Alley
Healthy eating never tasted better. The 'ultimate grilled cheese sandwich' is a work of art with four cheeses bubbling under an aioli sauce. Other options handle every variation on veggie eating and range from salads to falafel.
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Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque
KC's own style of BBQ is pit-smoked and slathered with heavily-seasoned vinegar-based sauces. Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque in Country Club Plaza is for people who'd rather dress up before dripping sauce on their pants.
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Gates Bar-B-Q
Another famous KC sauce shack is Gates Bar-B-Q, where it is assumed you'll want a frosted mug of locally-brewed beer with your hickory-smoked, sauce-slathered beef.
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d' Bronx
d' Bronx is a classic deli with 50 whopping hot and cold sandwiches to choose from, though the shining star is the crispy pizza.
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Giant badminton shuttlecocks (the building represents the net) surround the encyclopedic Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which has standout European painting, photography and Asian art collections. Its luminescent and cock-free Bloch Building, designed by Steven Holl, has earned rave reviews.
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Truman Presidential Museum & Library
Just east of Kansas City, Independence was the home of Harry S Truman, US president from 1945 to 1953. The Truman Presidential Museum & Library exhibits thousands of objects, including the famous 'The BUCK STOPS here!' sign, from the man who led the US through one of its most tumultuous eras.
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JJs
A long-running steak house in the Plaza that stays busy by serving nearly flawless timeless classics like French onion soup and perfectly grilled meats. The bar buzzes with local glitterati, and the wine list sparkles with hundreds of choices.
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Crown Center
Crown Center is home to a number of theater companies, including the American Heartland Theatre (www.ahtkc.com) which, mounts Broadway-style shows, and the Coterie Theatre (www. coterietheatre.org) an acclaimed children's theater.
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Le Fou Frog
Take a trip to Paris without leaving the prairie at this small bistro that's authentic right down to the at-times brusque service. The food is superb, especially hearty stalwarts like cassoulet. Tables outside are to be cherished.
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Truman Sports Complex
Major League Baseball's Royals (www.kcroyals.com), Major League Soccer's Wizards (www.kcwizards.com) and the NFL's Chiefs (www.kcchiefs.com), the top ticket in town, play at side-by-side stadiums in the Truman Sports Complex.
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Harley Davidson Motorcycles
Harley Davidson Motorcycles hail from Milwaukee, but some are made right here, and you can take a free factory tour at the assembly plant which is 20 minutes north of downtown. No open-toed shoes or children under 12 allowed.
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Truman Home
See the simple life Harry and Bess lived following their life in the White House at the Truman Home, furnished with original belongings. Tour tickets are sold at the visitor center (tel: 816-254-9929; 223 N Main St).
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Arabia Steamboat Museum
The Arabia Steamboat Museum is home to 200 tons of salvaged 'treasure' from a riverboat that sunk in 1856 (one of hundreds claimed by the river). It's in City Market, which is an attraction itself.
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City Market
City Market is a haven for small local businesses selling an idiosyncratic range of foods and other items. Ethnic groceries abound and there is a farmers market for regional producers on weekends.
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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum covers African American teams (eg the KC Monarchs and New York Black Yankees) that flourished until baseball became fully integrated.
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Hallmark Visitors Center
The Hallmark Visitors Center features not-terribly-interesting exhibits on the greeting card giant's history, but hey, Hallmark is one of KC's biggest employers, so cut it some slack.
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Leila's Hair Museum
The remarkable Leila's Hair Museum in Independence holds the world's largest (and only public) collection of wreaths and jewelry made from hair, a popular 19th century art form.
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La Cantina
La Cantina is a narrow place, makes a mean salsa tomatillo and has a pretty good bar. Brick walls and a press-tin ceiling lend this Mexican restaurant a friendly feel.
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Mutual Musicians Foundation
Also at 18th & Vine, this little spot has hosted after-hours jams since 1930. Nowadays they take place on Friday and Saturday nights and don't kick off until about 1am.
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Unicorn Theatre
For an industrial center that was once a giant stockyard, KC's theater scene is more happening than you'd expect. The Unicorn stages contemporary, thought-provoking works.
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National Frontier Trails Museum
The National Frontier Trails Museum gives a good look at life for the pioneers along the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails; many began their journey in Independence.
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American Jazz Museum
You'll learn about different styles, rhythms, instruments and musicians - including KC native Charlie Parker - at the interactive American Jazz Museum.
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Blue Koi
Take a culinary detour from the Bar-B-Q. This Asian noodle shop doles out dumplings, soups and bubble teas (many of them spiked with alcohol) with West Coast panache.
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Blue Room
This slick club, part of the American Jazz Museum, hosts shows on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Weekday shows usually have no cover charge.
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Arthur Bryant's
Not far from the Jazz District, this famous institution serves up piles of superb BBQ in a somewhat slick setting. The sauce is silky and fiery.
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