Went to Kansas City for a wedding and traveled around the whole city (including into Kansas!). These are the places we visited and lived as tourists who like to avoid tourist traps and look for local spots.
Map
Delicious coffee and an in-house dog makes for a perfect little stop
Java Garage LLC
Great bbq and the best banana pudding of my life. Be prepared to wait in line.
Chef J BBQ
A truly great selection of clothes for reasonable prices.
Rex Vintage
A lovely brewery with really good beer.
Casual Animal Brewing Co
If you love cocktails and books, this bar/bookstore is a must stop
Afterword Tavern & Shelves
Jim's is a perfect dive with cheap beer. Happy we visited.
Jim's
If you want KC gear, especially anything related to Taylor Swift, this shop is for you
Westside Storey
A great happy hour deal got us a pint of fries. Pretty happy about that!
The Westside Local
A super fun outdoor bar that's a little difficult to find. It's worth it.
Panther's Place
Delicious coffee and breakfast sandwiches.
Messenger Coffee Co. + Ibis Bakery
A free art museum? Count me in
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Get the ribs and street corn. So good
Wolfpack BBQ & Burgers - Columbus Park, Kansas City, MO
Great vibes, great music, great seltzers
Strange Days Brewing Co.
Plenty of food options if you're looking for something to eat
Kansas City River Market
Right next to the market if you're looking for a drink
River Bluff Brewing
It's worth a quick stop to admire the wall of books
The Kansas City Public Library: Central Library
A fun rooftop to drink and see the city
John's Big Deck
A fun little dive with cheap pitchers and huge wings
The Peanut - Downtown
Hillsiders is worth a trek into Kansas
Hillsiders
Another great dive with free popcorn
Chicago's | Kansas City KS
Varsity Club and Disco Burgers outside are both with a trip. Still thinking about the burger.
Varsity Club
The chicken sandwich, BBQ mayo, and banana pudding were clutch
Joe's KC BBQ
A three-story used bookstore that's worth a quick visit
