Kansas City is a shockingly underrated city. There’s a lot to do, great places to eat – but above all the culture seems so distinct. It’s as though Kansas City is living in its own vintage wonderland – so check out the best things to do in Kansas City!
Vintage Everything – Just 1 of 5 Things to Do in Kansas City
Remember how I just mentioned that Kansas City is super retro? There are tons of stores that match that vibe throughout the city.
Kansas City has about the same population as Wichita and yet it felt like it had so much more to offer. Donna’s Dress Shop was by far the cutest, and offers a lot of replica clothes.
Boomerang had a lot of lovely accessories and some cool clothes but very limited when it came petite sizes for the clothes.
Re-Runs had a better selection of smaller sizes and I was sorely tempted to purchase things I did not need. There were several others – honestly I just encourage you to walk around and stop in, they are a lot of fun to explore.
Best Museum in the Plains?
I had never heard of the Nelson Atkins Museum but it is shockingly large and beautiful. Their American Indian section in particular is huge and informative.
Very well done curation and frankly everything was arranged masterfully. I kept wanting to stay longer!! In museums I often find there is an overload of….stuff. This museum felt like it had chosen each item with care.
Also, the café was shockingly good. Did I mention this museum is completely free? Yeah. Go see it.
Unique Food Scene – Best Things to Do in Kansas City
I find that a lot of people don’t know what real Italian pasta tastes like. It truly is an experience everyone should have.Kansas City is home to Lidia’s Italian. I highly, highly recommend heading here for delicious Italian with actual homemade pasta.
Additionally, the Mud Pie Vegan Bakery had some nice options and drinks and we stopped in at least twice.
For drinks I cannot recommend the Green Lady Lounge enough – even if you aren’t actually drinking. The setting is fantastic, if absolutely terrible for photos. The vibe feels “stuck in time,” the live Jazz music creates a unique ambiance. Be aware the drinks are incredibly strong and they don’t skimp on the amount!
I hope you consider Kansas City for a trip! I was shocked by how much I liked it, the surprising amount of things to do in Kansas City, and overall I think it is one of the most underrated places I have been in the US!
Union Station
Union Station is perhaps the most happening place in all of Kansas City. For some reason, it has everything. I mean, there’s a planetarium, a theater, a special model train section, rotating exhibitions of history and art, a science museum – all in one place!
It’s perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers since there is something here for everyone. And, it’s all set in the historic Union train station that is over 100 years old. History within history, plus some really great architecture that creates a surprisingly dynamic skyline.
Boulevard Brewing Company
The craft beer craze is sweeping the nation. And some of the best companies to start the trend are located in the Great Plaines states of Kansas and Missouri. Of all the things to do in Kansas City, this place deserves a particular highlight if you’re interested in cool machines or drinking!
They offer tours every day for $10-15 which take you throughout their canning and brewing facilities. Does the price seem a little steep or the idea a little boring? Don’t worry, you get to choose four to five 5oz glasses of beer to sample!
The tickets are known to sell out fast, however. So get your tickets ahead from the Boulevard Brewing Company.
And those are the things to do in Kansas City! I was shocked by how much fun I had on this very last minute adventure. For more posts on life in Kansas and Missouri, you can find my posts from where I had a sleepover at a museum with a Harry Potter theme, when I went to the Kansas State Fair, and when I visited a Frank Lloyd Wright museum.
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