I wasn’t really sure what to expect when we visited Kansas City, Missouri, since basically all I knew about the city was Kansas City BBQ and the Chiefs (aka Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift). After getting to know the city a bit more, I can confirm it has a lot more to offer than just football and BBQ! Don’t get me wrong though – those things are well known for a reason.
We ended up finding SO many cool hidden gems and lesser-known spots while on the hunt for the best things to do in Kansas City that I know you’ll love. Theo (my cockapoo) also joined us on this trip, so I have lots of dog-friendly options from here as well! I’ll try to make a note about the dog-friendliness of each place.
What to Do in Kansas City
Discover the Arabia Steamboat Museum
I’m not a huge museum person, but I was pleasantly surprised by how interesting this museum is! Basically, a steamboat sunk in 1856, and the museum covers the sinking and the recovery of the ship, and it houses all the artifacts from when it was finally recovered and dredged up beneath a cornfield in 1988. It’s the largest collection of pre-civil war artifacts and sheds a lot of light on what life was like on the American frontier in the mid-1800s.
Entry is $18, ~1 hour, not dog-friendly
Up-Down Arcade Bar
Yes, it’s technically a bar, so it could be in the “Where to Eat” category, but it’s also a SUPER fun way to spend the evening! It’s a quirky bar full of old arcade games with all the classics like pinball, Skee-Ball, Galactica, Frogger, Super Mario, Crazy Taxi, and literally dozens more! It’s $5 for a cup of 20 coins (so $0.25 a coin), and each game is 1 coin per person (so $0.50 for the 2-player games). We got $10 worth of coins, and it was a really unique and entertaining end to the day!!
$5 for 20 coins, ~2 hours, inside is not dog-friendly (the patio is, there’s just no arcade games there)
Walk around City Market
This regional market is right outside of the Arabia Steamboat Museum and has tons of awesome international markets with food from around the world. It’s a great place to grab lunch or just browse the selections.
Free, spend 0.5 – 1 hours, not dog-friendly
Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
This art museum is absolutely worth walking through, even if just for 30 minutes. It’s an interesting museum with a broad selection of art from different time periods and regions of the world, and it’s totally free! (FYI – the parking deck is not free though)
Free, spend 0.5 – 3 hours, outdoor area is dog-friendly, inside is not
Walk through Union Station
This historic train station is over 110 years old and truly magnificent. It’s free to walk around inside (although the parking is a flat $15). The building hosts paid, permanent attractions like the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, as well as temporary exhibits. You can find a few cute cafes inside to sit and drink a coffee.
Free, 15 – 45 minutes, not dog-friendly
Stroll the West Bottoms
The West Bottoms is my favorite neighborhood in Kansas City. There’s just something about the old warehouse buildings that are incredibly charming, and it’s such a unique area to walk around. It’s also a great place to browse antique shops, but either way, you have to make sure to check out 12th Street Post! It’s the cutest co-op of local businesses and has one of the most unique features I’ve ever seen – a setup called the ADHDiy Craft Café where you “order” the craft of your choice to do based on what your interests are! If you’re into haunted houses, West Bottoms also has the famous Beast haunted walkthrough during Halloween season.
Free, 1 – 2 hours, dog-friendly
American Jazz Museum
Before visiting Kansas City, I had no clue it played such a major role in the history and prominence of jazz music. Home to the famous jazz star Charlie Parker, Kansas City still boasts some of the best jazz clubs and music in the country. I knew very little about jazz music when we arrived, but knew I wanted to visit a jazz club! Before going though, I knew it would be more impactful if I had some context first. The American Jazz Museum is a quick and interesting museum that did just that! Keep an eye out for the drawing by Picasso (yes, that Picasso), Charlie Parker’s saxophone, and listen to the two versions of the same song by Louis Armstrong that were geared toward white versus black audiences.
Entry is $10, 1 hour, not dog-friendly
Hangout in Kansas City Parks
If you’re looking for some green spaces to relax or take your pup for a walk, here are some parks in the area (all free):
- Loose Park – this park is really pretty and has ponds and walking bridges
- Penn Valley Park – at one end of the park is the National WWI Museum & Memorial
- Swope Park – large, wide-open spaces and home to the Kansas City Zoo
Admire the Kansas City Public Library
Even if you don’t go inside, the parking deck beside the library has these cool giant “book spines” covering the exterior wall which is unique and worth seeing. The main room of the library is really pretty too!
Where to Eat in Kansas City
Yes, Kansas City has amazing BBQ, but it also has a TON of super vibey coffee shops and cute breweries!
Cafes, Breakfast, & Coffee Shops
McLain’s Bakery – a really pretty, larger cafe and coffee shop with breakfast and brunch options and a dog-friendly patio. I got the blueberry danish which was HUGE and so yummy.
Cafe Cà Phê – such a cool cafe with insanely unique coffees. I got the Paris by Night with sesame milk & cayenne.
Happy Gillis – cute retro cafe, dog-friendly patio
Take Care by OLEO – the menu is limited, but it’s a MUST for the biscuits with butter and strawberry basil jam, and for the drink, get a shakerato iced coffee!
Hemma Hemma – apparently, their cinnamon rolls are Travis Kelce’s mom’s favorite! Unfortunately, they were sold out, but we got the ginger cookies & they were incredible.
Messenger Coffee Co. + Ibis Bakery – a really aesthetic cafe albeit, the lines can be really long, so try to go early or on off days. The rooftop is really cute too! (not dog-friendly)
Thou Mayest – a really cute coffee shop with pastries & a dog-friendly patio
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream – a cute ice cream shop in the heart of downtown, they have dairy-free options & pup cups!
Restaurants/Dinner
Iron District – a super cool, food truck-style food court where, instead of food trucks, it’s all colorful shipping containers! It’s dog-friendly and has live music on Friday nights. Get ice cream from the Melt Box! The non-dairy peanut butter ice cream was SO good.
Char Bar – I dare to say this was my favorite meal in Kansas City. I got the vegetarian (jackfruit) BBQ sandwich and fried pickles which were both UNREAL. Austin took our server’s recommendation and got the 3-meat sandwich which he (and Theo, who sampled it) both loved. The patio is dog-friendly and there’s a large outdoor bar with lawn games & ping pong!
Westside Local – with a dog-friendly patio and farm-to-table options, you’ll need to book a reservation because it can get full quickly
The Wise Guy – a newer place with yummy Italian food in a chic setting. We tried the pizzas and pasta & loved both. Not to mention, the staff was SO kind, helpful, and welcoming.
Breweries, Bars, & Jazz Lounges
Bar K Dog Bar – It’s like a dog park had a baby with a bar and a restaurant and turned into the coolest hangout spot! It’s mostly locals, but you can get your dog a guest day pass for $10! There’s a full bar and restaurant on-site, and we also ordered Theo a “dog-beer” (chicken broth) and chicken risotto. Is it a bit over the top? Yes, and that’s why we loved it.
Casual Animal Brewing – LOVE the decor of this brewery with the contrast of vibrant green plants, vintage looking rugs, and rustic exposed wood. Both inside and outside are dog-friendly!
Vine Street Brewing – Missouri’s first black-owned brewery that is housed inside a historic limestone building across from the abandoned Kansas City Workhouse – they also have the best-rated beer in Kansas City!
Strange Days Brewing Co. – A cool brewery with eclectic decor inside and a dog-friendly patio.
Green Lady Lounge – This super cool jazz bar has live music daily! Despite being called the Green Lady, the exterior is nearly all red which creates a very vibey ambiance. There’s typically a cover charge, but it can be paid with card! If it’s busy, you can also go next door to the Black Dolphin which is owned by the same people.
The Blue Room – This is the jazz club inside the American Jazz Museum where local and national artists play authentic jazz. We didn’t make it back in the evening this time, but it’s on my list!
I visited Kansas City in collaboration with the Visit Missouri tourism board – thank you so much to the Visit Missouri team for sponsoring this blog post! I hope you have the best time in Kansas City, and enjoy some great jazz music and delicious food along the way!