Things To Do
Green Lady Lounge
"Iconic" jazz club with guaranteed good vibes. There's typically a cover charge, but we think it's worth it.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
What says "great art inside" besides giant shuttlecocks?
18th and Vine museums
Located just a 5 minute drive from Crossroads, there is the American Jazz Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the Black Archives of Mid-America. This area is also home to Arthur Bryant's, a restaurant solidly in the conversation of KC's best barbecue.
River Market
KC's true downtown has some stuff. There is a weekend famers' market as well as other events, boutiques, and shops in the River Market.
West Bottoms
This is Kansas City's reclaimed historic stockyards district, and also the area of the wedding venue. If you have time to kill on Saturday before the ceremony, let this be your excuse to browse antiques or get a coffee or beer.
Breweries
For those inclined, we've got quite a few!
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Check out what's happening here in April.
Plaza market event
From 11:00am--3:00pm on April 12, The Plaza will hold a family-friendly shopping event with promotions, tastings, and interactive experiences like face painting and balloon twisting.
Restaurants
Please Google amongst yourselves from our opinion of KC's best food, by area CROSSROADS: Extra Virgin Sushi Kodawari Grunauer Blvd Tavern Crossroads Hotel (great views from the rooftop bar) Cafe Gratitude (vegan) Westside Local Any Mexican restaurant on Southwest Blvd WESTPORT: Potpie (!!) Westport Cafe Hamburger Mary's Mesob (Ethiopian) Tiki Taco Fric & Frac THE PLAZA: JJ's Gram & Dun True Food (healthy) Osteria Il Centro Winstead's (we gotta) NOT THOSE AREAS: Arthur Bryant's (KC bbq mentioned above) The Antler Room Succotash (brunchy) Waldo Pizza (!!) Waldo Cafe (a real diner-ass diner = JOY. Plus free cinnamon rolls, guys) Bella Napoli McLain's Bakery KANSAS SIDE (very widespread, so plan mindfully): Bonito Michoacan Joe's (KC bbq--also maybe the best? Who's to say) Cafe Provence French Market ABC Cafe (Chinese. You'd have to venture a bit, but it's great)
misc non-food recs
WESTPORT RD THRIFT STORES (just delightful): Wonderland Wearhouse POP! COFFEE SHOPS: Java Garage (near wedding venue) Cafe Ollama Cafe Corazon Donutology at the Trolley (mostly because it's in a trolley) Broadway Cafe Westport Coffee House Hi Hat The Roasterie QUEER BARS: Woody's KC (big outdoor area) Side Kicks Saloon (cash-only, lots of character) Missie B's (frequent drag shows!) Gaels Public House RECORD STORES: Josey Records Mills Records with Merritt Sister Anne's Willa's Books and Vinyl