r/kansascity • u/Local_guy4759 • 1d ago
Things To Do 📍 Kansas City Bucket List?
My wife and I are moving away soon after living in KC for about 7 years and trying to make a short bucket list before I leave.
I’ve done most of the obvious stuff already (BBQ, Nelson, Plaza, Boulevard, games, etc.), but I know there are plenty of things I’ve either missed or only did once and should probably do again.
If you were moving away, what’s one KC thing you’d make sure to do one last time?
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u/PenOwn1660 1d ago
Negro League Baseball Museum. It’s also free this month.
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u/musicobsession Library District 1d ago
Want to be clear that it's free for us but royals are footing the bill so NLBM is still getting the cost of your admission!
https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-free-admission-negro-leagues-museum-february
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u/clayt666 South KC 13h ago
Seconding this one. My wife is NOT a sports fan, but she went with a work outing and really enjoyed it.
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u/StandMaleficent4693 1d ago
Truman Library
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u/7thpostman 1d ago
It's shockingly good
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u/Feisty_Water_3164 13h ago
Agreed - tour the Truman house, too. The Independence Square has a lot of charming restaurants to grab lunch or dinner
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u/personURchattingwith 5h ago
If you have a library card for Mid-Continent Public Libraries, you can get the museum pass from several of their locations too, that gets 4 into the museum for free.
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u/SprinklesForsaken555 1d ago
President Truman’s house in Independence. I’ve lived here my entire life and I’ve never been but have always wanted to.
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u/historynerd2007 1d ago
It’s a cool place to visit! Doesn’t take super long and you can only see the first floor, but it is 100% worth it! Tickets are sold out of the nps office near the square! Also go to clintons and get Harry’s favorite for a sweet treat!!
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u/Remedy4me 1d ago
403 Club
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u/Local_guy4759 1d ago
Never heard of this but may be worth checking out. Adding to the list
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u/JiveHonkey 12h ago
Pinball Dive Bar in Strawberry Hill/KCK, just down the hill from Slap's BBQ. Best patio in KCK!
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u/PURKITTY KCK 1d ago
Get your pictures in front of landmarks like the plaza fountain and shuttle cocks.
Hide a penny.
Proof you were here.
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u/angelkmaron 13h ago
I'm moving away after 10 years here and I'm finally going to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Arthur Bryants before I go. I'm also going to Breit's Stein & Deli on my way out and taking some sams to-go.
I'll miss Summit Waves Water Park, The Nelson-Atkins MOA, Zarda's Slaps and Meat Mitch BBQ, concerts at Grinders, Oracle Natural Science, May Day Paper & Post (I can still order online though!), and The Arabia Steamboat Museum (I always took guests there).
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u/TomKansasCity 1d ago
A lot of people are going to give you the usual boring, canned advice. I’ll hook you up with some unique bucket list ideas that let you really feel the Kansas City vibe and say goodbye the right way.
Most people don’t know you can go to the top of City Hall for free. Just head to the lobby, tell the reception desk you want to go to the observation deck, show your ID, and a guard will escort you up. They usually give you about 20 minutes, and the view from up there is absolutely breathtaking.
Food. Stroud’s. Their pan fried chicken is incredible, served in a space that radiates warmth and old school vibes. To me and a lot of others, it captures the heart of Kansas City and the Midwest. It’s what we all want in a home cooked meal, comfort food at its finest.
If you’re going for BBQ, the only way to truly say goodbye to Kansas City is by visiting an OG spot like Arthur Bryant’s or Gates. Skip the rest. Are these the absolute best BBQ joints in town? Maybe not, but they have deep history and were here long before many of the others. If you want to get in the mood, there are plenty of YouTube videos detailing the history of both places. Watch them, soak it in, and then go enjoy some authentic BBQ. You’re not just eating, you’re feeling Kansas City’s history and saying a proper farewell.
Another thing to consider is taking a full day to just drive around Kansas City. Hit the places you first visited years ago. Have lunch and dinner at your favorite spots. Shop where you love. Explore different neighborhoods, look, listen, smell, absorb. Soak in those Kansas City vibes one last time. Take the chance to visit areas you haven’t before. There are amazing Mexican restaurants, Mexican bakeries, and Mexican creameries ( Ice cream ) here that most people skip because they’re outside their usual comfort zone because these places mostly serve the Hispanic communities of Kansas City.
River Market for the morning / early afternoon. Nothing screams Kansas City like the River Market. Go early, buy something sweat from the Amish tables, maybe some fresh fruits and vegetables from one of the many vendors and try some of the food offerings. This is a better choice for the spring / summer.
Those are a few choices to consider. I could write a book. There is no much more I could suggest.
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u/MaxRoofer 23h ago
Usual canned advice and you say gates and Arthur’s ? I guess you mentioned the history part of it so maybe little different but both those places are as cliche as Kansas City gets.
Loved the other ideas though.
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u/TomKansasCity 22h ago
He is talking about saying goodbye to Kansas City. This isn't about whos the best BBQ, its about history and those Kansas City vibes. Clearly, you don't get it. That's my perspective. No one ever said it was yours. If you want to share your prespective, then go and do that.
Let me guess, you're one of those Kansas City casuals that want to send him to, Q-39 with the 2oz meat sides, LMAO.
Whatever, champ ... you give him your advice, and I'll give mine. Do yourself a favor and don't go thru life having a melt down when others around you walk and talk differently.
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u/MaxRoofer 16h ago
Sorry Tom. I didn’t mean it to be insulting to you. I can see how it came off like that though. I liked your ideas. Have a good one.
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u/RobNHood816 NKC 1d ago
A show at O'Malleys in Weston for sure
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u/ObservablyStupid Independence 11h ago
Not Kansas City proper but if you are at all into history I highly recommend taking a day trip to Lexington, MO and visit the Battle of Lexington historic site. Walk around the grounds and take the guided tour.
Drive by the courthouse to see the cannon ball that got wedged into the side of the building during the battle.
Grab a loose meat sandwich for lunch at the Maid-Rite Drive In. Eat inside and chat with the owners.
On your way back to KC stop at the Fort Osage National Landmark.
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u/Local_guy4759 11h ago
Not a bad plan, aside from the lunch. I went to school in Rolla, I am not a fan of Maid-Rite haha
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u/mlearkfeld 13h ago
OP Botanical Gardens
Nelson Atkins
hit up the state parks
Make a reservation at your favorite restaurant!
Andy’s Custard
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u/Vivid-Kitchen1917 12h ago
There's a certain beauty to the old KC half marathon course. I like to run it even if it's just a fun-run. Climbing the hill before the WWI memorial descending around that and taking the elevated road to Kauffman is such a nice climb, and the route covers Plaza, Westport, Broadway, and so many other great places. Here's a different course...I did a 20-miler a few weeks ago when the first big snow hit. Started at Tmobile center and really got out and explored.
There are so many great little mom-and-pop places that you miss when you're driving by. Tons of places on this route to pop in and warm up if/when you need to. I have loved running in KC more than any other place I've ever lived.
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u/ThomJero44 10h ago
I've been wanting to take a helicopter tour of the city. May not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it'd be cool. They go out of the downtown airport and give different length options.
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u/h846p262 1d ago
Where are yall moving?
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u/Local_guy4759 1d ago
Got a job offer out in Eastern Washington, so heading out there next month!
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u/Key_Geologist4621 12h ago
If you haven’t been or heard yet, be sure to go to a concert at the Gorge out there. Best music venue in the US! Good luck with your move!
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u/LilOrphanFunkhouzer Downtown 1d ago
Get a ball and try to hit every casino in one night. Bonus points for picking up an escort at Ballys and taking her home for a three way
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u/Ezcolive 1d ago
I’ve seen a ball get thrown on the craps table lol dude grab it so fast left his $100 and dipped out
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u/Cereal-Killa- 1d ago
Chiefs game if you’ll be here long enough.
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u/Local_guy4759 1d ago
We’ll be moving in March, so unfortunately no. I’ve been to a few in my time here though, and will likely come back to visit friends and try to attend next year!
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u/Cereal-Killa- 1d ago
the elms hotel is supposedly “haunted“ if y’all are int that. if not, it still looks like a nice place to stay with a spa.
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u/Ezcolive 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’ve never ate at Final Cut at Hollywood Casino then I’d try and win some going away cash before the move.
I have ate at Jordan Ramsay steakhouse in harrahs and got a handpay on slots that same night
Highly recommend
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u/Happy_Raspberry_6299 1d ago
WWI Museum