Dining
Aixois Bistro is a cozy French restaurant with one of KC's best mussel dishes. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the intimate dining room. Or fully experience the Brookside neighborhood while enjoying a glass of wine on the patio. Aixois has a fantastic happy hour!
Osteria Il Centro has Italian "food and wine so good, it actually improves the conversation." In a quaint neighborhood just a few blocks south of the Plaza, Il Centro is open for dinner, only. The chef's ample use of garlic coupled with an extensive wine list made Il Centro one of Sharon's top picks.
Rozzelle Court Restaurant at the Nelson Art Museum is a long time favorite of Sharon's. Dine in a 15th-century Italian courtyard at the heart of Kansas City's world-renowned art museum. Great for a lingering weekend lunch while browsing the museum or enjoy a Friday night dinner and live music.
Great restaurants pop up in Kansas City every day, especially along the line of our streetcar, which connects Downtown with the Crossroads Art District. For additional locally-owned establishments check out The KC Originals.
Museums
The Arabia Steamboat Museum is located in our historic city market. The Arabia sank in 1856 and remained buried for the next 132 years. Her excavation revealed a one-of-a-kind time capsule into life on the Missouri river.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is the museum for modern and contemporary art lovers. This stylish facility houses a continually expanding permanent collection as well as rotating exhibitions. The curators highlight emerging and established artists from around the world.
National WWI Museum and Memorial houses the world's most comprehensive WWI Collection. Take in a view of Kansas City like no other when you visit the distinctive Liberty Memorial and the nations official WWI Museum.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses an expansive collection of more than 35,000 works of art. Walk the grounds and explore the enchanting sculpture park or meander through the glass labyrinth. Explore different art styles, cultures, and time periods as you tour this spectacular building.
Music
Chaz on the Plaza is a great option for music and dining. Virtuoso musicians serve up jazz over the evening meal and during your weekend brunch. Sunday night prime time features a classically trained string duo. This intimate, stylish restaurant is located in the Raphael Hotel on the Plaza.
Green Lady Lounge and the Black Dolphin serve up live Jazz 365 days a year. Step through the door of the clubs into the atmosphere of a 1920s speakeasy. Musicians are center stage, keeping Kansas City's beloved jazz tradition in the spot light every night.
The Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera perform in Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Our world-class opera house is a stunning piece of architecture that highlights the talent of our classical musicians and serves as a stage to many touring productions.
When the weather's nice our local musicians head outside! Don't be surprised if you run across musical talent in our parks, on the Plaza street corners, or walking through the Crossroads Art district.
Shopping
Brookside is the neighborhood to explore for locally owned shops and the true "local" Kansas City experience. BKS Artisan Ales serves up a mead made from honey harvested by bees that live in the neighborhood. Brookside Barrio has a fantastic patio and upscale Mexican fare. You'll find everything from art galleries to spice stores in this charming part of KC.
The Country Club Plaza is the luxury shopping experience in Kansas City. JC Nichols modeled his visionary shopping center around a Spanish theme. Browse high-end retailers situated in picturesque red tile roofed buildings. Discover a new fountain or courtyard at every turn. People watch as you enjoy a glass of wine on one of the numerous patios in this historic shopping district.
These are just a few of Sharon’s favorites, but the city has much more to offer.
Interested in Kansas City’s burgeoning craft beer scene? Want to catch a game at any of our amazing sports stadiums? Curious if you can really eat at a different Barbecue place for every meal?
Let us know what you’re interested in and we’ll put together tailored recommendations for your next visit to Kansas City!
