October 17th, 2024 | By: Grace Kim
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24 Hour Kansas City Itinerary
Kansas City is a vibrant Midwestern city that offers more than just it’s famous barbecue and iconic Kansas City Chiefs. From history to world-class museums and aesthetic fountains, Kansas City has a ton of untouched charm. We drove up to Kansas City from Northwest Arkansas and were were in for a treat! It was a straight 3.5 hour drive with a stop at Loves to pick up some snacks.
Andy wanted to show me around KC for a while, since he spent 2 years living there. We ended up staying in Kansas City for a long weekend, which was the perfect amount of time. But if you only have a day to explore, I’ve put together this complete guide that will allow you to see popular, must-visit tourist attractions in 24 hours. With that being said, just note that your day will be absolutely packed!
Breakfast at Mildreds Food + Drink
Start off the day getting breakfast at Mildreds. Located in the heart of Downtown Kansas City, Mildred’s is a local favorite as they offer everything from breakfast and sandwiches, pastries, and coffee. We opted in for the Guacamole Chicken Club, and had absolutely no regrets. Not only did the sandwich taste homemade with just the right amount of seasoning, but it also tasted like so much love and care went making the sandwich.
What I also liked about Mildreds is that there is a ton of seating in the back. This makes it the perfect place for large groups and families, and the option to take your time and not feel rush to the start of the day.
Coffee + Tea at Cafe Corazon
I travel a lot and throughout my travels, I am always looking for the best cafes. And let me tell you that I couldn’t have fallen more in love with my experience at Cafe Corazon. This Latino and Indigenous family-owned business offers a diverse menu from speciality coffees and teas from Latin America. There are two locations, one in Westport and the other located on Crossroads. We ended up going to both locations, as I felt that the Westport location had a more traditional feel.
Opting in for their Chai Yerba Maté with Oat Milk, I couldn’t believe what I was drinking. This was my first time trying yerba maté as the flavors instantly exploded in my mouth. The barista showed me how to traditionally drink the Yerba maté, as I found myself refilling the gourd every few minutes. You have the option to drink the yerba maté with either hot water or milk, but the owner said her favorite was the chai with oat milk. The drink will be more on the bitter side if you opt in for hot water, but just remember that there are so many health benefits to it!
We had such an amazing experience that we ended up buying Yerba leaves, a gourd, and bombilla to go. From the hundreds of cafes I’ve been to around the world, I’ve never gone anywhere that serves Yerba mate. Not even in New York City. But maybe this calls for a trip over to South America!
Kauffman Performing Arts Center
From the moment you enter Kansas City, you’ll be greeted with the most iconic building in the city, the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. It’s hard to miss as this architectural landmark is home to the Kansas City Symphony, Ballet, and Opera. If you’re visiting while there isn’t a live show, I recommend at least taking a stroll around the building and admire it’s architecture!
Union Station
In a lot of major cities, Union Station is usually marked as a train station. Well, not in Kansas City! You’ll find everything from restaurants, exhibits, and even a family friendly science center. Exploring the Planetarium is a trip in itself, as it’s perfect for families and bigger groups. It’s architecture and cultural offerings is one of a kind and if you’re lucky, you might end up seeing one of it’s rotating cultural exhibitions!
Hours of operation:Â 6AM – 12AM everyday
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial, which officially opened in 1926, is the only museum in the US solely dedicated to preserving artifacts and sharing the historical narratives of the war. Not only is the architecture stunning, but there are also parts of the museum that will make your visit interactive, like going through a VR experience.
Once you’re done exploring indoors, head outdoors as you’ll be right under one of the highest points in Kansas City. There are beautiful viewpoints that showcase the best of the city, whether you’re visiting during the day or at night.
Note: The museum is closed on Monday.
The Plaza
First glance driving through The Plaza had me shocked. It almost feels like you’re entering into another city, or even country. The Plaza is located right by the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and is known for it’s Spanish-inspired architecture, beautiful fountains, restaurants, and boutique shops. It was hard to not take photos walking through every corner as this little section of Kansas City offers so much personality.
Once you start walking around The Plaza, you’ll understand why the city’s nickname is “The City of Fountains“. It’s the most beautiful to visit during the holidays, or during Fountain Day, as there are lights surrounding the buildings, making you feel like you’re in a magical wonderland.
Lunch at Jack Stack Barbeque
After exploring The Plaza, we came straight to Jack Stack Barbecue. This was my very first Kansas City barbecue experience, and loved everything about it. Our server was amazing and answered all our questions, considering that I had no idea what burnt ends were prior to our visit. The cheesy corn bake is also a must, especially if you’re a cheese lover like me.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Known for it’s incredible architecture, art, and sculptures, get ready to spend hours exploring this Midwest hidden gem. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a short 10 minute drive from the National WWI Museum and is known for it’s collection of art from almost every continent and culture, especially for it’s Asian art pieces. This museum is spectacular that whether you’re an art lover or not, spend some time strolling through the art collections and the gardens.
Note: Entrance into the museum is free, but you have to reserve your time slot online.
Explore Westport Neighborhood
Known as one of Kansas City’s oldest neighborhood, this is where the locals go to hang out. The neighborhood is lively, has a ton of dining options, and is where to be if you’re looking for nightlife. From pubs to breweries, Westport is the perfect place to be to explore local history, or just to enjoy an evening out.
The original Cafe Corazon is also in Westport if you’re looking for a place to work with reliable wifi, or just to relax at that will make you feel like you are in South America.
Dinner at Slaps BBQ
Located about an 8 minute drive from the Power and Light District is where you’ll find the best barbecue in all of Kansas City. Slaps BBQ has been the go-to barbecue spot in Kansas City since 2013, as their popularity has had them sell out of meat almost everyday since opening.
We ended up getting the Sampler and the Burnt Ends Combo, and every single side on the menu. Everything was delicious, and is definitely one of the more authentic barbecue restaurants I recommend anyone visiting Kansas City to try. The Turkey and the Beef Polish Sausage were my favorites, and the Burnt Ends was Andy’s favorite.
Sunset at The Scout Statue
Offering panoramic views of Downtown, The Scout Statue is an iconic bronze sculpture of a Sioux Indian on a horse overlooking downtown. You’ll find both couples and families walking around the area, and enjoying the views to end off the day.
Spending time at The Scout Statue was extremely peaceful, as I enjoyed being off my phone and just spending time with my boyfriend. It reminded me to just take some time to wind down and enjoy the simple things in life.
Betty Rae's Ice Cream
There will always be room for ice cream and while you are probably stuffed from having so much barbecue throughout the day, swing by Kansas City’s most popular ice cream shop. Betty Rae’s Ice Cream has so many fun flavors like the Gooey Butter Cake, and the Brown Butter & Toasted Pecans that I opted in for. Even on the weekdays, the lines may be long but they go by pretty fast. It’s worth the wait!
Prime Social Bar
After a long day of exploring, end off the day getting drinks at Prime Social. Although on the more upscale side, this bar has incredible views of the city skyline, and the Western Auto sign. The cocktails were uniquely delicious, the service was great, and I couldn’t have asked for a better food selection.
I also loved how moody it was inside, and it’s almost like you get your own little section if you’re not sitting at the bar. Just make sure to make reservations online because if you get there a bit too late, the doorman will not let you upstairs.
Overall Experience
From wandering through historical buildings to trying mouthwatering barbecue, a day in Kansas City is enough to experience how many fun things there is to do throughout the city. Although your days will be packed, it is possible to check off this entire itinerary in one day. If not walking distance from each other, all landmarks are no more than 10-15 minutes away from each other.
Whether you initially came to Kansas City to watch a Chiefs game, you’ll quickly realize how much you’re going to want to explore the city. I’ve already visited twice since my first visit, and I know that it isn’t my last! Kansas City is definitely a Midwest hidden gem that is so underrated and is one that you’re going to want to add onto your USA bucket list. Enjoy exploring!
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