Recapping my first day in Kansas City, Missouri
“Wait, it’s in Missouri?” Michael asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
“But it’s called Kansas City!”
“Well, it’s in Kansas, too.”
(This went on for several minutes before I finally caved and pulled out a map).
Michael and I were searching for hotels for a Labor Day weekend trip, which we’d booked only three weeks before the flight. Having just returned from Nashville, we were debating whether or not we should even take a trip over the three-day weekend.
But the allure of travel won out, as it usually does. As prices rose for our other potential destinations, Houston and Cincinnati, our plans to visit Kansas City became solidified.
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I’d visited Kansas City once before with family, but I don’t have any strong memories of our visit, and planning this trip felt much like planning a first-ever visit. As you can probably tell from the ensuing conversation, one of us didn’t know very much about the city ahead of time. With little time for research and planning before going, Michael’s first Kansas City visit turned into a full-on learning experience.
For the fun of it, I thought I’d share about our three days in The City of Fountains, travel diary style. Here’s a play-by-play of day one:
MORNING IN KANSAS CITY
Michael and I landed at MCI around 9:30 a.m. and immediately exited the small terminal. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself standing outside on the curb within two minutes of landing, as many of the airports we visit include a long walk/shuttle/tram to get to ground transportation.
Our Lyft driver arrived within mere minutes, and we were on our way to downtown, about twenty miles away. Uber and Lyft estimated prices within the $27-35 range, which felt a little on the pricey side, but far worth it considering the other option is public transit, which only runs once an hour and the journey takes another hour. Time versus money is always a consideration when traveling and saving time was the clear winner here.
We dropped our bags off at our hotel and immediately headed for brunch at Gram and Dun, located in Country Club Plaza (or simply, “The Plaza”). Brunch was fantastic; we started with a cinnamon roll and honestly could have ended the meal there. I ordered two of their “planks,” which are open-faced toasts, and Michael ordered the smoked ham sandwich. It was still nice enough to sit outside, and the place was beginning to fill in. I would have liked to stay and enjoy the atmosphere more, but we had to continue our day.
We strolled The Plaza a little, popping into a few stores like Madewell, Baldwin (now closed), and Eileen Fisher. This area is filled with many Spanish-style buildings, due to the city’s partnership with Seville, Spain, as part of the Sister Cities program. We also popped into local chain Kaldi’s Coffee for a great Gibraltar and flat white.
AFTERNOON IN KANSAS CITY
Next, we visited the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Admission is free (update: you now need to check in), and there is plenty to see inside and outside of the museum. Making your way across the lawn, you’re greeted by large shuttlecocks, which appear to have been just served over the top of the museum.
There is also a disorienting glass labyrinth which visitors can walk through. We quickly learned that the warnings at the front are there for a reason. It gets incredibly hot in the maze, and we saw one person walk right into the glass. It’s also a true labyrinth, so you also exit back the way you came in. Fun, but not for the claustrophobic!
After a few hours at the museum, we’d worked our appetites back up and were ready for some famous Kansas City barbecue. For that, we headed to Joe’s (formerly known as Oklahoma Joe’s), across the state line in Kansas.
The line was out the door, but we could tell the wait would be worth it. We waited in line for about forty-five minutes before ordering but once we placed our order, the food appeared almost instantly. Michael and I shared the Ribs & One Meat dinner with a side of potato salad, ordering burnt ends as our meat option (it’s not listed on the menu, but is an option when available).
Burnt ends are only sold at lunch on Mondays and Saturdays, and at dinner on Wednesdays. They go pretty quickly, apparently; ours were some of the last available that day. The ribs were amazing, but the burnt ends stole the show. Charred, yet tender and juicy, and perfect when combined with their house BBQ sauce.
It was time to head back to the Hotel Phillips to check in, and we spent a little time relaxing in our room (so much natural light!) and enjoying the Art Deco lobby.
EVENING IN KANSAS CITY
Scandinavian food isn’t something we get to eat too often (Ikea doesn’t count), so we always eat it when we get the chance. In Kansas City, that meant paying a visit to Krokstrom Klubb (now closed).
Michael and I shared the Smörgåsbord, which had a variety of meats and cheeses, as well as the köttbullar, Swedish meatballs served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries. We couldn’t decide between the princess cake or the sticky chocolate cake, so we got both (no regrets!).
We had considered finding a place to hang out and listen to live music, but we were simply too exhausted after such a busy day. It was time to head back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep to do it all over again the next day. Head here to read Part Two!
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Stay tuned for Day Two! Have you ever been to Kansas City?
