Go Downtown: Get Out of the Suburb Bubble and Explore the KC Downtown Area

When my friends let me choose where to get lunch, my mind instantly goes to the usuals. I gravitate towards Chipotle, The Mixx, Chick-fil-A or any smoothie place in an eight mile radius. But this time, instead of making my way down Mission to grab my Bahama Mama smoothie, I went on a long-awaited trip downtown to find a lunch spot with some new scenery. 

Some may say that downtown is ages away, but the 10 extra minutes on the highway is a whole different scene than the houses off Roe. The parallel parking there gave me a new appreciation for the convenient parking lots in PV. If you had trouble with the parking section of your driver’s test, I’d recommend going on the weekdays so it’s not a big issue.

After merging onto I-35, my directional dyslexia kicked in and I ended up taking four left turns until I made it to 17th and Summit street. The yellow and blue building on the corner of 17th and Summit will capture anyone’s eye. This brunch hub was called Blue Bird Bistro and couldn’t be any cuter. 

The intricate details are nothing like the chain decorations at Chipotle or Johnny’s Tavern. From yellow petite daisies to the string lights surrounding the ceiling, Blue Bird Bistro has countless Instagram-worthy spots. The stained glass window with blue birds holding vines in their beaks was my favorite little touch. 

Instead of waiting masked up in line during lunch hour we were seated right away outside along the side of the patio. I ordered the vanilla french toast that came with fresh fruit and pecan butter. It was one of the best brunches I have ever had, to say the least. This french toast was not any ordinary soggy bread, it was a toast baguette soaked in vanilla cream and topped with the best butter you will ever taste. 

After we were stuffed from our mid-day meal, the bird scooters on the sidewalk called our name — I’m sure you would have to circle about 18th Street as a post brunch activity as well.

Different types and styles of art were displayed throughout alleys and streets creating a free spirit type of vibe as we scootered through downtown. Graffiti lined tunnels and insta-worthy graphic art walls covered the streets, and KC inspired sculptures were scattered all around the city. In this spot there was no deferring our little city to a big bustling city like Chicago. 

We eventually made our way to the Crossroads, a neighboring area of downtown where unique boutiques lined the streets. The infamous Raygun t-shirt shop was our first stop. The most recent and trendy sayings “I love voting” and “There is no place like Mahomes” were printed across shirts, mugs, stickers, flags and more. This store reminded by of how amazing Kansas City really is.

Next door was Daisy Lee Vintage. This place either creates trends or is ahead of its time, because all of the pieces looked handmade and unique. My favorite piece was a distressed jean jacket with daisy patches across the front. This store gave off a hippy mixed with the quarantine grungy fashion type of vide. 

And to finish off your day downtown, make sure to stop at insomnia cookies on the other side of Power and Light. The ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies are loads better than the basic Goodcents ones I’ve been accustomed to. We ate our cookies in a little seating area where you could hear the bustling street car and people walking from place to place — but all of that sound was muffled by a beautiful fountain to our left. 

COVID wise, the streets were bustling, but not too busy that you couldn’t keep a six foot distance. Masks were required in every boutique and at every restaurant until being seated. 

Yes Chipotle will never fail to disappoint, but in a time where we are stuck inside and in cohort bubbles, it’s nice to sneak out of the suburbs and explore.