Kansas City Named a Top World Destination

Frommer’s, a bestselling travel guidebook series, recently named Kansas City as one of the top 10 destinations in the world, along with places such as Beirut, London and Ghana. Frommer’s chose KC as a top world destination largely because of the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and other iconic sites including the Nelson-Atkins Museum and the College Basketball Experience.

All the places Frommer’s named make KC a wonderful place to travel to, but there are also things that some travel guidebooks may overlook. When I think of KC, I don’t necessarily think of museums. I think of a combination of my favorite local restaurants and more well-known destinations. Here are seven reasons that contribute to the magic of KC and reasons why I think KC deserves that top 10 spot in the world, from a local perspective. These seven things make KC the Kansas City I know and love, a point of view no travel magazine could capture.

The Plaza
The Country Club Plaza is known beyond KC for its beautiful architecture and abundance of shopping. I love the Plaza for both of these reasons, but I also treasure it for the festivities associated with it.

The Plaza art fair, in late September, is nationally known. The entire Plaza transforms with restaurants setting up stalls outside and stores opening their doors to the fresh air and friendly chatter. The sidewalks and streets are packed with families experiencing unique art in a beautiful atmosphere.

In the winter, there is the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The local singers and dancers showcase KC talent and at the flip of a switch iconic towers and buildings are lit with rainbow lights. The experience is magical and exemplifies the grandeur of the Plaza.
The Plaza helps make KC great because it brings the city together with its accessibility and far reaching events.

Classic Cookie
Classic Cookie is a little known café in Waldo with a cozy feel and KC’s best pastries. Whereas most residents of KC recognize Panera as a great lunch spot, Classic Cookie is lesser known, but just as good. Since I was little, my mom and I have gone to Classic Cookie for special treats and now I make sure to show my friends my favorite café when we’re looking for somewhere to eat.

Classic Cookie makes KC special because it has a charming atmosphere nestled into a quaint nook. Although it is not known city-wide, it is a classic to those lucky customers who hear about or stumble upon this adorable bistro.

Classic Cookie serves some of the best breakfast and lunch in KC as far as I’m concerned, but what sets it apart from other cafés is the assortment of mouth-watering cookies. The Classic Cookie bakes all the classics, and some with slight variations such as my personal favorite: chocolate chocolate chip. The cookies may sound ordinary, but they are soft and bursting with homemade flavor.

Four Seasons
Not only does KC have terrific restaurants and destinations, but the atmosphere itself is noteworthy. KC has about equal lengths of each season and varies from freezing cold to 100+ degree days. The four seasons are special to KC, not many other popular cities are lucky enough to experience all the seasons in such extremes.

Without the seasons, everything there is to do in KC would not be possible. The Plaza would not be the same in winter without the snow swirling as the lights are turned on. Farmer’s markets wouldn’t have the same draw if you could experience them throughout the day instead of waking early on summer mornings to beat the rush. The variety of weather is what gives KC a background for all of its wonderful components.

Oklahoma Joes
Unlike the other local restaurants, Oklahoma Joes is known beyond KC, and for good reason. KC is known for its barbecue, and Oklahoma Joes is the epitome of delicious barbecue, having won numerous awards for its meat and sauces. The restaurant’s location in a gas station and humble atmosphere portray the KC home-town, down-to-earth feel. Despite its popularity, Oklahoma Joes is not outrageously priced.

The locale is secondary to the food though. Pretty much anything ordered at Oklahoma Joes will make your taste buds tingle, but the beef brisket and the pulled pork (the house specialty), are the must-tries. Simple sides including French fries and potato salad compliment the tender, flavorful meat.

City Market
The City Market in the Rivermarket district draws people from all over KC, which is what makes it one of the best places in the area. The City Market offers a wide range of products from fresh produce to exotic spices. It has a wild tang to it, but at the same time a homey feel due to all of the fresh produce grown by local farmers. I love the fact that you have to wake up early in the summer to get there before the sun is scorching hot. The variety of fresh, juicy fruits and vegetables available for taste tests, friendly vendors and crowded walkways is a sensory overload, in a good way.

The City Market is a notable KC destination because of how it combines the diversity of the area with the home-town feel. The various sides of KC blend seamlessly into a colorful, delicious Farmer’s market.

Winstead’s
It was only recently that I learned that Winstead’s is a franchise particular to KC. This knowledge made me appreciate my favorite restaurant for summer nights and pre-MORP dinners that much more. Winsteads opened its first location on the Plaza in 1940. Winsteads’ KC roots, unique diner-style atmosphere and classic food make it a legendary KC landmark that was necessary to my list.

The food and atmosphere make Winsteads special; there are no other restaurants I’ve been to that have a working jukebox and mint-green vinyl booths. Stepping into Winsteads brings familiarity and a KC hometown feel. The food is still relatively cheap and the cheeseburgers, onion rings and milkshakes can be described as nothing less than American classics. Winsteads is a landmark in KC that travelers could easily pass by if they had not heard of it, but KC residents recognize it for its virtue.

Murrays
Murray’s Ice Cream and Cookies is a hidden gem within Westport. The average tourist would not know about Murray’s, which is what makes it that much sweeter. Off the beaten path, Murray’s is popular with KC locals for its ice cream, cookies and soda fountain specialties such as malts, sundaes and phosphates. The ice cream and cookies are made on the premises and the ice cream flavors vary depending on the day. One of the more creative and delicious flavors is de‘mint’ed.

Because it is not a chain, Murray’s can be pricey, but it is worth the extra dollar to taste the original flavors and experience the family atmosphere. As a popular ice cream shop for locals, Murray’s adds spunk and tradition to KC.