The Active Traveler’s Guide to Kansas City

Ask anyone you know about Kansas City, and they’re sure to have been there. But have they really experienced Kansas City? Have you?

Sure, it’s home to trophy-winning sports teams like the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, and KC Current. Then there’s the legendary barbecue. And the fountains. Country Club Plaza, Westport, and the Power & Light District. And let’s not forget about the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Crown Center, and Union Station.

Undoubtedly, every visitor has marked these off their Visit KC bingo card at some point. That’s wonderful.

However, there is far more to the “Paris of the Plains” than these marquee landmarks and traditions. With over half a million residents, Kansas City is Missouri’s largest city and second-largest metropolitan area behind St. Louis.

There is a wealth of bustling upstarts in the local food and libations scenes, as well as some stalwart entities that helped put Kansas City on the map. Voluminous parks, green spaces, and nature centers abound, as well as a healthy community of outdoor- and fitness-minded citizens.

To make sure you’re not missing out on the depth of Kansas City, we’ve picked out some of the best highlights for you to add to your itinerary the next time you visit.

 

Parks and Trails

Get in on the grandeur of Swope Park
At 1,805 acres, Swope Park is not only Kansas City’s largest park, it’s also one of the largest municipal parks in the country. It’s home to the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre, and the Lakeside Nature Center, Missouri’s largest native species rehabilitation center. Many locals head to this urban oasis for soccer, golf, community gardens, fountains, and a treetop adventure park. However, for urban mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers, the 20 miles of concentric singletrack that follows limestone bluffs and the rolling contours of the local terrain is the main draw.

Water adventures on Lake Jacomo
Lake Jacomo, located in Fleming Park to the east of the KC metro area, is a 970-acre water body that is popular with anglers, paddlers, sailors, and windsurfers. The park’s marina rents stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and paddleboats during the summer months, as well as pontoons and fishing boats throughout the year.

Kansas City’s front porch to the Missouri River
Just north of downtown Kansas City, on the south bank of the Missouri River, between the iconic Kit Bond and Heart of America bridges, you’ll find Berkley Riverfront Park, a unique expanse of green space filled with cultural and recreational amenities. Enjoy stunning views and sunsets over the water, stroll the two-mile trail, scale the urban boulder, or snap a selfie against the backdrop of colorful murals, all just minutes from the metro center.

Follow the American Discovery Trail
Just across the Kansas-Missouri border from south Kansas City, Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails in Overland Park provide 17 miles of flat, paved greenway for runners, walkers, and cyclists. This popular urban greenway traces the steps of America’s westward expansion and connects to the larger 570-mile American Discovery Trail.

Get your paddle wet on the Missouri River
Kansas City Kayak and Canoe offers rentals of kayaks and canoes to explore the Missouri River. Choose from several preset routes ranging from 2.5 to 25 miles. Guided and non-guided trips are offered from May through mid-October, weather and river conditions permitting.

 

Food and Drink

Dig into KC’s signature barbecue
Kansas City boasts the nickname “Barbecue Capital of the World,” so you won’t want to miss sampling the city’s famous smoked meats. “The beauty of Kansas City barbecue,” says Carolyn Wells, executive director of the Kansas City Barbecue Society, “is that you can ask 10 different people to define Kansas City barbecue, and you get 10 different answers, and they are all correct.” Some of the stars of the KC barbecue experience are Arthur Bryant’s, Gates, Jack Stack, Joe’s Kansas City, and BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ, but with 100 different barbecue joints around the city, it’s hard to go wrong.

Down on the boulevard
Boulevard Brewing Co. first started cranking out award-winning and crowd-pleasing beers in 1989 with the classic Pale Ale and Unfiltered Wheat and has since become the Midwest’s largest specialty brewer. Head to their BLVD Tours & Recreation Center for guided tours of the brewing complex, tasty brew-pub eats, and a rotating cast of 30 different Boulevard beers on tap.

Explore the West Bottoms
The rejuvenated former industrial complex known as the West Bottoms provides an eclectic selection of alluring bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and boutique stores. For sipping, stop in at The Ship, West Bottoms Whiskey Co., Stockyards Brewing Co., Amigoni Urban Winery, and Fountain City Winery. For great eats, there’s Voltaire, Golden Ox, Lucky Boys, The Campground, Larks Entertainments, and Chef J BBQ.

Bicycles and brews
Velo Garage and Tap House in North Kansas City not only sells and repairs bicycles but also features handmade pizzas, a wide array of craft beers, live music, and weekly community-focused bike rides and special events.

A different dining hall experience
Opened in 2018, Parlor food hall boasts seven different restaurants, two bars, a lounge, a library, a den, and a garden patio. This three-level space embodies the mission of local chefs coming together to curate a diverse group of culinary concepts, paired with inventive cocktails and craft beer — all under one roof.

 

Where to Stay

An artsy overnight
Located in the Crossroads Arts District, sister properties The Aida and The Truitt promise a boutique guest experience. Each historic home turned micro-hotel offers no more than four well-appointed guest rooms and suites, though each has its own distinct personality reflected throughout. Just steps away from Nelson-Atkins, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Kansas City Art Institute, it’s not hard to guess where the hoteliers found their inspiration.

Experience old-world glamour and charm
One of the city’s most iconic places to stay, Hotel Kansas City is housed inside the former Kansas City Club Building near the bustling Power & Light District. The ivory facade and classy interior reflect the building’s history as the area’s premier social club in the 1920s. In addition to the 144 guest rooms and suites, Hotel Kansas City also features multiple dining options and a nightclub in the cellar. Here’s looking at you, kid.

 

Wellness and Fitness

Community-focused climbing
RoKC was developed by two local climbers who wanted to bring world-class climbing to Kansas City. The mission of the founders, brothers Andrew and Frank Potter, was to provide a fun, inclusive, and adventurous environment where people from all walks of life, ages, and abilities can learn and be challenged. RoKC’s three locations — north Kansas City, Olathe, and downtown — provide excellent climbing options and personal instruction, as well as yoga and fitness classes.

Spinning your wheels
MOJO Cycling Studio in Country Club Plaza is sure to have the music thumping and your heart pumping. This spin studio promises to energize and empower while also kicking your butt in a non-judgmental sort of way.

More than yoga
Arbor Vitae Yoga and Wellness Center, located in Kansas City’s historic Waldo neighborhood, is the top choice for those seeking meaningful self-care. This wellness center is home to Yoga Patch, a studio offering daily classes across a variety of yoga styles. It also houses Floating KC, a zero-gravity float spa that features cold plunges, infrared saunas, and traditional steam saunas. Additionally, the center includes several other certified practitioners providing acupuncture, chiropractic services, and massages. In short, everything you need to leave feeling relaxed and revitalized.

Author: Kyle Wayne Stewart is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: RoKC.