A Weekend in Kansas City, Missouri

One of the things I feel most fortunate about in life is having incredible friends scattered across the United States. Some are friends I've known since childhood, others I met during college, and some I've been lucky enough to meet through work or simply navigating adulthood.

While having friends in different cities means we don't always get to see each other as often as we'd like, it also gives me the perfect excuse to travel!

One of my favorite things about visiting friends is getting to experience their cities through their eyes. I love discovering their favorite coffee shops, trying the restaurants they rave about, exploring their neighborhoods, and getting a little glimpse into their everyday lives. There's something special about visiting a new place with someone who calls it home.

So, when I had the opportunity to spend a weekend visiting one of my best friends in Kansas City, Missouri, I was excited to explore a city I had never been to before.

And let me tell you, Kansas City did not disappoint!

From delicious restaurants and local coffee shops to baseball and live music, here's how we spent a weekend exploring Kansas City.

Day 1: Tapas, Sangria & Catching Up

I landed in Kansas City in the late afternoon, and my friend was kind enough to pick me up from the airport. One of the best parts about visiting friends is not having to worry about navigating an unfamiliar city right after landing!

After getting settled, we kicked off our weekend with dinner at La Bodega, a Spanish tapas restaurant.

If you know me, you know I love a good tapas restaurant. There's something about ordering several small plates, sharing everything at the table, and getting to try a little bit of everything that makes dining out so much fun.

We ordered a variety of tapas to share, including one of my all-time favorites, patatas bravas. Crispy potatoes with a delicious sauce? You really can't go wrong.

And of course, we couldn't visit a Spanish tapas restaurant without ordering sangria!

Everything we tried was delicious, and the atmosphere made it the perfect spot to kick off our weekend together. If you're visiting Kansas City and enjoy Spanish food, I would absolutely recommend adding La Bodega to your restaurant list.

Later that evening, we stopped by The Quaff, a casual local bar.

My review? If you're looking for an inexpensive drink and a laid-back bar, this is your spot.

Sometimes you don't need a fancy cocktail bar or an elaborate night out. A casual place to grab a drink and catch up with a good friend is more than enough!

Day 2: River Market, Kansas City Royals & an Incredible Seafood Dinner

The next morning, we headed to one of Kansas City's popular neighborhoods, the River Market District.

One thing I love doing when exploring a new city is visiting a local farmers market. It's such a fun way to get a feel for the community, browse local vendors, and see what makes a neighborhood unique.

The River Market was bustling with activity, and there were so many vendors selling fresh produce and other goodies.

I distinctly remember seeing some of the freshest, most beautiful tomatoes I've ever seen.

Seriously, I don't know what they were doing differently in Kansas City, but those tomatoes looked incredible!

While exploring the area, we stopped for breakfast at Opera House Coffee & Food Emporium, which was conveniently located near the market.

It was the perfect place to grab breakfast before continuing our day. Good food, a convenient location, and plenty of things to explore nearby made for a great start to the morning.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

After spending the morning exploring River Market, we headed to Kauffman Stadium to watch the Kansas City Royals take on the Minnesota Twins.

One of my favorite activities when visiting a new city is checking out its sports stadiums.

Even if I'm not particularly invested in either team, I love the atmosphere of a live sporting event. The energy of the crowd, the food, the traditions, and the excitement of being there make it such a fun experience.

Getting to watch a baseball game at the home of the Kansas City Royals was a great addition to our weekend.

Plus, I always appreciate an itinerary that mixes sightseeing and restaurants with something a little different!

Dinner at Bristol Seafood Grill

After the baseball game, we headed to Bristol Seafood Grill for dinner.

And I cannot emphasize this enough: Do. Not. Skip. This. Restaurant.

If there's one restaurant from this weekend that I would tell you to prioritize, it's Bristol Seafood Grill.

We started by sharing calamari, which was delicious, and for my

main course, I ordered salmon. Everything was fantastic!

And naturally, there was plenty of wine involved because what's a great dinner without a good glass of wine?

This was easily one of my favorite meals of the entire weekend. If you enjoy seafood and are looking for a nice dinner spot in Kansas City, I highly recommend checking it out.

Day 3: Coffee, Sushi & Live Music

Our next morning started exactly how I prefer most mornings to start: with coffee.

We stopped by Spokes, a local coffee shop, for a light breakfast and, of course, a latte.

I am a firm believer that exploring a new city requires a good morning latte. It's practically part of my travel routine at this point!

After breakfast, we spent some time walking around Kansas City.

One thing that pleasantly surprised me about the city was how scenic and charming some of the neighborhoods were. I loved being able to slow down, walk around, and take everything in without necessarily having a packed schedule.

Sometimes my favorite travel memories come from the moments that aren't particularly planned. Walking around a new neighborhood, popping into a coffee shop, or simply enjoying the company of the person I'm traveling with can be just as memorable as visiting a major attraction.

A Unique Sushi Experience at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

Later that day, we headed to Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in the Country Club Plaza area for lunch. If you've never been to a revolving sushi restaurant, it's definitely a fun experience!

Instead of ordering everything from a traditional menu and waiting for it to arrive at your table, sushi travels around the restaurant on a conveyor belt, allowing you to select dishes as they pass by. It's a unique and interactive way to enjoy a meal, especially if you like trying several different types of sushi.

Now, was it the best sushi I've ever eaten? No.

But was it a really fun experience that I'd recommend trying at least once? Absolutely!

Sometimes a restaurant is worth visiting just as much for the experience as it is for the food, and Kura definitely falls into that category.

Ending the Weekend with Live Music

That evening, we had tickets to see CAAMP perform at Starlight Theatre.

I love incorporating concerts and live music into my travels whenever possible, especially when it's an artist I enjoy.

There's something special about seeing live music in a different city. Not only do you get to enjoy the concert itself, but you also get to experience a local venue that you might not otherwise visit.

Starlight Theatre was such a fun place to spend the evening, and seeing CAAMP was a great way to wrap up our last full day in Kansas City.

Between the restaurants, baseball game, exploring, and concert, we managed to fit quite a bit into one weekend without making the trip feel overly scheduled.

And that's exactly the kind of balance I love when traveling!

Day 4: Heading Home

The following day, it was time to head back home.

As much as I love exploring new places, the best part of this particular trip was getting to spend quality time with one of my closest friends.

We ate some incredible food, explored different parts of Kansas City, attended a baseball game, enjoyed live music, and had plenty of time to catch up along the way.

It was the perfect reminder that traveling doesn't always have to mean an elaborate international vacation or checking off major bucket-list attractions.

Sometimes, a simple weekend visiting a friend in another city can be just as memorable.

Final Thoughts: Is Kansas City Worth Visiting?

Absolutely!

Kansas City surprised me with its restaurant scene, charming neighborhoods, and variety of things to do.

If you're planning a weekend getaway, visiting friends, or just looking for somewhere new to explore, I think Kansas City is worth considering.

Beyond all the restaurants and activities, this trip reminded me why I love traveling so much.

It's not always about how far you go or how many attractions you visit. Sometimes, it's about the people you get to spend time with and the memories you make along the way.

And if traveling gives me another opportunity to visit a friend, explore their city, and discover a few new favorite places, you can almost guarantee I'll be booking that flight!

Planning your own weekend getaway?

Whether you're visiting friends, exploring a new city, or planning a trip with a group, The Away Message can help you create a personalized travel guide or itinerary that fits your interests, budget, and travel style.

Explore our travel planning services and start planning your next adventure at www.the-away-message.com/plan-my-trip.