BBC Travel
The US that World Cup fans didn't expect to love
From roadside convenience stores to lonely landscapes, travellers are discovering little-known slices of Americana away from the host cities.
Condé Nast TravelerJan 13
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Kansas City for Jazz, Barbecue, and the World Cup
Kansas City will host six World Cup games in June and July of 2026—but year-round, the Midwestern city's unique blend of the old and new draw travelers.
26 things in this story
- Arrowhead StadiumSight76,416-seat stadium for World Cup and Chiefs games
- Gates Bar-B-QRestaurantRetro spot for burnt ends, patriarch Ollie Gates still runs it
- Char BarRestaurantServes some of the city’s best burnt ends and smoked chicken wings
- Night Goat BarbecueRestaurantServed spoon-tender pork belly, plans full brick-and-mortar location
- Buck TuiRestaurantThai-inflected barbecue in Overland Park suburb
- TurkeyleggmanRestaurantNationally recognized barbecue joint with little tourist traffic
- Kitty’s CafeRestaurantLocals line up for signature tempura-breaded tenderloin sandwich
- KCK Taco TrailNeighborhoodBlocks of taquerias and trucks on the Kansas side
- Carniceria y Tortilleria San AntonioRestaurantStart the KCK Taco Trail with al pastor
- El Pollo GuasaveRestaurantServes Sinaloa-style grilled chicken on KCK Taco Trail
- Yoli TortilleriaRestaurantFirst tortilleria to win a James Beard Award
- Tacos ValentinaRestaurantOffers "Kansas City taco" in fried corn tortilla with parmesan
- Broadway RoastingCafé4012 Washington –one block north of Broadway Cafe in the old Westport Fire Station 19 In 1998 we started roasting…
- Cafe Cà PhêCaféServes matcha and lattes with Vietnamese flavors
- Café CorazónCaféOffers specialty drinks with Latin flair
- Mildred's caféCaféGrab the "standard" breakfast sandwich for a quick breakfast
- Blackhole BakeryBakeryChewy bagels, flaky pastries, and mochi doughnuts
- Crossroads neighborhoodNeighborhoodClustered with many of the city’s best restaurants
- The Town CompanyRestaurantShowcases Missouri ingredients with a wood-fired hearth menu
- AnjinRestaurantSmall Midwestern izakaya with deep sake list
- The Antler RoomRestaurantExacting techniques, broader palette of global flavors
- West Bottoms neighborhoodNeighborhoodHistoric area, once home to the city’s stockyards
- The Golden OxRestaurantRestored historic steakhouse with locally raised beef
- Stockyards Brewing Co.RestaurantShares the restaurant’s cattleman theme
- Fox & PearlRestaurant
- Oddly CorrectCafé
Condé Nast TravelerNov 15, 2025
As Chappell Roan Comes Home, a Weekend With Queer Kansas City
On the ground during the singer's weekend residency in the Missouri metropolis, writer Chris Ritter reports from KC's queer spaces.
14 things in this story
- Pink Pony ExpressPlacedecorated street car in honor of Chappell Roan
- Museum and Memorial ParkSightvenue for Chappell Roan's homecoming concerts
- Hamburger Mary'sRestauranticonic drag bar with weekly charity drag bingo
- Cafe Cà PhêCaféWe're putting the culture in coffee culture.
- Café CorazónCaféRecognized as one of the city’s Top 10 Best Businesses and awarded Kansas City’s #1 Business for Equality and Inclusion…
- Crossroads districtNeighborhoodstreet car stop
- Fried TwinksRestaurantdeep fried Twinkies with whipped cream and chocolate sauce
- Q Kansas CityBarqueer bar with no mirrors, has a debrief room
- WestportSuburbneighborhood with queer bar Q Kansas City
- FetchSightraunchy queer merch store
- Pink Pony Club neon signSightmerch item sold at Fetch
- Missie B’sBarlegendary bar bringing drag shows since the 1990s
- CrossroadsTram stop
- WillardNeighborhood