Kansas City — Travelrags

Condé Nast TravelerOct 6, 2026

15 Best Hotels in the Midwest: Readers’ Choice Awards 2026

Condé Nast Traveler readers rate their top hotels the country's heartland.

14 hotels in this story

Hotel Kansas City – The Unbound Collection by HyattHotelA historic downtown hotel offering big-city polish with a Midwestern price tag.
Crossroads HotelHotel
Elsewhere
Shinola HotelHotelDetroit, United StatesWelcome to Shinola Hotel.
The Pfister HotelHotelMilwaukee, United StatesThis icon of a hotel, built in 1893 near the city's historic Third Ward, is home to the largest collection of Victorian…
Le Méridien Columbus, The JosephHotelColumbus, United StatesOpened in early 2015.
Fidelity Hotel ClevelandHotelCleveland, United StatesBest for: Business travelers, discerning couples, small families with a little one (or pet) are also warmly welcomed…
Hewing HotelHotelMinneapolis, United StatesExperience historic charm and modern comfort at Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis featuring stylish rooms, a rooftop spa and…
Hyatt Regency MilwaukeeHotelMilwaukee, United StatesMilwaukee is one of the US’s cities to watch, as we noted in last year’s Readers’ Choice Awards —from having a festival…
Amway Grand Plaza hotelHotelGrand Rapids, United States
The Godfrey Detroit, Curio Collection by HiltonHotelDetroit, United States
The Farnam, Autograph CollectionHotelOmaha, United States
The Charmant HotelHotelLa Crosse, United States
Hyatt Regency MinneapolisHotelMinneapolis, United States
Ironworks Hotel IndyHotelIndianapolis, United States

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Lonely PlanetSep 11

The Ultimate Weekend in Kansas City

Load up a weekend trip to Kansas City with activities that locals love, including standout museums and more barbecue than seems reasonably possible.

25 things in this story

Cafe Cà PhêCaféBills itself as KC’s first Vietnamese coffee shop.
AnjinRestaurantAn intimate Japanese izakaya named one of the 19 best restaurants.
The Antler RoomRestaurantThe team behind the also incredible Anjin.
Jack StackRestaurantChow down on KC staples like beef burnt ends.
Origin HotelHotelSet on the Berkley Riverfront at the northern terminus of the KC Streetcar.
American Jazz MuseumMuseumTracks the genre from its roots to the present.
Blue RoomRestaurantBringing KC jazz out of the galleries and onto the stage.
Negro Leagues Baseball MuseumMuseumTraces a national story with deep local ties.
Vine Street Brewing CoPubMissouri’s first Black-owned brewery.
Crossroads HotelHotelChannels local history through industrial-chic rooms.
Mildred'sCaféDoles out Kansas City’s favorite breakfast sandwiches.
Union StationTram stopA 1914 beaux arts behemoth that's still a working train station.
Science CityMuseumHas more than 300 hands-on exhibits.
Museum of BBQMuseumDissects the elements of barbecue and what sets KC apart.
National WWI Museum and MemorialMuseumOne of Kansas City’s most powerful museums.
Cosmo Burger XRRestaurantThe Crossroads outpost of a local smashburger favorite.
City BarrelRestaurantA personal favorite brewery in the Crossroads district.
BKS Artisan AlesRestaurantAnother taproom in the neighborhood.
PercheronBarThe buzzy rooftop bar at the Crossroads Hotel.
Dear DonnaRestaurantA casual breakfast spot in the Columbus Park neighborhood.
City MarketMarketHistoric market fills with farmers and makers on Saturdays.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of ArtMuseumFree museum with 5000 years of art.
RyeRestaurantPolished spin on Midwestern comfort food.
18th and Vine Historic Jazz DistrictNeighborhoodCenter of Black culture and where the city's jazz sound took shape.
Vine Street Chicken CoRestaurantServes baskets, sandwiches and wings.

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Lonely PlanetJul 24

The top things to do in Kansas City

Kansas City is an excellent Midwestern hub for art, music, shopping, sporting events and food. These are the top things to do when you

25 things in this story

Gates Bar-B-QRestauranttrademark phrase is "May I help you!"
KCK Taco TrailNeighborhoodrounds up 60 local taquerias on the Kansas side
The Antler RoomRestaurantsample all the inventive small plates
Nelson-AtkinsMuseumfree art museum, globe-trotting collection
18th and VineNeighborhoodhistoric Black district, cradle of jazz music
CPKC StadiumSightfirst arena purpose-built for women's pro soccer
Arthur Bryant’sRestaurantclaims direct lineage to Henry Perry's BBQ
Joe’s KCRestaurantserves Z-Man sandwich from a gas station
Q39Restauranttakes plates in a classier, but authentic, direction
Slap’s BBQRestaurantdoes some of the best burnt ends
Jack StackRestaurantwider variety of ribs than elsewhere, including lamb
Baba’s PantryRestaurantPalestinian American deli named best new restaurant
CorvinoRestaurantsleek darkened dining room for a celebratory night
KC StreetcarPlacefree-to-ride route extended for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Two Birds, One StoneRestaurantbeer garden on the south bank of the Missouri River
Origin HotelHotelboutique guest rooms near CPKC Stadium
American Jazz MuseumMuseumlearn about jazz musicians, instruments, and styles
Blue RoomRestaurantafter-hours jazz club for live performances
Negro Leagues Baseball MuseumMuseumchronicles history of Black baseball teams
Mutual Musicians FoundationNightclublate-night jam sessions for performers
Vine Street Brewing CoPubMissouri’s first Black-owned brewery
Carniceria y Tortilleria San AntonioRestaurant
El Camino RealRestaurant
Elsewhere
Rabbit h0leMuseumNorth Kansas City, United Statesart-filled space celebrating children's literature
Line Creek TrailTrailNorth Kansas City, United Statespretty trail in North Kansas City

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BBC TravelJun 26

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.

13 things in this story

Route 66TrailChicago, United StatesRoad known for kitschy roadside stops.
Zion National ParkAttractionSpringdale, United StatesPark with golden orange arches.
Grand CanyonSightGrand Canyon Village, United StatesThe Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile.
WalmartPlaceBentonville, United StatesActivate and hold the button to confirm that you’re human.
Buc-ee'sRestaurantLake Jackson, United StatesConvenience store, restaurant, petrol station, supermarket.
Waffle HouseRestaurantNorcross, United StatesSouthern US institution for breakfast.
CostcoSightIssaquah, United StatesAs of 2021, Costco is the third-largest retailer in the world, and as of August 2024, the world's largest retailer of…
US National Park systemSightWashington, United StatesSystem of parks with majestic landscapes.
Louisiana's lowland swampsSightNew Orleans, United StatesDiverse landscapes to marvel at.
Beaver NuggetsPlaceLake Jackson, United StatesPetrol station food.
Dunkin' DonutsFast foodCanton, United StatesFind your nearest Dunkin' at 140 Albany Tpke in Canton and enjoy Dunkin's signature drinks, coffee, espresso, breakfast…
Jamba JuiceFast foodFrisco, United StatesVisit your local Macys San Francisco locations at 170 O…
Bass Pro ShopPlaceSpringfield, United States

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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

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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

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