The Visitors’ Choice Awards are the only awards chosen exclusively by visitors to Kansas City. The KCCVA developed the awards program in 2007 to give visitors the chance to recognize their favorite businesses and attractions in 43 fun categories, from Favorite Barbecue Restaurant to Best Midwestern Hospitality.

Finalists for each category were chosen by an online survey of visitors in June. To ensure that winners are true visitor choices, only votes from outside the five-county metropolitan area will be counted. Download a PDF of our 2012 Finalists and Winners.

Bring the List With You

Use our Foursquare Visitors' Choice Awards List.

Congratulations to our 2012 Visitor Favorites

Check out the 2012 Winners on the list below, and find out who Kansas City Visitors chose as the best in Dining, Nightlife & Entertainment, Arts, Attractions, Sports & Outdoors, Special Events, Shopping, Accommodations, and Overall Best of Kansas City.

DINING

• Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue
• Favorite Steakhouse: Hereford House
• Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurant:  Stroud's Restaurant
• Favorite Ethnic Restaurant: Bo Lings
• Favorite Fine Dining Restaurant: McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks

NIGHTLIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

• Favorite Nightlife Spot: Kelly's Westport Innlink
• Favorite Jazz Venue: The Blue Room
• Favorite Casino: Ameristar Casino & Hotel
• Favorite Concert/Live Music Venue: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Nighlife District: Kansas City Power & Light District

ARTS

• Favorite Art Museum: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Favorite Art Gallery: Kemper at the Crossroads
• Favorite Arts Performance: A Christmas Carol, KC Repertory Theatre
• Favorite Performing Arts Venue: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
• Favorite Public Art Installation: Shuttlecocks (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art)
• Favorite Performing Arts Group or Organization: Kansas City Symphony

ATTRACTIONS

• Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Museum: National World War I Museaum at Liberty Memorial
• Favorite Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Free Thing to Do: The City Market
• Favorite KC-Area Destination: Overland Park, KS
• Favorite Place To Snap A Photo: Country Club Plaza

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

• Favorite Professional Sports Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Favorite Landmark or Monument: Union Station
• Favorite Golf Course: Swope Memorial Golf Course
• Favorite Fountain: J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain
• Favorite Fan Experience: Tailgating at Arrowhead Stadium

SPECIAL EVENTS & TRADITIONS

• Favorite Art Festival or Special Event: Plaza Art Fair
• Favorite Ethnic/Heritage Festival or Event: Kansas City Irish Fest
• Favorite Family Festival/Event: Kansas City Renaissance Festival
• Favorite Music Festival/Event: Rhythm & Ribs Jazz & Blues Festival
• Favorite Holiday Experience: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights

SHOPPING

• Favorite Shopping Center or District: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Shop or Store: Nebraska Furniture Mart
• Favorite Locally-owned Shop or Store: Pryde's Old Westport

ACCOMMODATIONS

• Favorite Hotel, More Than 300 Rooms: Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
• Favorite Hotel, Less Than 300 Rooms: Raphael Hotel
• Favorite Bed & Breakfast: Southmoreland on the Plaza

BEST OF KANSAS CITY

• Best of KC Dining: Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue
• Best of KC Things To Do: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Best of KC Shopping: Country Club Plaza
• Best Midwestern Hospitality: The City Market
• Best of Kansas City: Boulevard Brewing Co.

Previous Years' Winners

2011 Favorites

• Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• Favorite Steakhouse: Hereford House
• Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurant:  Stroud's Restaurant
• Favorite Ethnic Restaurant: Manny's Mexican Restaurant
• Favorite Fine Dining Restaurant: Pierpont's at Union Station
• Favorite Nightlife Spot: Howl at the Moon
• Favorite Jazz Venue: The Blue Room
• Favorite Casino: Ameristar Casino & Hotel
• Favorite Concert/Live Music Venue: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Nighlife District: Kansas City Power & Light District
• Favorite Art Museum: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Favorite Art Gallery: Hilliard Gallery
• Favorite Arts Performance: Mama Mia! (Starlight Theatre)
• Favorite Performing Arts Venue: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Public Art Installation: KC Power & Light District Mural (Truman & Main)
• Favorite Performing Arts Group or Organization: Kansas City Repertory Theatre
• Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Museum: National World War I Museaum at Liberty Memorial
• Favorite Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Free Thing to Do: The City Market
• Favorite Day Trip from Kansas City: Independence, Mo.
• Favorite Place To Snap A Photo: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Professional Sports Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Favorite Landmark or Monument: Union Station
• Favorite Golf Course: Deer Creek Golf Club
• Favorite Fountain: J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain
• Favorite Fan Experience: Tailgating at Arrowhead Stadium
• Favorite Art Festival or Special Event: Plaza Art Fair
• Favorite Ethnic/Heritage Festival or Event: Kansas City Irish Fest
• Favorite Family Festival/Event: American Royal Barbecue
• Favorite Music Festival/Event: Rhythm & Ribs Jazz & Blues Festival
• Favorite Holiday Experience: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Favorite Shopping Center or District: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Shop or Store: Crate & Barrel
• Favorite Locally-owned Shop or Store: Halls Kansas City
• Favorite Hotel, More Than 300 Rooms: Westin Crown Center
• Favorite Hotel, Less Than 300 Rooms: Raphael Hotel
• Favorite Bed & Breakfast: Southmoreland on the Plaza
• Best of KC: Dining Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue
• Best of KC: Things To Do Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Best of KC: Shopping Country Club Plaza
• Best Midwestern Hospitality: Gates Bar-B-Q
• Best of Kansas City: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue

2010 Favorites

• Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• Favorite Steakhouse: Hereford House
• Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurant: Fritz's Railroad Restaurant
• Favorite Ethnic Restaurant: Manny's Mexican Restaurant
• Favorite Overall Restaurant: McCormick & Shmick's Seafood Restaurant
• Favorite Nightlife Spot: O'Dowd's Little Dublin
• Favorite Jazz Venue: The Blue Room
• Favorite Casino: Harrah's Casino & Hotel
• Favorite Concert/Live Music Venue: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Art Museum: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Favorite Art Gallery: Dolphin Gallery
• Favorite Performing Arts Venue: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Performing Arts Group or Organization: Kansas City Symphony
• Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Museum or Historical Site: Union Station
• Favorite Day Trip from Kansas City: Independence, Mo.
• Favorite Free Thing to Do: The City Market
• Favorite Overall Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Shopping Center or District: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Locally-owned Shop or Store: Three Dog Bakery
• Favorite Overall Shop or Store: Cabela's
• Favorite Professional Sports Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Favorite Golf Course: Swope Memorial Golf Course
• Favorite Landmark or Monument: Union Station
• Favorite Upscale Hotel: Westin Crown Center
• Favorite Value Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott KC Plaza
• Favorite Bed & Breakfast: Weston Bed & Breakfast
• Favorite Art Festival or Special Event: Plaza Art Fair
• Favorite Ethnic/Heritage Festival or Event: Kansas City Irish Fest
• Favorite Family Festival or Event: Kansas City Renaissance Festival
• Favorite Holiday Experience: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Best Midwestern Hospitality: Arthur Bryant's Barbecue
• Best of Kansas City: Country Club Plaza

2009 Favorites

• Favorite Restaurant: Bristol Seafood Grill
• Favorite Steakhouse: Hereford House
• Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• Favorite Performing Arts Venue/Organization: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Jazz Venue: The Blue Room
• Favorite Nightlife Spot: O’Dowd’s Little Dublin
• Favorite Shopping Center/District: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Shop/Store: Cabela’s
• Favorite Hotel/Bed & Breakfast: Westin Crown Center
• Favorite Attraction: Worlds of Fun
• Favorite Museum/Historical Site: Union Station
• Favorite Art Museum/Gallery: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Favorite Professional Sports Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Casino or Gaming Venue: Ameristar Casino & Hotel
• Favorite Festival/Special Event: Kansas City Renaissance Festival
• Favorite Holiday Experience: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Favorite Day Trip from Kansas City: Lawrence, KS
• Best Midwestern Hospitality: The City Market
• Best of Kansas City: Country Club Plaza

2008 Favorites

• Favorite Restaurant: Stroud's
• Favorite Steakhouse: Hereford House
• Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• Favorite Performing Arts Venue: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Jazz Venue: The Blue Room
• Favorite Nightlife Spot: Kelly's Westport Inn
• Favorite Shopping Center or District: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Shop or Store: Halls Kansas City
• Favorite Hotel or Bed & Breakfast: Hyatt Regency Crown Center
• Favorite Attraction: Worlds of Fun
• Favorite Museum or Historical Site: National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial
• Favorite Art Museum or Gallery: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Favorite Professional Sports Team: Chiefs
• Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Casino or Gaming Venue: Ameristar Casino & Hotel
• Favorite Festival or Special Event: Irish Fest
• Favorite Holiday Experience: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Favorite Day Trip from Kansas City: Lawrence, KS
• Best Midwestern Hospitality: Gates Bar-B-Q
• Best of Kansas City: Country Club Plaza

2007 Favorites

• Favorite Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory
• Favorite Steakhouse: Hereford House
• Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• Favorite Performing Arts Venue/Organization: Starlight Theatre
• Favorite Jazz Venue: The Blue Room
• Favorite Nightlife Spot: O’Dowd’s Little Dublin
• Favorite Shopping Center/District: Country Club Plaza
• Favorite Shop/Store: Cabela’s
• Favorite Hotel/Bed & Breakfast: Westin Crown Center
• Favorite Attraction: Worlds of Fun
• Favorite Museum/Historical Site: Union Station
• Favorite Art Museum/Gallery: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Favorite Professional Sports Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo
• Favorite Festival/Special Event: Kansas City Irish Fest
• Favorite Holiday Experience: Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
• Favorite Day Trip from Kansas City: Weston, MO
• Best Midwestern Hospitality: Gates Bar-B-Q
• Best of Kansas City: Country Club Plaza

 Scout image by Kevin Sink Photography