Welcome to Kansas City

Barbecue may be Kansas City’s signature food, but the city’s dining scene reflects a rich mix of cultures and culinary traditions, with everything from home-style favorites and global flavors to creative vegan and vegetarian options.

Start your day at local shops like Messenger Coffee Co., known for its rooftop views and fresh bread, or Café Corazón, which blends Latin American influences with thoughtfully crafted drinks. For breakfast, Mildred’s offers morning favorites with vegan options like a breakfast wrap or hash.

Kansas City’s diverse culinary scene offers something for every palate. The City Market is a must-visit destination for local and global flavors, including favorites like Blue Nile Café and Habashi House. Oil on Linen pairs seasonal dishes with an artful setting inside the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, while Billie’s Grocery will satisfy your sweet tooth with plant-based treats.

In Westport, Beer Kitchen caters to every diner with a full vegan menu and neighborhood favorites. Along Southwest Boulevard, discover Spanish tapas at La Bodega and classic Mexican cuisine at Manny’s Mexican Restaurant.

Of course, no visit to Kansas City is complete without experiencing its legendary barbecue. Grab classic barbecue favorites at Char Bar, which also offers one of the city’s most vegetarian-friendly barbecue menus, including its famous smoked jackfruit sandwich. For another veggie twist on a Kansas City classic, try the portobello Z-Man at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Q.

Beyond barbecue, discover the city’s chef-driven dining scene at James Beard-recognized restaurants like Fox and Pearl and The Town Company, where local ingredients and inventive dishes take center stage.

Take in some of Kansas City’s finest sights and most treasured traditions during your time in the Heart of America.

Wander through the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, a hidden sanctuary filled with seasonal blooms and fountains, or take a leisurely stroll through Loose Park, home to one of the region’s largest rose gardens. Spend a quiet afternoon exploring the galleries at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, both offering free admission and located near the Country Club Plaza, a neighborhood defined by Spanish-inspired architecture, fountains and open-air shopping.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, explore the dozens of vendors that fill the City Market with locally grown produce, handmade goods and one-of-a-kind finds.

The Crossroads Arts District showcases the city’s creativity with colorful murals and art galleries around every corner. For book lovers, Prospero’s Books offers three floors of new and used titles, while the Kansas City Public Library is worth a stop for its stunning Community Bookshelf facade and the rooftop’s giant chess set.

Experience KC’s live music scene at The Truman, recordBar or The Blue Room, where genres range from indie and rock to jazz, soul and more. A few blocks away, the Power & Light District is home to coffee shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment from morning to night.

There are plenty of ways to stay active and recharge just minutes from the convention center. Go on a morning walk or run along the Riverfront Heritage Trail, which connects downtown and the River Market to the Missouri River, or join Urban Hikes KC for a guided walk through some of Kansas City’s most interesting neighborhoods, uncovering local history and hidden gems along the way. Drop in on a class at Power Life Yoga downtown or unwind at SweatHouz with a sauna or cold plunge.

The best part? The free KC Streetcar makes it easy to experience more of Kansas City between sessions and beyond.