Over/Under: Lofty heights and Underground Sights in KC
With its diverse blend of culture, food and attractions, Kansas City extends literally and figuratively into the clouds and far beneath the earth’s surface, uncovering treasures both unique and inspiring in the same breath.
Here’s where to find the loftiest heights and underground sights in KC:
OVER – Breathtaking Vistas
Liberty Memorial – National WWI Museum and Memorial
Iconic in size and significance, the memorial overlooks Downtown KC and Penn Valley Park for one of the best views in the city. Take the elevator to the top of the 217-foot tower, grab a pic and then tour the National WWI Museum and Memorial, which recently commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918.
Rooftop Terrace at Kansas City Public Library
There’s more to discover at the central branch of the public library than just your next favorite novel. Aside from its parking garage designed to resemble a bookshelf, visitors can also work their way up to the rooftop terrace, where they’ll find an incredible view of the city skyline, as well as a larger-than-life-size chess board begging for a play.
UNDER – Underground Experiences
Travel back in time to one of the oldest breweries in the country. Opened in (you guessed it) 1842 in historic Weston, the pub features a 20-foot-tall cellar space popular among locals and visitors, as well as live music each weekend throughout the year.
Self-proclaimed as an “underground supper club,” The Test Kitchen serves up unique meals prepared by some of the top chefs in KC. For a set donation, members are treated to one-of-a-kind fare. Not to mention that each event is totally different than the last, down to the prep techniques, dishes and top-secret location.
OVER – Rooftop Revelry
There are plenty of nightlife spots in Kansas City, but few are as lively as in this Midtown neighborhood, which is home to one of the most popular craft beer bars in town. Plus, with a second-floor balcony view rivaled by few, there’s hardly a better place to catch a game or catch up with friends.
Grab a table here for a progressive take on classic American dishes—and an outlook of KC’s famed Country Club Plaza. The restaurant, located on the top floor of The Fontaine, serves seasonally driven fare with a uniquely local touch. Or, step out onto the rooftop patio for drinks poolside, making for a one-of-a-kind experience in the clouds.
Under – Subterranean Sightseeing
Founded in 1856, the distillery reopened its doors for public tours in 2016 for the first time in 30 years. Travel to Weston, to see how Holladay makes use of natural spring water to craft spirits sold worldwide. Tours include a stop in an ancient cave—a hand-dug space constructed in the mid-1800s where limestone water was first used to make the company’s bourbon.
Discover a colorful world filled with beautiful, exotic orchids underneath a hillside in one of Kansas City’s oldest limestone mines. The flower garden is open to the public on Tuesdays for sightseeing and shopping—easily one of the best weekday date spots in town.
OVER – Sky-High Thrills
African Sky Safari – Kansas City Zoo
Take your sightseeing to new heights on this aerial trip through the Kansas City Zoo. Let your toes dangle 35 feet above exotic animals from the plains of Africa before landing safely on the other side, where you’ll be greeted by one of the best chimpanzee exhibits in the world.
Falcon’s Flight – Worlds of Fun
One of two new additions to the Worlds of Fun amusement park in 2017, Falcon’s Flight takes riders nearly 100 feet into the sky for a twisty thrill ride unlike any the park has ever seen.
Soar along the skyline with a helicopter tour of the City of Fountains. Choose from five different flights or chart your own path for the experience of a lifetime with a custom flight lesson.
UNDER – Secretive Speakeasies
Rustic, woodsy vibes collide with specialty drinks at this covert cocktail bar in Westport. The cash-only establishment loves to experiment with new flavors and tastes while the locale is just secluded enough to feel like a private get-together among friends.
Although no longer a secret, cocktail bar Manifesto models itself after the speakeasies of old, as guests are whisked below The Rieger for an intimate evening. Reservations are strongly encouraged at this hotspot, named one of USA Today’s top 10 places to get a drink underground.
Boogie T
The Midland Theatre
The Emo Night Tour
The Truman
Jim Jefferies
The Midland Theatre
Sleater-Kinney: Little Rope Tour
The Truman
Bad Bunny
T-Mobile Center
Kaivon: 2024 Ultraviolet Album Tour
The Truman
Set It Off: The Deathless Tour
The Truman
Eslabón Armado
The Midland Theatre
Dan + Shay
T-Mobile Center
Chappell Roan
The Midland Theatre
Kane Brown
T-Mobile Center
Dylan Wheeler: Presented by Blue Chair Bay Rum
PBR Big Sky Bar
Coors Banquet Presents: Walker Montgomery
PBR Big Sky Bar
An Evening with Natalie Grant
The Midland Theatre
Kauffman Center Presents Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
An Intimate Evening with Godsmack
The Midland Theatre
Sierra Ferrell: Shoot for the Moon Tour
The Truman
BoyWithUke: Lucid Dreams Tour
The Truman
Jimmy Carr
The Midland Theatre
Saint Motel
The Truman
AJR
T-Mobile Center
Brittany Howard: What Now Tour
The Truman
Silversun Pickups
The Midland Theatre
Alvvays
The Truman
The Cancelled Podcast Tour with Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield
The Midland Theatre
Miller Lite Presents Downtown Hoedown featuring Brett Young
Kansas City Power & Light District
Palace
The Truman
Liquid Stranger: Wakaan Expansion Tour
The Midland Theatre
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
The Truman
Bianca Del Rio: Dead Inside Comedy Tour
The Midland Theatre
Black Veil Brides: Bleeders Tour 2024
The Truman
Wage War & Nothing More
The Midland Theatre
Greta Van Fleet
T-Mobile Center
slowdive
The Truman
Tori Kelly: purple skies tour
The Midland Theatre
Mosaic Presents: Lost Kings
Mosaic Ultra Lounge
Tech N9ne with The KC Symphony
The Midland Theatre
Portugal. The Man: The Knik Country Tour
The Truman
Sam Barber: Till I Return Tour
The Truman
Hermanos Gutiérrez
The Truman
The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie
T-Mobile Center
Donny Benét
The Truman
NF
T-Mobile Center
Gavin DeGraw
The Truman
Gary Clark Jr.
The Midland Theatre
Local Natives
The Truman
Marca MP: Simplemente Marca Tour
The Midland Theatre
Real Estate: Infinite Jangle Tour
The Truman
Jammin’ on the Green: A Summer Concert Series
Shawnee Town 1929
Pepe Aguilar
T-Mobile Center
Brit Floyd: Pulse Tour
The Midland Theatre
Lionel Richie
T-Mobile Center
Tim McGraw
T-Mobile Center
Goose
The Midland Theatre
Chris Stapleton
T-Mobile Center
Bowling for Soup: Sick 50 Tour
The Truman
Olivia Rodrigo
T-Mobile Center
The Last Dinner Party
The Truman
Peso Pluma
T-Mobile Center
blink-182
T-Mobile Center
Luke Bryan
T-Mobile Center
Zach Bryan
T-Mobile Center
Zach Bryan
T-Mobile Center
Dierks Bentley
T-Mobile Center
Franco Escamilla
The Midland Theatre
Hank Williams Jr.
T-Mobile Center
Sublime with Rome Farewell Tour
Kansas City Power & Light District
Chromeo & The Midnight: Chrome Nights North American Tour
The Midland Theatre
Creed
T-Mobile Center