Weekend Road Trip: Kansas City
The holiday season is over and the weather is dreary… it’s a perfect excuse for a weekend road trip.
Despite the blizzard-like conditions, Sydney Edwards and I loaded up the KIA and hit the road.
Five hours, countless play lists, and a few spilled gummy bears later… we pulled into the cutest Air BnB you’ve ever seen.
First Up: Dinner at Q39
A well-know BBQ joint where the famous are known to dine… like Tony Romo, who was there while we were.
Pro Tip: If you like a stiff drink, try the Q Smoked Old Fashioned
The portions are large and shareable. The ribs are to die for and the chicken is amazing. The slaw has apples in it and the beans are so savory. Arrive hungry, leave stuffed.
Fully food coma’d, we lazily made our way to bed dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures.
Rise and Shine, it’s Brunch Time
This girl doesn’t need to hit the snooze button knowing there’s a five dollar Bloody Mary bar in the future.
Port Fonda is this cute little Mexican eatery. The Brunch menu was fun. Lots of classic American dishes with an ethnic twist, and lots of Mexican classics.
The Bloody Mary bar is possibly the best deal in town. It starts with Tito’s vodka and quite possibly ends in a mess from too many garnishes. #oops
There’s your classics like Zing Zang and clamato, but then also a house made rojo and verde mix. Add in unique toppings like pickled jicama, hot peppers, corn on the cob and pork rinds.
Time to be a Tourist
What’s the point of exploring a new city if you don’t see the famous landmarks?
A quick U-turn and maybe an illegal park job gives us just enough time to stop for a quick (okay, not so quick) photo session.
Then off to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. When doing a quick web search and chatting with locals, this place was brought up each time. Needless to say, each exhibit was breathtaking and the collection of classic and contemporary pieces was impressive. Budget at least a couple hours, if not a full day.
Pro tip: Park on the street for a fully-free experience.
Next Up: Union Station. While the ceiling is stunning, the space is utilized by other businesses or can be rented for events. We grabbed a quick coffee, then moved on… to the KC Streetcar.
Fun Fact: The car travels with the speed of traffic, able to reach speeds of 45 mph, but according to their website, it’s unlikely the rail cars will hit those speeds downtown. You can also track the street car’s location on their website, and also using digital signs posted along the route.
It’s a free ride that starts at the train station, taking you all the way to River Market North with loads of stops between. Hop off at the Power and Light District for a quick snack and a little shopping.
We found the cutest boutique. I found a (secret) gift, and the hottest pair of white boots you’ve ever seen. Syd went with a KC ball cap.
We take you inside and show off some of our favorite pieces in the vlog, embedded below.
Our final stop was about a 45 min drive… into Kansas.
Lawrence to be exact.
Talk about Picture Perfect…
Disco balls, streamers, neon lights, confetti, flamingos, and a killer play list
The Museum of Good Vibes: the title is no lie.
So what is it? It’s a pop-up. Essentially just a small space, sectioned off into different areas, each one the perfect backdrop for a fun pic.
Pro Tip: Be prepared to wait. This is a hot spot, and there could be a line to enter. Also - bring a few jackets to switch up your look!
True to all pop-up’s, this museum will soon be moving on. They’ll be in downtown Lawrence until the end of January… but don’t freak. They’ve just announced their next location: Kansas City! According to their insta, they’ll only be there one week, and they’re bringing new scenes: Valentines. So follow their social accounts and stay in loop, because you don’t want to miss this.
Okay… you’re dying for more. We get it. That’s why we made this complete behind-the-scenes video of the weekend.
Let us know if we missed any must-go places, or tell us which city we should hit next!