10 Things To Add To Your Kansas City Summer Bucket List

1. Spend an AC-filled day inside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Whatever the weather, a trip to the Nelson-Atkins is the perfect thing to add to your bucket list. Admission to the Nelson-Atkins is free (along with every current exhibit) so go wherever the chilly, filtered wind takes you. Take a second to check out a few works worth a second look. Just don’t climb on the Shuttlecocks.

2. Visit the City Market or your neighborhood farmers market

Take advantage of what the season has to offer by visiting the City Market. Even if you just go for a stroll, you can still admire the fresh flowers and produce from local farmers. It can give you ideas for future meals and allow you to meet farmers in your community. Stop by the markets in Brookside and Overland Park for a wider variety.

3. Make a seasonal meal with locally grown goodies

You just spent the better part of your morning picking out the best tomatoes, so make something of it! Take your findings from the farmers market to make a grill-ready menu, or mix a cocktail with local jams and syrups. Bonus: Host a summer party using local products you and your friends find around town.

4. Go underground at a speakeasy

Rooftops and patios are nice and all, but sipping on something special in a cool yet cozy location is exactly how you should be spending your summer. Keep the summer vibes going with a trip to TikiCat, or head to a more historic spot like Swordfish Tom’s.

5. Hit up a weekday breakfast or brunch

Take the morning off and grab weekday brunch at your favorite spot. You won’t have to fight any crowds and it will make you feel like you’re on summer vacation again, minus the Froot Loops and Jeopardy reruns. KC has plenty of breakfast spots open on weekdays, like Succotash, The Corner, and The Farmhouse.

6. Tour your favorite brewery or distillery

Boulevard Tour. Photo courtesy of @blvdtoursandrec

For those curious about your favorite brew, or just wanting to learn more about Kansas City, a tour is the best way to see how the sausage, er beer, is made. Companies like Tom’s Town, Boulevard Brewing, and J. Rieger, all offer their own tours, or you can hop on the Barley Bus for your pick of the distilleries, breweries, and wineries in town.

7. Explore a neighborhood you’re not familiar with

Whether you’re a KC native or new to the city we call home, there is sure to be somewhere you haven’t been. Grab your adventurous friend and head over to the Made in KC neighborhood guides for ideas.

8. Go ziplining with Zip KC

‘Tis the season for amusement park rides and trips to the pool. But if you’ve already exhausted those activities, then you might be looking for a new adventure to try. Zip KC provides fun ziplining tours day or night, including the Tower Tour which takes you from KCK to Lawrence.

9. Ride the streetcar (and hang out downtown)

Come on, you know it’s a fun thing to do. Explore downtown without worrying about finding a parking spot (and a parking lot that doesn’t require a permit) or walking in the heat wave we call “summer.” With 16 stops, the streetcar basically does the exploring for you. Did I mention it’s free?

10. Find your favorite BBQ place in town

When your city is known for BBQ, you better know the best place to get it. Plus, it gives you an excuse to try every BBQ joint at least once (and probably twice just to be sure). For those adverse to meat, restaurants like Char Bar, Q39, and Cafe Gratitude offer BBQ options to fit vegan and vegetarian diets.