Join contributor Kara Johnson for a day in Downtown Lee’s Summit and discover some of the must-visit destinations this charming district has to offer.

If you’ve ever taken the Missouri River Runner to St. Louis, you’ve made a stop in downtown Lee’s Summit. But you would be remiss in thinking that Downtown Lee’s Summit is just an Amtrak stop. In fact, downtown Lee’s Summit is filled with cute little boutiques, unique eateries and bars; a perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon. There is even a farmers market every Wednesday and Saturday during the summer.

Smoke Brewing Company | 209 SE Main Street

My afternoon in Lee’s Summit started with a quintessential KC meal: barbecue and beer from Smoke. Family made brews and competition style barbecue come together in Downtown Lee’s Summit’s first and only Que-and-Brew restaurant. On a cold afternoon, you can’t go wrong with the Bernie Mac, homemade mac and cheese with a heaping helping of fork tender, juicy burnt ends. And yes, those burnt ends are just as tender the next day.

KD’s Books | 241 Southeast Main Street

Children’s books seem to be the focus at KD’s Books, but if you go far enough, you will also find a large selection of new and used adult fiction novels from old classics to newer releases. The diverse adult selection even features choose your own adventure novels, like your children’s books of old, except with higher stakes.

Local Foundery | 307 B SW Market Street

It’s perhaps a rite of passage for every downtown strip to have a store of locally crafted goods and the Local Foundery certainly fits the bill. This general-store feel shop is filled with unique goods such as outdoor torches made from repurposed liquor bottles and tried and true gifts from local favorites Pickwick & Co. Candles, Whiskey + Bone, and Messner Bee Farm. It’s a perfect stop for locals and tourists alike; you’re sure to find a unique gift or souvenir for a friend or loved one.

Libations & Co. | 23 SE 3rd Street

Libations & Co. is more than just a barware store, it’s also a cocktail lounge where you can try select locally made spirits before you take a bottle home for your own home bar. All around the cozily-lit storefront, you will find unique shrubs, spirits, bitters and even canned cocktails, all in an effort to bolster your home bar experience. Libations & Co. is also a re-seller of the Kansas City made “lifetime jigger,” conceived by Mike Strohm, lead bartender at Lee’s Summit’s The W.

Embers | 315 SE Douglas Street

If you are someone that loves to burn a candle every night, Embers is your place. Not only do they offer single scent candles, they also offer the opportunity to make your own candle using a variety of their 84 scents to be poured into one of their beautiful pots or, should you so choose, you can get your scent made into a room spray or room diffuser. This shop is great for a girls night or bachelorette party, they even do fundraising events.

Elle & Em Boutique | 9 SE 3rd Street

No shopping trip is complete without stopping into a boutique or two, and there are plenty of adorable boutiques around Downtown Lee’s Summit, but Elle & Em was giving me such good vibes, I knew I had to stop in. Elle & Em is for the woman in your life with a flirty feminine style. There was also a good selection of work appropriate outfits that are sure to have coworkers asking, “Where did you get that?”. Beyond that, the storefront boasted a variety of bold and romantic party outfits that are sure to impress family and friends alike.

Hand in Glove | 6 SW 3rd Street

Upon walking into Hand in Glove, you might be a little surprised by the stark white space and gold accents scattered about the room. Am I still in Lee’s Summit, or did I just teleport to Leawood? The elevated space isn’t what you’d immediately expect from Lee’s Summit, but the space is gorgeous and offers a diverse menu of classic and seasonal cocktails, along with a small coffee menu. If you’re able to make it during the winter months, the Espresso Martini is on point; perfectly sweet, boozy and goes down easy.

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