KC LOCAL

Places to eat, shop & play in lovely little midwestern city

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West Bottoms

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Cafe Europa - Brookside

Make a reservation for Sunday brunch and try the huckleberry pancakes. These pancakes and the crispy side of bacon that accompanies them just might qualify them for the best brunch in Kansas City.

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Trolley Trail - Brookside

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PT’s Coffee - Crossroads

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Donald J. Hall Sculpture Garden - The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, which surrounds the museum, features 30 works of art and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is free to the public and makes a great spot for a picnic, photoshoot, or afternoon of exploring.

Although it is best known for its shuttlecocks, two recent recent additions, Roxy Paine’s “ferment” and Robert Morris’ “glass labyrinth” have garnered quite a bit of attention.

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Julep - Westport

A whiskey lovers haven. Pick your whiskey of choice or better yet, let their extremely knowledgeable staff select one for you. Tell them what you like and why and trust that you are in good hands. If you aren't a whiskey drinker, there is a terrific selection of craft cocktails with a variety of spirits to choose from as well.

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Cafe Gratitude - Crossroads / Downtown

Although their menu is vegan, meat eaters and veggie-nuts alike will find great options at Cafe Gratitude. Their BLT made with coconut may not rival the Peanut’s, but it is absolutely delicious and you won’t have to double up on the morning workout to make up for it. If you are a newbie, ask the servers for recommendations - they have never steered me in the wrong direction.

For those that work in the neighborhood, this place offers a healthy dose of lunchtime happiness in this simple but lovely package. Takeout service is prompt and you can call in your order in advance.

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Brookside Betty’s

The latest addition to the neighborhood is a boutique dress shop that offers a unique selection of 1950’s style attire.

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Rozelle Court at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

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Town Topic - Crossroads

A Kansas City staple and quite possibly the most iconic diner in this city. Their two locations are only a few blocks away from each other but both are equally packed until the wee hours of the morning.

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Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts - Downtown / Crossroads

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Underdog Wine Co. - Brookside Located in the Crestwood shops at 55th and Brookside Boulevard, this new wine shop has quickly become the go-to spot for neighborhood residents. Although the space is small, the variety is well balanced and offers many options in the $10-20 range for those who just want to pop by on their way home from work. In addition to wine, they also have a well curated selection of craft beers.

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Foggy morning on the Trolley Trail - Brookside

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Lil Freshie - Westside / Downtown

They have the most extraordinary selection of carefully crafted goods at this lovely little bakery on the Westside.

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Tiny park statue - Brookside All throughout Brookside and Waldo there are tiny neighborhood parks tucked away in out of the way places. Many have fountains or statues and are incredibly well maintained. I discover new ones everytime we take a new walking or biking route through the neighborhood and each time I wonder if it actually gets used by the neighbors. Either way they create a lovely addition to the neighborhood.

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The Scout - Downtown

This famous statute overlooking downtown Kansas city was made by artist, Cyrus E. Dallin. Although it was originally intended to be a temporarily installation, the statute made Kansas City it's permanent home in 1922.  The view from its hilltop perch in Penn Valley Park, just west of Southwest Trafficway offers one of the best views in Kansas City.

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Bella Napoli - Brookside Another reason to visit Bella Napoli, their extraordinary Italian sandwiches.