SHOP LOCAL Whether or not you consider them souvenirs, every staycation needs a little shopping. Experience Kansas City’s impressive array of local retailers at shops like North Kansas City’s Mitch e Amaro, part amaro bar, part cocktail supply shop. Stock your home bar with liqueurs, books, barware, and an expert array of bitters. Need a sample? Head back to the bar and settle in for an afternoon of tasting and learning. Also in North Kansas City, Tyler Kingston Mercantile blends home décor with vintage goods and handmade furniture. Opt for a fun memento like a local T-shirt or KC can glass. Or splurge on a made-to-order reclaimed wood coffee or bistro table. In the Crossroads down an alley between 18th and 19th Streets are a gaggle of creative, independent retail shops. Kanso is a paragon to timeless design ranging from furniture and kitchenware to office supplies and lighting. The functional, inspiring space is an escape within itself, so be prepared to wander for a while. Between the Plaza and Brookside awaits the charming Crestwood Shops. Pear Tree Design & Antiques is one of those shops you want to live inside. French antiques mingle with garden ornaments, home decor, bath and body products, and gifts. Pop into Underdog Wine Company, a narrow shop with a wine selection that’s anything but. Bottles are carefully selected by owner Ryan Sciara and tend to favor small production, family-owned wineries. Check the store calendar for wine tastings, including weekly Thirsty Thursdays. Step into DelBrenna and you’ll think you’re in Italy. It’s the only U.S. outpost of a three-generation family-run Cortona, Tuscany, company that specializes in handcrafted fine jewelry and women’s shoes. EXPLORE, LEARN, APPRECIATE Kansas City’s arts and culture scene isn’t just growing—it’s thriving. With world-class museums, public art, and art-centric events, it’s easier than ever to appreciate local creativity during your staycation.
JUNE 2019
If your local excursion falls on the first Friday of the month, First Fridays in the Crossroads is an ideal stop, especially in the summer. While you explore blocks of galleries, keep your eyes peeled for an increasing array of eye-catching murals (especially in Art Alley between 17th and 18th streets near Locust and Cherry streets). Grab a bite from local food trucks, shop local boutiques and sidewalk vendors. Then, find a patio table and share highlights from the evening over your favorite drink. No matter how many times you’ve been there, a trip to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is always inspiring and enriching. New exhibit highlights include the Walking Wall, created by Andy Goldsworthy. A stone wall that, according to the museum, will “walk” in five successive actions. You can see the wall from inside the Bloch Building or walk up to Rockhill Road for a closer view. A few blocks away is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, where on Thursdays this summer from 5 to 7 p.m., you can enjoy live jazz (featuring drummer-lead ensembles) in the atrium, along with a happy-hour menu and cash bar. The Kansas City Museum’s Corinthian Hall is under construction, but you can visit the Kansas City Museum at the Historic Garment District in downtown Kansas City. Peruse historical items from the museum’s collections, plus see a display of contemporary work by local fashion designers, entrepreneurs, and artists. The space also houses the Historic Garment District Museum, which showcases the
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Crossroads Hotel. Comfortable, inviting rooms are bursting with local collaborations, such as Jennifer Janesko art, Melanie Sherman light fixtures, Hammerpress prints, and floral wallpaper designed by Mikey Wheeler and Megan Mac Wheeler. Part museum, part hotel, part restaurant, 21c Kansas City is a creative haven for art appreciators. The hotel’s 21c Museum combines rotating, curated exhibitions with site-specific installations like the mesmerizing Linear Sky by Luftwerk, which lines the entryway with light fixtures programmed to reflect the changing colors of Kansas City skies. Walk in, and you’ll be bathed in the bright colors of daylight. Exit, and a muted evening palette beckons. Rooms differ in size and layout but share contemporary furnishings, high ceilings and in every room, original artwork. Billed as Kansas City’s original boutique hotel, The Raphael Hotel is a Plaza staple. The stately building exudes European charm that extends to the king guest rooms with a bed so comfortable you might stay forever! Suites are available, too. During your stay, eat at Chaz on the Plaza (and, if you can, get a cozy, cloistered booth or table for two). The dry-aged prime KC strip is a perpetual favorite, as are the fresh seafood dishes. There’s a good chance you’ll enjoy live music during your visit, from jazz brunch to evening performances. Order your favorite drink, a snack from the lounge menu and let the sultry sounds whisk you away.