While not born in Kansas City, I’ve lived here for almost 30 years and consider it home. And although I know a lot about the city, its history and traditions, I was in for a treat (and great learning experience) when I took on this article. Whether a native or visitor to our fair city, read on for four great ways to learn more about Kansas City.
Cost: $65
Time: 4-5 hours
The Barley Bus Tour began in late 2015 and offers tours Friday-Sundays to local wineries, breweries and a distillery (a Prohibition distillery tour is in the works). Visitors can stick to either wine or beer—or mix it up. I prefer wine more than beer, so I signed up for a Saturday afternoon winery tour. The bus meets guests at Ollie’s Local, a restaurant in the Union Hill neighborhood. (Side note: The menu and food here look ah-ma-zing! You could easily plan your tour so you can enjoy a meal here before or after.)
We boarded the comfortable bus (it was a full ride) and made our way to our first stop, KC Wineworks in downtown Kansas City. The owner greeted us, gave us generous samples throughout our stay and a behind-the-scenes tour. It was informative and tasty! Our next stop took us to Excelsior Springs (the bus has bottled water for guests and coolers to store purchases) to Fence Stiles Winery. We again were met by the owner and made our way to the tasting room at this beautiful and picturesque stop. During our stay we tasted wines, enjoyed a snack, visited the vineyard and tested grapes for ripeness, and listened to live music. Our final stop landed us in Liberty at Belvoir Winery. We tasted their wines and explored the grounds before heading back to Ollie’s.
I asked one of the owners (our guide for the day), Todd, what percentage of locals vs. tourists they have on their tours. He says when they started, they were about 70 percent tourist and 30 percent local, but recently those numbers have flip-flopped. I highly recommend a Barley Bus tour as a way for visitors to see parts of the city they may not otherwise see and learn about our local wines and beers. And for locals, this is a perfect opportunity for a date or a get-together with friends.
Cost: $20/adult, $10/children 2-12
Time: 75 minutes
You can’t miss the trolleys in front of Union Station, and the Kansas City Fun Tour begins in front of the iconic building. Note that you can park in front of Union Station, close to where the trolley loads and unloads. It will cost around $5, and pay boxes are located at the entrance to Union Station. (I typically park in the garage and it took me a minute to find the pay stations. I thought entrance meant parking entrance; it means building entrance.) Guests can pre-purchase their tickets on the website or buy them from a Fun Trolley host the day of. Take note that the tour is seated on a first come, first served basis. The afternoon I rode, the bus was full, so I’d advise an early arrival. The trolley is air-conditioned; however, on a very hot KC day, it can be a tad warm. Snacks and drinks are allowed on the trip.
During the tour you’ll be taken to several areas in Kansas City, including Crown Center, Power & Light District, City Market, the Plaza and Westport. You’ll leave your tour with a long list of places to visit during your stay. Our guide for the tour was informative and threw in a lot of stories and anecdotes that gave the tour a personal feel. Even as a longtime Kansas Citian I learned a few interesting tidbits (I never knew where the “Chiefs” name originated), and this tour will be appreciated most by visitors to our city. I asked my 12-year-old for a two-word review of our trolley ride, and she said, “Very informative!” It’s a good way to start your time in Kansas City. It provides a nice overview of the town and will help you create an itinerary for the rest of your visit.
Cost: $65 (the Original,) $70 (’Cue and Brew)
Time: 3-4 hours
Meeting at the granddaddy of KC barbecue, Arthur Bryant’s, this tour starts off with barbecue, throws in some history and ends with barbecue. In between, you’ll learn more about Kansas City and eat more barbecue. Board the bus in the original Bryant’s parking lot (not inside, where I went. You’ll notice a pattern of me and directions…I am often lost). After a brief overview of our day and history of Bryant’s, along with a description of what we’d be eating, we went inside and enjoyed what I would consider a meal. Our day included stops at four restaurants: Arthur Bryant’s, LC’s, Danny Edwards and Gates. In between the first two and last two stops, we visited Original Juan, where sauces of all kinds are produced and sold.
Our guide for the day, Arlin, and our driver, Barry, were gracious, fun and informative. In between stops, Arlin provided loads of facts and stories about Kansas City and its history. You’ll not only learn about barbecue, but also all about KC—double bang for your buck! I was most impressed that at each stop we sampled different dishes. The day wasn’t filled with just ribs and beans, but also burnt ends, brisket, turkey, sausage, slaw, fries (and some more beans). Come with an appetite—you will eat, and eat well. We took the Original Tour, which included water at each stop. You are welcome to purchase soft drinks or adult beverages (coolers can be brought on the bus) at any stop.
I highly recommend this tour for locals and visitors alike! While no children were on our tour, I asked Arlin whether they got many kids, and she said they certainly did, of all ages. If looking to see KC and eat barbecue, take this tour. You will have fun and leave full!
Taste of Kansas City Food Tours
Cost: Several tours to choose from, $54-$77
Time: 3-3.5 hours
My husband and I joke that when we travel, we invest a large amount of our research and budget for the trip in food. We enjoy a good meal and like trying local spots. I have not, until this point, researched food tours for when we travel. That’s about to change. The Taste of Kansas City Food Tour has shed a new light on a fun and affordable way to sample local food and learn about the city.
The tour I took (Crossroads Cultural & Culinary Walking Tour) meets in front of Grinders, a place I frequent for their live music out back. After introductions (the majority of the attendees were from out of town), we went in and dined on pizza while learning the history of Grinders and a bit about the Crossroads. Our second stop took us next door to Thou Mayest, a really neat place that you need to check out if you like coffee or drinks, because they offer both. For our next stops, we walked a bit and learned a bit along the way. Rebecca, owner of Taste tours and our guide for the day, sprinkled some history and stories throughout our tour that were both informative and interesting. We stopped at six places total during our tour and tried food or drink (or both!) at each stop. The tastings were spread out nicely so that I never felt stuffed but certainly had a good amount to eat.
The day of our tour was a hot one. Rebecca was very conscious of the heat and made sure we walked in the shade as often as possible and stayed hydrated throughout. I was very impressed with how she took care of her guests. If you like to eat and you like learning about Kansas City, this tour is for you. I highly recommend it for both native Kansas Citians, as well as visitors. You’ll eat, learn and enjoy!
Margaret Sarver lives in Lenexa with her family and enjoyed learning more about the city she calls home while researching this article.