Food and fun in Kansas City

(Click here for part one and part two of my Kansas City girls weekend trip with Hannah and Joanna.)

Before visiting Kansas City I don’t think I realized how much fun stuff there was to do there. I knew it was a bigger city than Omaha, but I didn’t realize how big. Our weekend was jam packed and I feel like we only scratched the surface on all there is to do there. I definitely want to go back and explore even more.

Friday night we walked over to the Power and Light District. This is an area of the city that has tons of restaurants, stores, and bars. Hannah had heard PBR Big Sky was the place to go so we headed over there for our first stop. If you follow me on Instagram you’ll get to hear the awesome club mix of Taylor Swift’s new Shake it Off song they were playing.

Something I did not realize about the Power and Light District: all the bars open to an interior courtyard. There’s more drink vendors and a DJ and a dance floor out there.

I seriously thought this was the coolest thing ever. Check out the city skyline in the backround.

They played Cupid Shuffle and I had to run down to the dance floor. (I may have had a drink or two at this point.) Hannah was so sweet to dance with me so I didn’t feel like a loser while Joanna snapped a picture of us. I love to dance.

After some more drinking and dancing we found ourselves at the Pizza Bar there. Greasy carbs after drinking is the best.

Saturday we woke up bright and early and headed to Panera for breakfast. I got their avocado, egg, tomato, spinach, and cheese sandwich and loved it.

We ate out in the courtyard because it was such a pretty day. We were right next to Legoland and there was a beautiful water fountain nearby that put on a water show to orchestra music. It reminded me of a mini version of the Bellagio in Vegas.

For lunch on Saturday we went to The Westside Local. I love this neighborhood and could tell in the short time I was there that this would be my foodie area if I lived in Kansas City.

I got a kale salad with grilled chicken and a brussels sprouts slaw. If I could eat this every day I would. It was so freaking delicious. The Westside Local has been in Kansas City for five years, but I really want to petition them to move to Omaha. I’d be their best customer. 😀

Cute little artwork in Westside. We found a shop where I was able to pick up local jams to bring home for Josh and me to try. I got a blueberry balsamic jam I’m really excited to try. I’ll let you guys know how it tastes!

After lunch the three of us headed to Polished for pedicures. I loved lounging on a massage chair with the latest edition of Cosmo for an hour. Can you guess who got what color on their toes?

This was the trip of snacks. The three of us always had popcorn, nuts, or chips on us at all times. When I saw Snapea Crisps at a market I had to pick up a bag. I first discovered them at an airport when looking for a healthy(-er) plane snack. They’re baked peas which sounds weird but tastes so good.

Saturday evening involved walking around Country Club Plaza and popping into various stores.

I am in love with this area. They have every store I could ever want and many more I could not afford. (Hello, Tiffanys!) If Westside is where I would eat all the time if I lived in Kansas City, Country Club Plaza is where I would want to live.

When I was taking this picture of the pretty fountains I noticed there were penguins in the background.

Of course I had to get a picture with one. I think these penguins are made for kids to take photos with. I had to do like a standing wall sit to get low enough for the photo.

There were a ton of food options for dinner in the area and it was honestly a little overwhelming.

After consulting a map and Googling some menu options we ended up deciding on Italian. I had never been to Brio before and was looking forward to trying it out.

If you go to Brio prepare yourself for a magically refilling bread basket. And ask for the red dipping sauce. It’s so good! But we had to laugh as what started as us all just grabbing a piece of bread to try ended with us going through three baskets. It’s so good!

For dinner I got the mushroom ravioli in a brown butter sauce. I was going back and forth between this and the sweet potato risotto. After telling the waiter of my dilemma he told me the ravioli is his favorite thing on the menu. While I thought it was great and ate every bite, I’m still wishing I got the sweet potato risotto. I’ve had a lot of awesome raviolis and thought this was really tasty but not amazing. Next time I’m there I’m not letting anything sway me from the sweet potato risotto. 😉

Sunday we went out for breakfast before hitting the road to get back home to Omaha. We originally were planning to go somewhere in Westside but found out they didn’t open until later in the day. Joanna found out about Kate’s Kitchen and after we all agreed the menu looked amazing we decided to head out there. There was a line but it was totally worth it. I got cinnamon roll French toast which they make by flattening two of their cinnamon rolls and cooking them like French toast. It’s every bit as good and decadent as it sounds. I ate every bite.

Three hours later we were home from a whirlwind of a weekend. We did so much, and at the same time, barely explored all their is to do and see in Kansas City. I feel so lucky to have such great friends to explore a city with. I’m already excited for our next girl’s trip! 😀

Questions of the Day: Does anyone else plan hypothetical lives when visiting an area? Who do you think got what nail polish color? What’s your favorite thing to do in Kansas City?