Kansas City: A Great Destination for A Guys Weekend Getaway

Kansas City delivers the ultimate combination of legendary barbecue, championship sports, and authentic Midwest hospitality that makes it an ideal weekend getaway near Kansas City for groups of guys seeking adventure. This dynamic metropolitan area straddling the Missouri-Kansas border offers everything from world-renowned steakhouses to thrilling sporting events, historic attractions, and vibrant entertainment districts. Whether you're planning a Kansas City guys weekend around burnt ends that put Kansas City on the culinary map or cheering on professional teams in state-of-the-art venues, this city packs serious appeal for men who want substance with their fun.

Kansas City, Missouri continues to be special for sports fans looking to plan a trip for a guys trip. In reality, this is a great place to visit any time of year but as we mentioned before - this is one of the top places on our agenda to visit again and spend more time in. I took a quick tour through the city a few years ago, ate too much BBQ, drank too much craft beer, and despite that making my plane ride home a bit rough ... I can't wait to go back.

Sports betting became legal in Kansas in September 2022, and Missouri voters approved sports betting in November 2024, making the area an even bigger draw for any group of guys planning a sports getaway. However, as of July 2025, sports wagering in Missouri is not yet live, with the state planning to launch retail and mobile sportsbooks by December 1, 2025. This means groups visiting Kansas City can currently place legal sports bets at Kansas casinos while anticipating expanded Missouri options soon.

Is Kansas City in Kansas Or Missouri?

This is a common question that people have about Kansas City. The answer is that it is located in both states! The city is actually split down the middle by the state line, with the majority of the city being located in Missouri. However, there are still plenty of things to do on either side of the border.

When planning your guys trip to Kansas City, it is important to note that people will refer to the Kansas part as KCK while the Missouri part is abbreviated as KC or KCMO.

Additionally, many of the best "Kansas City" BBQ joints are actually in Overland Park Kansas, a city on the west side of the state border that nearly mirrors Kansas City on the east.

This can be especially confusing for guys that are planning a trip to Kansas City to gamble and watch a NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway only to discover that they are in KCK instead of Missouri.

Beefy Eats - BBQ, Steaks and Tacos!

As we mentioned, Kansas City is known for its BBQ. This city has some of the best BBQ joints in the country and you can find all kinds of different styles to suit your taste, making it perfect for a Kansas City BBQ trip. If you are looking for a more traditional style KC BBQ, then head to Arthur Bryant's. This restaurant traces its roots back to 1908 when Henry Perry, the "father of Kansas City barbecue," began serving smoked meats, though Arthur Bryant himself took over the business in 1946 and moved it to its current location in 1949.

For something a little bit different, check out Q39. This restaurant serves up wood-fired Kansas City-style BBQ that will tantalize your taste buds. The menu features all of your favorite KC BBQ staples like burnt ends and pulled pork but with a unique twist that you won't find anywhere else.

We also love Slap's BBQ since it is a nice cross between a BBQ shack and modern cooking. Newer spots like Chef J BBQ in the West Bottoms and Harp Barbecue have also joined Kansas City's competitive BBQ scene, with both earning recognition among the city's best.

Kansas is also known as a beef city so if you are looking for a delicious steak, then you have plenty of options. In fact, Kansas City is one of the top places in the country for steaks since they historically attracted cattle from both the midwestern plains as well as from the southwest. Some may not know it but the famous cut "NY Strip" originated from Kansas and was referred to as a Kansas Strip Steak until the NYC steakhouse Delmonico's decided to refer to it as a NY Strip on their menu. As the popularity of their food spread ... so did the name.

Beyond BBQ and steaks, Kansas City is also becoming famous for its taco trail, featuring everything from authentic Mexican street tacos to creative Kansas City fusion variations that showcase the city's diverse culinary scene.

Kansas City History Museums

Ok so this might not be the most masculine thing to do on a guys trip but Kansas city has some of the most man-friendly museums that you will find out there.

• Airline History Museum and TWA Museum - features historic aircraft and the TWA Moonliner space vehicle that was planned to take passengers to the moon
• Arabia Steamboat Museum - showcases artifacts from an 1856 steamboat that sank in the Missouri River, perfectly preserved for over a century
• American Jazz Museum - celebrates Kansas City's role as a jazz capital with interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts from legendary musicians
• The National Museum Of Toys And Miniatures - houses impressive collections of scale models and intricate craftsmanship that appeals to engineering minds
• Money Museum (Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City) - displays rare currency, gold bars, and the history of American banking and finance
• Museum of Illusions - features hands-on exhibits and mind-bending optical illusions that challenge perception and problem-solving skills
• Negro League Baseball Museum - honors the incredible athletes who played professional baseball before integration, with authentic uniforms and equipment
• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library - showcases the presidency of America's decisive commander-in-chief, including exhibits on WWII and the atomic bomb

Of these, the Airline History Museum is a must-visit for aviation buffs since it contains artifacts from one of the world's most influential and innovative airlines (which unfortunately is no longer with us). However, you'll find artifacts such as the TWA Moonliner, a space vehicle planned to one day take passengers to the moon as well as other historic aircraft that help illustrate just how far things have come since the early days of propeller planes.

Kansas City Is A Huge Sports Town

If you and your buddies are sports fans, then you will be in heaven during Missouri guys trips to Kansas City. This is a town that takes its sports seriously with professional teams in baseball, football, and soccer as well as being home to some of the best college basketball and football programs in the country, making any sports trip to Kansas City a winner. For sports betting enthusiasts, you can use Caesars sportsbook in Kansas to place wagers before heading to games at Royals Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium.

Moreover, if you are looking for a more unique sporting experience, then consider checking out a game played by the Kansas City Roller Warriors, which is the city's women's flat-track roller derby team. These ladies know how to put on a good show and it is definitely worth checking out!

Kansas City Nightlife and Entertainment

When the sun goes down, Kansas City transforms into an entertainment powerhouse that knows how to deliver an epic Kansas City guys night out. The Power & Light District serves as the beating heart of downtown nightlife, featuring multiple bars, clubs, and entertainment venues within walking distance of each other. For groups planning Kansas guys trips, the casino scene offers world-class gaming experiences on both sides of the state line, with Kansas casinos providing everything from poker rooms to sports bars where you can place legal sports bets.

The city's craft brewery scene rivals any major metropolitan area, with Boulevard Brewing Company leading the charge alongside dozens of smaller operations that pour everything from traditional lagers to experimental IPAs. Many of these breweries offer tours and tastings that pair perfectly with group outings. Live music venues throughout the city showcase everything from blues and jazz to rock and country, maintaining Kansas City's reputation as a musical hub. For a more relaxed evening, the historic 18th and Vine District offers authentic jazz clubs where you can experience the genre that helped put Kansas City on the cultural map.

Kansas City Is A Great City For A Guys Weekend!

Kansas City is one of those rare cities that packs tons of things that guys love all into one tidy little package and then super-sizes. To say there's "something for everyone" here in KC would be an understatement.

When planning your visit, consider making it a long weekend or extended mancation to fully experience everything the city offers. The best times to visit are spring through fall when outdoor activities and sporting events are in full swing, though winter provides excellent indoor entertainment options. Book accommodations downtown near the Power & Light District for walkable access to restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment venues.

Kansas City also serves as an excellent base for exploring other Missouri destinations, making it perfect for Missouri guys trips that want to experience multiple regions. A short drive south takes you to Branson, Missouri, where live entertainment shows and Table Rock Lake fishing provide completely different adventures. Similarly, St. Louis, Missouri sits just a few hours east, offering its own unique attractions like the Gateway Arch, Cardinals baseball, and the historic Anheuser-Busch brewery tours.

Your bigger issue may be deciding what to do in just a couple of days so perhaps you should make it a long weekend or even a KC weekend getaway instead and head out on a road trip to Lake of The Ozarks for some fishing too? Whether you head south to explore Branson's entertainment district or continue east to experience St. Louis, Kansas City provides the perfect launching point for a comprehensive Midwest adventure that combines urban sophistication with outdoor recreation.