Places to Visit in KC with Instagram Worthy Photo Back Drops

Exploring the Kansas City area

- Written By: Annie Baldwin

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri you see a lot of amazing places with inspiring atmospheres. There are so many restaurants, historical museums and activities to do; plus, incredible night life here in KC. Whether it be downtown KC or the outskirts of KC, there is always something fun to do and see. My favorite thing to do is show off my city on Instagram, so here are some of my favorite places I have visited and taken pictures at so far:

CROSSROADS ARTS DISTRICT

500 East 18th Street

The Crossroads Arts District offers a lot, such as boutiques to shop at, quaint eateries, studios and art galleries, as well as many concerts are performed in this area. The first time I went here I was going to a concert held behind the restaurant, Grinders. The atmosphere was outstanding and I never wanted to leave. I was so intrigued by this ivy vine wall, so naturally I had to take a picture by it. It is a perfect spot for a candid selfie or a cute group photo. I recommend eating at Grinders (417 East 18th Street) for some fantastic pizza while you visit the Crossroads. 

LE FOU FROG

400 East 5th Street

Le Fou Frog is a more upscale French Restaurant, the food here is to die for. It is a little more on the pricey side, but well worth your money. My friend and I were exploring KC and this bright orange building caught our eye. It obviously made us want to take a picture by it...of course afterwards we decided to eat at the cute little restaurant. It is a very vibrant and unique spot to take a picture at. I recommend eating here after taking cute pictures by their orange brick building, it is such a cozy and inviting place to eat. 

NATIONAL WORLD WAR 1 MUSEUM
2 Memorial Drive

The World War 1 Museum and Memorial holds a collection of objects and documents from the Great War. It is all about remembering and understanding the impact it had globally. This museum is also the place to go for a phenomenal view of downtown KC. Looking out over the KC skyline is absolutely breath taking. As well as a beautiful view, it is a fabulous background for a photo with friends. As you can see from the view there is the Union Station right across the way. After sight seeing at this museum, I recommend heading on over there and eating at Pierpont's (30 West Pershing Road) inside the Union Station. It is an elegant, classical feeling restaurant with high ceilings and fantastic food.

RIVER MARKET

20 East 5th Street

Walking around the KC city market is one of my favorite things to do when the weather begins to warm up. The atmosphere is very relaxed and fresh feeling. Everyone there is super friendly and inviting. All around there is fresh food produce, little shops to buy clothing and jewelry at, little dining areas, and more. Not only is it a great experience, but it also offers great picture spots. Pretty much anywhere is a perfect place to take pictures, with outstanding lighting. I recommend taking a cute summery picture by buying a bouquet of flowers at one of the little shops there. This will add a fab prop to your instagrammable photo. A great place to eat at here is the Blue Nile Ethiopian Cafe, especially if you are willing to go out of your comfort zone. Not only is the food savory, but it is healthy for you.

WESTPORT

435 Westport Road

All around KC you will find walls with gorgeous graffiti art, but my favorite place to see them at is Westport. The designs on the walls are so mesmerizing and make you think about the stories behind them. The graffiti walls are also a great use for a photo back drop. After coming down here to take pictures and see the graffiti, I also recommend eating at Beer Kitchen(435 Westport Road). This quaint restaurant offers a wide variety of craft beers and comfort food. I tried the chicken and waffles and absolutely fell in love. A little later in the night, you can come back here to go to the bars and clubs. It is definitely an experience you don't want to miss out on.

UNBAKERY & JUICERY

634 East 63rd Street

Not only is there graffiti art all over KC, but you will also see murals all over. This one is a cute little wall outside of Unbakery and Juicery. The mural is light and fun, with the saying "Damn Fine". I love how simple it is. I definitely recommend eating at Unbakery and Juicery as well. When I went in I tried the citrus juice (pear, orange, ginger, chia) and it was super delicious. They also offer breakfast, coffee, salads, desserts, and more. The vibe here is relaxing and chill. There are cute little plants everywhere with a modern, rustic touch.

UP-DOWN KC

101 Southwest Boulevard

This wall is one of my favorite finds. It is so rustic and mysterious looking. If you want a cool background in your photos come here and watch everyone drool over your Instagram post. If you walk a little further down from this wall there is a funky bar called Up-down Kc. The atmosphere is very nostalgic feeling, with vintage arcade games. They offer drinks from cocktails to draft beers. It is a very lively place to act like a kid again, while also sipping on some alcohol. What's not to love? 

OUTSKIRTS OF KC

East 167th Street

I had to add this one even though it technically isn't in KC, but this waterfall is a hidden gem outside of KC. It is located in Greenwood, Missouri about 30 minutes away from downtown. The thing I love about being here and taking pictures, is it makes you feel like you aren't in the KC area anymore. It is almost like you are on a relaxing vacation. It is the perfect getaway without going too far or spending any money. If you are an outdoorsy person that loves to hike, then this is the place for you.