Visitors’ Choice: Take RideKC

Every year, Visit KC presents the Visitors’ Choice Awards, an program that honors area businesses, museums, and more as traveler favorites, each selected exclusively by voters who reside outside the five-county metro.

Whether you are visiting Kansas City or planning a stay-cation, you can’t go wrong with these destinations. Check out our How To Ride resources to get started on RideKC. 

As you make plans for summer fun, we’ve matched up several of the winners with the best RideKC transit routes. These winning destinations were announced earlier this year.

Arts & Entertainment

Favorite Art Museum – The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – Main MAX, 47
Favorite Art Gallery – Hilliard Gallery – Any of the routes serving Grand & 19th, including Main MAX and 47
Favorite Mural – Lewis & Clark (River Market) –KC Streetcar,  55, 106
Favorite Performing Arts Group – Kansas City Symphony – KC Streetcar, 55
Favorite Nightlife Spot – Crossroads KC at Grinders - Any of the routes serving Grand & 19, including Main MAX and 47, or Troost MAX
Favorite Jazz Venue – The Blue Room – 18, 71
Favorite Gay Bar – Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille – 47 

The Nelson-Atkins Museum is on the Main MAX and 47 Broadway routes. 

Attractions

Favorite Family Friendly Attraction – Science City at Union Station – KC Streetcar, 23, 27, 47, 51, Main MAX and Crown Center routes
Favorite Free Thing to Do – The City Market – Main MAX, KC Streetcar, 10, 55, 77, 85, 103, and 201
Favorite KC Neighborhood – Brookside – Main MAX, Troost MAX, 63
Favorite Historical Attraction – Union Station Kansas City – KC Streetcar, 23, 27, 47, 51, Main MAX and Crown Center routes
Favorite Romantic Spot – Country Club Plaza – Main MAX, 35, 47, 55, 401
Favorite Place to Snap a Photo – Country Club Plaza –Main MAX, 35, 47, 55, 401
Favorite Daytrip – Lawrence, Kan. - 510

Sports & Recreation

Favorite Landmark or Monument – Union Station Kansas City – KC Streetcar, 23, 27, 47, 51, Main MAX and Crown Center routes
Favorite Fountain – J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain (47th & Nichols) – Main MAX, 47, 401
Favorite Professional Sports Team – Kansas City Royals – 47

Food & Drink

Favorite Restaurant – Rye – Main MAX, 47, 401 (Plaza location)
Favorite Fine Dining Restaurant – Pierpont’s at Union Station – KC Streetcar, 23, 27, 47, 51, Main MAX and Crown Center routes
Favorite Brunch – The Farmhouse – KC Streetcar, few blocks west of Main MAX
Favorite International Cuisine – Bo Lings – City Market location served by Main MAX, KC Streetcar, 77, 85 and 201; Plaza location on 35, 55, 401
Favorite Burger Joint – Westport Flea Market – 35, 55 
Favorite Pizza Place – Minsky’s Pizza – More than a dozen locations; South Plaza location and City Market locations are served by Main MAX
Favorite Patio – Gram & Dun - 35, 55, 401, Main MAX
Favorite Coffee Shop - The Roasterie Cafe – Original cafe: Main MAX, 63; Factory and cafe shop: 11 and 23
Favorite Brewery – Boulevard Brewing Co. - 11 and 23
Favorite Distillery – Tom’s Town Distilling Co. - KC Streetcar, Routes on Grand including Main MAX

Shopping

Favorite Shopping Center or District – Country Club Plaza – Main MAX, 35, 47, 401
Favorite Local Shop or Store – Made in Kansas City, Several locations – Troost MAX to Crossroads; Country Club Plaza - Main MAX, 35, 47, 55, 401
Favorite Antique/Vintage Store – River Market Antiques – Main MAX, KC Streetcar, 77, 85 and 201

The top honor is the “Best of Kansas City” which was awarded to Union Station Kansas City. Take KC Streetcar, 23, 27, 47, 51, Main MAX or Crown Center routes. 

Union Station is the winner of the "Best of Kansas City." Union Station is popular year-round, and is frequently decorated to celebrate holidays, such as Christmas and Independence Day.