Friday Fun: Favorite KC Places

Friday seems like the perfect time to continue our celebration! (The CI team is partying all month, in honor of the 15th anniversary of Sokoloff Harness Communications.) Today, I'm going to take one of Shanna's ideas for a "15 Fabulous Favorites" list, and share some KC sites I love. You can visit many of these places. There are a few that require a special invitation ... 

15 Fabulous Favorites -- Kansas City Places

A favorite photo from a favorite place.
Taken by Kate Harness

1. My house.
   When I started doodling out my list, this was immediately what came to mind. I love the house Tom and I had built over 30 years ago, and the home we have created here. There are some days when I just stand in the living room and smile. It's not super big, but our house is a very, very, very fine house. (No, the photo isn't from our house. But we do have this photo, framed.) 
2. Kate's house.
   I love, love, love, love, love my daughter's house. She remodeled the entire thing and it's amazing. 
3. McLain's Market.
   For those of you familiar with KC, I'm talking about the new McLain's. Which reminds me of the old McLain's. Which reminds me of my childhood. McLain's Market is one of my favorite places for coffee and conversation. It's possible sweets could be involved.  
4. Rainy Day Books.
   You gotta love an independent book seller. 
5.  Mission Hills.
   After you go to Rainy Day Books, drive through Mission Hills. When I was a kid, Dad would take us for Sunday drives and we often wound up in Mission Hills. He knew stories about every mansion -- the people who lived there, the bricks imported from Italy. The entire neighborhood is gorgeous and not gated. 
6. Hedy's kitchen. 
   This is not a restaurant. But it could be. But I don't want it to be. This is my friend Hedy's gorgeous kitchen/dining room/sitting area, where Hedy and Judy and I gather regularly and miss Maureen since she moved to Tucson and catch up on life. Hedy creates sanctuary. It's a gift. 
7. The Nelson Art Gallery.
   Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know it's really the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Tell that to a KC native. Anyway, while you can't go into Hedy's kitchen, you can go to the Nelson. And if you're ever in KC, you absolutely should. It's world-class.
8. Kansas City Power & Light Building.
   Oooh. You didn't see that one coming, did you? Tom and I once got to watch Fourth of July fireworks from the top of this landmark skyscraper. (No, the top is not open to the public. All those years in radio had their perks.) So, good memories. Plus, it's KC Art Deco at its best. 
9. Char Bar.
   Why would a vegetarian put "The House of Meat" on her favorite list? Well, let me get out of third-person and tell you that I love their smoked jackfruit sandwiches. And, let's be serious. It's a list of KC places. If I don't include one BBQ restaurant, I have to move out of town. 
10. Shanna's studio.
    There's one exercise studio on earth where I always feel comfortable, safe and strong. This is it. And the reason extends beyond wonderful Shanna -- I love the women I take classes with here. 
11. Louisburg Cider Mill.
    Best cider donuts on the planet. And a lovely drive. If you see a contradiction in discussing donuts after exercise, we really can't be friends. 
12. The Plaza.
    After I graduated college, I had no money. None. I lived at home for a few horrible months -- it's an act of love and grace that my parents ever spoke to me again after I took my bad attitude and moved out. When I did move, I went to the Plaza. So, not only do I love this shopping district for its classic KC-ness, I love the memory of being a young, independent woman in my Plaza apartment. 4627 Madison. It's a parking lot now. 
13. The Bristol.
    One of my all-time favorite restaurants. Not only is the food delicious (How many biscuits can one woman eat? You don't want to know.), but the staff makes special occasions truly special. Think confetti on the table. Special greetings from the crew. Free dessert. 
14. Kansas City International Airport.
    I know. It's not a great airport. It needs to be replaced. But it's home to memories that make me smile every time I go there. 
15. Schaake's Pumpkin Patch. 
    Tradition! This is where we go to get our Halloween pumpkins. Every year. In all kinds of weather. Happy family. Happy momma. 

As with my favorite book list, this is all subject to change tomorrow. Possibly today. I hope you have a great weekend! Go someplace special. xxoo