Our Favorite Restaurants & Hangouts:
COFFEE! The Unity Village Bookstore and Coffee Shop, located just across the road (a 2-minute walk) from the Unity Village Hotel & Conference Center offers a comfortable seating; WiFi access; a full menu of Starbucks® coffee drinks; fresh salads, sandwiches and snacks; hundreds of spiritual and New Thought books from authors such as Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra and Byron Katie; and one-of-a-kind gifts from around the world, such as hand-blown glass ornaments, jewelry, wind chimes and singing bowls. For more information, call 816-251-3578.
MORE JAVA ,etc: There is a Starbucks at 1130 Ne Douglas St, Lee's Summit, MO 64086 (Cross Streets: Between NE Tudor Rd and NE Sycamore St). Tel: 816-246-1381
The Fig Tree Cafe & Bakery, located at 817 NE Rice Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64068 (across from Office Max), 816-347-0442, is our all-time favorite local BREAKFAST/BRUNCH/DESSERT place near Unity Village. Nhien's favorite brunch dish is the corned beef hash with gluten-free bread served with a selection of homemade jams. The eggs benedict is also amazing! They focus on locally grown, deliciously prepared food, offering many dishes easily adaptable tor special diets: gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, and more. Fig Tree makes all of their sauces, dressings, and baked goods from scratch. Fresh and so nom nom!!!
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH/LUNCH - First Watch is another great place for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. We've come here quite often after church with friends for a hearty, fresh, and yummy brunch. This place is about the basics--omelettes, bacon, etc. They make everything to order and don’t use heat lamps or deep fryers. The closest one is in Independence, 19321 E. Highway 40 #l, Independence, MO 64055, Ph: 816-795-0814, about 15 minutes from Unity Village.
Bakery/Cafe/Lunch - Simple, healthy, quick. Victor goes to Panera Bread bakery-cafe a few times a week for ice tea and/or a lunch salad. This is a family-friendly environment with free wifi and great pastries, though not ideal for those of us who are gluten-free. There are many locations throughout the KC Area.
BBQ - Don't leave the KC Area without checking out our world-famous BBQ! For some of the best BBQ in the KC Area, visit Oklahoma Joe's. Note that there are several locations. Expect a line out the door at the Original (Gas Station) Location, 3002 West 47th Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66103. 913-722-3366. The nearest OK Joe's (if you're staying at Unity Village) is at 11723 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66211, 913- 338-5151. HOURS: Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. CLOSED SUNDAYS. We've enjoyed take-out at the Olathe location, at 11950 South Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062. 913-782-6858. Their hours are: Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m; Friday & Saturday: 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. CLOSED SUNDAYS
BBQ - Another amazing BBQ option is Jack Stacks, which has a more formal atmosphere than OK Joe's. There are several Jack Stack restaurants in the KC Area. If you are planning a trip to downtown KC anyway, check out the location at Country Club Plaza, 4747 Wyandotte, Kansas City 64112 (816) 531-7427. Jack Stacks is Zagat-rated 4.5.
Note: This restaurant is located in the historic Country Club Plaza, one of the country’s premier shopping and entertainment districts--a 14-block Plaza rich with Spanish-style architecture.
Note: This restaurant is located in the historic Country Club Plaza, one of the country’s premier shopping and entertainment districts--a 14-block Plaza rich with Spanish-style architecture.
Vegan Food! - Eden Alley Cafe Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant has super delicious, super healthy vegan and vegetarian food. Though we're neither vegan nor vegetarian, we love it here! They have great gluten-free options. One of our favorite dishes is the tacos!
Mama Resch’s, a GLUTEN-FREE BAKERY, is a dedicated gluten free, dairy free, nut free and soy free facility. One of the most unique attributes of Mama Resch’s is that they are gluten-free and allergen friendly and offer a vegan line as well. Welcome to the gluten-free revolution! They offer baked goods ranging from breads to cupcakes. If you're having a carb craving, this is the place to go!
Fine Dining - For ultra-fine dining, our favorite restaurant in KC is Bluestem restaurant, which features Progressive American cuisine with seasonal selections and a bounty of local farmers and producers to showcase the best of Kansas City and the Midwest. This is where Victor gave me my claddagh promise ring! Chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts opened bluestem in March of 2004. Bluestem has received local and national accolades for their invigorating marriage of cuisine and hospitality and was awarded the 2013 James Beard Best Chef Midwest by the James Beard Foundation & rated " ★ ★ ★ ★ " by KC Magazine.
Music, Arts & Entertainment
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, is one of our favorite places in the KC Area. It is internationally recognized for its outstanding collection of more than 33,500 objects. From ancient times to modern day, this encyclopedic museum is one of the best in the country, offering visitors the opportunity to explore civilization through the eyes of painters, sculptors, craftsmen, and many other artists. Roselle Court, inside the Nelson-Atkins, with its vaulted ceiling and airy and elegant feel is a great place to have coffee or lunch amidst great art and architecture.
The Nelson-Atkins is FREE to all visitors, everyday. Parking is $8. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday. 816-751-1278. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is located in the center of Kansas City, at 4525 Oak Street, three blocks northeast of the Country Club Plaza.
The Nelson-Atkins is FREE to all visitors, everyday. Parking is $8. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday. 816-751-1278. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is located in the center of Kansas City, at 4525 Oak Street, three blocks northeast of the Country Club Plaza.
Happy Hour - The Phoenix is our favorite place for Happy Hour (which means 1/2 off appetizers 3pm-7pm every day). Friday nights, a friend and amazing jazz musician Lonnie McFadden regularly performs, starting at 4:30pm. The Phoenix is a locally owned Kansas City classic with live music EVERY night, featuring jazz, blues, soul, folk, and R&B. They serve lunch, dinner, and late night food. We haven't been to it, but, on Saturdays, they also serve a "Hangover Brunch" from 10am-2pm with the Bloody Mary bar on the side. This is a great place with great music and energy!
PERFORMING ARTS - The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a must see--if only for the architecture! The Kauffman Center’s overriding vision is to enrich the lives of everyone in the community through extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences. The Kauffman Center, home to resident organizations the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony, and other innovative programming, embraces a variety of audiences with different tastes, interests and passions. Address: 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64108. main: (816) 994-7200 |tickets: (816) 994-7222
SPA/HEALTH - On campus at Unity Village is Awaken Whole Life Center, which has a host of spa treatments, yoga classes, and healing services, including massage, acupuncture, sound healing, and chiropractic services. Victor has gotten a massage here and LOVED it!
Fun for the Whole Family!
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Kansas City is one of Kansas City’s best attractions for kids!
They have over 3 million LEGO® bricks in their indoor attraction.
They have over 3 million LEGO® bricks in their indoor attraction.
- Meet their Master Model Builder and learn top tips!
- Educational Workshops available to support the Missouri curriculum.
- 4D cinema, Kingdom Quest & Merlin’s Apprentice rides, soft play and more!
- See all of Kansas City’s top attractions in their MINILAND®
- Located in Crown Center Square Kansas City – we can’t wait for you to join us at LEGOLAND Discovery Center!
Worlds of Fun is our local amusement park and super popular among our friends with children! There are plenty of roller coaster rides, water slides, and even things like all-wheel shows!Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 12:00 am
Sun: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 12:00 am
Sun: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
WaterFire 2014 Schedule:FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 | 7PM - 11PM | BROADWAY, BLUES & ALL THAT JAZZWaterFire KC kicks off with a celebration of Kansas City’s jazz and blues roots. The nationally-syndicated public radio show 12th STREET JUMP will record a live broadcast featuring nationally-renowned blues vocalist Kelley Hunt and a celebration of KC jazz featuring the David Basse Orchestra from 7 to 8pm. Mayor James will preside over the annual WaterFire lighting ceremony at 8pm, followed by a showcase from 8:30-10pm of the 2014-15 Broadway musical theater season in Kansas City. Performing artists from the Coterie, Starlight, Spinning Tree, Unicorn, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Musical Theatre Heritage, Theater League, the Barn, the White Theatre at the JCC and more will sing songs from some of the shows coming to KC this season. Following the Broadway musical concert, the Brush Creek fire pits will remain lit until 11pm.