With the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension close to completion, we’re rolling out our last stop spotlight: WWI Museum and Memorial at 27th + Main. Here’s what to see, do, and taste within ~15 minutes of the platform.
Travel back in time
Penn Valley Park may be best known today for Liberty Memorial and the Scout statue, but its story goes much deeper. Designed by landscape architect George E. Kessler at the turn of the 20th century, it was one of Kansas City’s first city parks.
By 1918, part of its ~130 acres doubled as a tourist camp for cross-country motorists, later shifting to a recreation camp for soldiers on leave during WWII and eventually veteran housing until much of the park’s original amenities were destroyed around the early 1950s to make way for Southwest Trafficway + I-35, and later divided even further by Broadway Boulevard.
Grab a bite
If you’ve made the long journey from our first stop, or you’re looking for a mid-trip pick-me-up, there are more than a few options for hungry travelers nearby.
Drink to Donate: Social Symphony of Kansas City | 3 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company | Price of purchase | Stop in for a special edition of Music Bingo — $1 from every beer poured benefits the Social Symphony of Kansas City (aka “Drunk Orchestra”), a laid-back community for musicians of all skill levels.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Just Between Friends | Wednesday, Aug. 27-Sunday, Aug. 31 | 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. | Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS | $2 | Save big on new + gently used clothes, toys, shoes, books, and gear for infants to teens all in one place.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Gregory Alan Isakov | 6:30 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $62+ | The horticulturist-musician brings his indie-folk catalog — including songs from “Appaloosa Bones” — to a storied downtown stage.
Make and Sip with Hilari Holt | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures | $39 | Craft a short creative writing piece inspired by space-adventure improv, storytelling games, and guided exercises with Holt. Plus, browse “The Nostalgia Awakens” exhibit beforehand.
Friday, Aug. 29
SantaCaliGon Days Festival | Friday, Aug. 29-Monday, Sept. 2 | Times vary | Historic Independence Square, Independence | Free | This historic festival stands as the region’s oldest and largest free event, featuring food vendors, handcrafted arts and crafts, a world-class carnival, and live performances.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Moo-vie Night at the Farmstead | 5-10 p.m. | Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS | Free | Spread a blanket for a big-screen showing of “Up,” and arrive early for food trucks, entertainment, and face painting before the movie at dusk.
Par for the course. A $14 million mini golf complex is teeing off at the former Metcalf South Shopping Center come November. Tap Ins at the Greenhouse promises indoor + outdoor courses, restaurants, a beer garden, and event space — all inside a massive greenhouse with a retractable roof. (KCBJ)
Civic
Mayor Q’s latest proposed ordinance gives us a lot to think about. Geared at reducing blight and theft, surface parking lots in entertainment districts like Westport would be required to apply for permits, undergo annual inspections, and maintain certain standards like permanent fencing + cameras. Free business-adjacent and 24/7 monitored lots would get a pass. (Axios)
Ranked
Food Network’s “50 Best Pizza Slices by State” crowned KC the champ on both sides of State Line: Waldo Pizza for Missouri, and the late (and much-missed) D’Bronx for Kansas. Craving more cheesy goodness? We’ve got a full pizza guide waiting for you.
Transit
The streetcar is in “dress rehearsal” mode, meaning full-fleet, no-passenger runs are underway on the Main Street Extension to test schedules + signals. Drivers be mindful of transit-only lanes — now’s the time to brush up on the rules.
Arts
Whether you’re clubbing it up at the Power & Light or dodging late-night partiers on the way to grab a midnight snack, it’s clear that Kansas City has its fair share of nightlife. Hear from five local DJs on what the scene is like now, where the hot spots are, and what it’s still missing — namely, bodies. (Kansas City Star)
Travel
Be right back, booking a trip to visit our friends at ATXtoday. Delta Airlines announced new nonstop service from KCI to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport starting Sunday, June 7, 2026. (KSHB41)
Need to fill your open role fast? Post your job listing on our hyper-local Job Board + get connected with top local talent. Did we mention it’s free?
Home
How smart homeowners preserve their property (and their weekends): using Homebuddy for a one-time install of top-rated gutter guards that require zero maintenance. Compare local offers now.*
The Buy
The perfect stadium accessory: this clear crossbody bag for all your gameday essentials. We love this option’s adjustable strap, smooth zipper, and chic hardware.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Whether you’re a diehard season-ticket holder or just here for the nachos, there’s no denying Kansas City is a sports town through and through — long before the Chiefs’ dynasty era. With that loyalty comes sacrifice, so we asked: What would you rather endure for the love of KC sports?
A whopping 86% of you would rather see the Royals go another 30 years without a World Series win than watch Patrick Mahomes get traded to Denver.
Memories of that frigid playoff run must’ve lingered — 56% of fans would rather brave an Arctic blast game than suffer heat delays.
The Missouri River may look refreshing, but 77% of you said, “No thanks” to fetching every river ball at a Current match — you’d rather be chased by Blue the Dog around Children’s Mercy Park.
When it comes to a downtown stadium, 83% would take a $25 street parking fee over three hours of Arrowhead gridlock.
Have your own “Would You Rather” rattling around? Send it in, and we’ll pass it along to the class.
Act cool, Kansas City — we’ve been gifted another “false fall.” Yesterday I grabbed a drip from Midtown’s Filling Station, hiked Union Hill (uphill both ways, naturally), before snapping today’s pic of the new WWI trolley stop. If I had a pup, it would’ve been paradise... though my rabbit refuses to wear the anti-hawk gear she’d need for a walk. Fashionable, no?
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