Some of Kansas City’s most highly regarded culinary figures are among this year's nominees, including Helen Jo Leach and Johnny Leach at The Town Company. The list also includes several new area restaurants.

The letter in Wichita shows an early draft that might have informed some of the civil rights leader's most famous speeches.

Kids in the Kitchen, a yearly event sponsored by Alphapointe, a nonprofit that serves people with vision challenges, focuses on getting young people ready to navigate in the kitchen. The goal is for them to be able to prepare their own meals while living independently.

More than a decade after escape rooms first arrived in Kansas City, your options for life-size puzzle solving have never been greater — or more challenging. Check out this guide to escape rooms to try around the region, and some tips for better solving.

The Band That Fell to Earth marks each anniversary of the performer’s death — and the band’s own founding — with two weekends of shows. The concert series at recordBar has become an annual tradition for fans of the glam rock pop star.

INCLŪSIV Wellness at 4142 Main St. offers adaptive fitness, inclusive group training and accessible coworking areas. It was created by Wesley Hamilton, who has used a wheelchair since being shot in 2012.

Artist-run spaces, galleries and Kansas City's biggest museums all have electrifying collections of local works to start the new year. But don't wait around to catch them — many of these exhibitions are slated to close soon.

During Kansas City Restaurant Week, from Jan. 9-18, 2026, diners can eat at more than 250 participating restaurants offering special menus. But while bigger-than-normal crowds are welcome for struggling businesses, there are some things diners can do to make the best possible experience.

The beer and music festival debuted as a two-day event in the West Bottoms, and grew into one of the region’s signature events, moving to the Stockyards District then Crown Center. Organizers say the festival will not return for another season.

John Hayes, 18, nabbed his 140th merit badge in bugling, after already securing badges in activities like cross-country skiing and aviation. He credits STEM programs with shaping his skills as he looks forward to starting college next fall for a pilot degree.

Watts had a long stint serving up treats with her sisters under Big Momma’s Bakery-Cafe and then as a home-based business. This past May, she opened her own brick and mortar on E. 12th Street.

Brodric Carson's catering company B-On-Meatz offers all the traditional foods: ribs, wings, brisket and greens. But the former comedian is also adding foods for people with other dietary needs, like salmon and vegan patties.