Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization
Kansas City continues to earn attention for its livability, affordability and vibrant culture. The city’s Arrowhead Stadium was ranked the best NFL stadium for both atmosphere and food, known for its pregame tailgating and barbecue specialties like the Big Red Sandwich and brisket rangoon. Grünauer, an Austrian restaurant in the Freight House, was highlighted among America’s most beautiful dining spots.
Kansas City also stands out as one of the top markets for first-time homebuyers and is ranked second among the Midwest’s most affordable cities. Overland Park was named one of the happiest cities in the U.S., and Kansas City was celebrated globally for attractions like CPKC Stadium and the interactive Rabbit hOle museum featured in Time magazine’s “world’s greatest places.”
Much of the downtown skyline was lit red in honor of the AFC Champion Chiefs on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Kansas City. By Nick Wagner
NO. 1: ZILLOW RANKS KANSAS CITY AS TOP MARKET FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS IN 2024
A real estate agent said that some of the most affordable areas for first-time home buyers right now are in and around Kansas City. | Published April 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez
Grünauer in the Freight House in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District is the flagship restaurant for the Grünauer family, which also has restaurants in Vienna and, soon, New York. By David Bickley / GRÜNAUER
NO. 2: THESE ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANTS IN KANSAS AND MISSOURI, NATIONAL RANKING SAYS
A restaurant near downtown Kansas City took the honors in Missouri for its unique ceiling design. | Published May 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez
A view from the northwest corner of the KC Current’s new CPKC Stadium. By Emily Curiel
NO. 3: 2 OF THE ‘WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES’ ARE IN KANSAS CITY, TIME MAGAZINE SAYS. HERE’S WHERE
The attractions opened within the same week in 2024 and received global fanfare. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez
An aerial view of Arrowhead Stadium (bottom) and Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Mo., on April 26, 2023. By Kirby Lee
NO. 4: KANSAS CITY’S ARROWHEAD IS NO. 1 NFL STADIUM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE, NATIONAL RANKINGS SAY
A panel of experts and fan voters named the home of the Kansas City Chiefs the best NFL stadium in two key categories. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez
Kala Elliott of Paola, Kansas, looked on as her daughter, Bria Elliott, 3, investigated the water feature in a display garden during a visit to Family Tree Nursery’s Spring Open House Event on March 15, 2024, in Overland Park, where the garden center was celebrating its 60th anniversary celebration. By Tammy Ljungblad
NO. 5: THIS KANSAS CITY SUBURB WAS NAMED ONE OF THE HAPPIEST CITIES IN THE U.S. HERE’S WHY
The 2025 study looked at factors like the emotional and physical well-being of city residents. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash
By Chase Clements
NO. 6: KC METRO HAS NEW BRAGGING RIGHTS; NAMED ONE OF MIDWEST’S MOST AFFORDABLE CITIES
The Kansas City metro ranks high on a list of the 10 most affordable cities in the Midwest, according to The Motley Fool. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Zuri Primos
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.