Best Local Monument: The Liberty Memorial is a towering and solemn tribute to those lost during World War I. Be sure to go below the monument to tour the expansive World War I Museum.

Best Local Landmark: Once the scene of a historic massacre, Union Station remains a distinguished monument and still operates as a full-service train station.

Best Tour: Sure, a behind-the-scenes look at Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Co. is fascinating, but the best part is the free end-of-tour beer tasting.

Best Public Art: Although the Kansas City Library’s interior is nothing short of majestic, the giant outdoor bookshelf with 25-foot volumes is equally mesmerizing.

Best View: Perched 30 floors above downtown Kansas City, the City Hall Observation Deck offers picturesque and panoramic views of downtown and beyond.

Best Non-Art Museum: Explore Kansas City’s melodic jazz history within the colorful, interactive surroundings of the American Jazz Museum.

Best Historic Discovery: After a century’s worth of various salvage attempts, a local team managed to locate, uncover, and partially reconstruct a doomed steamboat, now housed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum along with recovered cargo items.

Best Interactive Museum: Step onto center court at the College Basketball Experience — or, if you prefer to be on the sidelines, test your broadcast skills at the ESPNU anchor station.

Best Local Export: Get an insiders’ look at a multibillion-dollar industry with a visit to the Hallmark Visitors Center, complete with a view of the greeting card production process.

Best Water Feature: Stop for a photo op in front of one of the most recognizable of Kansas City’s many fountains, the J. C. Nichols Memorial Fountain.

Best Place to Spend a Day: With the world’s largest Asian art collection, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art also offers a staggering collection of paintings, furniture, sculpture, photography, and more. Don’t miss the outdoor sculpture garden and the infamous shuttlecock statues.

Best Reason to Skip the Nelson: An astounding collection of contemporary art makes the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art a must-see while you’re in Kansas City. Stop at the museum gift shop for books, prints, and other artistic gifts.