KANSAS CITY,

Kansas City, MO

This Midwestern hub continues to master high culture and comfort food. Readers loved its barbecue, as well as its world-class art scene—like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which is currently undergoing a big renovation. For a classic interpretations of the local burnt ends, go to Arthur Bryant’s or Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que; the latter may be found in a not-so-artistic setting (a gas station), but fans still consider it its own kind of masterpiece. The city also rated for its boutiques, like Urban Provisions, located in the East Bottoms neighborhood, which is a “modern Americana” general store offering soaps, décor, and sauces.