Best of KC 2026: Board, but never bored. It’s a gaming town.
Kiri-ai: The Duel hanging next to other games at Level One Game Shop. // Courtesy photo
Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we think make 2026 KC life feel like a winner. We’ll be publishing these online throughout June and July.
The River Market is changing. Yes, the farmers’ market stalls and typical fare are still available every weekend, but the 35-year-old Arabia Steamboat Museum is closing its doors in November. You’ll need to find something else to do with your history-obsessed father.
Thankfully, the intersection of history nerd and general geek is almost perfectly aligned at Level One Game Shop. Sometimes it takes a brick-and-mortar store to ignite a curiosity for any sort of game you can dream of. The shop houses tabletop RPGs, puzzle games, and virtually every board game under the sun.
Even if you haven’t played a capital ‘B’ board game recently, there are familiar starters like Uno or Codenames, or instructional nights to learn the deep cuts. Ask the staff for recommendations too—surprising entries may spark your inner child.
