Local Experiences: Uncover Hidden Gems With Vacation Rental Stays

BY  Subham Saha Apr 27, 2021

Are you in Kansas City? Welcome to the world’s barbecue city. Kansas is popular for its servings of a wide range of different menus of barbeques and ribs. If you are searching for the best BBQ in Kansas City, we must say that all the downtown BBQ restaurants in Kansas have a very popular range of BBQ dishes.  The Kansas City BBQ menus are pretty impressive, with perfectly caramelized outside and juicy meat inside. Both blanks of  Missouri rivers are full of different barbecue joints. If you are a new traveler visiting the blanks of Missouri and searching for the best BBQ restaurant in KC, The downtown food network Kansas City BBQ is so very popular. So, this food item is conquering the permanent place in many travel channels’ best BBQ recipes. Best BBQ In Kansas City: These Are The Top 6 Joints  BBQ in Kansas City is much beyond a delicacy or food item. It has history and for many African-American families, BBQ is like a heirloom or the tapestry of family traditions. What started with Henry Perry in the 1920s, has now become an identity of the city.  So, let’s check out the six top picks of KC BBQ joints. 1. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que Yelp Rating: 4.6 https://www.instagram.com/p/DAoK32EtlaF/?img_index=1 Do you know the best food in Kansas City? Are you a steak or ribs lover? When you are in Kansas City, you must enjoy Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, which is one of the best BBQs in Kansas City.  This joint is quite popular among the locals and tourists. Joe’s Kansas City BBQ locations are just in the middle of the city. Further, this joint is popular for its unique beef dish, the Z Man sandwich.  The sandwich filler is a slow-smoked beef brisket along with provolone cheese and crispy onion rings. Further, the slow-cooked beef here perfectly preserves the moisture inside it and the perfectly crispy caramelized out layer. The cheese and crispy onion rings add the best flavor to the dish.  This is the reason Joe’s BBQ Kansas City is one of the most famous barbeque joints in Kansas.  2. Arthur Bryant’s Yelp Rating: 3.6 https://www.instagram.com/p/C_BbQXWJM8Q/?hl=en Arthur Bryant’s is the king of ribs. It serves perfectly cooked ribs and briskets. The master of slow cooking, it uses a special kind of BBQ sauce to increase the spicy and juicy texture of the meat.  They not only serve the sauce with the dishes. You can simply buy the bottles of sauce and take them to your home. The entirely organic and slow cooking method turns this juicy meat into a delicious mouth-watering platter. The meat here, smoked with hickory and oak wood, is very flavourful. 3. Q39 Yelp Rating: 4.5 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5vjgVs1hS/?img_index=1 Q39 relatively new barbeque joint in Kansas. If you are searching for the best BBQ in Overland Park KS, the south branch of the Q39 is the closest one.  Though Q39 is a new one than Joe’s and Arther’s, within a short period of time, it has conquered its permanent position in the list of the best BBQ in Kansas City. Q39 BBQ is an entirely chef-driven barbeque joint. Rob Magee and his wife Kelly brought this unique BBQ experience to Kansas City in 2014. Within just years, the popularity of these joints has been sky-high. From the ambiance to every dish, the restaurant is preserving the unique orthodox atmosphere. And the chef maintains the authentic taste of spice and herbs in every dish. 4. Jones BBQ Yelp Rating: 4.1 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkgFrOxtmyZ/ Here comes the name of one of the oldest BBQ joints in Kansas City. Jones Sisters have been running these BBQ joints for thirty years.  First, their father, Leavy B. Jones Sr. established the restaurants, and these two sisters have carried their father’s legacy of serving a perfectly cooked, delicious smoked BBQ. Along with every dish they are going to serve you their special BBQ sauce. The recipe of the sauce is carried forward from generation to generation in the Jones family.  This place has the best BBQ in Kansas City as they offer an orthodox-style BBQ with flavourful secret sauce. 5. Woodyard Bar-B-Que Yelp Rating: 3.8 https://www.instagram.com/p/CruGv6OrWBm/ Do you love the authentic taste of wood and brick ovens? This Woodyard Bar-B-Que is offering the best BBQ in Kansas City.  The traditional way of cooking ribs is not only the attraction of the place. You can taste the delicious juicy meat under the blue sky. The outdoor dining facility of the BBQ junction is the best one.  And guess what? This is the last one old restaurant that provides the facility of the outdoor bricks and smoked meat.  When you are searching for a barbecue near me while roaming around Merriam Lane, this is the best option you can get there. 6. Slap’s BBQ Yelp Rating: 4.5 https://www.instagram.com/p/CnKWsimjPR6/ Meet the kids of the BBQ junctions, a very new one, in the Kansas BBQ world. Within this short period of time, Slap’s BBQ has conquered its place in the hearts of many BBQ lovers.  Burnt End sandwich is the most popular and one of the best BBQ platters in Kansas City. Along with the BBQ ribs, pork, chicken, and potato salad are also available here.  Burnt End ribs are another great choice for the southern sandwich with pulled pork and juicy sweet potato salad. All the sauces are perfectly balanced with the great taste of herbs and spices. Wrapping It Up: When you are in the BBQ city of the world, you do not have to take any headaches to find the best BBQ in Kansas City. Almost every corner of the streets is filled up with various types of different street BBQ corners.  Further, if you are asking our suggestion, we would say every one of them is quite impressive as their platters. However, these six BBQ junctions are outstanding as their meals.  So, where are you planning to go to in Kansas City to taste the amazing quality food? Do not forget to share your experiences with us. You May Also Like:  Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try Batista Restaurant Las Vegas – Restaurant Info, Ratings & Reviews 8 Best Bachelor Party Destinations To Visit In 2021

BY  Sibashree Jul 17, 2025

Alright, so—Phuket, the Thai Island. Man, where do I even start? I went in with zero expectations. Like, I thought it’d just be a beach-and-smoothie kind of trip.  You know, chill, maybe burn a little under the sun, hit up a night market or two, then call it a win. But wow, did this place surprise me! Seriously, you could spend a whole week there and still feel like you missed stuff. And I don’t mean just tourist traps—I mean real gems, the kind of places that make you stop and go, “Wait... how is this even real?”  But if I had to pick just three, the ones that still pop into my head while I’m spacing out on the subway or standing in line somewhere? It’s these. Trust me, you don’t wanna skip ‘em. Here’s the shortlist of the best things to see on Phuket Island, broken down with the same chaotic energy I had while stumbling across them. What Are The Best Things To See On Phuket Island?  From the natural beauty of Phang Nga Bay to the Big Buddha statue and the unique charm of the Old Phuket Town, the best things to see on Phuket Island are many.  Here goes my journal of what I saw and what I experienced.  Also, you can plan a stay in the best hotel in Patong Beach to make your holiday more enjoyable.  1. Phang Nga Bay Okay, so this one?  Total accident. I wasn’t even planning on going. I was half-asleep at breakfast, eavesdropping on some German backpackers at the hostel talking about this boat tour, and I kinda just nodded along and joined last-minute. Best decision I didn’t even really make. Next thing I know, I’m on this longtail boat, wind blasting my face, trying not to drop my phone overboard. And then—bam—these giant limestone cliffs just rise up out of the water like something straight out of a dream.  It’s wild. Like, you see photos online and assume they’ve been touched up or filtered or something. But nope. That emerald-green water? Totally real. And almost too perfect. Ended up in a kayak somehow. Not sure how that happened—someone handed me a paddle and I just went with it. And let me tell you, drifting through caves and into these hidden lagoons where it suddenly goes dead silent?  Genuinely eerie. In the best way. It was just me, water, and birds doing their thing. No Wi-Fi, no distractions. I didn’t even take a photo in that moment, which says a lot ‘cause I take photos of everything. I just kind of sat there, floating, trying to process how this was real life. Also, I overheard someone mention that those rock formations are millions of years old. Which, I guess, makes sense... but also doesn’t, because that kind of time is hard to wrap your brain around when you’re wearing flip-flops and sunscreen that’s already stopped working. Moral of the story: if someone mentions Phang Nga Bay, just go. Don’t overthink it. 2. Big Buddha Statue: One Of The Iconic Things To See On Phuket Island Alright, so this one is on every “Top 10 Phuket” list, and at first I kinda rolled my eyes like, “Okay yeah, giant Buddha, got it.”  But listen—it’s worth it. Especially if you like places that mess with your sense of scale and give you a weird kind of peace you weren’t expecting. You can spot the statue from, like, miles away. It’s perched way up on this hill and looks kinda unreal when the sun hits it just right.  Getting there involves a bit of a drive (note to self: don’t trust Google Maps when it says 15 minutes), and the road?  Twisty and wild. At one point, I had to dodge a monkey that was just hanging out in the middle of the road like it paid rent there. Once you're at the top though—wow. The breeze, the views, the statue itself... it all just sort of hits you at once.  There were people praying, people meditating, some guy just playing with his shoelaces like he was in his own little world.  I ended up sitting on this shaded bench, not really thinking, just existing. It’s hard to explain, but everything felt... still like time slowed down a little. Even if you’re not spiritual or religious or whatever, there’s something about that spot that feels special. It’s quiet, but not in a lonely way. Just peaceful. Solid recommendation. 3. Phuket Town So, confession time: I almost skipped this entirely. “The Old Town of Phuket”? Sounded kinda boring, honestly. But someone at dinner said the food there was fire, and I was like, “Alright, I’ll go for the noodles.” Ended up staying all day. This part of the island has its own vibe. Totally different from the beachy postcard stuff. It’s loud, colorful, and full of character.  Buildings in faded yellows, pinks, blues—all with peeling paint and crooked shutters that somehow make it even better. It’s got this lived-in charm. Like nothing’s trying too hard, and that makes it cool. I wandered aimlessly for hours. Got lost, found a little bookstore with more cats than books, and accidentally bought a t-shirt I’ll probably never wear.  I ate noodles that made me do the involuntary “eyes wide, nod slowly” thing because they were just that good. Oh—and there was this old guy selling postcards with weird hand-drawn cartoons. I bought five. It’s not glamorous. It’s not curated. But it’s real. And for me, that’s what made it so good. Things To See In Phuket Island: Where Nature And Grandeur Meet So yeah, those three places? Absolute standouts. Not secret spots by any means—plenty of people go. But they’re memorable in that “I can’t believe this is real” kind of way. Nature that humbles you. A statue that quiets your brain. A town that feels like someone’s messy scrapbook of life. And hey, pack light but bring snacks. I got way too hungry way too fast and regretted not having anything on hand but gum. Anyway, that’s it. If you end up in Phuket, don’t miss these. Or do. But you’d be missing out.

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 1, 2021

So, this is about what traveling taught me! When I initially started traveling, it was merely to explore new places.   Stagnation could never provide what my soul was seeking. With travel experiences, I had a chance to explore an intimate relationship with myself.   Even before I realized what effect traveling has on my life, I knew that traveling was helping me be a better person.   This Is What Traveling Taught Me!   Getting back to where I began. My journeys over the years have helped me to look at myself a tad bit differently. I realized that when we fall in love with ourselves, we tend to accept ourselves unconditionally.  Here’s how I developed self-love and inclusivity out of my comfort zone. I am penning here the most personal experiences, and it’s okay if you see things in a different light.   Traveling helped me realize that my ‘weaknesses’ were only a part of my imagination  We all have certain assumptions about ourselves. We tend to think that we are ‘bad’ at certain things without even putting much effort into trying/doing/improving.   It was the same for me as well. I often thought that I had acute OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I also thought that I couldn’t share my stuff with strangers or live in a messy environment!  Gladly, it all turned out to be a myth. At times, I didn’t have to think twice before lending my bottle of water to a fellow trekker during a high-altitude Himalayan Trek. Or when I spent nights at an underprivileged Children’s Home on the outskirts of Nairobi, I felt the most comfortable.   I realized that the constraints were all in my mind. I didn’t need a second to break free from them when the situation arose. Everything instilled more confidence in me. I knew I could adjust with anyone!  Traveling helped me to realize that I can be my best company  We are obsessed with the internet and love to connect with others in the virtual world. This is something that takes up a considerable amount of your time. Have you ever thought how beautiful it would be to take a break and connect to yourself?   We often seek love and appreciation from others. Appreciation seems like a source of happiness. But do we appreciate ourselves for trying something new or something we thought we never could?   I’ve been no different. I also gave a lot of importance to what others would say about my deeds. Then I realized that it doesn’t really matter if I’m happy with myself.   As I started to explore the world by myself, there were often times when I would find myself away from the network amidst solitude – and that’s when I realized that I love being by myself! This is what traveling taught me!   I could read for hours, listen to music, or just sit by the window watching the clouds float.  What Traveling taught me: To declutter my mind and trust others  While growing up, we are often taught not to trust strangers. Such things often clutter our minds with suspicion, and we would look at anyone with a tinge of mistrust, thinking that the person might harm us in some way or the other.   It was only when I started traveling that I came to realize how stupid these things were! During most of my journeys, I’ve blindly trusted the local transport drivers to take me to places and suggest areas worth exploring.  While I was in Bhutan for a month, where I was mostly hitchhiking, I got into random people’s cars, who, at times, took a detour to drop me off! There were times when I would be hungry, and a fellow traveler on a bus or a train would offer me something that I would gladly eat.   It helped me to learn that the world isn’t as bad as we think it to be while sitting at home! Eventually, it was the kindness I received on the roads that decluttered my mind and taught me to trust strangers.  Minimalist living, compassion, and gratitude are what traveling taught me  In our otherwise regular life, we tend to think that we need a lot of things (which we term ‘necessities’). Thus, we often end up buying stuff that we probably would never use!   Our love for material possessions takes control over the mind. So, we keep spending to accumulate things. Even I used to be a shopaholic at some point in time and would pick up anything that caught my attention.   But when I started to travel, I realized that my rucksack could accommodate only a limited amount. Further, when I was on the roads, I barely needed those things that I’d shopped for! The endless journeys taught me the charm of minimalistic living, and now, I pack as little as I think I would need.  Also, we often forget to be grateful for all that we have and take things for granted.   I traveled to different places, met several people, and got to know about their lives. Then, I figured out that not all are lucky by birth, and I was in a much better place than many out there. This realization was humbling, and I learned to value things.  Summing Up: I realized That I Feel Alive When I Wander  I realized that I felt most alive when I was traveling. It is hard to enlist everything if you ask me what traveling taught me.  Along with the changes that I could understand, there have been many subtle yet significant changes. I now don’t react to things easily, and my aim is always to understand the other person’s perspective.   Moreover, I have started believing in the words of Erwin Schrodinger. He said that the universe is a singular reality. I feel more conscious, creative, and positive when I travel.    What has traveling taught you? How has it created a positive impact on your life? Don’t forget to share your ideas with us!   Read Also: 5 Reasons To Consider Solo Travel 5 Backpacking Tips For An Unforgettable Euro-Trip Travel Advice For Different Countries Around The World 10 Travel Tips For Singles At This Valentine’s Day