Must-see entertainment in The Great Plains

  • Mutual Musicians Foundation

    Kansas City

    Near 18th and Vine in the Historic Jazz District, this former union hall for African American musicians has hosted after-hours jam sessions since 1930…

  • Branson’s Famous Baldknobbers

    Missouri

    If you're going Branson, go all in with the musical comedy show that started it all in 1959. Three generations of the Mabe family – and a lot of 'friends'…

  • Venice Cafe

    St Louis

    A true cabinet of curiosities. The interior of this two-level club is a master class in mosaics, while the rambling outdoor garden is chock-full of folk…

  • Cain's Ballroom

    Oklahoma

    Rising rockers grace the boards where Bob Wills played Western swing in the '30s and the Sex Pistols caused confusion in 1978 (check out the hole Sid…

  • Cornhusker Football

    Nebraska

    Score plenty of excitement on one of the seven fall Saturdays when the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team plays at home. On these days…

  • World Theatre

    Nebraska

    This beautifully restored 1927 theater is a fabulous place to see a film. The non-profit running it regularly shows old classics along with modern art…

  • Haygoods

    Missouri

    The multitalented Haygood family has been rocking Branson for almost 30 years with shows that see six siblings play 20 different instruments. They also…

  • Showboat Branson Belle

    Missouri

    Operated by the Silver Dollar City theme park, this large, recreated paddlewheel riverboat sails Table Rock Lake on a variety of themed cruises. Most…

  • Iowa Speedway

    Iowa

    One of the most famous racetracks in the US, the Iowa Speedway stays true to its gearhead roots. This is a place where fans still have grease on their…

  • Tulsa Spotlight Theatre

    Oklahoma

    The top local theater is known for its productions of classic and new American drama. Its regular Saturday night staging of 'The Drunkard,' an ever…

  • Blue Room Jazz Club

    Kansas City

    This slick club, known for its jazz, blues and instrumentals, is part of the American Jazz Museum. It hosts local talent for free performances on Monday…

  • Iowa Theater

    Iowa

    Like so much else in Winterset, this old movie theater on Courthouse Sq seems conjured up out of a Hollywood set. The neon sign out front and interior are…

  • Truman Sports Complex

    Kansas City

    Locals are passionate about major-league baseball's Royals (who won the World Series in 2015) and the NFL's close-but-no-cigar Chiefs. Both play at…

  • Roof Garden

    Iowa

    Concerts in the newly restored historic Arnold Park concert venue take place all summer and feature everything from Glenn Miller cover bands to classic…

  • Slowdown

    Nebraska

    A big, sweaty venue known for booking top indie rock bands. There's a full schedule every week of music in many styles. The Trap Room next door is a divey…

  • Wooly's

    Iowa

    The top venue for music in East Village, Wooly's is a modern hall with cutting-edge sound and lighting. Shows – not every night – alternate between edgy…

  • Busch Stadium

    St Louis

    The Cardinals play in this fun, retro stadium, opened in 2006. Second only to the New York Yankees in World Series wins (11), the Cardinals last won the…

  • St Louis Symphony Orchestra

    St Louis

    Located at Powell Hall, a grand red-and-gold-hued theater that dates to 1925. There's a good balance of classical concerts and pop-culture-inspired…

  • Iowa Cubs

    Iowa

    One of the most popular AAA minor league baseball teams in the country, the Iowa Cubs have a proudly loyal fan base and play in a modern fan-friendly…

  • BB's

    St Louis

    Part blues club, part blues museum, this glossy two-level joint has good music most nights. Tasty bar food includes popular sweet-potato fries.

  • Pollard Theatre

    Oklahoma

    Guthrie's full-time professional theater company mixes musicals, serious drama and light comedy during a season that runs much of the year.

  • Old Rock House

    St Louis

    A great, sweaty club that draws big regional acts. Look for rock (new and old), blues, country, punk, metal and more.

  • Guthrie Green

    Oklahoma

    Open-air Guthrie Green, near the namesake cultural center in the Brady Arts District, often hosts events and concerts.

  • Oklahoma City Thunder

    Oklahoma

    The NBA's Thunder play downtown at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The team has made the playoffs every season since 2009.

  • Riot Room

    Kansas City

    Part dive, part cutting-edge live-music venue, Westport's Riot Room always rocks – and has many good beers.

  • TD Ameritrade Park

    Nebraska

    If you build it, will they come? Omaha's baseball stadium is used for college games but local boosters make no secret of the fact they'd like to lure a…

  • Muny

    St Louis

    The Muny, an outdoor theater, hosts nightly summer Broadway musicals in Forest Park; 1450 of the 12,000 seats are free (lines start forming as early as…

  • Tribute Theatre

    Missouri

    The place where the Eagles, Journey, the Platters and many more live forever (or at least as long as their fans do). Enthusiastic performers cover hits…

  • Admiral Twin Drive-In

    Oklahoma

    A classic Route 66 drive-in movie theater, with two screens playing the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Arrive well before showtime to get a good spot.

  • Oklahoma City Dodgers

    Oklahoma

    The Triple A Dodgers (affiliated with LA) play at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, a stadium with a lot of fan-friendly features and an outfield lawn.

  • Pageant

    St Louis

    A big concert venue with great sight lines and exceptional acoustics. It attracts some of the hottest acts to pass through St Louis.

  • 66 Drive-In Theatre

    Missouri

    A drive-in icon from decades past; it shows double features of current releases.

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