The Museum of BBQ, the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue, is opening in Kansas City, Missouri next spring.
Described as a feast for the senses, the new venue at the Crown Center shopping district will offer an immersive experience made up of interactive exhibits exploring the different elements and regions of barbecue.
It will also house a curated gift shop selling rubs, sauces and BBQ-themed gifts.
“Barbecue is a feast for your senses,” said Museum of BBQ founder Jonathan Bender. “Here in one of the BBQ capitals of the world, we’re creating a place where you can immerse yourself in the stories of barbecue.”
“This is a place where barbecue comes alive”
Per a press release, guests will follow two “storytelling trails” in the attraction. On the first, they will learn about the elements of barbecue, like meat, rub, wood, fire, smoke and sauce.
On the second, they will travel through the main America regions of barbecue, like the Carolinas, Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. Highlights include an oversized crock of “barbecued beans” to play in.
“This is a place where barbecue comes alive,” added Bender, who is opening the Museum of BBQ with chef and restaurateur Alex Pope as a partner.
“We want you to play and learn and come away with an appreciation for the joy and community that is part of barbecue culture.”
Ahead of the opening next year, Crown Center is displaying a miniature version of the Museum of BBQ to tease the new attraction.
“Kansas City is a natural home for the Museum of BBQ,” said Bender. “Barbecue is synonymous with the city because of the rich traditions here and we’re proud to bring the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue to KC.”
Within the Crown Center complex, the Museum of BBQ will join attractions including a Sea Life aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center. Across the street is the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Images courtesy of the Museum of BBQ
