Kansas City

When it comes to legendary dining, it doesn’t get much better than The American Restaurant. It’s located in Crown Center (a huge complex that houses shopping, offices and Hallmark’s headquarters), and culinary icon James Beard helped create the restaurant’s menu when it opened in 1974. Ever since, the American Restaurant has been wowing guests with its impressive cuisine (think champagne and caviar, côte de boeuf and lots of seafood), impeccable service and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown. During the holidays, the restaurant provides the best view of the 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas tree.