"Kansas City, Missouri" Top 5 Page for this destination Kansas City by basstbn

Kansas City Travel Guide: 706 reviews and 1,607 photos

Downtown skyline, with Union Station in foreground

Welcome to Kansas City in America's Heartland

Historically speaking, Kansas City, Missouri, was the entry way for America's early pioneers finding their way to the frontier settlements. Today, it is a metropolitan area of nearly 2 million people spilling over into two states and six or more counties. Vistors and newcomers will find the area to have a multitude of opportunities to enjoy sports, leisure, and cultural activities, as well as a style of living more relaxed than eastern and larger cities. First time visitors to KC always leave pleasantly surprised at all that the city has to offer. Because I live in one of the city's Kansas suburbs, and work in the city, I will be able to add to the page from time to time.

Additonal attractions, restaurants, etc. in the area are listed by the individual cities in which they are located. To date, there are pages for Parkville, Kearny, and Lone Jack, Missouri, and for Mission, Fairway, Shawnee, Lenexa, Overland Park, Olathe, and Kansas City on the Kansas side of the state line.

Art by Decree

By law, new building construction in Kansas City must include 1% of its costs spent on artwork. Well, you have to give the city fathers credit for trying. Sometimes the results ruffle a few feathers, as was the case with these pylons on the addition made to the Bartle Convention Hall in downtown KC.

City of Fountains

JC Nichols Fountain

For years I have heard the bureau of tourism boast that Kansas City has more fountains than any city in the world but Rome. I haven't heard that recently so maybe some other upstart slipped into second place. It is true, however, that KC does have a huge number of impressive fountains.

Now that spring of 2003 has arrived, and the fountains have been reactivated, I have begun a travelogue on KC fountains, so take a look at what is there so far.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Friendly people, great barbecue, wonderful fine arts. You will be surprised how pretty it is.
Cons:Lacking in public transportation; downtown is deserted (but changes are coming).
In a nutshell:Come visit us, have a great time, leave your money.

Last visit to Kansas City: Sep 2004
Intro Updated Sep 14, 2004
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Reviews (81)

Tuba Christmas Local Customs (4)

Tuba Christmas is a national happening, conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late tuba artist/teacher William J. Bell,... more travel advice

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio - Kansas City

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio Things to Do (35)

Now a Missouri State Historic Site, this two-and-a-half story Victorian house constructed of limestone from the caves... more travel advice

Charlie Parker at Rest Off The Beaten Path (8)

You hear it said the hottest and brightest flames die out quickly. That might be a partial explanation for the early... more travel advice

Ewing & Muriel Kauffman, Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City

Kauffman Stadium Sports & Outdoors (5)

Home of the American League's Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium remains one of the country's most beautiful venue in... more travel advice

Restaurants (13)
See All Bigggg Juicy Burgers!
Favorites (2)
See All Kansas? Missouri? Which Is It?
Nightlife (10)
See All The Best of R&B and Blues

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (18)

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DoloresTaylor Jul 5, 2010 at 11:20 AM

How interesting. I lived in that house in the late thirties and early forties. The landlady was Mrs Coffee. I wonder if there's a history of people that have lived there? I'm now 80 and living in Colorado Springs, CO.. Dolores Taylor dd11428@comcast.net
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kenHuocj Feb 12, 2009 at 4:47 AM

Spent Jan 2oth Inauaguration day with the Kansas City Board Election Commissioner, so very glad that through your pages, i am able to discover more about Kansas City and its new KCPA - we have Safdie's Ntl Art Gallery here ;-)))
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joiwatani Nov 17, 2008 at 6:03 PM

Gave you great ratings! Thought it was just Kansas State but no, it was in Missouri!
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volopolo Jan 31, 2008 at 6:11 AM

Nice tips!
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masc4s Jun 6, 2005 at 10:20 AM

Wonderful overview of KC Frank. Those restaurants have my mouth watering and I want to visit the airline history museum.
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ger4444 Jul 5, 2004 at 8:45 PM

so this is Kansas city then. when i was a litle kid i got a pullover from Kansas and i weared it till i was twelve and now i see what it looks like thanks to your great page. "Thanx
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cmk7387 Mar 13, 2004 at 5:57 AM

Just back (3/10/04) from KC. Went to Jardine's for a steak and jazz, wasn't disappointed. Food was good (KC strip, 8 of 10) and local microbrew (Boulevard Pale Ale, an 8). Music was by the KC Youngbloods, group of college age musicians, very good.
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johanl Mar 12, 2004 at 9:18 AM

a really great page on Kansas. Have to visit this state one day. Very informative and nice pics. Great job.
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SarahEire Jan 6, 2004 at 11:56 AM

The amount of destinations you have been to is overwhelming
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der_geograf Dec 23, 2003 at 10:20 AM

Great page Frank! I first went to Kansas City in 1998, and I was REALLY surprised at how interesting it was. I thought it would just be a flat, boring Midwestern city. Can't wait to go back when I can have more time to explore it!