Home » Featured Destinations

Kansas City, Missouri

On the border of Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City is a town with more than 200 fountains, more than any city except Rome, and with 155 miles of boulevard, more than even Paris. Kansas City is also home to great barbecue and steak, the bebop style of music, and excellent jazz.

The Amtrak Southwest Chief travels daily between Chicago and Los Angeles, stopping in Kansas City on the way. Amtrak also operates two interstate lines stopping in Kansas City, the Kansas City Mule, which travels daily between St. Louis and Kansas City, and the Ann Rutledge, traveling daily between Kansas City and Chicago.

The Greater Kansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau is downtown, in City Center Square, at 1100 Main Street, Ste. 2550, (816) 221-5242, (800) 767-7700. The Kansas City Trolley Co. runs replicas of historic trolleys between downtown and the River Market area, Crown Center, Westport and the Country Club Plaza, so you can get to just about all of the major neighborhoods in Kansas City. The drivers of these trolleys are very knowledgeable about local history, so don't hesitate to ask any questions that you might have. For information about routes and fares, call (816) 471-6050.

The highlight of my most recent visit to Kansas City was the gloriously restored Union Station. The restoration is not only architecturally impressive, but is also a prime example of how expansive, historic buildings can be successfully transformed into beautiful multi-use destinations. Union Station Kansas City opened on October 30, 1914, the third largest train station in the country and a building designed to last over 200 years. For decades, Union Station served the needs of rail travelers. Despite being placed on the National Register of Historic Places, however, Union Station suffered deterioration, due to the decline in passenger rail. Luckily, the voters of Kansas and Missouri made a financial commitment to save this architectural gem and the major part of its restoration, and transformation, has been completed. And, passenger rail itself has finally returned to this grand terminal.

Union Station now offers daily, behind-the-scenes tours, featuring characters from its rich history. You can also see a one-woman, multi-media show that features Union Stations' major historical events. In addition to these historical presentations, visitors to Union Station will find a wonderful planetarium, with laser shows for children and adults and other multimedia presentations and the City Extreme Screen Theater, towering five stories tall and featuring the only 3D theater in a 200 miles radius. The Theater features a fascinating National Geographic film about Lewis and Clark, a 3D film about the very unusual circus troupe, Cirque du Soleil, and the Haunted Castle in 3-d. Something for everyone.

The other major venue within Union Station is Science City, featuring hands-on exhibits for adults and children. Visitors can create music, edit a newspaper, solve a crime, ride a bike on a wire suspended 30 feet above ground, take a guided tour through the human body, and so much more.

Within Union Station there is also an excellent restaurant, in the classic steak house tradition. Pierponts, named for J.P. (John Pierpont) Morgan, a railroad baron of the first order, features 1914 decor, beautifully restored to its original glory. The menu offers classic Kansas City steak and seafood entrees and is open daily. For reservations, call (816) 221-5111.

Although you can spend many enjoyable hours within Union Station and its various entertainment venues, there is lots more to see and do in Kansas City. One of my favorites is the somewhat odd, but very enjoyable, Arabia Steamboat Museum. In 1856, the steamer Arabia sank to the bottom of the Missouri River, and was finally recovered and lifted 132 years later. This exhibit is filled with river and steamer lore and features the cargo, all intact, that was recovered from the Arabia, such as perfume, kitchenware, whiskey and precious cargo of the day. This museum is located in the River Market area, at 400 Grand Avenue, (816) 471-1856.

Kansas City is also home to two other excellent museums, both in the same location at the 18th and Vine complex, 1616 East 18th Street. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, (816) 221-1920, documents the life and history of African American baseball players, and the American Jazz Museum, (816) 474-8463, honors the greats of jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald, and features hundreds of jazz CDs in an interactive sound studio. These museums offer a joint ticket so call either number for information.

Speaking of jazz, there is no room here to list the many jazz clubs and venues located in Kansas City. Just call the Jazz Hotline at (816) 753-JASS(5277) to hear several minutes worth of current, local jazz event information.

After carousing at the jazz clubs, you'll need a place to stay. There are many places to stay in Kansas City, but most of them are large, chain hotels. Although usually comfortable, I find these sorts of places to be quite sterile. If your tastes run more to bed and breakfasts, contact Bed and Breakfast Kansas City, Box 14781, Lenexa, Kansas 66285, (913) 888-3636. You might also try the Raphael Hotel a very European style hotel, formerly an early twentieth century apartment building. Now beautifully restored, the Raphael is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Raphael also houses a very good restaurant, with a genteel yet sophisticated decor, and a constantly changing continental menu. The Raphael is at 325 Ward Parkway, on the Country Club Plaza, (816) 756-3800, information@raphaelkc.com, for toll free reservations call (800) 821-5343.

When I planned my trip to Kansas City, it was very difficult to find a travel guide that focused on that town alone, as opposed to Missouri or the Midwest. I usually prefer local guides, as opposed to statewide or regional guides, because I have found that the larger the area covered, the more generic the coverage. However, I did finally find a guide that was quite helpful, City Smart: Kansas City by Michael Flynn and Linda Kephart Flynn.

In it's second edition, published in 1999, the book will provide you with the basics as well as many unusual suggestions for things to do and see. Since the book is three years old, you may find that some of the contact telephone numbers are incorrect, but basically this guide is very helpful one.