Enjoy Cool Kansas City!

There’s something for everyone in Kansas City. A visit to the ‘Paris of the Plains’ offers everyone fun and excitement, no matter your interests or age!

Only the sky has the blues in Kansas City!

Kansas City lies in the Midwestern United States and, despite its name, is the largest city in Missouri. It was incorporated as a town on 1 June 1850 and was strategically located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. Today, the beauty of the city is within its ten distinctive neighbourhoods, with diverse architecture and characters, that gives the city a unique culture.

The weather can be very hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter. So, the best time to visit the city is during the warm Spring and early Autumn when it is possible to explore the many parks and outdoor attractions.

While many cities are known for one or two popular features, Kansas City stands out because it has so much to offer. Fine art, beautiful parks, rich history, fabulous cuisine, popular sports teams and a diverse music scene are just some of the attractions of the metropolitan area. In Kansas City, you won’t run out of things to do!

The Kansas City International Airport (MCI), only about 30-minutes from downtown, is the best way to reach the city. You can book a shuttle, taxi or popular ride-sharing services to take you directly to the city centre. While in the city, you can use its reliable and cool public transportation to move around. The RideKC website and app makes it easy to plan and purchase your fares. There is plenty of parking if you decide to hire a rental car.

Here’s a Pro-Tip: The Kansas City Streetcar is a convenience and offers free rides for the two-mile circuit whenever you’re downtown.

While in Kansas City, make sure you don’t miss these attractions:

• Craft Beer, Spirit and Brewery Culture – Kansas City has a rich prohibition history – mostly violating the rules! It has developed its own cocktail culture that not only distils gin, vodka and other spirits but also a variety of craft beers. Breweries and distilleries are turned into a form of entertainment as they also host tours and popular restaurants. Kansas City continues to satisfy hosts and visitors with unique-flavoured brews that are hard to resist. If you are so inclined, raise a glass in the city and try its spirit!

Don’t drink from this water fountain!

• Fountains – There’s little wonder why it’s called the ‘City of Fountains’. With more than 200, Kansas City boasts the most working fountains in a single city in the United States. Enjoy a walk around Union Station and through the Country Club Plaza to catch the beautiful sights of the famous water features.

• Nelson-Atkins Museum of art – This beautiful art museum was bequeathed to the city by William Rockhill Nelson, the former publisher of the Kansas City Star and Mary McAfee Atkins, an educator. The remarkable collection is housed in architecturally significant buildings and covers everything from ancient artworks, through Renaissance Masters, Chinese artworks, American artists and even a large collection of Native American artwork. Best of all, it is completely free to visit this incredible museum!

The Liberty Memorial Remembers WWI

• The Liberty Memorial – This is a symbol of Kansas City itself and the official national monument to those that sacrificed their lives in World War I. This imposing monument offers incredible views of the surrounding region.

Here’s another Pro-Tip: Because of civic pride, almost all of the museums, parks, monuments and exhibits are completely admission free in Kansas City!

• The Truman Sports Complex – named after famous city resident President Harry S Truman, this facility includes the Arrowhead and Kaufman Stadiums homes of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals professional American football and baseball teams. The Kansas City Chiefs won the Superbowl in 2020 and there is plenty of buzz about the new season!

There are so many other attractions including amusement parks, shopping and an eclectic music scene that make Kansas City a great place to visit!

Kansas City’s food scene can be summed up in three Bs: barbeque, beer, and beef. However, it still gives enough space to accommodate diverse food offerings throughout the city. Some of my favourite food spots are:

• Corvino Supper Club and Tasting Room – This dramatic restaurant offers two distinct dining experiences under one roof. The first is the main dining room with a 13-course tasting menu that can be enjoyed in shareable plates. The other is a tasting room that presents cuisines reflecting Chef Michael Corvino’s Pacific Northwest roots and fresh ingredients. This restaurant is a good pick because it provides unusual flavour combinations, excellent service and upscale ambience.

• Joe’s Kansas City Barbeque – You cannot visit Kansas City without sampling barbeque, especially when it’s from Joe’s KC. Ranging from the two-meat BBQ dinner to Z-Man’s sandwich roll, this diner offers the very best of iconic KC Barbecue!
• The Farmhouse – Along with the River Market neighbourhood, this farmhouse-inspired restaurant offers affordable assorted local dishes with fresh flavour that shouldn’t be missed!

OMG, I love Joe’s Barbecue!

Here’s another Pro-Tip: West 39th Street is the home of the best and affordable local dining spots in KC. Check out this funky and colourful neighbourhood.

Although Kansas City tends to turn in as early as midnight, you can be sure to find certain places open late. Here are some of my favourite party places:

Party in the Power and Light District!

• Howl at the Moon: Located in Power and Light District – the entertainment centre of KC, this lively bar with a duelling piano party vibe is the coolest spot for nightlife.
• The Phoenix: Jazz is one of Kansas City’s landmarks, and the Phoenix nightclub is the place to experience the best of it. Go downtown to enjoy the live music, tasty menu and awesome cocktails!

• Up-Down KC: With over 50 retro arcade games, pinball, skeeball and a lot more games, Up Down is the centre of gaming in KC. It also combines this with craft beer taps and a rooftop view of the city, which make it a total-packaged spot to feel like a kid again.

There are many fabulous hotel options in Kansas City. Some of the best places are downtown, in the Crossroads Arts District or in the Country Club Plaza. Here’s where I suggest you stay:

• 21c Museum Hotel: This 3-in-1 hotel offers a museum, restaurant and hotel facilities with a spectacular combination of stunning details and amenities. It’s located near the Power and Light District, which gives you proximity to entertainment as well!
• Crossroads Hotel: This hip hotel offers an artsy and unrefined vibe with its exposed bricks, candle-lit Italian dinners, sharp lobby bar and rooftop beer garden.
• The Fontaine: Probably the most iconic of hotels in the Country Club Plaza, this hotel offers elegant rooms and outstanding dining experiences with a great rooftop pool. It also is close to boutique shopping within the neighbourhood.

Kansas City has something to offer everyone. Enjoy the ‘Paris of the Plains’ and tell them Isabella sent you!

Love,

Isabella