By Ken Mink
KANSAS CITY – Once a dusty cow town serving as a major stockyards shipping point for cattle en route to Chicago packing plants, Kansas City has become a modern city that in recent years has earned the title of “The Midwest’s Hottest Fun Spot.”
Tourists by the tens of millions continue to pour into the city annually to view the hundreds of beautiful fountains, sample the world-class barbecue, ride the world’s tallest water slide, speed along a NASCAR race track at 165 mph, enjoy the top-notch jazz, or take in a show at one of the nation’s most beautiful and unique entertainment venues.
Visitors get a chance to enjoy two Kansas Cities – the Missouri version and the Kansas version. The beautiful Missouri River flows through the middle of much of it and the metropolitan area blends together so well that you never can tell which city you are in – gauging it by determining if you are on the east side or west side of the river (or, similarly, State Line Road). Each Kansas City has its own state and local governments.
Kansas City pretty much has everything a resident or visitor could ask for – major shopping, professional baseball and football (Royals and Chiefs) and Major League Soccer (played in a beautiful stadium), by many accounts the best barbecue in the nation, a modern highway system that provides smooth traffic flow at all hours and thousands of hotels/motels. And, of course, the famous Kansas City steak.
If for no other reason, tourists should visit Kansas City to see a concert, opera, Broadway show or ballet at the Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
This $413 million structure is one of the world’s most beautiful and functional entertainment venues. The nearly 285,000-square-foot facility has two main performance halls seating 1,800 and 1,400 with chair seating providing relatively up close and excellent views from any point. Many visiting musicians and entertainers have lauded the site as having the best acoustics they have ever experienced. One of the largest organs in North America provides added entertainment.
The exterior of the building is visually stunning, with huge glass walls, pre-cast concrete and stainless steel blending with 27 tall support cables on one side and a series of layered shell design on the other. The three-year-old center has 196 public restrooms, about two-thirds of them for women. Website: www.kauffmancenter.org
Another popular Kansas City attraction is The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 1994. At the core of the permanent collection is the Bebe and Crosby Kemper Collection, a gift by the Museum’s donors R. Crosby Kemper and his wife Bebe Kemper, and the Kemper Foundations. The collection includes art and sculpture by such artists as Louise Bourgeois, Christian Boltanski, Manuel Neri, Jasper Johns, Helen Frankenthaler, Frank Stella, Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Hung Liu, Robert Motherwell, Deborah Butterfield, Fairfield Porter, Wayne Thiebaud, Grace Hartigan, William Wegman, Red Grooms, Georgia O’Keeffe, Christopher Brown, Willem de Kooning, and Robert Mapplethorpe. Each year, the museum presents 10–12 special exhibitions in its galleries. The group and solo artist exhibitions feature established and emerging artists from the United States and around the world. Past special exhibitions have included works by Alex Katz, Liza Lou, Christian Boltanski, Kojo Griffin, Alison Saar, and Fairfield Porter, among many others.
A large atrium, central to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, culminates in an articulated skylight 22 feet high. Extended from either side of the atrium are two wings. Overall, the Kemper Museum measures more than 23,200 square feet. In addition to gallery spaces, the Museum houses an A/V-equipped meeting room, an indoor courtyard, a café, and a museum shop.
Data: Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art,4420 Warwick Blvd. Kansas City, Missouri. Phones/fax: 816-753-5784 Fax 816-753-5806. Open Tues.–Thurs. 10–4, Fri.–Sat.10–9, Sun. 11–5.Free admission and parking. Website: http://www.kemperart.org
One of the world’s most extensive and beautiful water parks is the Schlitterbahn facility, featuring the world’s tallest water slide, the 168-foot Verruckt. Riders are strapped into a three person raft that slides down a jaw dropping 60-degree structure, only to be blasted back up a second massive hill and then sent down yet another gut wrenching 50 foot drop. Taller than Niagara Falls and steeper than any ski slope, Verrückt is the tallest and fastest waterslide in the world. German for “insane,” Verrückt is a game-changing, raft ride that will roughly match the height of a 17-story building The water park also features several other waterslides and river rides. The park is extremely popular during its season (spring/summer/fall).Location: 9400 State Avenue Website: www.schlitterbahn.com/kansas-city
If you have a need for speed, the Kansas Speedway is the place to be. The 1.5 mile track hosts several NASCAR events each year and also provides the public a chance to ride in a Richard Petty Experience race car going 165 mph or to take their place behind the wheel for a few high-speed spins around the track. Photos and videos of your visit are available for purchase. Location:400 Speedway Blvd. For info: www.kansasspeedway.com
Kansas City is a shopaholic paradise and a to-die-for site for foodies.
The Plaza Lights have been illuminating the city’s famed Country Club Plaza for decades with over 80 miles of lights and 280,000 multi-colored bulbs outlining and illuminating the shopping and dining district. Old and young alike with marvel in their beauty-it truly is something to see. You can shop, dine and even take a carriage ride whilst you’re there.
Crown Center, located just a couole of miles south of downtown Kansas City, has three levels of shopping and dining.
Kansas City is generally regarded as one of the best, if not the best, barbeque cities in America. Everybody has their favorite, but - -Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue has perhaps received the highest rating overall (No. 1 in America by Zagat). Other well regarded barbeque places include Oklahoma Joe’s, B B’s Lawnside Bar-B-Que and Gates & Sons Bar-B-Q.
One of the most unique and interesting restaurants in the metro area is the T-Rex Cafe. This place features dozens of recreated life-size and colorful prehistoric animals and aquatic life interspersed throughout the restaurant, providing a learn-while-you-eat experience that is particularly popular with children. The food is also well prepared and served in ample amounts. Site: 1847 Village West Parkway. Website: www.trexcafe.com
Many people are surprised to learn that Walt Disney lived and worked here before heading to California. Although there’s not much to see of the dilapidated building under renovation at 31st and Forest, the Laugh-O-Gram Studio is where Walt first drew a little character named Mortimer Mouse, who grew up to be the beloved mouse known round the world. Special events are held throughout the year to raise funds for the restoration of the studio. Others are equally surprised to learn that the McDonald’s Happy Meal was the creation of an advertising executive in Kansas City who sold it to Ronald for $1. Much of the city’s family-friendly atmosphere can be attributed to the wholesome presence of Hallmark Cards, whose world headquarters at Crown Center is the center of many city events.
Visitors can find thousands of hotels/motels in the Kansas City area but one of the most unique is the Chateau Avalon, a bed-and-breakfast that has dozens of specialty themed rooms ranging from pirate coves to royalty. See a separate story on this interesting B&B in this current edition of The Travelling Adventurer.
Kansas City is replete with interesting things to do and places to see. Here are some others:
Legoland Discovery Center: More than 3 million bricks kids (or adults) can use to create infinite designs. Also featured is a 4D cinema theater. Location: Crown Center. Website: http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansascity/
Arabia Steamboat Museum This is a story of two little boys who grew up on the banks of the Missouri River and eventually found a buried treasure worth millions. In 1988. When the mighty Steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City on September 5, 1856, she carried 200 tons of mystery cargo. Lost for 132 years, its recovery in 1988 was like finding the King Tut’s Tomb of the Missouri River. Remarkably preserved clothes, tools, guns, dishware and more. The discovery was truly a modern day treasure-hunting story at its best. Location: 400 Grand Ave. Website: http://1856.com/
The College Basketball Experience
You don’t have to be in college to appreciate and enjoy the College Basketball Experience. It’s tempting to call it a museum, but it’s not really. Everything you ever wanted to know about college basketball, with numerous exhibits, films and hands-on experiences. Located adjacent to Sprint Center. Website: http://collegebasketballexperience.com/
Worlds of Fun
This 235-acre theme park, located in Kansas City, is a family vacation unto itself, with more than 50 exciting rides, including SteelHawk, which soars 301 feet in the air. Website: www.worldsoffun.com/index.cfm Location: northeast of downtown Kansas City off Interstate 435.
18th and Vine Historic Jazz District
The famed historic 18th and Vine Jazz District has everything from the Kansas City/American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the historic Gem Theater. A popular site is the Blue Room (one of the greatest Jazz clubs in the world) for appetizers, cocktails and some great Jazz.
Coterie Children’s Theatre
Time Magazine calls this family theatre one of the five best in the country. Located in The Crown Center Shops (2450 Grand Blvd). The non-profit theatre provides performances for visiting families, as well as acting on stage. Website: thecoterie.org
Harley-Davidson Factory Tour
This is where they make the Harley Sportster, the Dyna and the VRSC motorcycles, and a tour shows off the detail of care put into each bike. The 358,000-square-foot Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations in Kansas City, Mo. was built in 1998.The tour center features a series of displays that guide you through the various manufacturing and assembly processes. You’ll also have the chance to sit on current production motorcycles and visit the gift shop, which features tour-related souvenirs. Location: 11401 N Congress Ave. Website: http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/events/factory-tours/kanascitymo.html
Kansas City Zoo
Lots to see and do. The zoo’s most popular sites: Nakita the polar bear, the rain forest, the IMAX Theater. Location: 6800 Zoo Dr, Website: www,kansascityzoo.org
Missouri Town 1855
A reconstructed farm village of the 1850s era. Location: 8010 E Park Rd. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Website: http://www.jacksongov.org/missouritown/
There are many, many other Kansas City area locations well worth visiting, including the Money Museum, The American Jazz Museum, The National World War I Museum, Puppetry Arts Institute, Sea Life, Toy and Miniature Museum, Union Station Science City, The Nelson - Atkins Museum of Art and Riverboat casinos.
For more information about Kansas City contact the joint Convention and Visitor’s Association, at their website www.visitkc.com or write or call them: Main office: (816) 221-5242 Toll-free: (800) 767-7700, 1100 Main St.,, Suite 2200, Kansas City, Mo.
