KANSAS CITY- CITY OF FOUNTAINS

Kansas City is really two cities - the larger one is located in Missouri, while the smaller is just across State Line Drive in Kansas. However, all of the interesting things to see, including the Royals, are located on the Missouri side. In fact, in our four days here, we entered Kansas for about 5 minutes. Hence, this description applies to the Missouri part of KC.

For most of this century, Kansas City was the main meatpacking area in the country, which led to the development of large stockyards that only recently closed. Kansas City is also known as a jazz hotspot, several famous musicians, including Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker got their start at jazz spots near 18th and Vine.

Kansas City has been designed very well - in fact, it is considered a great example of urban planning. The downtown is not particularly interesting, but the different areas of town outside of the core are very attractive. 

With more than 25 fountains, KC is well-nicknamed as the city of fountains. The most famous of these is the J.C. Nichols Fountain at 47th and Main, dedicated to the founder of the Country Club Plaza.  KC is also an architecturally attractive city, with a lot of Art Deco and Mediterranean influences to be found throughout the city.

Our impressions: Although the transit system in KC is good and easy to understand, a car is essential to seeing everything that KC has to offer, because the attractions are spread out in all corners of the city. The downtown core is devoid of anything interesting, with all of the sights to be seen elsewhere. 

While we were there, KC had just begun their summer of cows - over 250 statues of cows scattered throughout the city as part of the Cows on Parade worldwide festival. Our favourite is the cow disguised as a chicken, located next to Crown Center. If you arrive before September, you can enjoy touring the city trying to see every side of beef on display. Check out Cow Parade for more details.

The Crown Center is one area of town that is worth a visit, as is Washington Square Park next door. As well, the Country Club plaza is very attractive. Other areas of interest are the Riverside Market and the renovated jazz district at 18th and Vine.

Tribute to "Bird"

Overall, KC is more about areas than attractions. We enjoyed driving around the city and just walking along the streets. We didn't see that many attractions, but we didn't mind - KC is one of the prettier cities that we have see on our trip and you can enjoy yourself just being outside. Make sure to stop in after St. Louis and see what KC has to offer - it should be more than you expect.