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PrintTravel: Don't forget about Kansas City
Kansas City is an oft-overlooked gem offering dining, attractions and activities for those looking for a quick getaway.
Giralda Tower at the Country Club Plaza is a half-size replica of the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain. Photos courtesy of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association.
A mere four-hour drive north from Tulsa, many often overlook Kansas City, Mo., for the large metropolis to our south — Dallas. But Kansas City is a logical alternative offering dining, attractions and activities from the past, present and future for those looking for a quick getaway.
Past
The only museum in the country dedicated to the first World War, The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial delves into the lead up to the war, the conflict and its lasting impact today. Take an elevator to the top of the observation deck for views of the city and beyond. Admission $12. Closed on Mondays. 100 W 26th St.
Located within the new Power & Light District, the Hilton President Kansas City has the feel of an era past. First opened in 1927, the hotel was the headquarters of the Republican National Convention the following year. Despite its charm and ability to bring in big names (Frank Sinatra once played at the hotel’s Drum Room restaurant), it closed for 25 years before reopening in 2005. 1329 Baltimore Ave.
Kansas City is known for its jazz, and nowhere is this more evident than the American Jazz Museum, which recounts the history of the music through exhibitions, poetry jams and storytelling. Right next door to the Jazz Museum is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Photographs, artifacts and displays tell the story of African-American baseball from the 1800s to the 1960s. $8 for adults for each museum. Closed Mondays. 1616 E. 18th St.
Present
You see them in stores and you receive them on your birthday, but you can actually see what goes into making a Hallmark card at the company’s headquarters and visitors center in the Crown Plaza shopping center. Other retail stores (including a store specifically focused on Christmas decor) and dining establishments also are a part of Crown Center. 2450 Grand Blvd.
For outdoor shopping, head to the Country Club Plaza for 15 square blocks of unique boutiques, national retail chains like Gap and Ann Taylor, and restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and McCormick & Schmick's among Spanish architecture, European art and fountains. 47th St. and Broadway Blvd.
A trip to Kansas City won’t be complete without some barbecue. With more than 100 restaurants serving the dish, you’ll have a wide variety of options. Housed in a gas station, Oklahoma Joe’s is one of the most famous, after Anthony Bourdain recently named it one of 13 restaurants to try before you die. 3002 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Kan.
Future
The new $850 million Power & Light District has revitalized downtown Kansas City. With more than 50 restaurants, shops and bars, the entertainment area is the go-to area for visitors new to the city. Enjoy a drink and a game of bowling at Lucky Strikes Lanes & Lounge before heading to The Mixx, a locally owned restaurant, for made-to-order salads. 14th St. and Grand Blvd.
Another area that has undergone a revitalization in recent history is the Crossroads Arts District, between Crown Center and downtown Kansas City. Numerous galleries dot the area, and thousands of people come to the area on the first Friday of each month for an art walk. 20th St. and Baltimore Ave.
