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It’s known for jazz and barbecue, but look a little closer and see that Kansas City is home to many more big-city delights for visitors.
If you want a getaway that’s not too near yet not too far, an immense treasure trove awaits in Kansas City.
The city known for its jazz and barbecue also includes unexpected riches.
Named after the Kansa Indians, it’s been called the “City of Fountains” for its 200 outdoor water geysers, more than any other city except Rome.
Expansive boulevards, the world-renowned American Royal livestock show, two national league sports teams, Hallmark cards and the ubiquitous Twinkies snack cake now help diversify a town that once swung to the beat of Prohibition-era lore, including the infamous Mayor Tom Pendergast.
It’s all here — a delightful cache waiting to be discovered. Happy hunting.
Kansas City’s Little Black Book
Where to stay. What to do. Where to eat.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Phillips. This art deco landmark with a grand dual staircases and marble lobby has earned AAA’s Four Diamond award. Its 1931 opening made the 20-floor hotel the tallest and most lavish hotel in downtown.
106 W. 12th St., (816) 221-7000,
www.hotelphillips.com
The Q Hotel and Spa. Go green with Kansas City’s first green hotel. In the historic Quarterage Hotel, everything from the bathroom amenities to a hybrid-vehicle guest shuttle benefits Mother Earth.
560 Westport Road, (816) 931-0001,
www.theqhotel.com
The Raphael Hotel. Readers of KC Magazine voted The Raphael the city’s best boutique hotel in 2009; Travel + Leisure magazine readers voted it one of the 500 world’s best. The 1927 Italian Renaissance Revival-style structure is on the National Register of Historic Places.
325 Ward Parkway, (800) 821-5343,
www.raphealkc.com
The InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. This hotel features 366 rooms and 20 suites of modern luxury. It has earned AAA’s Four Diamond ranking.
401 Ward Parkway, (816) 756-1500,
www.kansascityic.com
WHAT TO SEE
The Money Museum. A fun way to learn about the workings of the Federal Reserve. Visitors can redesign U.S. currency and glimpse vault holdings and coin collections.
100 Memorial Drive, (800) 333-1010
Arabia Steamboat Museum. A Kansas version of the Titanic. See the sunken treasures meant for pioneers.
400 Grand Blvd., (816) 471-1856,
www.1856.com
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. An architectural wonder. It offers an extensive collection of Asian art, especially that of Imperial China, and unusual installation of gigantic badmiton shuttlecocks on the north and south lawns.
4525 Oak St., (816) 751-1278,
www.nelson-atkins.org
Kansas City Zoological Park. The 200-plus-acre complex is home to more than 1,000 animals. Golf cart tours are available; reserve in advance.
6800 Zoo Drive, Swope Park; (816) 513-5800;
www.kansascityzoo.org
Union Station. The circa-1914 building was renovated in 1997 as a $188 million entertainment center and includes an interactive children’s science center, shops and restaurants, and more.
30 W. Pershing Road, (816) 460-2020,
www.unionstation.org
River Market. Kansas City’s oldest neighborhood is a vibrant and friendly community with a bountiful anchor attraction, the region’s largest farmers’ market, the historic City Market.
www.kansascityrivermarket.com
18th and Vine Historic District. The epicenter of KC jazz. Also includes the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
1616 E. 18th St.,
www.americanjazzmuseum.com,
www.nlbm.com
J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain. A 40-foot geyser surrounded by horsemen representing four of the world’s great rivers.
Main Street at 47th Street, (816) 842-2299.
For walking tours, visit www.historickansascity.org.
Major league sports
Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals.
1 Royal Way, (800) 676-9257
Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
1 Arrowhead Drive, (816) 920-9400
Clark’s Point. Lewis and Clark stopped here. See the area’s complex waterway system and learn about the explorers.
611 W. Eighth St., (913) 321-5000
Steeple of Light. Frank Lloyd Wright designed a steeple for Community Christian Church, but it wasn’t built until 1994.
4601 Main St., Community Christian Church, (816) 561-6531
WHERE TO SHOP
Country Club Plaza. Designed in 1922 as the nation’s first suburban shopping district, it’s a must-see. 4745 Central St.,
(816) 753-0100,
www.countryclubplaza.com
Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates. Elbow’s artisan chocolates have been featured in national magazines such as Oprah, Food & Wine and InStyle.
Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. 1819 McGee St., (816) 842-1300,
www.elbowchocolates.com
Stuff. The store features the work of 60 local artisans.
316 W. 63rd St., (816) 361-8222,
www.pursuegoodstuff.com
Pryde’s Old Westport. A kitchen and home store.
115 Westport Road, (816) 531-5588,
www.prydeskitchen.com
Halls. Created by Hallmark founder Joyce C. Hall in 1913. In Crown Center. (800) 624-4034,
www.halls.com
Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., (816) 274-8444,
www.crowncenter.com
WHERE TO EAT
For a dining experience:
The American Restaurant at Crown Center. Elegant. Classic. Impeccable service. Fantastic view of the KC skyline. AAA’s Four Diamond restaurant and Mobil Travel Guide Four Star ranking. Head Chef Debbie Gold is a James Beard Foundation Award winner.
Crown Center, 200 E. 25th St.,
Suite 400; (816) 545-8001;
www.theamericanrestaurantkc.com
For memorable food and fun:
Grinders. Featured on the Food Network’s hit series “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” From the Chili Bomb Pie, a pizza with a hole in the middle, to an authentic Philly steak sandwich, the food here means a wait.
Crossroads Art District, 417 E. 18th St.; (816) 472-5454; www.grinderspizza.com
Barbecue:
BB’s Lawnside Barbeque. A local favorite that stands out from the rest. Off the beaten path. Authentic KC barbecue. Live music regularly.
1205 E. 85th St., (816) 822-7427,
www.bbslawnsidebbq.com
Breakfast:
You Say Tomato. Baked French toast, breakfast casserole with jalapeno and cheese grits, and don’t forget the quiche. 2801 Holmes St., (816) 756-5097,
www.ystkc.com
YJ’s Snack Bar (open 24 hours on the weekend). A hidden gem. Quaint, simple with fantastic comfort food. Another “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” featured restaurant.
128 W. 18th St., (816) 472-5533
Burgers (with flair):
Blanc Burgers and Bottles. The “$100 Burger” (for $15) is the bomb with a red wine-braised short rib-stuffed burger, foie gras butter, onion marmalade, balsamic glaze and watercress on a rosemary focaccia bun. 4710 Jefferson St., (816) 931-6200,
www.blancburgers.com
Burger joint:
Westport FleaMarket Bar & Grill. One of Debbie Gold’s (head chef of the American Restaurant at Crown Center) favorites. Cash only (ATM available). 817 Westport Road, (816) 931-1986,
www.westportfleamarket.com
FOR THE VIBE
Historic Westport. A historic neighborhood annexed by Kansas City in 1897. Built along the Santa Fe Trail as an outfitting center for wagon trains heading west. The rough, red-brick buildings house trendy boutiques, specialty shops, hip bars and upscale restaurants, making it one of the hubs of Kansas City’s social scene.
4000 Baltimore Ave., (816) 561-1821,
www.westportkc.com
The bar at Bluestem Restaurant. Inviting and comfortable. Great food, innovative drinks. Closed on Mondays.
900 Westport Road, (816) 561-1101,
www.bluestemkc.com
Kansas City Power & Light District. Known as the “P&L” to locals, it’s an $850 million resurrection of downtown.
13th and Walnut streets, (816) 842-1045,
www.powerandlightdistrict.com
Click here for more on how to make your Kansas City treasure hunt a reality.
Tammie Dooley is a Tulsa-based freelance writer. Find her online at SoloRoadTrip.com.
