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Kansas City City Guide Table of Contents KANSAS CITY CITY GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS ATTRACTIONS HOTELS LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLIFE RESTAURANTS SHOPPING TRAVEL TIPS Kansas City, also known as Paris of the Plains and The City of Fountains, is one of the gems of the Midwest. The largest city in Missouri, it has professional baseball, football and soccer teams. The city is known for its vibrant Jazz scene, famous BBQ, and large number of fountains. You’ll love visiting the numerous museums around the city, including the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Jazz Museum. Also make sure to check out the Kansas City Zoo and Worlds of Fun Amusement Park. ATTRACTIONS Nelson -Atkins Museum of Art • Nelson -Atkins Museum of Art, located just east of the Country Club Plaza, is world renowned for its art collection. The museum is comprised of two very distinct and visually stunning buildings. The original, built in 1933, is neoclassical style with large columns. Admission to the main collection is always free! nelson-atkins.org WWI Museum • The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City is the official WWI museum, designated by Congress. A 2006 renovation added award-winning exhibits and artifact collections telling the history of the Great War. Two prominent features of the museum included the 217 foot Liberty Tower with a flame effect at the top and the glass bridge over 9,000 planted poppies. theworldwar.org Worlds of Fun • Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are two theme parks located about 12 miles north of downtown Kansas City. Worlds of Fun features thrilling roller coasters, family rides and kids rides. Oceans of Fun is the water-themed counterpart with wave pools, tube rides, and cabanas for relaxing. It’s the go to amusement park for the locals! Worlds of Fun themes change for the seasons with fun Halloween events and winter festivities. worldsoffun.com Country Club Plaza • The Country Club Plaza is Kansas City’s premier outdoor shopping and restaurant district. It is built in the style of Seville, Spain and was designed with the car driver in mind. It is completely walkable but also easily accessible by car. The Plaza features upscale stores and restaurants, great for shopping and relaxing all year round. [countryclubplaza.com] HOTELS The Kansas City hotel scene offers a variety of options for your travel needs. From upscale boutiques to more laid back lodging, you can find the best vibe and budget. Check out these recommendations below! Ambassador Hotel ($$) • 1111 Grand Blvd • + 1 (816) 298-7700 • ambassador-kansascity.hotelsone.com/‎ Hotel Phillips ($$) • 106 W 12th St • + 1 (816) 221-7000 • hotelphillips.com 816 Hotel ($$) • 801 Westport Rd • +1 (816) 931-1000 • 816hotel.com The Fontaine ($$$) • 901 W 48th Pl - Country Club Plaza • +1 (816) 753-8800 • thefontainehotel.com Indigo Kansas City Downtown ($$$) • 101 W 11th St • +1 (816) 283-8000 • ihg.com The Raphael Hotel ($$$) • 325 Ward Pkwy • +1 (816) 756-3800 • raphaelkc.com LIVE MUSIC The music scene in Kansas City ranges from beautiful classical to gritty punk. The city has numerous venues for different occasions and will definitely have what you’re looking for. Take a look at our list below for more locations. Uptown Theater • 3700 Broadway • +1 (816) 753-8665 • Music Venue, Event Space • uptowntheater.com Crossroads KC at Grinders • 417 E 18th St • +1 (785) 749-3434 • Music Venue, Bar • crossroadskc.com The Phoenix • 302 W 8th St • +1 (816) 221-5299 • Jazz & Blues, Music Venue, Dining, Bar • thephoenixkc.com Riot Room • 4048 Broadway • +1 (816) 442-8179 • Music Venue, Dive Bar • theriotroom.com Starlight Theatre • 4600 Starlight Rd • + 1 (816) 363-7827 • Music Venue, Performing Arts, Outdoor • starlighttheatrekansas.com B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ • 1205 E 85th St • +1 (816) 822-7427 • BBQ Dining, Jazz & Blues • bbslawnsidebbq.com NIGHTLIFE Kansas City has always had a vibrant nightlife, but over the years, it’s just gotten better and better. Take a look at our list for the best jazz, blues, arcade, and performing arts recommendations. Green Lady Lounge • 1809 Grand Blvd • + 1 (816) 215-2954 • Lounge, Music Venue, Bar • greenladylounge.com Up-Down KC • 101 SW Blvd • +1 (816) 982-9455 • Arcade, Beer Bar • updownkc.com Manifesto • 1924 Main St • +1 (816) 536-1325 • Lounge, Bar • theriegerkc.com/manifesto Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts • 1601 Broadway Blvd • +1 (816) 994-7222 • Dining, Late Night, Bars • kauffmancenter.org The Blue Room • 600 E 18th St • +1 (816) 474-2929 • Jazz & Blues Club, All Ages • club.americanjazzmuseum.org/ Power & Light District • 1100 Walnut St • +1 (816) 842-1045 • Dining, Shopping, Bars, Music Venue, Late Night • powerandlightdistrict.com RESTAURANTS Kansas City’s known for BBQ so it’s no surprise that we’ve included two great options on this list. You’ll also find excellent Italian, French, Vietnamese and classic American restaurants that show off Kansas City’s best. Westport Cafe & Bar ($$) • 419 Westport Rd • +1 (816) 931-4740 • French, Cafe, Bar, Late Night, • westportcafeandbar.com Jack Stack BBQ - Freight House ($$$) • 250 W Larned St • +1 (313) 800-5600 • American, Bar, Late Night • detroitfoundationhotel.com/apparatus-room/ Joe’s Kansas City BBQ ($$) • 101 W 22nd St, Ste 300 • +1 (816) 472-7427 • BBQ, Venue Space, Bar • jackstackbbq.com Novel Restaurant ($$$) • 1927 Mcgee St • +1 (816) 221-0785 • American, Wine Bar • novelkc.com The Rieger ($$$) • 1924 Main St • +1 (816) 471-2177 • American, Bars • theriegerkc.com Brewery Emperial ($$) • 1829 Oak St • +1 (816) 945-9625 • Brewery, American, Beer Garden • breweryemperial.com Ragazza Food & Wine ($$) • 4301 Main St • +1 (816) 960-4744 • Italian, Wine Bar • ragazzakc.com Vietnam Cafe ($) • 522 Campbell St • +1 (816) 472-4888 • Vietnamese • vietnamcafe.us SHOPPING The community in Kansas City loves to support small businesses. From locally made jewelry to delectable chocolates, take a look at this list for KC owned shops! Opal & Gold • 3900 B Pennsylvania Ave. • Started by two best friends, Opal & Gold is a gem and jewelry store with a style all its own - no two pieces are the same. • opalandgold.com Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate • 1819 McGee St • +1 (816) 842-1300 • Located downtown, Elbow chocolates are works of art. You can also buy ice cream and sipping chocolates. • elbowchocolates.com Hammerpress • 500 Southwest Blvd • +1 (816) 421-1929 • A print shop and design studio known for its hand- crafted style and custom services. You can purchase posters, greeting cards, notebooks and patches. • hammerpress.net Raygun • 1803 Baltimore • +1 (816) 800-0990 • The epitome of Kansas City and Midwest pride. You can find quirky styles and humorous slogans on t-shirts, children’s clothing, shot glasses, and magnets. • raygunsite.com Local Pig • 2618 Guinotte Ave • +1 (816) 200-1639 • Kansas City’s locally sourced butcher shop for the highest quality charcuterie. You can take classes to learn the art of butchering as well! • thelocalpig.com TRAVEL TIPS • Traveling around Kansas City just got easier with the new KC Streetcar. Completely free to ride, the Streetcar travels North two miles from Union Station to the City market. You can easily access the Crossroads Arts District, Power & Light District, The Sprint Center for basketball games and concerts, and Crown Center for dining and shopping. There is also a local bus called The Metro, which has routes all over the city, and Uber and Lyft services. For shorter distances, you can also use BIRD scooters. City of Fountains • Kansas City is said to be the second city in the whole world with the most fountains… behind Rome, Italy. Over 200 fountains are located throughout the city and have their own unique features. We recommended visiting these two during your stay. The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, located at the Country Club Plaza, is well known for the majestic horses and water color change during the holidays. The Crown Center Square Fountain is famous for its choreographed jets that shoot from the ground. Definitely check it out during the holidays. Jazz & Blues • When in Kansas City, seeing Jazz and Blues is a must. Kansas City Jazz, which developed during the 1920s and 1930s has had a large influence on the evolution of Jazz in the United States. Famous musicians like Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Pat Metheny made their mark in the city. We recommend checking out the The Green Lady Lounge, The Majestic, American Jazz Museum, and Mutual Musicians Foundation. KANSAS CITY CITY GUIDE.
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