Kansas City
Discover Kansas City
Kansas City is a major Midwestern metropolitan area that spreads across the border of Missouri and Kansas. It is a city that tends to hide itself from tourists. Reputed to have more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world except for Rome, it can be a beautiful city, too. It is unique in that it is split down the middle by the state line of Kansas and Missouri. Kansas City has a population of 2.2 million (2020). The central city of the metro area is Kansas City, Missouri, the largest city in Missouri, with a population of over 500,000 (2020). Across the state border is Kansas City, Kansas, often called "KCK" by locals, which has a population of 157,000 (2020).
Taste of Kansas City...
"Who has the best barbecue in Kansas City?" is a question that causes much debate in Kansas City. Although the debate is usually in good humor, be ready for a passionate explanation which may take some time (or a light-hearted argument if asked in front of more than one person). Although the different restaurants each have their own unique flavors, they will usually have a sauce which is thicker and sweeter than offered in most other parts of the U.S. Kansas City is also home to a barbecue dish that is rarely found outside the area, called "Burnt Ends." These are the overcooked ends and edges of a brisket, which although dry and chewy, are amazingly smoky and full of flavor (much more flavorful than any other cut). If you are feeling open-minded about your KC barbecue experience, they are definitely worth a try. There is a popular brewery in KC by the name of Boulevard whose beers are available on tap at many different bars and restaurants throughout town. Live Music Venues: Uptown Theatre (Midtown, on Broadway and Valentine) hosts lots of up and coming acts and many timeless performers play here because it is so famous. Beaumont Club is a soulless Westport C&W club that hosts live music but has acoustics' issues and a mechanical bull. The Grand Emporium used to be one of the best blues clubs but after being bought by the owners of the Beaumont they changed it considerably, including the name to Tao. The city's crime rate has risen rapidly since 2020.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Kansas City.
Kansas City has a large jazz scene, a lot of restaurants have nightly jazz players. Kansas City hosts the national touring companies for some of Broadway's premier shows. Some of the highlights include Wicked, Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia! "Who has the best barbecue in Kansas City?" is a question that causes much debate in Kansas City. Although the debate is usually in good humor, be ready for a passionate explanation which may take some time (or a light-hearted argument if asked in front of more than one person). Although the different restaurants each have their own unique flavors, they will usually have a sauce which is thicker and sweeter than offered in most other parts of the U.S. Kansas City is also home to a barbecue dish that is rarely found outside the area, called "Burnt Ends." These are the overcooked ends and edges of a brisket, which although dry and chewy, are amazingly smoky and full of flavor (much more flavorful than any other cut).
Climate
Because there is no large body of water nearby, KC experiences a continental climate with large swings and extremes of temperature. Winters vary from mild to very cold, with significant snow at times, and temperatures occasionally dipping to single digits and below 0°F (-18°C). Snow accumulation occurs 3-5 times per year, on average, sometimes exceeding a foot (31 cm). KC enjoys very pleasant spring and autumn weather, but suffers hot, humid summers. It is not uncommon for the temperature to stay above 90°F (32°C) for weeks at a time, during July and August. Average heat indices in the summer are 95 °F (35 °C) during the day and 74 °F (23 °C) at night, but the heat index can reach 110 °F (43 °C) and not go below 85 °F (29 °C) at night on some exceptionally hot and sweltering days. Because of the heat, almost all buildings in KC are equipped with air conditioning. While KC has relatively high humidity, the most common weather is clear with almost completely blue skies.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, branded as RideKC, offers hourly service to and from the airport on Route 129 Boardwalk/KCI, 6AM-11PM daily, $1.50 each way. KCI Shuttle offers a shuttle service between the airport and downtown hotels. Amtrak serves KC via the cavernous 39.084895-94.5854283 Kansas City Union Station, at 30 West Pershing Road. KC serves as a major stop on the daily Southwest Chief line which provides service between Chicago and Los Angeles. Barring delays, eastbound trains arrive at 7:24AM and westbound trains arrive at 10:11PM. Kansas City is also the western terminus of Amtrak's Missouri River Runner which provides twice-daily service to and from St. Louis with connecting service to Chicago. Interstate 435 forms a ring around the city. Notably I-70 goes east to St. Louis and west to Denver. I-35 is a major corridor running northeast and southwest....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The national map companies produce book style maps that can be purchased at many grocery and book stores. Local real estate agents and delivery drivers use a book map produced by a local company in the crossroads district but it is hard to find. The one inside the Feist directory is good and can often be obtained locally for free but the directory may be too bulky to carry. Addresses on east-west streets are numbered from Main Street in Kansas City, MO, and on north-south streets from St. John Ave. (or the Missouri River, in the River Market area). The direction 'South' in street and address numbers is generally implied if 'N' is not specified, except for numbered 'avenues' in North Kansas City. In most of Wyandotte County, Kansas the north-south streets are numbered and the address numbers are measured from Riverview Ave. The Metro bus is feasible within the urban core, where most of the tourist destinations are found.
Where to Stay
The city's crime rate has risen rapidly since 2020. Kansas City is one of the largest cities in the United States with no city jail which also lacks the ability under state law to automatically offload suspects to the county jail. The city jail closed in 2009, but the city contracted with Jackson County to share its jail until 2019. When that contract ended, KC contracted with distant Vernon and Johnson Counties to use their jails. The time needed to drive suspects to and from jails over an hour away from KC means that holding cells in KC police stations are often full. Therefore, most criminal suspects are booked and then immediately released for lack of room, and they continue to reoffend until they finally go to trial on a charge severe enough to draw a sentence in state prison. The city began working on a new city jail in 2024, but it will take several years to build. In the meantime, visitors must take appropriate precautions.
Money & Budget
"Who has the best barbecue in Kansas City?" is a question that causes much debate in Kansas City. Although the debate is usually in good humor, be ready for a passionate explanation which may take some time (or a light-hearted argument if asked in front of more than one person). Although the different restaurants each have their own unique flavors, they will usually have a sauce which is thicker and sweeter than offered in most other parts of the U.S. Kansas City is also home to a barbecue dish that is rarely found outside the area, called "Burnt Ends." These are the overcooked ends and edges of a brisket, which although dry and chewy, are amazingly smoky and full of flavor (much more flavorful than any other cut).
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The city's crime rate has risen rapidly since 2020. Kansas City is one of the largest cities in the United States with no city jail which also lacks the ability under state law to automatically offload suspects to the county jail. The city jail closed in 2009, but the city contracted with Jackson County to share its jail until 2019. When that contract ended, KC contracted with distant Vernon and Johnson Counties to use their jails. The time needed to drive suspects to and from jails over an hour away from KC means that holding cells in KC police stations are often full. Therefore, most criminal suspects are booked and then immediately released for lack of room, and they continue to reoffend until they finally go to trial on a charge severe enough to draw a sentence in state prison. The city began working on a new city jail in 2024, but it will take several years to build. In the meantime, visitors must take appropriate precautions.