Kansas City, Missouri: Explore the Diversity

There are so many things to enjoy about exploring Kansas City, MO. Whether you are interested in jazz, art, sports, history or food, you will certainly find it in this diverse city.  Especially if the food you are seeking is barbeque and the sports involve football and the Kansas City Chiefs. 

We happened to be in Kansas City on a game day when the Chiefs were playing at home. People all over the city were sporting their red and gold. It reminded me of our hometown, Whitehouse, TX. It’s not only where me, my hubby and both of our kids grew up and graduated from high school, but it’s where Patrick Mahomes graduated. You can check out our post Whitehouse TX: Mahomes Town Proud here. 

21C Museum Hotel Kansas City

While in Kansas City, we stayed at 21C Museum Hotel. This is a unique boutique hotel that incorporates an art museum, beginning with the entrance and lobby. There are lots of art installations covering several rooms on the main floor and art on all other floors. 

The hotel is in the historic Savoy Building built in 1888, which still includes the amazing Savoy Grill Restaurant and Bar. The contemporary room with pretty sofa and table for two was a perfect set up for our Savoy dinner via room service. 

Messenger Coffee Co Kansas City

The next morning, Bud scoped us out a bakery nearby. Messenger Coffee Co was fabulous! The on-site bakery and coffee house offers the most wonderful pastries. I got a Raspberry Chocolate Filled Kouign-Amann pastry and a Toffee Chocolate Chunk Cookie for the road. Both amazing!! They offer plenty of seating and it was a bustling place.  You can also do a little shopping while you are there. 

Cathedral

Beautiful cathedrals always catch my eye when traveling. This Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was no exception. I especially loved the gold leafed cupola that replaced the original and deteriorating copper dome in 1960.

Brownstones

Not only did the cathedral appeal to me here, but as we drove over to it we discovered that this neighborhood is filled with brownstone type homes surrounding the church. I love this uniform look with all of the stoops. Besides a fabulous view, the proximity provided a short walk to worship for these neighbors.

Main Street and Murals

Cool KC jazz history mural off Main St in Power and light district.  The mural is east of the historic Art Deco Power and Light Building which is now an apartment bldg.  

Power and Light District

The Power and Light District downtown gets its name from the old P&L building, but it’s new and thriving. There are fancy apartment buildings, restaurants, shopping and Kansas City Live. This is a multi-level venue for events, concerts, restaurants and night life. It alone covers about a block of the nine block P&L District neighborhood. 

River Market Kansas City

Not too far from P&L District is River Market for day life! Here you will find a The City Market, a massive farmers market and Arabia Steamboat Museum.  There is plenty of shopping and a large variety of restaurants in this riverfront neighborhood. Sounds like a fun place to spend a day, right?!

Union Station Kansas City

Union Station is a beautiful historic building and now family friendly cultural center/Amtrak Station. 

Closed as a train station in 1985. Restored and reopened in 1999, it now is a public center with Science City, Model Railroad Experience, a planetarium, theaters, and restaurants.  As of 2002, Amtrak service became available so it’s also now a train station again. 

Again, it was game day in KC for the Chiefs while we were here. Even the giant T-Rex, Rexy, outside of Union Station had a Chiefs jersey on.  Union Station promotes it’s Fan Zone all during the football season with photo-op props, spotlighted food, etc. 

National World War I Museum and Memorial

While standing in front of Union Station, you can see the back of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. That was our next stop. President Calvin Coolidge arrived at Union Station in 1926 and spoke to a crowd of about 100,000 people at The Memorial’s grand opening and dedication.  You can visit the museum and, other than during Covid-19 adjustments, even go up in the 217 foot tower with observation deck.  

Shuttlecocks 

Since we were in KC and that’s the location of the world’s largest shuttlecocks, we had to go check them out. We headed to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and even though we didn’t go in, we were able to freely explore the lawn and take some pics of the giant art. The shuttlecocks are close to 20 foot high and were installed in 1994 by husband and wife artists. 

Shiny Silver Tree

Another one of my favorite art installations at the sculpture park at Nelson-Atkins, is a 60 foot tall tree. Not just an ordinary tree, this one is a beautiful shiny stainless steel tree by artist, Roxy Pain.  The tree sculpture is entitled Ferment and was installed in 2011.  

18th & Vine District KC

As you will notice in the jazz mural above, 18th & Vine is a significant intersection. The surrounding area is the jazz district. The American Jazz Museum is on 18th Street along with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the same building. On this same street you will also find The Gem. This, now modern venue, was a theater from 1913 to 1960. It was built in 1912 and revitalized along with the district in the 80s. Another highlight is The Blue Room. This is the nightclub for some live KC jazz. 

Baseball Mural and Diamond

Close by in this jazz/baseball neighborhood, is the huge Buck O’Neil and Kansas City Monarchs Murals by Alexander Austin. This is at the site where the Negro National League was formed. From the right angle, you’ll also notice there is a miniature baseball diamond in front of the murals. 

Kansas City Barbecue 

Our favorite barbecue, that we ate while in KC, was Arthur Bryant’s from a near 18th & Vine location on Brooklyn Ave.  I think there is a long list of former presidents, celebrities and others who would agree. Recognize any of these diners in the framed photos hanging on the walls?

Another really good, old famous barbecue place we tried is Gates. Besides the amazing food, they are known for shouting to you from the counter. Don’t worry they are just asking how they can help you!

Truman House

Certainly no stranger to KC barbecue, President Harry S Truman and wife Bess lived in this white Victorian home when  they married in 1919. It was his home until he died in 1972, known as the Summer White House during his presidency. 

On N Delaware St in nearby Independence, the Harry S Truman National Historic Site, the location on the Truman House, also includes the Noland House. This was his cousins house, who lived across the street from Bess. His cousins played a huge role in getting he and Bess together. 

Harry S Truman Library

The Presidential Library of Harry S Truman is also located in Kansas City’s neighboring Independence, MO. The 33rd president seemed like such a down to earth person. The Harry S Truman Library and Museum is open six days a week for visitors.

Hallmark Cards Kansas City

Last, but maybe not least depending on your priorities, is Hallmark Cards Visitor Center in Crown Plaza. It was not open to the public, due to Covid, while we were there. I would love to go back and see not only the greeting cards being made, but all of the cool history and collections there. I took a few pictures in the Crown Plaza. This would be a nice place for lunch in a warm day.

What did we miss in Kansas City?

Okay so everyone that lives in, or frequents Kansas City, tell me what we missed there and in the surrounding Missouri area. There was no way to get to all that is available in our one short trip, but I’m happy to go back one day!