Kansas City

Part of a metropolitan area that sprawls across the Kansas/Missouri border, Kansas City (known as KCMO on the Missouri side and KCK on the Kansas side), situated in the heart of so-called flyover country, might not stand out as a place to charter a private jet. But Kansas City has plenty of culture to offer the sophisticated visitor. In addition to a beautiful downtown with the most fountains of any city in the world aside from Rome, Italy, you’ll find some of the best steak and barbecue in the country and a thriving, influential jazz and blues music scene.

The city’s downtown has quietly revitalized itself, after a late–20th century decline, into a vibrant center of upscale shopping, arts and culture. The city’s Power and Light district, named after a landmark nearby building, is an enclosed shopping and entertainment area that features music venues, bars, restaurants and more, whose streets are exempt from the open container laws that apply through the rest of the city. Other attractions include the Crossroads Art District, a historic neighborhood that houses dozens of art galleries and shops. With an abundance of music, food and other festivals throughout the year, there’s nearly always something going on in Kansas City.

Must see: Kansas City is a renowned cradle of jazz music, so you’d do well to take in a show or two while in the city. The American Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which share a building in the historic 18th and Vine district, are both well worth a visit.

Lodging: The Raphael –This European-style boutique hotel is located on the doorstep of the Country Club Plaza, another shopping, restaurant and nightlife neighborhood. The hotel lounge hosts live music most nights of the week.

Cuisine: There is perhaps no food more quintessentially American than barbecue, and Kansas City has its own famous style, notable for its sweet tomato and molasses-based sauce. Burnt ends, the overcooked, extra-flavorful ends cut from a brisket, are a local favorite rarely found anywhere else.

Ground Transportation: As with most American cities, your best bet is to rent a car.

Packing Tips: Absent any large, nearby bodies of water, Kansas City experiences dramatic seasonal temperature variations, so adjust your packing according to the time of year you’re visiting.

Recommended Books: L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is Kansas’s most prominent literary appearance. The book’s groundbreaking 1939 film adaptation is one of the most famous movies in history.

Currency: The U.S. dollar is the local currency.

Calling Code United States: 1

Best Travel Dates: ummer and fall are festival season in Kansas City, with annual events like the 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival (formerly the Rhythm and Ribs Festival) and the American Royal barbecue contest drawing crowds.

Airports in Kansas City