10 Reasons To Visit Kansas City, Kansas
Known as the Paris of the Plains, Kansas City is an unexpected gem waiting to be discovered.
Located in the heart of the American Midwest lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Kansas City, Kansas, is a dynamic and fun city with something for everyone.
Beyond its unassuming facade, this vibrant city has a rich history, plenty of culture and attractions to beckon travelers from coast to coast and a delicious dining scene. Known for its sizzling barbecue joints and the thrill of NASCAR racing, there is a blend of experiences that will entice travelers of all ages.
In This Article
1. Strawberry Hills forever.
Strawberry Hill, a historic neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, is on the city’s west side. It is renowned for its Czech heritage and distinctive buildings. In the 1880s, Czech immigrants established Strawberry Hill, and by the early 1900s, it had become a thriving community.
The neighborhood’s heritage is still evident today, with many original buildings, the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, Czech restaurants, and shops.
2. Take a bite out of the food trails.
Kansas City has a rich history and culture, and its food scene is no exception. KCK Trails have many different trails, each with unique offerings. One of the most popular food trails is the Taco Trail. This trail includes some of the best taco eateries in the city. Another popular food trail is the Soul Food Trail. This trail has restaurants that serve traditional soul food dishes, such as fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a Kansas City BBQ Trail!
Check out the Burger, Pizza, Ice Cream, Coffee and Donut Trail if you want something different. Kansas City knows how to make a delicious trail.
3. Shop until you drop at Legends Outlets.
Legends Outlets Kansas City is an outdoor retail outlet with over 100 stores. It’s the only designer outlet center in Kansas and offers over 100 retail and dining options including Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Nike Factory Store, and more. It is also an entertainment venue with a movie theatre, arcade, and host to events and concerts throughout the year. Various restaurants are located on the property, including Dave & Buster’s, Five Guys, Yard House, and Granite City Brewery. The shopping district is surrounded by additional restaurants and entertainment, such as the Legends Field, home to the Kansas City Monarchs, the Sporting Kansas City soccer stadium, and Kansas Speedway.
4. The minor leagues are MAJOR.
Minor league baseball in Kansas City is a great way to see the game’s future stars. The city is home to the Kansas City Monarchs, and they play their home games at Legends Fields, located in the Legends Outlet shopping district. The stadium can seat 5,600 and up to 20,000 for concerts and events; it features a variety of amenities, including batting cages and a Kids Zone.
5. Art comes alive with a mural walking tour.
The Avenue of Murals is a self-guided walking tour of twenty downtown murals. Local and national artists created murals and depicted various subjects, including Kansas City’s history, culture and people. The mural tour is free and takes about an hour to complete.
6. Visit the Grinter Place State Historic Site.
The Grinter Place State Historic Site was built in 1856 by a successful local businessman, John Grinter. It’s the oldest home in Wyandotte County and is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture, decorated with well-preserved period furniture and furnishings. Grinter Place is open to the public and free of charge.
7. Sip some cider at Cider Hill Family Orchard
Cider Hill Family Orchard offers a variety of activities for visitors, including Fall festivities, apple picking and fishing ponds. The orchard is open from August to October and grows eighteen different types of apples. Cider Hill offers free hayrides, U-Pick apples, kid’s train rides, a pumpkin patch, a fire pit and several special events throughout the season. Delicious Orchard Cafe foods include kettle corn, hot apple cider donuts, apple crisp, Cider Hill Signature sundaes and apple pie nachos.
8. Take your own expedition at Lewis and Clark Park at Kaw Point.
The Lewis and Clark Park at Kaw Point is a 100-acre park located at the meeting point of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. The park is named after Lewis and Clark, who camped at the site in 1804 during their expedition; it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The park features a variety of attractions, including a museum, a visitor center, a playground, a picnic area and a boat ramp. The park is open year-round, and admission is free.
9. Feel the need for speed at Kansas Speedway.
The Kansas Speedway is a 1.5-mile tri-oval race track that has hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race since 2002. It is also one of the four tracks that host NASCAR’s Monster Energy Cup Series, along with Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The speedway has a seating capacity of 78,000 people. It is the largest sports facility in Kansas and has hosted various events over the years, including NASCAR races, IndyCar races and concerts.
10. Get well at the Clendening History of Medicine Museum.
The Clendening History of Medicine Museum is at the University of Kansas Medical Center. It is dedicated to the history of medicine and its practice with a collection of over 100,000 objects, including medical instruments, books, photographs and other artifacts. The museum also has a library and archives. The museum was founded in 1964 by Dr. Logan Clendening, a professor of medicine at the University. It is open to the public and free to visit.