I’ve always been confused about Kansas City…namely, whether it is located in the state of Kansas or the state of Missouri? Turns out neither answer is correct as Kansas City actually straddles both sides of the Missouri River, the geographic boundary between the states of Kansas and Missouri. However, when most people talk about Kansas City, they are referring to the Missouri side – where urban vibe is infused with midwestern innovation and energy. The result is that there is no place like Kansas City. (And no Dorothy – you’re not in Kansas anymore – rather you’re in Missouri.)
All the same, I am not confused about the reputation this darling of the plains city has amongst foodies and musicians. With slow-cooked barbecue, thick juicy steaks, hot jazz, and cool blues, these are staples, a basic foundation of Kansas City life. Instead, I wanted to veer off the beaten path and find out what else the city offers – things that are uniquely Kansas City. Here’s what I found:
1. Visit Kansas City’s crown jewel – the National WWI Museum and Memorial, also a National Historic Landmark. This is the only museum in the United States that is dedicated to World War I, containing the second largest collection of war artifacts in the world – more than 100,000 objects and documents. Most have been donated. The museum focuses on personal stories of courage as well as the tremendous sacrifices suffered by both sides.
The curator is quick to point out that WWI is considered as the “Great War” and that WWII was merely a continuation the Great War, albeit one with a brief pause. “Unfortunately,” he adds, “it’s a war that many people alive today know little about and so the museum attempts to preserve the stories and the tremendous losses and sacrifices made.” Stroll over a glass bridge with 9,000 red poppies beneath your feet. Each one symbolizes the loss of 1,000 lives during the war.
2. View amazing contemporary art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The Beaux-Arts structure houses contemporary art, photography and special exhibitions while the outside grounds sport sculptures by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin and other notables. The iconic landmark that identifies the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art are the colossus badminton shuttlecocks that are randomly displayed.
3. Test your hoop skills at The College Basketball Experience. This world class entertainment facility is connected to the Sprint Center by the Grand Lobby and also houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Fast-paced action awaits inside for those seeking to fine-tune their skills.
4. Explore the Planetarium and Science City at Union Station. It’s the second largest working train station in the nation – with regular Amtrak service daily – and is nearly 100 years old. After a major renovation, the cavernous station now offers a Planetarium and Science City, and often showcases traveling Smithsonian exhibits. Take a lunch or dinner break at Pierpont’s for small plates and beverages in the lounge, including signature cocktails such as the Annie Chambers, Airmail, and Horse Feather. For those with a heartier appetite, try the USDA Prime Kansas City Strip.
5. Discover recovered artifacts from an 1850’s sunken steamboat at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. This is the world’s largest collection of pre-civil war artifacts. The amazing collection is largely preserved by the river’s silt when the boat sank.
6. Ride a camel, feed a deer, fly above giraffes, and explore the Discovery Barn at the Kansas City Zoo. Having recently come back from a South African safari the month prior, I knew I had a rather high bar as far as seeing wildlife. Fortunately, I was amazed and even wowed with what the zoo had to offer. The aerial perspective with the Sky Safari over the African-simulated plains was something I didn’t even experience in Africa. I totally enjoyed the ride while seeing giraffes drinking from a pond and ostriches strutting and showing off their best plumage displays for potential mates. Most of all, the animals were unfazed by the lift, going about their business in a normal way.
Easily accessible from the Kansas City metro, the zoo is home to over 1,100 animals living on over 200 acres of plains, grasses and rolling hills. Head to the Polar Bear Passage, one of the zoo’s most popular exhibits. Then there’s the Helzberg Penguin Plaza where king, gentoo and rockhopper penguins swim in 100,000 gallons of arctic-like waters with realistic snow to simulate their native environment. Humboldt penguins are nearby in a 25,000 galloon warm water pool.
The new Orangutan Canopy opened May 22 of this year, providing 3,400 square feet of natural outdoor habitat for this endangered species. Visitors can interact with these affable primates via computer monitors. The zoo continues to receive numerous accolades and awards for their innovations and improvements. Most notably, world-renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall remarked that Kansas City has “one of the finest chimpanzee exhibits in North America.”
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