Kansas City, a city that lies within the heart of the midwest, offers so much to anyone visiting that part of the country. In the last post, we talked about the two big claims to fame that are so quintessentially Kansas City: an abundance of excellent BBQ restaurants AND an abundance of fountains. But KC is known for so much more. It is known for it’s midwestern charm, which you sense by the locals that live there. It offers a warmth that in my opinion is unparalleled by many other parts of the country, and yet because of its centralized location in this country, away from oceans and mountains, can often be overlooked. Don’t get me wrong, mountains and oceans are a tremendous plus, recreationally speaking, but between the open road (just outside the city, of course) to drive comfortably without a lot of stressful city traffic, and the flat terrain where you can see the horizon for what seems like miles in any direction, coupled with the genuine kindness of the people that live in that part of the country, call me crazy, but I’ll take that any day over the oceans and mountains being in my backyard. That’s what airplanes are for. You have to interact with people all day everyday, whether family, friends, neighbors, or strangers. So that to me is more relevant to your day to day life. KC does however have great restaurants, museums (many of which are free), Country Club Plaza, an incredible farmer’s market, murals, breweries, and of course, The Chief’s NFL team which are so beloved by the residents of this city, it’s hard to not leave there feeling though you have a new “2nd” team to root for, beyond your own.
One particular Sunday, in fact, I had signed up to do a Segway tour of Kansas City, thinking it would not only be a great way to see the city, but also to meet others new to the city (even though many times Segway tours include a lot of locals wanting to learn a bit more about their own city and have a little fun in the process). I was notified earlier that morning that it was going to be a “party of 1” tour, due to the Chief’s playing during that timeframe. I soon realized, how much Kansas City residents LOVE their Chief’s, because the city was a ghost town during game time! Everyone must have been either in a bar, at home (or a friend’s), or at the game that day, because the streets felt barren compared to the norm. I will not complain of having a personalized tour of the city however. I was able to cover so much ground with my tour guide that day, that I saw and learned a lot about Kansas City. If you have never done a Segway tour, I highly recommend! It does take some balance, but you get a decent practice run before you are out on the sidewalks/streets. Check out the “Segway Bike & Stroll” website to find a tour that appeals to you.
As far as museum’s the Nelson-Atkins Museum was one of many museums in Kansas City that are absolutely free! This museum is one of the best art museum’s I have ever visited. If the art museum interiors and displays aren’t enough for you, the two HUGE shuttlecocks (badminton birdie’s) on the museum lawn may capture your attention! Great way to spend a weekend afternoon!
In my final post on KC, I will touch on a few more topics that interested me during my stay there, with the hopes that one day, you too will fall in love with Kansas City and better understand why Kansas City has a special place in my heart.
Good article
Thanks