Kansas City is a major Midwestern metropolitan area that spreads across the border of Missouri and Kansas. It is a city that tends to hide itself from tourists. Reputed to have more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world except for Rome, it can be a beautiful city, too. It is unique in that it is split down the middle by the state line of Kansas and Missouri. === Welcome World Cup fans === Kansas City is one of the 16 North American cities hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Kansas City has a population of 2.2 million (2020). The central city of the metro area is Kansas City, Missouri, the largest city in Missouri, with a population of over 500,000 (2020). Across the state border is Kansas City, Kansas, often called "KCK" by locals, which has a population of 157,000 (2020). There are suburbs all around the city, on both sides of the state border. In the "Northland" are North Kansas City, Parkville, Gladstone, Liberty, and several others. To the east is Independence, Blue Springs, and Lee's Summit (SE). In the south are Overland Park, Blue Springs, Olathe, Grandview, and several others.
The national map companies produce book style maps that can be purchased at many grocery and book stores. Local real estate agents and delivery drivers use a book map produced by a local company in the crossroads district but it is hard to find. The one inside the Feist directory is good and can often be obtained locally for free but the directory may be too bulky to carry. Addresses on east-west streets are numbered from Main Street in Kansas City, MO, and on north-south streets from St. John Ave. (or the Missouri River, in the River Market area).
Central Business District. Downtown Kansas City houses many beautiful art deco buildings as well as examples of mid-century design and modern glass towers. 1 Power and Light District. New development showcasing restaurants and rowdy bars/clubs. Also see the historic Main Street Theater (now Alamo Drafthouse Cinema) which used to be the Flagship theater for AMC who has its HQ in Kansas City. The theater is said to be one of the most advanced theaters in the country complete with vibrating seats. 2 Historic City Market. Offers shopping, dining, concerts, events and a farmers' market.
1 Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds Of Fun Ave, ☏ +1 816 454-4545. Roller coasters and water slides north of the river. Open during the summer and weekends in the fall. (updated Apr 2021) 2 Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City's Water Park, 10401 Cabela Dr, toll-free: +1 800-608-9653. Hotel with indoor water park. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City, 2475 Grand Blvd East Retail Suite 200; Crown Center Shops, toll-free: +1 816-556-3958, KC@legodiscoverycenter.com. Small Lego-themed space in Crown Center. Targeted at small children, adults are not allowed without a child.
"Who has the best barbecue in Kansas City?" is a question that causes much debate in Kansas City. Although the debate is usually in good humor, be ready for a passionate explanation which may take some time (or a light-hearted argument if asked in front of more than one person). Although the different restaurants each have their own unique flavors, they will usually have a sauce which is thicker and sweeter than offered in most other parts of the U.S. Kansas City is also home to a barbecue dish that is rarely found outside the area, called "Burnt Ends." These are the overcooked ends and edges of a brisket, which although dry and chewy, are amazingly smoky and full of flavor (much more flavor…
There is a popular brewery in KC by the name of Boulevard whose beers are available on tap at many different bars and restaurants throughout town. Live Music Venues: Uptown Theatre (Midtown, on Broadway and Valentine) hosts lots of up and coming acts and many timeless performers play here because it is so famous. Beaumont Club is a soulless Westport C&W club that hosts live music but has acoustics' issues and a mechanical bull. The Grand Emporium used to be one of the best blues clubs but after being bought by the owners of the Beaumont they changed it considerably, including the name to Tao. 1 Angel's Rock Bar, 50 East 13th St, Suite 200, ☏ +1 816-842-1045.
The city's crime rate has risen rapidly since 2020. Kansas City is one of the largest cities in the United States with no city jail which also lacks the ability under state law to automatically offload suspects to the county jail. The city jail closed in 2009, but the city contracted with Jackson County to share its jail until 2019. When that contract ended, KC contracted with distant Vernon and Johnson Counties to use their jails. The time needed to drive suspects to and from jails over an hour away from KC means that holding cells in KC police stations are often full.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Kansas City typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 15 rainy days.
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