Why Kansas City?
It's the place where Jackie Robinson learnt to play professional baseball, Charlie Parker learnt to play jazz, Walt Disney learnt to draw and Ernest Hemingway learnt to write. Kansas City is my hometown and as Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, "there's no place like home". If you've never heard of the city, it's in the middle of the United States. It has a lot of the things that you would find in a bigger city – excellent museums, major-league sports teams, expansive parks, a unique music scene and award-winning chefs – but it has far fewer tourists and can be more family-friendly.
The city was established in the early 1800s and today more than 2 million people live in the metropolitan area. While the city holds historical significance as a gateway to the west and a battleground of the American Civil War, it is also becoming known for the transformation it’s making now.
With more than US$6.5 billion (Dh23.88bn) invested in downtown development, the city has added an eight-block entertainment district and renovated many prized older buildings. The skyline boasts the tall buildings found in every Midwestern city amid the shiny metallic Sprint Center and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, both host to musical performances and events. The geography of the city is separated by state lines, so there are actually two Kansas Cities: Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
A comfortable bed
Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza (www.hotelsorella-countryclubplaza.com, 001 816 753 8800) is the newest hotel in town and also has one of the best locations. The real standout is the suites' palatial bathrooms. Doubles start at $185 (Dh680) per night, including tax.
If you're looking for something exciting for the whole family, try the Great Wolf Lodge (www.greatwolflodge.com/kansascity, 001 913 299 7001) on the Kansas State side of town. It's a hotel with a water park both inside and out, putting an emphasis on entertainment for the kids. Family suites start at $170 (Dh624) per night.
If aquatic adventures are your thing, the lodge is located only a few kilometres from Schlitterbahn Water Park (www.schlitterbahn.com/kansas-city), which recently built the tallest and fastest water slide in the world, at 51 metres.
Find your feet
Sprawling Kansas City isn't very walkable, but you can get outside in a few shopping areas. Crown Center (www.crowncenter.com)is the most centrally located and offers a mix of shopping and children's activities. The centre is the international base for Hallmark Cards and the company headquarters has a free tour about the making of its cards (www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com).
Walk a few blocks south or follow The Link, which is an air-conditioned walkway, over to Union Station (www.unionstation.org, 001 816 460 2020), a restored train station that features travelling exhibits and the interactive Science City. From here, cross Pershing Road to Liberty Memorial (www.theworldwar.org, 001 816 888 8100), a First World War memorial. The highlight is taking a creaking elevator to the top of the memorial's 66-metre tower for the best view in the city.
Meet the locals
Outside the suburban sprawl of the Kansas City area, there are farms in every direction. Head to City Market (www.thecitymarket.org) on Saturdays and Sundays to meet farmers and taste some truly local food.
Book a table
If you like good steak, you'll find Kansas City strip on almost every menu. You can't go wrong with the Plaza III Steakhouse (www.plazaiiikcsteakhouse.com, 001 816 753 0000) on the Country Club Plaza. Go on a Saturday to hear Kansas City jazz while you eat and get a classic Midwestern order of Kansas City strip, salad and garlic mashed potatoes for $55 (Dh202).
Kansas City is also known for its barbecue – a tomato-and-molasses-based sauce is its signature. I recommend Joe's Kansas City (www.oklahomajoesbbq.com; 001 913 722 3366) or Arthur Bryant's (www.arthurbryantsbbq.com; 001 816 231 1123) – the latter is recognised as the origin of Kansas City 'cue.
Shopper’s paradise
Your first stop should be the Country Club Plaza (www.countryclubplaza.com), designed to look like Seville, Spain. Or get away from the major retail chains at the Crossroads district (www.kccrossroads.org), which has more local shops and art galleries. If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, you can check out First Fridays, when the district turns into a street fair, with live music and food.
Don’t miss
Kansas City is full of diehard sports fans and its teams have all had a great year – this week, its baseball team, the Royals, is playing in the World Series – so if you happen to be in town when a game is on, be sure to soak up the atmosphere.
What to avoid
Kansas City, Kansas. Almost anything you’d want to see is on the Missouri side.
Getting there
Etihad (www.etihad.com) offers flights via Chicago from Dh7,500 return, including taxes.
rmctarsney@thenational.ae
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