The must-sees of KC: 10 things you must do

Say you only have a day or two to visit Kansas City. Where are the iconic places you must go—the ones that both home-towners and anyone who knows anything about Kansas City will expect that you have seen? It’s actually not all that easy to choose, but here goes: Our list for the Top 10 spots. They are not in priority order; that’s just impossible.            

They are grouped, somewhat vaguely, as if you were trying to conserve gasoline—and make the most of your time here.

There are others, of course,
and you may find them, especially if they’re free, in another article in this special section. We also know that no matter what we include, some places that should be here, according to some, aren’t. You’ll also note that this is pretty Kansas City-centric. There ARE great places in the suburbs here—the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at the Johnson County Community College or the Deanna Rose Farmstead in Overland Park come quickly to mind—but we’ve focused more on the central city itself.

So regard this as simply a good start to all things Kansas City.
1. Although we don’t pay enough attention to our rivers in Kansas City, the muddy MO did bring up artifacts and history well worth your time. The Steamboat Arabia, stopped forever by a river snag in 1853, was eventually covered over in silt as the river flooded and changed course. Over 130 years later, it was discovered and its contents dredged up, cleaned, and are now displayed in a remarkable full-size reproduction of the boat’s main deck, including a 28-foot paddlewheel that still turns as part of the museum. The Arabia may be gone, but a complete picture of the past lives on. Leave time for wandering in the City Market; there’s a fabulous bakery, as well as several other homey restaurants. Planter’s Seed on Walnut is just fun for gardeners and cooks who love spices.

Arabia Steamboat Museum,
400 Grand Blvd. in the City Market.
Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. – last tour at 4 p.m.; Sunday Noon – last tour at 3:30.
$14.50 adults.

2. The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. But, you immediately say, I don’t care about WWI. Well, you should. Not only did that war set up the world’s current Middle East configuration, its aftermath affected much more than boundary lines. And it is probably the most interesting museum in town in a town full of good ones, with affecting films that provide the background to the amazing exhibits and interactive displays. Experience what the trenches felt like; understand the repercussions of disastrous decisions; make your own decision on the impact of the Great War. There’s a special exhibit going on now until 2013, World War I All-Stars: Sports & the Inter-Allied Games, which explores the role sports played in the Great War. Who knew?

The Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th Street.
Its grounds are open all the time, their terrific view of downtown never goes away. The Museum is open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$14 adults with discounts for military.

3. While you’re in that area, do not miss Union Station. This beautifully restored 1914 Beaux Arts edifice was the way-station for over a million travelers during the next world war that came along. Its 95-foot ceilings and nearly 1 million square feet house a variety of exhibits and permanent displays including the Rail Experience for train buffs [don’t have to be one to enjoy this], Science City for the kids, a planetarium, theaters, not to mention two restaurants, a chocolate shop, coffee and gift shops. A post office is here—oh, and you can still hop a train here, as well.

The Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road
Building is open daily, 6 a.m.-midnight.
Free. Most exhibits have fees.

4. In that vicinity as well, Crown Center remains a shopping and dining mecca, with substantial fast food locations but also the Crayola Café, Milano, excellent sushi at Kabuki, and Streetcar Named Desire or Fritz’s for hamburgers—the latter in a tub delivered by a train. The only 4-star Kansas City restaurant is here, the American. There are both live and movie theaters. The addition of LegoLand Discovery Center, for children 3-10 years who must accompany their adult companion for entry, and the Sea Life aquarium, for kids of any age who want to see more than 5,000 sea creatures, greatly added to the fun in this area when they opened this spring.

Crown Center, with the shops, restaurants, LegoLand and Sea Life aquarium, between Pershing and Grand,
west of 26th Street.
Open Monday–Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m,;
Thursday–Saturday until 9 p.m. ; Sunday

5. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a wonder, inside and out. If no one is performing in its two spectacular theatres, you may be able to arrange a tour. World-famous Moshe Safdie designed the glass-roofed building, and it is the new home to the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Lyric Opera as well as performances by notables such as Lily Tomlin, Joyce DiDonato, Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen, John Lithgow and many others.

Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway.
The box office is open seven days a week.
Free tours are available with reservation.

6. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is in the famous 18th and Vine area, the center of black culture with its many businesses, homes, jazz bars and restaurants. Today the area is a somewhat subdued version of its old self, but for baseball fans,
this place is a Mecca. Plus, it’s a great way to learn not only about baseball, but America from the 1890s to the 1960s. Don’t miss its cousin, The Jazz Museum, for an unforgettable picture of the birth and adolescence of Kansas City jazz, just a few steps away.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 1616 East 18th Street.
Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 6:00 p.m.

7. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has won an accepted place as one of the best art museums in America.
It’s especially admired for its Chinese art section, European paintings and 20th-century sculpture, both in and outside of the gallery. This venerable institution should also appear under our “Free” section—you only pay for the underground parking, and there’s lots of street parking around it. Both its new garage and the Bloch Building expansion are worthy architectural splendors by themselves—as noted by Time magazine, which named it the “Number One Architectural Marvel” in 2007. A great gift shop is there, by the way, and don’t miss Rozzelle Court, whose fountain dates back to 200 A.D. and is thought to be one of the Roman imperial baths. Soap, however, is not provided. But they do serve up tasty meals.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak Street.
Wed, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thurs, Fri, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun, Noon – 5 p.m.
Free.

8. Whether you’ve brought the kids or not, the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park should be on your list. Ever since Randy Wisthoff came to the zoo from the Omaha Zoo in 2003, and as funds have increasingly become available, the zoo has steadily improved, both for animals and visitors. Dating back to 1909, the zoo has a number of excellent exhibits, with Nikita, the show-off polar bear, heading the list; the monkey house is always entertaining; the sky ride over and to Kenya is cool. There’s lots more, of course, as we await the march of the penguins. Wear your walking shoes; the zoo covers 200 acres.

The Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive,
Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Children under 2 are free; non-resident
pricing is approximately $8.50 – up.

9. Virtually right across from the zoo’s entrance sits Starlight Theatre, one of three existing self-producing outdoor theaters in the country. Within its beautifully landscaped spaces are fountains, gardens, and food courts that serve as the backdrop to five or so Broadway shows each summer, plus numerous concerts. The nearly 8,000-seat theatre has survived since 1925, with the last renovation bringing additional space, sound systems, and more restrooms to the facility.
If you sit close to the stage, its air-conditioning cools you, but even on the hottest summer nights, there’s usually a breeze.

Starlight Theatre is right by the Zoo in Swope Park, 4600 Starlight Road.
Six Broadway shows are intermingled with assorted entertainers like BB King or Crosby, Stills, and Nash throughout the summer.
Shows begin at 8 p.m. Box Office Hours: Mon.–Fri.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat.: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.Tickets prices vary; if you’re in the cheap seats, bring your binoculars.

10. Drive east to the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in nearby Independence, Mo. Give-’em-Hell Harry, the 33rd president of the U.S. and the only one from Missouri, is recognized as one of our greatest presidents, ever. See why as you experience
his life and times, peruse actual documents [not an e-mail in sight], and see a replica of the Oval Office, exact down to the sign on his desk. And as long as you’re there, don’t miss the Truman Home tour nearby and really take some steps in the president’s shoes.

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum,
500 W. U.S. Highway 24 for the library.
9 – 5 daily; noon – 5 p.m. Sundays.
$8 adults.
www.trumanlibrary.org/ or http://visitindependence.com/TrumanSites.aspx or 1.800.833.1225
or 816.268.8200.
The Truman Home, 12301 Blue Ridge Blvd., Grandview
Open seven days a week in the summer