Guide to Kansas City MO, after the All-Star Baseball Game

A Quick Guide for Kansas City, MO, the other city of fountains

(Updated 2015, written in 2012, at the time of the MLB All-Star Basebaball Game)

I always think of Kansas City as "the baseball town" in central USA.  Yes, I grew up with their baseball spirit and following players wearing royal blue outfits.

 

JC Nichols Fountain, Courtesy of Kansas City CVB

When I ask people if they have been to Kansas City, I receive the frequent answer that they remember driving through the city on a trip across USA.  This hometown (city) may be one of the best kept secrets that people are unaware of to plan their fun getaways.  

The Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium (Royal Stadium) is still one of my favorite baseball stadiums. One of the most beautiful stadiums, and includes the Water Spectacular fountain centered in the outfield which lights up with a fantastic water display for a one-of-a-kind appearance you may watch after each home run.

And of course last year (2014) this stadium was in the spotlight during the World Series with my other favorite baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. The Royals won the World Series in 2015.

If for some reason you cannot go to Rome this year, include this other city of fountains to your list.  You will get a very good value going to the heart of USA with plenty of activities to keep busy with in this city.

Although I am able to keep you active with a very long list of things to do in future posts, if you are in town for a day or two, my favorite hang outs are:

• Country Club Plaza - The oldest outdoor and upscale shopping districts which you feel as if you were shopping in an old European town.
• Steamboat Arabia Museum – Unusual and interesting story is uncovered with steamboat ship from the Missouri River.
• Harry S Truman Library and Museum – The first presidential library to be created under the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act. 
• Kansas City Starlight Theatre – The cultural heart of the city fits nicely in this outdoor theater to watch the latest musicals and concerts during the summer.

Restaurants? There are too many to list here. My own personal favorites are the many tastes of barbecue, fried chicken, and apple daiquiri's.  Hint: Try asking a local person for their favorite restaurant recommendations.

Getting Acquainted with Missouri

As I have frequented many Missouri cities and towns quite a bit, I know they offer a genuine small home town "welcome" environment – do you know this is where Walt Disney received his first glance of a small town as a young boy? His family lived in Marceline, MO, before moving to Kansas City. A fun day trip is a visit to the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, family farm and you may even see where Walt daydreamed under a huge tree.

You will find friendly people and a different lifestyle in this area. A passport is not necessary to have to visit.  This is where the rolling hills of the Ozarks Mountains begin and of course the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers dissect each other on the eastern side of the state. I love driving to fun German events in Hermann, Missouri located in the Ozark Mountains.  Please don’t mistake Missouri as one of the flat plains states like Kansas. 

It is true, I am tempted to avoid going to Missouri during the summer months because of the hot weather and humidity.  I do love hanging out drinking beer and eating barbecue at baseball games! If you do go, you will quickly learn to adapt your schedules to avoid the hottest part of the days by staying inside their air conditioned buildings and cars. 

Are sure you know how to pronounce this state’s name?

There have been long discussions, debates, and even heated arguments among the locals as to how to pronounce this states name. Is it Missour-EE or Missour-AH?  Some people say it depends on what side of the state you live on, east side says with EE and the west side uses AH. Please know this is still an ongoing, fun debate and don’t try to step in and solve it on one trip with the locals. 

What is new in this state?

Everything is up to date in Missouri.  Did you know 37 out 40 state parks have wireless connections? They listened to their 2010 survey of campers and hikers and installed wireless connections throughout the state parks like:

Baker, Babler, Bennett Springs, Johnson Shut-Ins, Long Branch, Meramec, Roaring Camp, and Table Rock.

Remember, baseball is always a favorite activity in my choice for the All-American city, Kansas City.

What is your favorite activity in Kansas City?  

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Kansas City, here I come! ~ The Fun Tour Guru