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Kansas City Travel Guide
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| Kansas
City |
Kansas
City, 250 miles due west of St Louis, straddles the state
line between Kansas and Missouri. Virtually all its main
points of interest are on the Missouri side, where the fountains,
boulevards, and Art Deco and Mediterranean-style buildings,
and the encouraging revitalization of downtown, are unusual
and welcome features in a Midwestern city. Kansas City,
Kansas, on the other hand, is a dull sprawl of suburbs that
doesn't have much to attract visitors.
Kansas
City was a convenient staging post for 1830s wagon trains
heading west. Its consequent prosperity – and rough
and tumble "sin city" image – was brought
to an abrupt end by the Civil War. However, its fortunes
revived in the 1870s, when the railroads brought the boom
in meat packing that was responsible for the development
of the huge stockyards, which finally closed down in 1992.
Thanks
to political boss Tom Pendergast, an outrageous figure with
whom the city had a love-hate relationship, its many jazz
clubs continued to sell alcohol during Prohibition. As in
Chicago and New Orleans, speakeasies, brothels and gambling
dens went hand in hand with superlative jazz – and,
to a lesser extent, blues – spawning the careers of
Count Basie, Duke Ellington and, in the Fifties, Charlie
Parker. KC's resurgent jazz scene, fine restaurants, professional
football and baseball teams, and theme parks help make it
a popular short-break destination for the people of the
western heartland.
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| Kansas
City Travels & Tours |
Science
City
This
interactive museum provides entertainment for the entire
family. Located in Union Station, the newly created Science
City provides interactive displays where visitors learn
about astronaut and sports training, weather, history and
other scientific phenomena. Divided into five sections,
each with a different theme, the museum provides hands-on
experiences for children of all ages, proving that learning
about science can be fun, as well as educational. The new
City Nights Theater adds to the experience.
Westport
This historic district is the oldest in the Kansas City
area. The brick buildings lining these busy streets once
housed supply shops that outfitted pioneers heading west
on the Oregon, Santa Fe and California Trails. Today, this
thriving entertainment district offers everything from dining
and nightlife to galleries and special events. Some of Kansas
City's biggest celebrations occur here, including the Westport
Irish Fest, Art Westport, Westport Antique Fair and the
Holiday Open House.
Worlds of Fun
Offering
the Midwest a tradition of family entertainment, Worlds
of Fun is jam-packed with over 175 acres of exciting rides
and fun-filled attractions. Roller coaster lovers can choose
from the Boomerang, Timber Wolf, Spinning Dragons and Mamba,
one of the world's top 25 roller coasters. Other popular
rides include Fury of the Nile and The Detonator, a ride
that shoots riders up 200-foot towers. With kiddy rides
galore, there is fun for the entire family. Plan on spending
the entire day and wearing good walking shoes.
Kansas
City Zoological Park
This
zoo is a must-see for children and adults interested in
getting back to nature. This sprawling park, which attracts
700,000 visitors annually, is divided into sections named
for areas of the world, from Africa and Austraila to Farmland
USA. Visitors can walk the 202-acre park or ride trams from
one place to another. There is also a guided train tour
that allows one to see the highlights of the park.
Kaleidoscope
A
world of excitement and imagination awaits at this Crown
Center family attraction. Here, children can create one-of-a-kind
artwork, design their own unique puzzle, construct a skyscraper
and more using scrap material provided by Hallmark Cards.
One-hour sessions are offered daily. The exhibit is specifically
designed for children ages 5-12. During the school year,
it is booked mostly with school groups and has limited public
sessions, but the experience is such a treat for the kids
it is worth trying to make a reservation.
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