Kansas City, Missouri

Best known for Kansas City-style jazz and as the "BBQ Capital of the World," this city at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers has several other names. Called the "City of Fountains," it's second only to Rome, with 200 of them. Also referred to as "Paris of the Plains," KC's boulevards rank second in number as well. Combining sophistication with southern hospitality, Missouri's largest city is also its cultural center. Nelson-Atkins Museum, with its additions of the Ford Learning Center in 2006 and Bloch Building in 2007, is among the most prestigious in the United States. The Nelson's 33,500 art works are grouped into 12 ...

Best known for Kansas City-style jazz and as the "BBQ Capital of the World," this city at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers has several other names. Called the "City of Fountains," it's second only to Rome, with 200 of them. Also referred to as "Paris of the Plains," KC's boulevards rank second in number as well. Combining sophistication with southern hospitality, Missouri's largest city is also its cultural center. Nelson-Atkins Museum, with its additions of the Ford Learning Center in 2006 and Bloch Building in 2007, is among the most prestigious in the United States. The Nelson's 33,500 art works are grouped into 12 collections ranging from African to Japanese. Other museums located at 18th and Vine Streets — the historic birthplace of Kansas City jazz — are the American Jazz Museum, celebrating such legendary performers as Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which chronicles Black baseball prior to 1945 when Jackie Robinson first wore a Brooklyn Dodger uniform. The Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City contains the Midwest's largest collection of dolls, dollhouses (about 80 of them), trains and toys. Other museums include the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, Airline History Museum, Science City at Union Station. Restored to its former glory in 1999, Union Station is something of a museum in its own right. Stroll Museum Hill and Cathedral Hill to see elegant mansions from days gone by.

About the Expert

Connie Emerson is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Cheapskate's Guide to Branson, Missouri and Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guide – Las Vegas.