Car Hire Kansas City - Mini guide to Kansas City
Kansas City is somewhat of a dichotomy, being shared by both Kansas and Missouri states. This duality is reflected in the city’s attractions, with the Missouri side being more flamboyant and stylish, while the Kansas side remains more laid-back and homey.
The city is famous for its jazz music, and listening to the great sounds of live jazz emanating from the myriad of clubs is a relaxing and fulfilling experience. Additionally, enjoy strolling down charming downtown boulevards lined with fountains, and art deco and Mediterranean-style buildings.
The jazz scene permeated by Tom Pendergast during Prohibition spawned the careers of such well-known artists as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. The excellent Jazz Museum is a great place to become acquainted with the history of the music and its interaction with African American culture; housed in the same building is the interesting Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which retells the history of segregated baseball in America.
Kansas City was a convenient staging post for 1830s wagon trains heading west, and some of this legacy can still be found on the city’s Kansas side. The outdoor City Market, open daily, is a wonderful place to hunt for great bargains on crafts and antiques, in addition to clothing, flowers and vegetables; while the more upscale Country Club Plaza has plenty to offer those wishing to splurge.
The city also boasts fine restaurants, professional football and baseball teams, and theme parks, making it a complete tourist destination in its own right.
