10 Reasons We Love Kansas City

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Writing the “10 Reasons I Love Kansas City” is a challenge. Just 10? Really? This list is not complete, but it’s a good start!

  • Amazing Skyscrapers: Kansas City is not home to the World’s Tallest Skyscraper, but we do have the World’s Tastiest! This year marks the inauguration of the newest “tallest building in the world,” the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 160 floors and 2,717 feet tall. One Kansas City Place, our tallest building at 1200 Main, pales in comparison at a mere 42 floors and 623 feet in height. True, the buildings of our metropolis may not impress world travelers or New Yorkers like my friend who said, while driving through downtown, “You call that a skyscraper?!?” However, Kansas City’s most famous skyscrapers will impress! Served in gigantic glasses with extra long straws, Skyscrapers have been dished up by Winstead’s since their opening on the Plaza in 1940. Savor one of these classic four-spoon ice cream sodas or shakes with your family.
  • City of Fountains: With more than 200 documented fountains, Kansas City is outstripped only by Rome in the count of watering works of art. Our fountains create a beautiful landscape while appropriately reminding us that the town where the “rivers met” was the launching point for western expansion. In the spring, the water is blue to celebrate the Royals’ opening season. In October, the water is pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. And, in the winter, the Northland Fountain and the Concourse Fountain at Gladstone Boulevard freeze over creating majestic outdoor “ice sculptures.” 
  • World’s Best BBQ: Kansas City Missouri is the “Barbecue Capital of the World!” with more BBQ restaurants per capita than any other city… and the best too! Kansas City style barbecue is slathered in sweet and tangy sauces and every local has a favorite. If you celebrate summer holidays and special occasions here, chances are strong you’re also enjoying juicy ribs or burnt ends with a side of slaw and pit beans. 
  • World Class Art for Free: The Nelson-Atkins is the largest art gallery west of the Mississippi and it is truly one of our greatest treasures. In the heart of the city, visitors enjoy the works of Monet, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, O’Keefe, Degas and van Gogh, not to mention an impressive collection of Asian art, ancient and modern art and the all-new American Indian gallery. The Nelson is just one extraordinary gallery in the city. For modern art, visit the Nerman or the Kemper Art Gallery. Enjoy local artists at First Fridays in the Crossroads or one of the annual art fairs at the Plaza, Brookside, Town Center, Prairie Village and Westport. 
  • Sprawling Green Spaces: A common complaint about city life is the lack of grass and trees. Kansas City more than compensates with thousands of acres at more than 500 parks across the metro, including three of the nation’s largest: Fleming Park in Blue Springs (7,809 acres), Longview Lake Park in Kansas City (4,852 acres) and Swope Park (1,769 acres). For fun beyond the typical swings and sandbox, there are several unique playgrounds from the Wild West ambience at Antioch Park to giant animals at Penguin Park or pirate ship playgrounds at Frontier Park and Listowel Park. To find a park near you, visit “Going Places in Kansas City”.
  • Something Always in Bloom: We also enjoy beautiful gardens. Three local gardens are free to the public: The Overland Park Arboretum with 30 acres of gardens and more than 200 acres of wooded natural area and prairie, Kauffman Gardens near the Plaza and Loose Park at 51st and Wornall with its exquisite rose garden and duck pond. 
  • Best Cost of Living: Kansas City is consistently ranked on the top 10 lists for “best cost of living” in the nation, with KCMO currently leading at number one according to www.HouseHunt.com. 
  • Farm Fresh Local Produce: There are more than 30 farmers’ markets in Kansas City where local growers sell fresh produce. Seasonally, our family enjoys visiting local businesses where we pick our own berries, peaches, apples and pumpkins. How many city kids enjoy these luxuries without the task of gardening? For a complete list see “Farmers Markets in Kansas City” and “Berry Picking in Kansas City”. 
  • “I Am Loved,” the best Shopping Secret in KC: When I was a little girl, it became a tradition on shopping trips with Grandma to stop at Helzberg’s Diamonds… not because she was treating me to new jewelry (that would’ve been nice!), but because Helzberg’s keeps a bowl of “I Am Loved” pins as free souvenirs. Now they make pins in different languages and special colors for holidays. 
  • Out to the Ball Game: Kansas City may be responsible for turning “tailgate” into a verb with community barbecues before every game in the stadium parking lots. Do we have more fun grilling hot dogs before the game or trying to catch them from Sluggerrr during the game? Either way, Kansas Citians love sports and throw a great party!

BONUS! Three FREE Shopping Secrets in Kansas City:

If you have more great reasons to love Kansas City, I’d love to hear them. Send me a note at

Kristina@KCParent.com.... Maybe next year’s list will be a little longer!

Kristina Light has never met anyone who loves Kansas City more than she does, a few who come close, but no one who loves it more! Now, she is sharing that love with her three daughters as they grow up in her hometown.