Area Attractions

Kansas City, informally called "KC," is the largest city in the state of Missouri or Kansas, and is the anchor city of the metropolitan area. It encompasses 318 square miles in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platte counties. It is one of two county seats of Jackson County, the other being Independence, Mo, which is to the city's east. As of February 6, 2009, it was revealed that the US census had underestimated Kansas City's population, and re-released it to be 475,830, with a metro area of over two million. Kansas City was founded in 1838 as the "Town of Kansas" at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers and was incorporated in its present form in 1850. Situated opposite Kansas City, Kansas (Wyantotte County, Kansas), and Overland Park, Kansas (Johnson County, Kansas), the city was the location of several battles during the Civil War, including the Battle Of Westport. The city is well known for its contributions to the musical styles of jazz and blues as well as to cuisine, such as Kansas City steaks and Kansas City BarBQ.

A well diversified city, with big city advantages and classically "Midwestern USA" values, Kansas City has much to offer entrepreneurs, families and individuals.

Click here for information about Area Sports, Kansas City Area Educational & Cultural Information, Area Lake Life, Area Chambers Of Commerce, Area Arts & Entertainment.

City Of Fountains

Kansas City, Missouri, is often abbreviated as "KCMO", or simply "KC" (both abbreviations often refer to the metro area). It is officially nicknamed the City of Fountains. With over 200 fountains, the city claims to have the second most in the world, just behind Rome. The fountains at Kauffman Stadium, commissioned by original Kansas City Royals owner Ewing Kauffman, are the largest privately-funded fountains in the world. The city also has more boulevards than any city except Paris and has been called "Paris of the Plains" Residents are known as Kansas Citians. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as the Heart of America as it is near both the population center of the United States and the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 318.0 sq mi (823.7 km²). 313.5 sq mi (812.1 km²) of it is land and 4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²) of it (1.41%) is water. Much of urban Kansas City sits atop bluffs overlooking the rivers and river bottoms areas. Kansas City proper is bowl-shaped and is surrounded to the north and south by limestone and bedrock cliffs that were carved by glaciers. Kansas City is situated at the junction between the Dakotaland Minnesota ice lobes during the maximum late Independence glaciation of the Pleistocene epoch. The Kansas and Missouri rivers cut wide valleys into the terrain when the glaciers melted and drained. A partially filled spillway valley crosses the central portion of Kansas City, Missouri. This valley is an eastward continuation of Turkey Creek valley. Union Station is located in this valley. The city's municipal water was recently rated the cleanest among the 50 largest cities in the United States, containing no detectable impurities.

Climate

Kansas City experiences all 4 seasons, and lies near the geographic center of the contiguous United States, at the confluence of the second largest river in the country, the Missouri River and the Kansas River (also known as the Kaw River). This makes for a climate that can be classified as a humid continental climate, with moderate precipitation. Summers can be very humid, with moist air riding up from the Gulf of Mexico and during July and August daytime highs can reach into the triple digits, doing so on an average of about 5 days per year, and surpassing 90 °F (32 °C) 44 days per year. Winters vary from mild to cold, with lows dipping below 0°F (−17.8 °C) for 5 to 10 nights a year. Snowfall averages at 12.6 inches (32 cm), but this figure varies widely, as the median amount is 5.9 inches (15.0 cm).

In the Spring and Fall, Kansas City has extremely pleasant weather most days.

Kansas City Neighborhoods

Kansas City, Missouri, is organized into a system of more than 240 neighborhoods, some with histories as independent cities or the sites of major events. Downtown, the center of the city, is currently undergoing major redevelopment with new condos, apartments, offices and The Power & Light District (shopping/entertainment development) complete with bars, restaurants, a grocery store with a tony roof-top pool club called The Jones, a theatre and The Sprint Center. All these things have made downtown/midtown a more viable residential option more than ever. Near Downtown, the urban core of the city has a variety of neighborhoods, including historical Westport, Ivanhoe, Hyde Park, Squire Park, the Crossrodads Arts District, 18th & Vine Historic District, Pendeleton Heights, Quality Hill, the West Bottoms, and the River Market; one up-and-coming "newer" neighborhood just minutes from downtown is upscale Briarcliff, though it is in the so-called "Northland" or simply "North of the River". Two other "near" downtown neighborhoods that are very popular and have unique appeal include the Country Club Plaza (or simply the "Plaza"), south Plaza and nearby Brookside.

Parks and Boulevard System

Kansas City has 132 miles (212 km) of spacious boulevards and parkways, 214 urban parks, 49 ornamental fountains, 152 ball diamonds, 10 community centers, 105 tennis courts, five golf courses, five museums and attractions, 30 pools, and 47 park shelters.

The parks and boulevard system winds its way through the city. Much of the system, designed by George E Kessler, was constructed from 1893 to 1915. Cliff Drive, in Kessler Park on the North Bluffs, is a designated State Scenic Byway. It extends 4.27 miles (6.87 km) from The Paseo and Independence Avenue through Indian Mound on Gladstone Boulevard at Belmont Boulevard with many historical points and architectural landmarks. Ward Parkway, on the west side of the city near State Line Road, is lined by many of the city's most handsome homes. The Paseo is a major north–south parkway that runs 19 miles (31 km) through the center of the city beginning at Cliff Drive. It was modeled on the Paseo de la Reforma, a fashionable Mexico City boulevard.

Swope Park is one of the nation's largest city parks, comprising 1,805 acres (2.82 sq. mi.), more than twice as big as New York's Central Park. It features a full-fledged zoo, a woodland nature and wildlife rescue center, two golf courses, two lakes, Starlight Open Air Ampitheater, day-camp area, and numerous picnic grounds. Hodge Park, in the Northland, covers 1,029 acres (1.61 sq. mi.). This park includes the 80-acre (320,000 m²) Shoal Creek Living History Museum, a village of more than 20 historical buildings dating from 1807 to 1885. Riverfront Park, 955 acres (3.86 km²) on the banks of the Missouri River on the north edge of downtown, holds annual Fourth of July celebrations and other festivals during the year.

6201 College Blvd., Ste 385
Overland Park, KS 66211
Phone: 913-341-6300
Fax: 913-381-5978
info@abmi.net