I’ve lived in Kansas City, Missouri for my entire life. While I’ve spent extensive amounts of time traveling abroad, I always find myself happy to come back to this beautiful city with its rich culture and history.
Here are few reasons why I think Kansas City is such a special place:
City of Fountains
Kansas City has over 200 stunning fountains within its city limits. This distinction places it as the 2nd city in the world with the most fountains, just behind Rome, Italy.
The city is also commonly referred to as the “Heart of America” due to its close proximity to the geographic center of the United States. And while this may be the obvious underlying point in the name, this really sums how residents here truly feel about their home.
Aside from the numerous fountains, there are other unique designs that give Kansas City a unique charm. Renowned fixtures like the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Kansas City Star Building give the downtown area a contemporary feel with their striking features – while the historic New York Life Building remains a tribute to the city’s rich past.
There are also a slew of tremendous museums and attractions to visit across the city, such as the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the American Jazz Museum, and the famous Kansas City Zoo. Of course, we also have the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals for our second-to-none sports fans.
Whatever your personal style or interests, this town has it all.
The Full Menu
Kansas City has some of the best restaurants in the nation, with more barbeque restaurants per capita than any other city. And while the historic connection between the Missouri city and BBQ is well documented, there are tons of amazing options for residents and visitors.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is an exquisite upscale seafood establishment that provides the best cuisine of the sea along with nightly jazz. In addition, there’s the distinctive Austrian restaurant, Grunauer, paying homage to the immigrants who helped settle the area in the 19th century.
My personal favorite would have to be Bluestem. Winning a James Beard award in 2013 – this restaurant is the epitome of fine dining. From the moody atmosphere to the decadent seven-course menu, this place is an unconditional must if you’re in the Kansas City area.
A Balanced Life
Ultimately, Kansas City is about balance. It’s a vibrant world-class destination that attracts educated, driven people who like the bustle of a large metro area. But the city also holds on to its Midwestern values that set it apart from cities on the East and West coasts. And Kansas City is a place where you can truly enjoy life and experience everything without feeling rushed or frustrated by traffic.
For me – and the half-a-million people who live here – it’s absolutely perfect.
~ Michael Gortenburg Kansas City Missouri
Michael Gortenburg 