Missouri Things to Do

A hotbed of jazz during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the 18th and Vine District was revived in the 1990s. The area is now home to the American Jazz Museum with the Blue Room, where many top jazz acts perform, and the Negro League Museum, that chronicles its history from the Civil War to 1960. The restored 1912 Gem Theater now serves as a performing arts center. Out front, a statue of native son Charlie Parker offers a year-round reminder of the district's legacy. More

A hotbed of jazz during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the 18th and Vine District was revived in the 1990s. The area is now home to the American Jazz Museum with the Blue Room, where many top jazz acts perform, and the Negro League Museum, that chronicles its history from the Civil War to 1960. The restored 1912 Gem Theater now serves as a performing arts center. Out front, a statue of native son Charlie Parker offers a year-round reminder of the district's legacy.

Located in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District, the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form come alive at the first museum in the country devoted exclusively to jazz.

The museum includes interactive exhibits and educational programs as well as the Blue Room, a working jazz club that spotlights local and national artists in an intimate and smoke-free setting. Highlights include:

• rare photos, listening... More

Located in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District, the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form come alive at the first museum in the country devoted exclusively to jazz.

The museum includes interactive exhibits and educational programs as well as the Blue Room, a working jazz club that spotlights local and national artists in an intimate and smoke-free setting. Highlights include:
• rare photos, listening stations, memorabilia and personal items tell the stories of jazz legends Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie Parker
• Kansas City's unique contributions to jazz
• Studio 18th & Vine allows visitors to experiment firsthand with harmony, melody and rhythm
• changing exhibitions highlight art inspired by jazz, baseball and African-American life
• behind The Gem Theater's restored 1912 facade is a modern 500-seat performing arts center
• outdoors at 17th and Vine, the museum's Charlie Parker Memorial Plaza features at 17-foot bronze bust of the musician

During the 1920s and 30s, jazz flourished at 18th and Vine and on nearby 12th St. While the American Jazz Museum features four jazz greats, Kansas City was considered a mecca for many musicians; legends like Count Basie, Andy Kirk and Joe Turner played in Kansas City. For decades, the Mutual Musicians Foundation, also located in the 18th and Vine District, has been the after hours meeting place for some of Kansas City's most talented jazz performers.

In addition to this museum, the 18th and Vine complex also houses the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Horace M. Peterson III visitor center.

Started as a livestock show in 1899, the American Royal aims to educate the public about agriculture and celebrates Kansas City's heritage - equestrian sports, rodeo and livestock shows.

The American Royal Complex, totaling more than 300,000-square feet of exhibition space, includes Kemper Arena and Hale Arena. The complex plays host to several large-scale events throughout the year including the American Royal Barbecue Competition the first weekend of October, followed by six weeks of rodeos,... More

Started as a livestock show in 1899, the American Royal aims to educate the public about agriculture and celebrates Kansas City's heritage - equestrian sports, rodeo and livestock shows.

The American Royal Complex, totaling more than 300,000-square feet of exhibition space, includes Kemper Arena and Hale Arena. The complex plays host to several large-scale events throughout the year including the American Royal Barbecue Competition the first weekend of October, followed by six weeks of rodeos, horse and livestock shows.

At the American Royal Museum and Visitors Center, children can compare their weights with various livestock or train themselves to be an American Royal judge.

Housing the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world, the Arabia Steamboat Museum features more than 200 tons of recovered artifacts from the sunken 1856 steamboat Arabia.

The museum's exhibits and "touchable treasures" tell the story of the boat's Missouri River demise and amazing rediscovery in 1988. When the Arabia struck a submerged tree on its fateful voyage up the Missouri River on Sept. 5, 1856, the boat was packed with cargo and people. The boat, which took... More

Housing the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world, the Arabia Steamboat Museum features more than 200 tons of recovered artifacts from the sunken 1856 steamboat Arabia.

The museum's exhibits and "touchable treasures" tell the story of the boat's Missouri River demise and amazing rediscovery in 1988. When the Arabia struck a submerged tree on its fateful voyage up the Missouri River on Sept. 5, 1856, the boat was packed with cargo and people. The boat, which took nine months to build, sank in a matter of minutes. Luckily, its passengers and crew made it to shore, but almost all the Arabia's cargo was lost. That is until a group of Kansas City treasure hunters decided to dig up the legendary ship.

Over the years, the banks of the Missouri River shifted. This left the Arabia buried underneath a Kansas farmer's crops. On Nov. 12, 1988, River Salvage Inc. broke ground above where they believed the Arabia was buried, and about four months later they saw their dreams realized.

In the end, more than 200,000 frontier artifacts that included 4,000 boots and shoes, more than 10,000 printed calico buttons, five million glass trade beads and tens of thousands of other priceless pieces were recovered. Called the King Tut's Tomb of the Missouri River, the Arabia's impressive cargo includes everything from tools and dishware to toys and still-edible sweet pickles.

On display find a full-scale replica of the Arabia's 171-foot boat deck with a 28-foot working paddle wheel. Alongside it is the skeleton of a mule - the only life lost in the Arabia's sinking. Stop by the working preservation lab to learn how materials are cleaned and preserved. This painstaking process will take an estimated 25 years to complete, with half the cargo on display and another 100 tons in storage.

The 30th floor serves as an observation deck. No longer the tallest building in the city, it does offer an expansive view of the skyline. Take the elevator to the 29th floor and walk up the balance of the way.

Note: access with city security personnel escort. More

The 30th floor serves as an observation deck. No longer the tallest building in the city, it does offer an expansive view of the skyline. Take the elevator to the 29th floor and walk up the balance of the way.

Note: access with city security personnel escort.

The City Market, which began in 1857, features more than 140 local vendors offering fresh produce, seafood, plants, baked goods and handmade crafts. Don't be surprised to find cooking demonstrations by area chefs, who prepare simple recipes with ingredient readily available at the market.

The buildings surrounding the open-air market house more than 30 shops and restaurants with specialty produce, floral, house ware and gift shops, plus the Arabia Steamboat Museum*. The third largest... More

The City Market, which began in 1857, features more than 140 local vendors offering fresh produce, seafood, plants, baked goods and handmade crafts. Don't be surprised to find cooking demonstrations by area chefs, who prepare simple recipes with ingredient readily available at the market.

The buildings surrounding the open-air market house more than 30 shops and restaurants with specialty produce, floral, house ware and gift shops, plus the Arabia Steamboat Museum*. The third largest outdoor concert venue in Kansas City, the market hosts a concert series. (*see separate listing)

Kansas City has a reputation as the city of fountains, ranking only second to Rome, Italy. Fountains can be found throughout the city in a variety of styles and designs. Too numerous to mention all of them here, there are few worth noting: Crown Plaza, Union Station and the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain. More

Kansas City has a reputation as the city of fountains, ranking only second to Rome, Italy. Fountains can be found throughout the city in a variety of styles and designs. Too numerous to mention all of them here, there are few worth noting: Crown Plaza, Union Station and the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain.

Further cementing the area's reputation as a hoops hotbed, Kansas City is now home to the state-of-the-art College Basketball Experience (CBE). Connected to the new Sprint Center arena via a common lobby, the 41,500-square-foot entertainment facility contains hands-on, interactive basketball exhibits and houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Visitors can experience the coach-player relationship first-hand. Beginning with a last-minute pep talk inside the entrance elevator, a coach's voice accompanies fans throughout the facility, guiding them through several dribble, pass and... More

Further cementing the area's reputation as a hoops hotbed, Kansas City is now home to the state-of-the-art College Basketball Experience (CBE). Connected to the new Sprint Center arena via a common lobby, the 41,500-square-foot entertainment facility contains hands-on, interactive basketball exhibits and houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Visitors can experience the coach-player relationship first-hand. Beginning with a last-minute pep talk inside the entrance elevator, a coach's voice accompanies fans throughout the facility, guiding them through several dribble, pass and shoot stations to hone their skills. High-energy exhibits re-create the intensity of a college basketball game - from foul-line hecklers to a last-second buzzer beater to the excitement of a slam-dunk. At SportsCenter, fans can feel right at home behind the ESPNU anchor desk, where they can call the play-by-play of college's most memorable games. Inside the Mentor's Circle, the nation's finest coaches describe who inspired them and visitors can record their own video testimonials. Each visitor's journey ends with a stop in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, a quiet space devoted to the game's greats. Interactive kiosks offer a glimpse into each inductee's legacy. Kansas City has hosted more Final Fours than any other city in the nation (10). The game's inventor, James Naismith, was the first basketball coach at the University of Kansas in nearby Lawrence, Kansas.