I'm Goin' to Kansas City, Kansas City Here I Come.

Kansas City is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the American Midwest. The birthplace of both jazz music and BBQ, the city is in a class of itself. Located near the exact center of the USA, KC is truly in the heart of it all, and this heartbeat doesn't stop pumping out good times and great music.

Begin your visit with a stop at Arthur Bryant's BBQ in the historic 18th and Vine district. It doesn't matter if you're not hungry, or if you're the most pious vegetarian, once you enter this small corner restaurant on 18th and Brooklyn Avenue, you'll rush to the front, zealously ordering a 5-pound plate of BBQ pulled pork and fries. It truly deserves to be your first stop - and possibly the sole reason for even visiting. If your trip ends here, you'll be quite happy. Not to say KC is bad - it's excellent - it's just that the BBQ is THAT good.

From Bryant's, head over to the Country Club Plaza to experience some of KC's best shopping and nightlife, surrounded by trendy Moorish architecture. It's a slice of Spain, albeit artificially created. The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain ("The Big Fountain" to locals) is the centerpiece of the neighbourhood and deserves a few clicks of your camera.

Don't miss a visit to the Liberty Memorial and learn about the more-often-forgotten-than-should-be World War I. The views from here are spectacular, too, if you're not into history.

And no trip is complete without a visit to downtown Kansas City, the heart of it all, with some interesting fountains, statues, courthouses, and great art deco architecture.

Quick Tips:

When ordering BBQ at Arthur Bryant's, be sure to ask them to "wrap it up." You'll get around 5 pounds of meat, fries, and bread, compared to the small, cheap portions of in-house plates. It's the same price, and you'll probably end up wrapping your food anyways. I usually walk out of the restaurant after eating only 1/3 of what was offered to me.

Staying downtown isn't always expensive. Most people believe staying downtown costs an arm-and-a-leg, but you'd be surprised. Since most visitors eagerly want to sleep near the trendy Country Club Plaza, where rooms can be upwards of per night, downtown is often neglected, and business hotels are forced to sell off rooms at ridiculous rates. Search Priceline and you might find a room at the Radisson, Marriott, or historic Hotel Phillips for around per night, as I paid at the Radisson (then Doubletree) in early 2005.

Best Way To Get Around:

Kansas City's metro area is served by its city bus service, The Metro. Fares are cheap enough, but service is scarce at times. Always take a map of routes to check timetables, and ask your driver when he'll be back around to pick you up. Buses run around every 30 minutes, and service is centered around the 12th and Main travel plaza in downtown Kansas City.

Arriving by plane? You can easily get into town by shuttle (), rental car (around + taxes), or city bus (#129). The city bus does not service the airport on Sundays, but a little-known Dial-a-Bus service does exist. Call at least 24 hours ahead and schedule your pick-up time. It's a handy service, and I've used it successfully. It also doesn't stick to bus routes, which means you can tell it to come anywhere and it will. To drive from the airport, take I-29 south to downtown.

Amtrak service is frequent and fast. It's located in Union Station, just south of downtown near the Crown Center, next to the Hallmark Cards Headquarters.

Kansas City has a decent layout, with Main Street being its main route through the city, connecting downtown to Union Station to the Country Club Plaza and beyond. The Southwest Trafficway is the major north-south route through town. The Ward Parkway is the main east-west road in the south of town, connecting the Kansas suburbs of Mission and Overland Park to KC. A huge network of Interstate highways ring around the city in concentric circles, the outermost being I-435 and I-470.

This motel features standard Super 8 quality located just north of the KCI airport in the nearby town of Platte City. A free shuttle service is available from the airport terminal to the motel, but you may have to wait a while before being picked up. My approximate wait time was around 30 minutes.

I arrived to a somewhat unfriendly clerk who refused to believe that I had a reservation (I had made the reservation around 20 minutes earlier). I had to wait around 2 hours before she received the confirmation email from the reservation center (which she could have phoned earlier for as I had asked). She didn't seem to mind wasting my time, as I sat and waited for her in the lobby. Don’t expect stellar service here, at all.

Apart from the rude service, my room was clean, comfortable, but very dark. There are simply not enough lights in the room, and shadows are constantly present. The bedding was comfortable enough for a good night’s rest, but this is not the Hilton. It provides the most basic comforts for a reasonable price ($49.99).

The bathroom was clean enough, with clean towels. However, the towels were rough and scratched the skin. Toiletries were provided, which was a nice touch. The shower worked well and had a decent flow with hot water. I had no problems with the bathroom.

The carpets were a bit dirty, with cigarette stains in a non-smoking room. The room had a bit of a dorm room or prison feel to it, which I immensely disliked. I wouldn’t let my child run around on the floor, though, but it wasn’t worth complaining about to the management.

The hotel had no high-speed wireless Internet, which I believed it did (as their web page stated). Attempts to pick up wireless from neighboring houses and hotels did not succeed, so I was in the dark communication-wise until check-out the next morning.


The restaurant choices nearby were horrible at best. Around 1/4 mile down the road are a Taco Bell and McDonald's, otherwise this is a pretty remote location. The continental breakfast served in the morning consisted of dry bread, weak orange juice and bad cereal.

The hotel was moderately priced for a Super 8, at $50 per night. Definitely not worth it, considering you can stay in a three-star hotel nearby for the same price. I stayed only one night and found a new hotel the next day. The best hotel near the airport for value is the Sleep Inn (see my review on that hotel).

No amenities were available onsite. No pool, no gym, just a worn bed in a dark room. The walls were stuccoed concrete, making it seem like a dungeon (or an old classroom at best). It was very impersonal and cold, and I do not recommend it.

This sleek and modern member of the Choice Hotels family is a truly nice place to stay near the KCI airport. It's sparkling clean, updated corridors lead to premium rooms with King-size beds, walk-in showers, and satellite television service.

The hotel offers complimentary airport pick-up, and is located on the KCI airport city bus route, making connections to either the airport or downtown Kansas City simple and easy.

The hotel offers a hot, nourishing continental breakfast featuring waffles, biscuits and gravy, toast, cereal, and fresh juices - much better than most hotel offerings. The gravy actually has real sausage pieces cut up in it, and the staff make sure everything is right with your breakfast.

The showers are powerful and hot as ever. They are the standard walk-in variety of Sleep Inn motels, and are roomy and spacious. Some even have seats.

The beds are firm, but soft, and very large. There is a great work area complete with wireless high speed Internet, suitable for business travellers. Fax service is available in the spacious lobby. Staff are friendly and willing to direct you to good restaurants in the area and confirm your flight for you.

I highly recommend this hotel. During my stay, I paid approximately $58 including taxes.

This hotel, located just across the road from the Kansas City International Airport, is perhaps the most inexpensive choice of a hotel in this area. The age-old adage rings true here, "you get what you pay for". In addition to a rather inexpensive invoice upon check-out, the guest is also provided with terrible service, rooms of sub-standard quality (even when compared with the most basic of family-owned motels), and a high degree of uncleanliness in every aspect of the property.

For $39, I reserved a room through the Econo Lodge toll-free reservation desk, and then called for airport pick-up. To my bewilderment, the desk agent didn't believe I had a reservation, so he didn't bother to send the shuttle out until 30 minutes later, after repeated phone calls to do so.

90 minutes after my initial call, I finally arrived at the hotel. The front desk notified me that in-room telephone service would not be available for this stay due to "technical errors". I was without phone service, during one of my most important business trips. I had asked to use a public phone, but the management declined, directing me to a pay phone across the street at a fast food restaurant. I was not impressed, and the management did not seem to care at all.

The problems continued. I had reserved a non-smoking room, but the proprietor insisted I take a smoking room again due to "maintenance". I could not sleep, as the smoke seeped into the pillows and sheets. Even the towels smelled of stale cigarettes - asking for fresh ones was met by a denial by the front desk.

I was told I would receive a continental breakfast; what I found was a box of cake donuts and a jug of warm orange juice. This might appeal to some, but certainly not me.

To make matters worse, the internet did not work in the hotel, so I could not get any work done during this stay whatsoever. It was one of the worst hotels I've ever been in.

On the way to the airport, my shuttle driver demanded a tip and was very rude about it all, even though it was a complimentary shuttle and he didn't carry my bags for me. After this stay, I decided to formally complain to Choice Hotels International (the parent company), and eventually received an apology letter. I was not compensated for my troubles at all.

Simply do not stay at this hotel - you can do much better for just a few dollars more elsewhere. You will leave this property disappointed, guaranteed. For a mere $10 more, there are hotels nearby who will treat you like royalty, with delicious hot breakfast, pleasant rooms, and a much more professional and respectful staff.

If you must stay here, insist to check out the room before you pay. It just might be the smartest five minute delay of your trip. And remember, don't be afraid to say "no" if you don't like it.

The recently-opened Radisson Downtown Kansas City is by far the most affordable entry-level luxury hotel in the downtown area. As a stylish, youthful property, this hotel has demonstrated itself to be a place to stay for businesspeople and families alike. It's my top choice when staying in the heart of the nation.

We were arriving after a long drive across the state of Kansas, and we were happy as we'd ever been seeing this high rise on the Kansas City skyline, which seemed to invite us over to its large, spacious rooms. I was drooling over the thoughts of relaxing in my SleepNumber bed by the time we arrived at the self-parking garage, and headed in to the hotel.

As we entered the lobby, we immediately knew that we were not in Kansas anymore (no pun intended). The elegant, well-designed decor embraced us, catching our eyes, while the suit-clad porters and concierge sincerely greeted us with a smile. They're very generous here, too. We were staying on a heavily discounted Priceline bid, which are usually dealt with in the best way possible for the hotel - by giving the worst room in the house. Not this time, as we were given the keys to a beautiful spacious room on the 15th floor, with a captivating view of downtown Kansas City.

The SleepNumber beds were covered in soft, fluffy pillows, and the room displayed quite a nice ambiance. It didn't stop with the room - the corridors had a lot of nice artwork and floral arrangements as well, much nicer than your typical hotel.

Back to the room - it was spotless and cozy, with huge king beds and a large flatscreen television. The bedding made you feel as though you were floating on a cloud, and didn't exactly encourage you to wake up on time the next morning.

There was free wireless internet access provided (a generous item for a downtown hotel), a well-lit desk, and hot, powerful showers. One downside to this hotel is that it does not offer breakfast, but there are several on-site restaurants and many others not too far from the hotel. Parking is included in your rate, with full come-and-go privileges.

Rates at the Radisson Downtown Kansas City retail for around $100 per night, and upwards of $200 for some of the better suites. For this price, the location is superb. It's right in the heart of downtown Kansas City, with easy I-70 and I-35 access (literally a couple of blocks away). As near as it is to the freeways, it's not noisy by any means.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Kansas City Convention Center, scenic Allis Plaza and its fountains, and many excellent restaurants and shops. Traveling by bus? No problem. The hotel is only a couple of blocks from the 12th and Main transit center, and only a mile or so from the Amtrak and Greyhound stations. I highly recommend the Radisson for anyone looking for a great downtown hotel.

This very decrepit motel was first discovered by myself via the travel coupon books found in gas stations. Upon arrival, I knew something was afoot. When the clerk saw me at the door struggling to get in, she pressed a button and the electronic gate lifted, allowing me entry.

While checking in, a clearly drunken man was asking if the clerk had more toilet paper. He clearly lived in the hotel. I paid the $45 for the room, then headed to the room to find that while the hotel's corridors and lobby were decrepit, the rooms weren't as bad. The two large queen beds were comfortable and reasonably clean. The air-conditioner was mold-infested, though, and could not be used. Cable television was provided, but breakfast was not. There were nearby restaurants like Denny's and McDonald's for breakfast, though.

The bathrooms did show signs of mildew and mold damage, but nothing too severe. They could learn to clean a bit more at this hotel. I would not recommend this to families, as the area is a crime center. People were clearly selling drugs on the street near the hotel. I regret staying here, and I hope others would follow this warning. The hotel exterior showed severe damage, with many broken windows covered with tape (see photos). Prices are around $45, if you still want to stay here.

After checking in to the Sleep Inn KCI Airport hotel on an early Sunday afternoon, I found myself very hungry and in need of a solid meal. My hotel was in a semi-rural setting with not much around, so I wasn't too optomistic about my chances of finding something other than a disappointing fast food chain nearby. I was entirely wrong; as I stepped outside, like an oasis on the horizon I saw the familiar sign of Ruby Tuesday, beckoning me in for one of the best meals of my vacation.

I'm usually unimpressed with chain restaurants in general. The mundane, reheated, mass-produced menus that usually exist in these restaurants definitely was kicked out of this place long ago - here it's all about fresh, clean, and fast cuisine. As you enter the restaurant and head to your table, you will immediately notice one thing: The kitchen is right out in the open. There's no hiding here, as the cooks prepare tasty and fresh cuisine right before the customers' eyes. That promise of quality food at reasonable prices is what Ruby Tuesdays is made of, and we were very pleased with what we saw.

I perused the rather large menu for something tasty yet filling (the choices were endless). The menu includes items from burgers, to hot entrees, to soups, to salads. I opted for the crab cake burger (which was delicious, with fresh Maryland crab meat), along with the endless salad bar (optional, but only $3.99 with entree). My meal was the best I'd had in ages. The crab was soft and lightly seasoned, and the bun was the perfect consistency. Served on trendy long rectangular plates, neatly arranged, the food appeals both to the eyes and the palate. The salad bar featured gourmet items such as crumbled aged blue cheese, dried cranberries, fresh olives, and shitake mushrooms. For the price, it's a wonder they are making any money with ingredients like these. Along with my meal, I ordered a passionfruit lemonade, which was superb, and reasonably priced at only $3.49 for a bottomless serving.

The ambiance of the place is very family-friendly, yet maintains a casual elegance. This is the perfect place to impress visiting family and friends, and even to celebrate special occasions. The waiters are neatly dressed and super-polite, and the decor rivals many downtown upscale restaurants. You definitely don't need to be rich to eat here, with most entrees being under the $10 mark. You'll feel rich here (even spoiled!), even if you're not.

My whole meal came to around $16, including tax and tip. A real bargain for this level of quality. You simply cannot be disappointed here. Go ahead and try it, even if you hate chain restaurants. This is a chain done right!

For more info visit: http://www.rubytuesday.com

Kansas City's best barbecue is located a few blocks east of the historic junction of 8th and Vine street, close to downtown Kansas City.

Upon stepping into this small restaurant on a shady corner in Kansas City's predominantly African-American neighbourhood, you'll understand why movie stars and past presidents have taken the time to seek out this restaurant and sample its excellent barbecue.

I walked into the restaurant and found myself among a few tables, mostly businessmen and locals enjoying lunch. The atmosphere is 1970s retro, totally out of time and space with the present. It's a dark, somber, cafeteria-like atmosphere, but the food makes it all worth while. In fact, I think the atmosphere enhances the food!

I walked up to the window, where you order. "Two meat combo" I said to the African American man behind the counter. "Fries with that?" "Sure", I said.

The man proceeded to take five pieces of bread and slab on around 5 lbs. of meat, cover it with thick, rich BBQ sauce, throw on a dozen pickle slices, and wrap it all up into a package the size of a small dog. Food is of no shortage here, and one serving can easily feed two - or three. Best of all, the most expensive item on the menu is a paltry $8.99.

The fries are slow cooked in pure lard, and while being full of trans fats, they taste like pure heaven. Add about a pound of them on to your order for $1.99.

Rip open the package and take a bite of Kansas City history. Sit in the same chair Jimmy Carter did in the 1970s. Use the same BBQ squirt bottle that Steven Spielberg did after filming E.T. Yes, they've all been here, to this small restaurant in the Harlem of Kansas City.

Visit Arthur Bryant's online at: www.arthurbryants.com

One of the best Mexican fast food restaurants in the United States, Chipotle never ceases to amaze with its signature burritos and fajitas.

With a very small, limited menu, Chipotle serves up the good stuff and the good stuff only. Burritos (with rice and beans) or Fajitas (with peppers and rice and black beans) are filled with the meat of your choice (stewed beef, chicken, or pulled pork) or served veggie (with guacamole). Those watching their carbs may opt for a healthy Baja Bowl instead, combining all the ingredients, sans tortilla.

Side dishes include nachos, chips and salsa, and rice. Kids meals available, and the spice can be adjusted to their liking. One of the few fast food restaurants in the USA that serve beer - Corona is the best. Burritos are complimented with Tabasco-brand hot sauces at every table, along with fresh lemon wedges.

Drinks have free refills and are quite inexpensive. Try the home-brewed iced tea! Burritos cost between $5 and $6, and are huge. I've been known to share one with another. Excellent meal under $7. Located a few blocks south of the Country Club Plaza in a sophisticated, sub-urban area.

Visit Chipotle online!

The Liberty Memorial National Historic Landmark, a Kansas City icon, is located just south of downtown on a hill overlooking the city. It is the official National World War I Memorial of the United States.

Built in 1921, the memorial pays tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the first World War. It was dedicated on November 11, 1926, by President Calvin Coolidge. To get to the memorial, take Main Street south from downtown and turn right onto Memorial Drive, then another right into the memorial park.

The views from the memorial are stunning, of the Missouri River valley and of downtown Kansas City. The monument's intricate detail are worth appreciating. On December 2nd, 2006, the National World War One Museum opened at the memorial. I have not visited the museum in the month that it has been open, so I cannot comment on it. Admission to the museum costs $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $4 for youths. Children under 6 are free.

There is no charge to visit the memorial itself. Don't miss the stone sphinxes for a taste of Egyptian art right here in Kansas City. There is a very ancient feeling to the monument, captured very well by photographs. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot ascend the monument to any sort of viewing deck. You may only view it from ground level.

Learn more about the monument at: www.libertymemorialmuseum.org

This statue in an obscure corner of downtown Kansas City is the point where Lewis and Clark surveyed the Missouri River confluence.

Surrounded by a ring road, the monument is easily accessible from downtown Kansas City. From Broadway Blvd., take 9th Street west (it is a one way road) until you hit Jefferson Street. Turn left and follow the road two blocks to the monument. Get back to downtown via the same route.

There is no admission to the statue. Just park, and walk over. The views of the valley are impressive, and the statue highlights the history of the area.

Joke with your friends here, too, as Lewis and Clark are proudly overlooking Kansas City, Kansas, which is often (arguably) thought of to be one of the ugliest places in the United States. "If only they knew," my friend said to me, as we looked over the now very industrialized valley.

There are some good exhibits here and information signs for those who want to learn more about the Missouri River explorers, as well as the history of the area.

Learn more about Clark's point at: http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section1/mocities/kansascity/clarkspoint.htm

Kansas City's famous Union Station is the hub of transportation activity in this great city. Amtrak is located here, and thousands of trains pass through every month. It has had a long history of closures and renovations, and what stands now is one of Kansas City’s most beloved and treasured landmarks, and one of the city’s main centers of entertainment.

Aside from the beauty of the building itself, Union Station is also the location of some of America's history. On June 17, 1933, four FBI agents were gunned down here in what is now termed the Kansas City Massacre, prompting the formation of the FBI as we now know it. The bullet holes from the shootout are highlighted here, and there are some interesting information signs regarding the massacre.

Inside the station, one can visit shops and services while getting a glimpse of American history through its unique architecture and design. The station is home to Science City, which is a science center with some neat hands-on exhibits for children. There is also a live theater, some good restaurants, gift shops, a working planetarium, and a small museum that highlights many interesting things about the area.

Don’t miss some of Amtrak’s old antiques in their wing, featuring old train schedules, maps, tickets, conductor’s hats and model trains. It’s quite interesting if you’re into the history of transportation in America.

There is free admission to Union Station itself, but some of the attractions within it do charge an admission fee (like Science City). Union Station is located south of downtown Kansas City, at 30 West Pershing Road, just off of Main Street. Take Main Street south from downtown and it will be on your right.

To learn more about Union Station visit: www.unionstation.org

Kansas City's 18th and Vine Jazz District is well-known as one of the jazz hotbeds of the world. Along with other jazz neighborhoods, including Basin Street in New Orleans, Beale Street in Memphis, 52nd Street in New York and Central Avenue in Los Angeles, the 18th and Vine district helped spawn the creation of jazz as we know it in the United States.

Its favorite son, the legendary Charlie Parker, is the most famous jazz musician to come out of this district. It's centerpiece is the world-famous Gem Theater and the Blue Room jazz club. These icons provide a glimpse into the history of the neighborhood.

Our first stop while visiting this historic district was the Blue Room, a functioning jazz club inside the American Jazz Museum. Immediately when we entered, we were seduced by the dark-yet-pleasant ambiance, the historic photographs, the smooth jazz playing softly over the loudspeaker, and the ever slight clinging and clanging of glasses. We ordered a drink and listened to some of the best music around these parts. We soon realized why Kansas City is so beloved by music fans the World over. It's open evenings only, on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. A $10 cover charge is levied on the weekend. Drinks here are a mere $5, and food is available for a modest cost.

Our next stop on our itinerary around the historic district was the American Jazz Museum, home to dozens of exhibits highlighting the history of jazz music in the area as well as around the country. Louie Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and all the other great ones are showcased here. The museum will satisfy history buffs and jazz fans alike - it's a well organized, highly recommended museum; surely one of the best in America.

Our next stop was the Negro Leagues Baseball Hall of Fame. Here, we learned about the history of African-American baseball players of days gone by, including the famous Josh Gibson, coined the "Black Babe Ruth" by many. It was fascinating to learn the history of this baseball league, and how it helped in part to define African-American culture in the Midwest.

Both the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Museum are open every day except Mondays, and admission is only $6.00 per adult, and children under 5 are free! Interested in both museums? There's a sweet $8.00 combination ticket, allowing entry to both museums!

While in the area, walk a few blocks east to Arthur Bryant's BBQ, one of Kansas City's best restaurants, and home to the signature Kansas City BBQ that made the city so famous. It's an excellent way to cap an evening in the 18th and Vine.

There is no fee to visit the 18th and Vine district if you just want to peek around at the historic architecture. But, you only live once - head on into the museums and clubs for some amazing experiences.

For more info on the 18th and Vine historic district visit: www.experiencekc.com/18thandvine.html

Kansas City's Country Club Plaza is the heartbeat of the rich and famous living in this midwestern city. Adorned with dozens of stylish fountains, this city-square-meets-upscale-shopping-district is a center of commerce in KC, and is the place to see and be seen.

Bordered by the Ward Parkway to the south, W 47th Street to the north, the J.C. Nichols Parkway to the east, and Jefferson street to the west, this large entertainment district in southern Kansas City, near the Kansas State Line, is sure to please first-time visitors.

With upscale eateries and shops, trendy stores, gorgeous fountains (which make Kansas city the City of Fountains), and beautiful Moorish architecture, this is truly a gem in the heart of the plains.

The Moorish architecture is a big highlight, modeled after the Andalucian architecture of southern Spain and northern Morocco. The centerpiece of the architectural wonders is the beautiful recreation of Seville's Giralda, a mosque-like tower which reaches high above the Cheesecake Factory that sits below it.

Walk around the Plaza and you'll instantly fall in love with the Moorish windows, which bring a very interesting middle-eastern flavor to the area. To see most of the Plaza, stick to Nichols Road, the main circuit through the heart of it.

Walk along the J.C. Nichols Parkway to the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, Kansas City's most famous icon. This massive fountain draws many crowds on hot summer days, so you might be waiting a while for a photo, and it might be impossible to photograph it without people in the background. The fountain backs onto the relatively large Mill Creek Park, a very nice park to stroll around with an ice cream from nearby Baskin Robbins.

Next, visit the Community Christian Church, designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and check out its signature "pillar of light." This can be found on Main Street, just north and east of the J.C. Nichols fountain.

You'll instantly notice the glamorous condos and apartments lining the Mill Creek, and backing onto the Country Club Plaza. Celebrity sightings are common here, and it can be compared to the Rodeo Drive of the midwest.

In the mood for a movie? There is the Cinemark Palace at the Plaza for those who need a goof flick. Don't miss a meal at the wonderful (and thus famous) K.C. Masterpiece BBQ (yes, the same guys who make the sauce in your local grocery store own this).

Hotels tend to be pricey at the Plaza. There is a Fairmont Hotel which backs onto Mill Creek, and the huge Mariott Hotel is just up the road from the plaza on busy Main Street.

From downtown, take I-35 South to Southwest Trafficway, take the Trafficway south to the Ward Parkway, and turn left into the Plaza. For a more direct, but slower route, take Main Street south 40 blocks until you pass the J.C. Nichols Fountain on your right, then turn onto US 56 (W 47th Street) and you're right there.

Visit online: www.countryclubplaza.com

The River Market is a trendy district of Kansas City that lies just north of the downtown core. Bordered by US 169 to the west, Oak Street to the east, I-70 to the south, and the Missouri River to the north, this area is home to many good restaurants and bars, and is a popular hang-out spot for college students on Friday nights.

Similar in size and location to its Missourian counterpart, St. Louis' Laclade's Landing, this district features a lot of old warehouses-turned-restaurants, although on a much more low-key level.

Wander the main building, the City Market, for some interesting stores and services. Many Chinese grocers call this district home, so come here for some of the best Chinese in the city. The River Market Brewing Company is probably the area's best known restaurant and bar, and is a must-do for any Kansas City traveler. There is also plenty of fast food, for those who prefer that.

Nearby, there is the Arabia Steamboat Museum, for those interested in paddlewheels and steamboats.

To get to the River Market district from downtown Kansas City, take Walnut Street north and you'll arrive directly at the City Market. There is plenty of parking available, but mostly metered.

To learn more about the River Market, visit them online at: www.kansascityrivermarket.com

Downtown Kansas City is mostly the economic heart of the city, with very little to see and do by itself. There are almost no hotels here, except a few business hotels, and no attractions of great interest. The downtown core is bordered by a ring of Interstate highways (670, 70, and 35).

The interest here lies in the architecture of its many buildings, which some term "Little Manhattan." The city is home to many impressive buildings, from art deco to more modern types.

There are a couple things of interest downtown, easily seen on the following walking tour of the downtown core:

Start your walk at the transit center of downtown, at 12th and Main. Here you'll find a nice fountain, but a bit tarnished from vandalism. Begin walking west down 12th Street, passing the Marriott Hotel on your right. In front of the Marriott is the beautiful centerpiece of downtown, Allis Plaza. The huge fountain in front of the plaza, modeled as a row of short spouts, spilling down onto a small staircase, is very beautiful and something to be appreciated. Check out the statue in the center of the Plaza, of a soldier on horseback.

From Allis Plaza, walk another block west on 12th. On your left you will see the gigantic Kansas City Convention Center, and Bartle Hall. Choose for yourself whether to detour to visit this great center. When you're ready to move on, begin walking north on Broadway Blvd through Kansas City's theatre district, admiring some of the old theatres along the way. Turn left onto 9th Street and walk 4 blocks to Jefferson, then another block on your right to Clark's Point, where the Lewis and Clark statue sits, overlooking the bluffs of the Missouri River. Read about their accomplishments exploring the Missouri, then continue a block east on 8th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. Turn left here and walk north a block to 7th Street, then it's a long 1/2 mile walk to Walnut Street.

At Walnut, turn north and walk 4 blocks or so to the River Market district, the perfect place to rest your tired feet and enjoy a lunch or a cold brew at the River Market Brewing Company. Wander around the shops here and admire the old buildings, then head back down Walnut, until you reach 8th street. Here, turn left (east) and walk to Oak Street, then make a right and walk south on Oak. You will pass some of Kansas City's most impressive legal buildings, like the Whitaker Federal Courthouse and the Kansas City Municipal Courthouse. When you reach 12th street, head back west, passing City Hall, until you reach your origin point at 12th and Main Street.

This walking trip covers the main sights of downtown Kansas City, and shouldn't take you more than 2-3 hours. It's around 3 miles in length, and it's the perfect way to get acquainted with the city center.

Discover Downtown Kansas City online at: www.downtownkc.org