Introduction to Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third largest city in the state of Kansas and is situated at the junction of the Missouri and Kansas (Kaw) rivers. The Kaw River is an important landmark in Kansas City. It flows some 170 miles eastward to join the Missouri River at Kaw Point in Kansas City. Its name is derived from the Kanza (Kaw) people who once inhabited the area. And so the state of Kansas in turn drew its name from the river.
Kansas City, Kansas is located across the river from Kansas City Missouri, and so the two cities, sharing a name, also share a lot of diverse attractions.
Kansas City was formed in 1868 and incorporated in 1872. It is an area rich in history; Lewis and Clark stopped near here in 1804 during their first expedition. In 1843, the Wyandot Indians settled in the area that is now Kansas City. The city is a diverse one, with different cultures. In the 1870s, many African Americans, known as Exodusters, settled here as well.
The state’s and city's history and identity is closely tied to its agricultural roots. Farming has been critical to Kansas economy and its culture. Known as the "Wheat State" and "Breadbasket of the World," Kansas is also known for its large volume of corn, hay, and oat crops.
Points of Interest
Kansas City has grown from a small stop on the journey west to a busy metropolitan area known for its delicious barbecue and great jazz. Visiting the award winning zoo is a popular activity as well as the Jazz Museum and the Baseball museum next door. The Kansas city T-Bones are the local baseball team and attracts visitors and families. The T-Bones are a member of the Northern League that first began operations in 1902, and was restructured in 1993. The Kansas Speedway is a top attraction in the area. In 2007, the Speedway will host the NASCAR Cup Series and the Indy Series Race. Country music is also a big part of life in Kansas City. The Wyandotte County fair attracts 100,000 people every year and boasts such stars as Garth Brooks, who has returned many times. In addition, there is the huge Verizon Amphitheatre which hosts music concerts and the Woodlands, which provides live greyhound and horse racing.
Nearby attractions in Kansas City, Missouri include a riverboat casino, the Worlds of Fun and Worlds of Ocean amusement parks, which are very popular with families and vacationers. There are several museums to visit, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, boasting one of the largest Asian collections in the region. In addition, a large aquarium provides hours of fun and in an interesting day trip for all ages. The Toy and Miniature museum hosts a collection of over 100 dollhouses and many antique dolls. Between April and December, there are constant outdoor festivals featuring legendary barbecue and great music in the Triangle: between River Market and Country Club Plaza, at 18th and Vine. There are several art festivals in the fall and a famous Rodeo that comes to town every November. Sports fans will love watching the Kansas City Royals play baseball at Kaufman stadium and football fans can enjoy seeing the Kansas City Chiefs beat their opponents at Arrowhead Stadium. And Kansas City is said to have more fountains than any city except Rome, and more boulevards than any city except Paris.
