Make Kansas City Your Summer Destination

Nothing says summer quite like outdoor concerts, twilight walks along the water, and sweet, smoky Kansas barbecue. Nicknamed the City of Fountains for its over 200 cascading displays, life in Kansas City, or as locals call it KC, is as warm and familiar as a cup of coffee with an old friend. Home to jazz legends like Big Joe Turner, and Mary Lou Williams, an art scene that ranges from contemporary to culinary, and more than 240 diverse neighborhoods to explore, most people forget that all this urban sophistication has a deep-rooted small-town heritage.

If you’re looking for the quintessential summer vacation spot, or city to call home, Kansas City is a Midwestern gem. Divided between two states, Kansas City, Kansas to the west is the low-key suburban sister to the effervescent metropolis of Kansas City, Missouri. Whichever side of the river you happen to be on, be prepared for friendly people, an abundance of things to do, and if you’re looking to buy property, affordable real estate options. Voted one of the top cities live by Livability.com, Kansas City is an exuberant blend of urban high rises, timeless culture, and a soulful rhythm that resonates throughout the entire city.

Move to Nashville, when it comes to music, Kansas City is king. With over 100 live venues to choose from, it’s easy to heat up any night of the week with jazz performances as smooth as the local brews and experience the city’s musical legacy at the American Jazz Museum. For more refined tastes, Kansas City hits all the right classical notes at the Kauffman Center for the Performing arts which features the Kansas City Symphony, and ballet, as well as the Lyric Opera. Night owls can turn up the energy at the Power and Light District where they’ll find eight blocks of after-dark excitement from shopping, dining, and sports bars, to plenty of live entertainment.

Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan, an art aficionado, or a history buff, Kansas City is a home run. Home to the KC Royals baseball team, the National WWI Museum, and the vibrant Crossroads Art District, this multifaceted city has more to discover than miles sweeping prairie. Swap your beach towel for a market basket, and you’ll find a farm-to-table community of local growers at the iconic City Market as well as an array of healthy restaurant options once you’ve indulged your palate in what’s undoubtedly the best barbecue in the country. While you’re feeling like medieval royalty at the annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival, or watching the sky light up on the 4th of July, you’ll wonder how you ever spent your summers anywhere else.