Kansas City Conventions, Trade Shows, Conferences and Meetings
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KANSAS CITY , 250 miles due west of St Louis, straddles the state line between Kansas and Missouri. Virtually all its main points of interest are on the Missouri side, where the fountains, boulevards, and Art Deco and Mediterranean-style buildings, and the encouraging revitalization of downtown, are unusual and welcome features in a Midwestern city. Kansas City, Kansas, on the other hand, is a sprawl of suburbs.

Kansas City was a convenient staging post for 1830s wagon trains heading west. Its consequent prosperity and rough and tumble "sin city" image was brought to an abrupt end by the Civil War. However, its fortunes revived in the 1870s, when the railroads brought the boom in meat packing that was responsible for the development of the huge stockyards, which finally closed down in 1992.

Thanks to political boss Tom Pendergast, an outrageous figure with whom the city had a love-hate relationship, its many jazz clubs continued to sell alcohol during Prohibition. As in Chicago and New Orleans, speakeasies, brothels and gambling dens went hand in hand with superlative jazz and, to a lesser extent, blues spawning the careers of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and, in the Fifties, Charlie Parker. KC's resurgent jazz scene, fine restaurants, professional football and baseball teams, and theme parks help make it a popular short-break destination for the people of the western heartland.

Kansas City is doing a good job of reinvigorating its downtown , and wandering past the restored lofts and small businesses of the Garment District , between Sixth and Ninth streets, makes a nice walk to City Hall, 414 E 12th St, a fine Art Deco building with an observation deck on its thirtieth floor (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.15pm; free). Also downtown is the redeveloped historic district known variously as River Market or City Market, on the banks of the Missouri. As well as colorful shops, cafés and a lively farmers' market at Fifth and Walnut streets, there's a good museum in the complex - The Treasure of the Steamboat Arabia - which tells the story behind the 1988 salvaging of a side-wheeler that sank on its way to Council Bluffs in 1856. Perfectly preserved artifacts - china, guns, gold and Kentucky bourbon to name a few - afford unexpected and intriguing insights into frontier life (Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm; $7.50).

The sprawling concrete Crown Center , on Grand Avenue and Pershing Road, owned by Hallmark Cards, calls itself "a city within a city," and houses apartments, shops, restaurants, offices, hotels, cinemas and an ice rink. Interesting displays in its splendidly awful Hallmark Visitors Center (Mon-Wed & Sat 10am-6pm, Thurs-Fri 10am-9pm, Sun noon-5pm; free) trace styles of greetings cards alongside political and cultural changes; designs from the 1940s, for example, featured stars and stripes, and Uncle Sam. There are also demonstrations of dying and engraving techniques. The nearby Union Station is a Kansas City landmark: huge, beautifully renovated and home to Science City (daily 10am-6pm; $12.50), an incredible arena of futuristic games, movies and exhibits.

The 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District , south of I-70 as it sweeps east-west, was the hub of the city's 1930s jazz scene. Formerly an unsafe area of empty lots and boarded-up shops, a huge revitalization project in the 1980s culminated with the opening of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum , 1616 E 18th St (Tues-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm; $6). This enthralling collection of photographs, interactive exhibits and game equipment traces the turbulent history of black baseball in America, which was segregated from the white major leagues for the first half of the twentieth century. In 1920, Kansas City hosted the key meeting that founded the Negro National League - an institution that paved the way for the likes of Jackie Robinson to enter the major leagues. In the same complex is the American Jazz Museum (Tues-Thurs 9am-6pm, Fri-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun noon-6pm; $6), which tells the history of jazz through interactive exhibits; profiling some of its greatest performers, including Kansas City native Charlie Parker and others who cut their teeth in the smoky halls of 18th and Vine. The Blue Room functions as a working jazz bar, with Monday night jam sessions bringing many stars out of the woodwork.

Westport , an attractive district of good restaurants, cafés and trendy shops between 39th and 45th streets, was the original jumping-off point for the Santa Fe Trail. Stop off for a drink at the city's oldest building, Kelly's Westport Inn , 500 Westport St, a shabby but friendly redbrick bar. Five miles south of downtown, beginning at 47th and Main streets, the elegant Country Club Plaza dates from the early 1920s. Tree-shaded and upmarket (with branches of Eddie Bauer and Saks), its tiling, mosaics, fountains and orange trees evoke the streets of Spain, and a replica Sevillan tower completes the effect.

Highlights at the extensive Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art , a few blocks east at 4525 Oak St (Tues-Thurs 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; $5, free on Sat), include superb Oriental exhibits, with figurines from Tang and Egyptian tombs, plus canvases by Titian, Caravaggio ( St John the Baptist ) and Monet, and twelve Henry Moore sculptures in a landscaped setting. The pretty Toy and Miniatures Museum , further south at 5235 Oak St (Wed-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm; $4), houses an offbeat collection of antique toys, games and puppets.

When the Midwestern humidity gets too much, head for the tropically themed water world Oceans of Fun , or the adjoining Worlds of Fun , with its 140-plus rides, out at exit 54 of I-435 (late May-early Sept daily, hours vary; $22.95 for Oceans, $33.50 for Worlds).

Kansas City is nothing like the cow town many imagine it to be. From its sprawling suburbs to its big-city skyline, this charming, hospitable place offers visitors plenty to see and do.

The Northland
The booming Northland provides many visitors with their first glimpse of Kansas City. The city's largest airport, Kansas City International, is situated in this area, while rolling hills and farmland are just minutes away. Several hotels, including the Kansas City Airport Hilton and Embassy Suites Hotel KCI Airport, are within walking distance of the airport and offer easy access to I-435. A booming economy has made the Northland an area of widespread growth, with new houses and businesses added regularly. Visitors staying close to the airport do not have to venture far in search of fun. The area is packed with shopping centers, strip malls and restaurants, including Jazz, Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum, Smokehouse Barbecue North and Stroud's Restaurant.

Downtown
Kansas City's impressive downtown skyline can be seen from most surrounding suburbs. Its tall buildings cast reflections on the nearby Missouri River and draw travelers to this central location. The recent renovation of Union Station and the River Market, along with the addition of Science City and the ongoing popularity of Crown Center, has energized the area. Fine dining establishments include the American Restaurant, Hereford House Restaurant and Lidia's Kansas City.

A number of historic hotels, including the Westin Crown Center Hotel and the Hotel Savoy, have made downtown a magnet for travelers. Sightseers wishing to step back in time can do so at the 18th & Vine District, the American Jazz Museum, the Black Archives of Mid-America or the Toy & Miniature Museum.

Plaza/Westport
Charming and classy yet avant-garde is a good description for the popular Country Club Plaza and Westport areas, two contemporary districts that play host to entertainment seekers. The Plaza, America's first shopping mall, draws thousands of visitors annually thanks to its high-class shopping district, breathtaking Spanish colonial architecture and varied dining options such as Californos, Gates Barbecue, Grand St. Cafe and Figlio Italian Restaurant and Bar. Luxurious hotels and historic bed-and-breakfasts are within walking distance, with many offering magnificent views. During the holiday season, the Plaza is aglow with thousands of lights, bathing the sea of festive shoppers who flock there in twinkling white. Nearby Westport, a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, is best known for its contemporary clubs and restaurants. Both districts attract Gen-Xers as well as Baby Boomers, so no one should feel out of place. Westport and the Plaza are within walking distance of each other, but the trip is quite a hike and can be a bit spooky, especially at night. If you still plan to travel on foot from one area to the other, plan to stop off at the Vietnam Memorial for a breather and a brush with history.

Kansas City, Kansas
Like its Missouri neighbor, Kansas City, Kansas (known as KCK) is a place on the move. The Woodlands Racetrack, along with various shopping and dining establishments, attracts visitors from the metro and surrounding areas. Fun, family events, like the Kansas City Renaissance Festival make KCK a popular year-round destination for all ages.

Johnson County
Johnson County, KCK's southern neighbor, is also growing, with new businesses and residential neighborhoods sprouting up everywhere. The area has a reputation as a classy place both to live in and to visit. Public venues, such as Town Center Plaza and Oak Park Mall, are always bustling with action.

Like downtown, Johnson County is a hub for business, with several new office complexes, which have bolstered the area's economy. The plentiful accommodations here include the Overland Park Marriott, in addition to a variety of charming smaller hotels.

East Metro
The stadiums that house the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals can be found in the East Metro District. If there is one thing that riles Kansas Citians most, it is their beloved Chiefs. Most NFL stadiums pale in comparison to Arrowhead, where excitement and explosive fan support bring the venue to life when the Chiefs are in town. For baseball fans, there's Kauffman Stadium, home of the Royals.

For those wishing to forego sports and opt instead for a slice of history, Independence is worth a stop. This historic town is the birthplace of former President Harry S. Truman and is home to the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum and a host of other historic points of interest, including the Vaile Victorian Mansion and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate.

The East Metro area offers great places to stay, including the Holiday Inn Sports Complex and
the Woodstock Inn Bed and Breakfast. Stephenson's Old Apple Farm Restaurant and LC's Barbecue provide a taste of Kansas City cooking for those seeking a down-home dining experience.

South Kansas City
Like its northern counterpart, South Kansas City is experiencing growth in both the business and residential sectors. Locals and travelers alike enjoy dining at the many area restaurants, including the 75th Street Brewery, the Guadalajara Cafe and the locally renowned EBT Restaurant.

Travelers in search of entertainment can make a stop at Swope Park, which provides fun for all ages. The Kansas City Zoological Park makes for an enjoyable day trip. Finally, the open-air Starlight Theatre offers an array of theatrical productions during warm weather months.