Kansas City Airport

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is one of America’s largest airports by area and a major Kansas City car rental base. A rental car is the most recommended way to explore the city as Kansas City International Airport is located only 15 miles from the city’s downtown and there are few public transportation options.

Several American rental car companies are represented at the Kansas City International Airport consolidated rental car facility and exploring the city by rental car is easy thanks to the airport’s convenient location on Interstates 29 and 435.

It’s been said Kansas City tends to hide itself from tourists and most of its attractions are carefully tucked away. Straddling the Kansas-Missouri border, Kansas City has more fountains than any other city in the world, besides Rome, more boulevards than Paris, and more than its fair share of fascinating things to see and do, all of which are easily accessible by rental car.

The fully restored 1914 Union Station remains Kansas City’s most famous landmark, which also includes an interactive science centre, several shops and restaurants and an exhibit of the city’s proud railroad history.

The nearby National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial, which opened December 2006, is the first and only museum dedicated solely to the ‘Great War.’ A replica of ‘No Man’s Land,’ a red poppy field and a spectacular Kansas City skyline view from the observation deck are just a few of the museum’s unforgettable sights.

During the first Friday of each month, Kansas City’s art galleries are open late and offer free admission. More than 34,000 art works are displayed inside the recently renovated Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, considered one of America’s finest art museums. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Toy and Miniature Museum are two more recommended Kansas City museums.

No Kansas City visit would be complete without a trip to the city’s renowned jazz district. After visiting the American Jazz Museum, seeing today’s finest jazz musicians perform at a Kansas City club is an especially memorable experience.

Kansas City is equally famous for its barbeques and locals often debate over which restaurant serves the best dishes. Kansas City barbeque sauce, usually thicker and sweeter than other sauces, and the flavourful ‘burnt ends’ dish made from the overcooked edges of a brisket, are what make the city’s barbeques unique from everywhere else.

Brookside Shops and 39th Street West are known for their unique local shops, but the area’s most unusual items can be found inside the River Market Antique Mall and the weekend estate and antique sales at the West Bottoms Warehouses.

Sports fans will enjoy a Kansas City Chiefs football game, Kansas City Royals baseball game, or touring the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, while visiting the rides at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun is especially recommended for young families.