Cities of Distinction
There’s no better way to get the feel of a city than to spend time in its downtown district. For visitors to Missouri, downtown can mean many things, from the new and energetic Power and Light district in Kansas City to the historic charm of downtown St. Charles and the impressive political buildings of the state capital, Jefferson City.
Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City’s new eight block Power and Light District, developed by The Cordish Company, buzzes with energy. The outdoors KC Live! block hosts around 200 free events annually, including a year-round concert series that features a wide variety of music. In March, KC Live! will host March Madness watch parties for the NCAA men’s basketball championships and broadcast Selection Sunday on its192 square-foot screen, plus four smaller screens.
“The No. 1 comment I receive when visitors walk into the KC Live! area is, ‘I can’t believe this is the Midwest,’” said Jon Stephens, president of the Kansas City Power and Light District. “It’s all about energy, and I would put this on par with any entertainment district in the country.”
The district contains more than 45 restaurants, shops and bars: a mix of chains and locally owned establishments. On Wednesday nights, Bice Bistro swings to local jazz. Around the corner, the restored Hilton President features the cosmopolitan Drum Room, where Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. performed. This spring, AMC Mainstreet Theater will open one of the nation’s first all-digital theaters. The renovated Midland Theatre by AMC, built in 1927 with crystal chandeliers, marble pillars and carved woodwork, hosts concerts and entertainment.
The $276 million, glass-skinned Sprint Center features a full calendar of big-Museum, the country’s first and only museum focused solely on World War 1, across a glass bridge above a sea of red poppies. The museum’s first section recounts 1914 to 1917, before America’s involvement. Interactive tables, timelines, personal stories and artifacts lead to a chilling re-creation of no man’s land. The second section chronicles the conflict from 1919 to its conclusion. Last May, the museum acquired a rare, battle-scarred Renault FT-17 tank.
Across from the Liberty Memorial, the Federal Reserve Bank is the first Federal Reserve built after Sept. 11, 2001. The Truman coin collection on display there includes approximately 400 U.S. coins dating to George Washington’s administration. Tours include a film that highlights banking and Federal Reserve history.
“I just gave a tour to bankers today,” said spokesman Tim Todd. “They especially enjoyed seeing the cash operation and four-story vault.”
Follow Kansas City’s rich musical heritage to the American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room. The Blue Room, locate in the museum, has repeatedly
been named one of the world’s top 100 jazz clubs by Downbeat magazine. It frequently features local and national jazz artist.
“The Blue Room provides a distinct platform to present intimate performances that focus solely on the performer,” said Andrew Zender, the museum’s communications
manager. “It provides a terrific opportunity for the performer and audience to connect.”