Location: Kansas City
Top Things to do in Kansas City
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What to do and see in Kansas City, Missouri (MO): The Best Concerts & Shows
The home of swing and bebop for some, "The City of Fountains" to others, Kansas City is different things to different people. Music enthusiasts are drawn to the jazz clubs and old haunts of famous musicians such as Charlie Parker and Count Basie. With more fountains than Rome, there is ample opportunity for scenic strolling from fountain to fountain. Stop along the way to discover interesting neighborhoods and browse through eclectic shops. Families are particularly attracted to the city because of its child-friendly events and venues. Science City features hands-on exhibits including a mock television studio where kids can deliver a weather forecast, while the Zoo houses impressive African and Australian exhibits plus an IMAX Theater. The city's museums cover everything from the history of jazz music to a celebration of African American baseball players. Once a trading post for pioneers heading to the Western United States, today Kansas City is a burgeoning metropolis with activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.
Restaurants in Kansas City
1. Blue Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
This jazz bar opened in 1997.
Reviewed By 160marybethh - Tucson, United States
Way back when Jazz and Blues were evolving, Kansas City was one of THE great jazz cities of this evolving genre. Blues, jazz and barbecue kind of go together in this Kansas City historic district at 18th and Vine. The Blue Room is kind of a Twofer. The Blue Room sits cozily under the American Jazz Museum and you can get to the Jazz Museum from an unassuming door in the back of the Club. The Museum side of the door says something like 'Jazz'. I took my 15-year-old nephew, who plays a bass trombone in a high school marching band, to the Blue Room because he's old enough to recognize styles and I wanted blues and jazz represented in his musical education. He was the only young one there but the crowd's age was a pretty good mix. It was a Friday and we nabbed the last two available seats in this intimate house. A local blues artist (and KC has some great ones) entertained an appreciative Happy Hour audience with her 4-piece backup band from 5:30 to 7:30. The drinks are pretty cheap and the house wines are nothing to write home about but really - when smooth blues and Jazz are being offered who cares about the drinks? Plenty of hard liquor choices if you are picky. The drive down 18th is a little industrial but the two- or three-block stretch around 18th and Vine has plenty of restaurants and other clubs that offer music to make it a night. As a bonus, if you get there early enough, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is adjacent to the Jazz Museum. These two museums highlight the incredible Black American music and sports contributions not only to Kansas City but to the world. The Blue Room door is right on the corner of 18th and Vine and if you look catty-corner across the street you will see a free parking lot. There is street parking but you have to get there plenty early. I highly recommend the Blue Room for not only the quality musical talent, both national and local, in this intimate venue but also for the great people watching (jazz clubs are so much fun). And please, remember to dress up a little. Show your respect for this wonderful historic space and this fine music.
2. Kansas City Symphony
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By chunyenl2018
This is a world-class facility with a great group of of professional artists and musicians. There are a vast selection of performances you can choose from.
3. Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
4. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 588 reviews
Reviewed By 904carlp
Had the opportunity last week to hear the Kingdom Choir here and the sound and acoustics were phenomenal. A world class concert hall in the Midwest that should be on your to do list. Thank you to the Kauffman family for this gift to the city.
5. Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By 785Cathy - Belton, United States
The Christmas Carol is always spectacular. Wonderful acting, beautiful singing and costumes are fantastic If you are going with children be sure to get tickets in the glitter row for an extra special experience.
6. The SPOTT Night Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The SPOTT is the only place in the Midwest to come and party with over 300 people just like you!! We party at The SPOTT every Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Rain, sleet, or snow we will be open, partying and having fun! We have been in the same private, secluded location right off the interstate yet off the beaten path for over 15 years. No other agendas. No strings attached. Period. Features include a large main dance hall and over 8,000 SF of party and play areas, intimate theme lounges, a 16’x32’ heated swimming pool with a newly added deck and privacy fence, fountain drinks and snack bar (BYOB for alcoholic beverages), and both VIP and FREE parking areas. We are the best-kept secret in Kansas City!
7. Starlight Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
Starlight Theatre is the premier entertainment treasure of the heartland, where performing arts share center stage with education. Everything from Broadway shows to live concerts perform on the stage where thousands of guests can watch, listen and enjoy what they see! A first-class venue in every sense of the word helps make every night, a Starlight Night!
Reviewed By pdbrottlund - Leaburg, United States
Wonderful outdoor production of the King and I which we got to see as well as experience. There were lots of attendants and ushers ready to direct and help with seating. You won't get a bad seat in this theatre.
8. Coterie Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
The Coterie Theatre, named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences" in the U.S. by TIME magazine, provides unique theatre experiences for families and young audiences. The company is nationally recognized for its one-of-a-kind programming that features a year-round season of live plays and musicals on the company's mainstage, for which individual, group, and season tickets are available. The Coterie offers acting and theatre classes year-round for PreK-12th grades at multiple locations around Kansas City, including an extensive summer program of classes and performance camps. The company also has several community outreach programs that include in-school curriculum-based workshops, theatre productions that tour to schools and community venues, a free award-winning touring presentation that educates teens about STD prevention, and a teen playwriting program that gives voice to emerging young writers. As a not-for-profit professional theatre company, The Coterie seeks to educate, entertain, and challenge audiences by opening lines of communication between races, sexes, and generations.
9. Union Station Theater District
10. Just Off Broadway Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Just Off Broadway Theatre has, for over 10 years, hosted local live theatre in our "black box" performance space located in Penn Valley Park. Over 60 performing arts companies have performed over 200 shows in the theatre for over 40,000 audience members.The theatre building, owned by Kansas City Parks and Recreation, has recently been dark as major space renovations were completed. Now, after almost a year of renovations, the theatre reopens in September with a brand new season of performing arts from some of the best theatre talent in Kansas City. The renovation has added a new, spacious lobby, new concession stand, new dressing rooms, a second performance space with a "sprung floor" and all new HVAC.The first production for the new season is the weekend of Sept. 16 and features the debut of Journeyman Theatre Company's "Generation Why" - a rock operetta that will play through October 1. Visit our website for more information.
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