What city could be more family friendly than the place that gave birth to Mickey Mouse's first cousin and McDonald's Happy Meal?
Yes, they both happened in Kansas City, a place where playing in the city's many fountains is encouraged and mom crying at Hallmark greeting card commercials is not embarrassing at all.
Located in the heart of America's Heartland, Kansas City is known as "the city of fountains" because of the more than 200 public fountains that enhance the metropolitan area's beautiful parks and boulevards. Someone once said that Kansas City has more fountains per capita than any city other than Rome, but really, who's counting?
Some people also call Kansas City a "cow town" because of its legendary stockyards that helped feed the world for nearly a century before closing in the 1990s. The cow town legacy continues in Kansas City's numerous mouth-watering barbecue joints and the American Royal Livestock Show and Barbecue Contest each autumn.
Many people are surprised to learn that Walt Disney lived and worked here before heading to California. Although there's not much to see of the dilapidated building under renovation at 31st and Forest, the Laugh-O-Gram Studio is where Walt first drew a little character named Mortimer Mouse, who grew up to be the beloved mouse known round the world. Special events are held throughout the year to raise funds for the restoration of the studio.
Others are equally surprised to learn that the McDonald's Happy Meal was the creation of an advertising executive in Kansas City who sold it to Ronald for $1.
Much of the city's family-friendly atmosphere can be attributed to the wholesome presence of Hallmark Cards, whose world headquarters at Crown Center is the center of so many of the city's most enjoyable events.
The city is divided basically into four quadrants: north and south by the Missouri River and east and west by the state line. First-time visitors are often confused by the state line, but there's nothing to it. In most of the city, you can simply step across the street to travel between Missouri and Kansas. However, the downtown area is located at the convergence of the Kansas River (locally called the Kaw) and the Missouri River, so crossing from Kansas City Missouri to Kansas City Kansas requires crossing a bridge over what is called the West Bottoms. For the most part, when locals refer to Kansas City, they are talking about the portion of the city on the Missouri side of the state line, where most of the city's major amenities are located. KCK is the common nickname for Kansas City Kansas.
If your trip to Kansas City is via air, be sure to look out the window as you approach Kansas City International Airport (MCI). Look to the southwest of the north/south runway and you'll see a 22-acre forest with plantings in the shape of a heart, truly welcoming you and your family to the heart of America.
Kansas City Family Vacations
Kansas City Family Vacations
Families will love:
- More than 200 public fountains, earning the city the nickname "City of Fountains"
- Mouth-watering barbecue
- Kid-friendly museums
Written by Diana Lambdin Meyer
Read more about Kansas City Attractions
Latest Kansas City Trip Report
msjenn2673 - 2011-11-30
We have an action packed 4 day trip to Kansas City with the kids and loved every minute of it! We live in Tulsa, OK. and were looking for a close ...
Read more Kansas City Trip Reports
Best Kansas City Family Hotels
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