How often do you take some extra time to unplug, de-stress and get away from work? It's very important and can lead to being more creative, more energetic, and more productive. We encourage you to take some extra time before, during or after The Fall Event to find your balance. It's an important part of running a successful business – and there's lots to discover in Kansas City – the City of Fountains!
For those baseball fans, the Kansas City Royals will be in town during The Fall Event (9/20 - 9/25) playing the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners. And, if you plan to stay over the 91st Plaza Art Fair will take place 9/23 - 9/25! Tickets average $9 - $60. Held the third weekend after Labor Day, the Fair encompasses nine city blocks and welcomes a crowd of over 250,000. It is consistently recognized as Kansas City's best annual event and marks the arrival of autumn for Kansas Citians.
Kansas City Facts:
Population:
508,090 (2020)
Elevation:
910'
Time Zone:
Central
Average Temp:
80° (Sept)
The best time to visit Kansas City is in September and October when the summer crowds have subsided, and the city still enjoys sunny days but overall pleasant weather. Kansas City, here we come! Get the 10-day weather forecast here.
Below you'll find links to help you create your bucket list for Kansas City! We're confident you're going to love KC!
Kansas City is located in the Heart of America and sits on Missouri's western edge, straddling the border with Kansas. This vibrant city is known for its barbeque, jazz heritage, and beautiful fountains. In fact, it has earned the title of the City of Fountains with more than 200 fountains scattered throughout the metro area. (More details on KC Fountains below.)
Visit Kansas City Transportation Page Kansas City’s central location makes it easily accessible by interstates and highways, as well as a quick flight from just about anywhere across the nation.
KC Streetcar Line Explore some of the most unique, most historic, and most quintessentially “Kansas City” things to do and see while traveling along the 2.2-mile KC Streetcar route. Ride through the heart of it all in style, all for free, which takes travelers to and from iconic hotspots such as River Market, the Power & Light District, Union Station, and Crown Center. Streetcars run every 10 - 15 minutes during peak weekday periods. During other periods, streetcars run every 15 - 18 minutes. MON - THU 6am - 10pm. FRI 6am - 12am. SAT 7am - 12am and SUN 7am - 10pm. MORE DETAILS ON THE KC STREETCAR
And if at any time you just need to get out of the hotel and get some fresh air you can step out of the hotel and across Ward Parkway and take a walk along the Brush Creek Trail – a 4-mile scenic trail in the heart of the city!
Or, take a leisurely five-minute walk to historic Loose Park and Rose Garden, a local favorite for morning walks and tranquil reflection. Just step out of the hotel and turn right on Wornell Rd past 1st Street where you can get lost in 75 acres of beauty, including the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden. There are two main trails for walking. Both are loop tracks that are slightly under 2 miles long and are completely paved. The park features a lake, a shelter house, Civil War markers, tennis courts, a water park, picnic areas, and a garden center.
ATTRACTIONS
There are so many KC attractions to keep everyone happy and entertained. Are you a fan of sports, music, art, shopping, or history? If you answered yes to any of those, then Kansas City is for you! Below are a few places (listed A-Z) we think you should consider...
American Jazz Museum
Located in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District, the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form come alive at the first museum in the country devoted exclusively to jazz. The museum preserves the history of American jazz music, with exhibits on Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and others and includes interactive exhibits and educational programs as well as The Blue Room, a working jazz club, and The Gem Theater, a modern 500-seat performing arts center.
When the mighty Steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City on September 5, 1856, she carried 200 tons of mystery cargo. Lost for 132 years, its recovery in 1988 was like finding the King Tut’s Tomb of the Missouri River. The discovery was truly a modern day treasure-hunting story at its best.
The artifacts are preserved and displayed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum, located in the historic City Market. From clothing, fine china and carpentry tools to guns, dishes and children’s toys to the world’s oldest pickles—the collection captivates visitors of all ages. MORE ABOUT THE ARABIA STEAMBOAT MUSEUM
Country Club Plaza
Some call it the "Rodeo Drive" of the Midwest but this Spanish-inspired dotted with fountains and statues truly has a flavor all its own. The Country Club Plaza, which opened in 1922, was the country’s first planned suburban shopping district and the first regional shopping center to accommodate shoppers arriving by car. This outdoor premier retail center encompasses 15 city blocks and offers shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. Only a few blocks from the Intercontinental Hotel (our host hotel), the Country Club Plaza is sure to be a hot spot for The Fall Event participants!
Crown Center is a 3-story shopping, dining, and entertainment district dominated by its namesake mall, which overlooks a plaza with an ice rink. Family-friendly attractions include the Hallmark Visitors Center, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium, two theaters, and more than 40 shops and restaurants. Displays at the nearby National World War I Museum include life-size trenches and a walk-through shell crater.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Money Museum
1 Memorial Drive Kansas City, Missouri 64198
Visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Money Museum; a billion dollar experience! Free and open to the public, the Money Museum offers guests the opportunity to watch millions of dollars in currency be processed, lift a gold bar worth nearly $400,000 and enjoy fun, interactive exhibits while learning about the economy. Visitors can enjoy a 450-piece collection of coins minted throughout history, on loan from the Harry S. Truman Library.
Open Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Last admittance at 3:30 p.m.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City opened at Crown Center in April 2012. Described as stepping into the biggest box of LEGO® bricks in the world, this interactive attraction features hands-on play areas, a 4D Cinema, LEGO building classes, LEGO-themed rides and special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations. More than 1.5 million LEGO bricks were needed to build the Kansas City landmarks featured in MINILAND. This highly interactive and educational experience is ideal for families with children – and there's plenty to enjoy for adults!
National Airline History Museum 201 NW Lou Holland Dr Kansas City, MO 64116
Located in Hangar 9 at the Historic Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, the National Airline History Museum plays a vital role in preserving and presenting Kansas City’s aviation history. The museum, once the former TWA Airlines headquarters, highlights the "Golden Age of Aviation" with a diverse and extensive collection of aircraft, artifacts and exhibits dating back to the Wright Brothers’ first historic flights through today’s mega jet age.
The Star of America, the first restored "Super G" Constellation, a rare 8/24 configuration Douglas DC-3, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, and a Martin 404-N-145S are among the historic aircraft found there.
The National Museum of Toys & Miniatures, located on the campus of the University of Missouri Kansas City, is home to the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the largest collections of historic toys currently on public display. The toy collection documents society’s cultural beliefs, technological advancements, and the hopes and dreams of generations of children from the 18th century to the present. Exhibits such as the award-winning Toys from the Attic: Stories of American Childhood examine the role toys play in providing comfort, and teaching skills. Stories collected and told from children’s point of view encourage visitors to think about the meaning of their own toys and fuel conversations about childhood and the importance of memories.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is known for its encyclopedic collection of art from nearly every continent and culture, and especially for its extensive collection of Asian art. Discover some of the 34,500 pieces in the collection of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – from ceramic objects found in ancient Chinese tombs to whimsical sculptures of badminton birdies, the Nelson-Atkins collection spans over 5,000 years of humanity. Tickets are free.
Take an amazing journey from the lakes of the Midwest to the ocean depths through 10 themed zones at SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium. This interactive aquarium, located at the Crown Center, contains thousands of aquatic creatures, plus interactive touch pools and a 360° ocean tunnel.
Union Station is Kansas City’s most celebrated destination and boasts over 100 years of iconic history and year-round attractions for all ages. Visit the internationally awarded Science City, Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, the Model Train Gallery, enjoy a live performance at City Stage Theatre, or take in a film on the 75' screen at the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre. There’s always something new to see and do at this family-friendly favorite!
The Model Train Gallery is 8,000 square feet of toy trains in Kansas City’s historic Union Station. The Model Railroad is designed, built, and maintained by Union Station Volunteers. Because of these dedicated volunteers, it runs year-round and nearly doubles in size during the Christmas holiday season. Eight different train scales, ranging from the smallest Z-Gauge to the largest G-Gauge, run simultaneously. And more than 80 total trains are running daily to capture the imaginations of model railroaders and casual fans of every age – and it’s completely free for visitors.
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America's leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial opened in 1926 as the Liberty Memorial. In 2004, it was designated by the United States Congress as the country's official war memorial and museum dedicated to World War I. With more than 300,000 objects and documents, the museum holds the most diverse collection of Great War items in the world. Visitors can ascend to the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower, one of the largest war memorials in the world at 217 feet tall.
Kansas City has more than 200 fountains spread across the city. Fountain building and the use of decorative statuary exploded in the 1920s after developer J.C. Nichols used them extensively in the development of Country Club Plaza. The most famous fountain in Kansas City is appropriately named J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain (see below). Below is a quick video highlighting some of the most famous fountains. You will also find information and a few links to the many beautiful fountains throughout the city as well as fountains located in Country Club Plaza (nearby the hotel).
One of the first fountains you may see is the Diana Fountain as you arrive at the InterContinental Hotel. Originally built in 1972 as the Alameda Plaza Hotel, the architects decided to make a prominent welcome to visitors with a sculpture of Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon and the hunt, backed by a grand waterfall. This Diana is actually a replica of a 1912 sculpture by the Bromsgrove Guild of Warwickshire, which was cast in lead. This Diana was cast in bronze by artist Bernhard Zuckerman, who received a commission in 1970 for this work from the J.C. Nichols Company, the original owner of the hotel. Diana is depicted commiserating with three cherubs. Her bow and arrows lie on the ground next to her left leg. Flowers are strewn about the ground in front of and behind the four figures. The sculpture sits atop a pedestal in the middle of a round basin. The backdrop waterfall bears the logo of the Intercontinental Hotel and is 17 feet tall and forms an arc 56 feet wide.”
JC Nichols Memorial Fountain
The most popular and the most photographed fountain of Kansas City, the JC Nichols Memorial Fountain is located near the Country Club Plaza at the southern end of Mill Creek Park. This remarkable fountain features four horsemen, which reportedly represent four of the world’s mightiest rivers: the Mississippi River (the figure fighting off an alligator), the Volga River (the horseman with the bear), the Rhine and the Seine. There are several other small sculptures scattered through the fountain.
Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain, located in the heart of Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, depicts Neptune, the Roman god of the sea riding three horses. The chariot upon which he sits is pulled by sea horses. This 8000-pound cast lead sculpture was built by the Bromsgrove Guild of Worcestershire, England in 1911. For whatever reasons, it had been discarded as scrap after WWII. Luckily, it was rescued from oblivion by Miller Nichols who had it transported to KC, refurbished, and installed in 1953. Today, the Neptune Fountain remains one of the most distinctive and well-liked attractions in the Plaza.
Fountain of Bacchus
The Fountain of Bacchus, historically known as the Pan and the Nymphs Fountain, depicts the ancient God surrounded by nymphs courting him in the garden. Weighing in at nearly five tons and standing 13 feet tall, the lead sculpture is centered in the fountain’s quatrefoil-shaped base with circular and bubbling water features surrounding it. The large work of art was designed by Walter Gilbert, founder of Bromsgrove Guild of Warwickshire, England in the mid-1910s for Moreton Paddox, the home of British Major Robert Emmet. It was purchased in 1960 by Miller Nichols but, due to its size, was stored in several pieces for many years. It was installed and dedicated to the Country Club Plaza in 1967 and is located in Chandler Court just outside the Cheesecake Factory.
Mermaid Fountain
The Mermaid Fountain was originally installed at Country Club Plaza in 1930 and restyled in 1968. This cloverleaf-shaped fountain has two marble mermaids seated at the edges, each blowing into conch shells out of which water flows down. In the middle is a sculpture of a small child in a praying pose around which is a fountain ring. The white marble mermaids were acquired from Italy and are said to be over 300 years old. Coins from this fountain are donated to Children's Mercy Hospital.
Allen Memorial Fountain
Located in Country Club Plaza, this sentimental fountain was named in memory of the daughter and son-in-law of J.C. Nichols, Eleanor and Earl Allen who tragically died in a house fire on February 28, 1961. It was imported from Italy and gifted to the Plaza by their families in July 1962. The Allen Memorial Fountain is a tribute to motherhood featuring a woman bathing as she sits on top of a marble pedestal while a young child stands on a turtle below, looking up at her. Water from her cloth trickles down to his chest and ducks rest around the edge of the quatrefoil basin, shooting water from their mouths to the center.
The Boy and the Frog
The Boy and Frog Fountain sits right in front of a Starbucks in The Country Club Plaza. This whimsical fountain features a boy and a frog who is spraying water at the boy, who seems to be enjoying it. Although this fountain is fairly small, it is listed in the Smithsonian national database. A small brass plaque is placed at the top of the fountain's ledge with the name and sculptor (Romanelli, Raffaello, sculptor, Romanelli Studios, fabricator), including the date of installation (1929).
Seville Light Fountain
A triangular traffic island at a busy intersection on The Plaza is the setting for Seville Light Fountain. It is a replica of a fountain located in Kansas City's sister city of Seville, Spain. Sculptor Bernhard Zuckerman was commissioned to create this ornate fountain. The central shaft is 30′ tall and carved from several kinds of marble. Intricate iron details top the tall fountain. Water flows from the four masked faces located near its 20′ square base.
Children's Fountain
Playful, happy, challenging, thoughtful–all are terms that can be used to describe Kansas City’s Children’s Fountain, N Oak and E 32nd Ave. The fountain was designed to celebrate children and Kansas City children were used as models for the figures. Local sculptor Tom Corbin created the six figures: Joy posing happily on one pedestal; Meeting Challenges represented by a boy with crutches; a ballerina; a boy playing soccer; a boy standing on his head and a girl wading into the pool of the fountain. They are each 8 to 9 feet tall.
Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain at Union Station
The Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain, located in front of Union Station at W. Pershing Road at Main Street was a gift to the city in the name of the co-founder of H&R Block. It features 232 jets arranged in three concentric rings within an ellipse of black granite. A thin sheen of water on the flat granite creates a mirror to reflect the monumental architecture on either side. A computer choreographs an ever-changing pattern of display. On each hour and half-hour, a five-minute “high show” presents a celebration of water in movement. The fountain was designed by WET Design, the designers of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.
Crown Center Fountain
Kansas City is known as the "City of Fountains." And Crown Center is proud of its contribution to the city's reputation! 49 water jets and 48 water shooters spout up to 60 feet in the air, before coming back to a 37,500-gallon underground reservoir. Water is recycled into the fountain at a rate of 2,200 gallons per minute. Check out the dancing water shows, synchronized to music recorded for Crown Center by members of the Kansas City Symphony. Regular show schedule: Weekday shows at noon and on the hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Weekend shows on the hour from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is also a 10 p.m. show on Friday and Saturday.
OTHER INTERESTING PLACES YOU'LL WANT TO VISIT
City Market 5th & Walnut Kansas City, MO 64106
Nestled just south of the Missouri River is the historic River Market that centers on City Market, dating to 1857, where casual global eateries, gourmet grocery stores, and indie boutiques surround pavilions hosting a weekend farmers’ market every Saturday and Sunday year-round. The bounty includes more than 140 stalls of fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and other local wares. City Market has more than 30 daily merchants and a Farmers Market and Vintage Sale on Saturdays and Sundays. Open Daily. All Year. All Local.
Nearby, the Arabia Steamboat Museum displays paraphernalia salvaged from a ship that sunk in the Missouri River in the mid-19th century. Broad paths for strolling and biking trace the shoreline in Berkley Riverfront Park.
Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden at Loose Park 5200 Pennsylvania Ave Kansas City, MO 64112
3 blocks or .4 mi from the hotel
Kansas City's Municipal Rose Garden is the realization of a dream that began in 1931 by a group of women led by Laura Conyers Smith. They established the Kansas City Rose Society which created the public rose garden in Loose Park. The first garden contained 120 rose plants. Now there are about 3,000 roses of about 130 varieties in the 1.5 acre garden.
In 1965, the garden was officially named the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden. In 1989, the garden received a national honor bestowed by the American Rose Society. The All America Rose Selection’s Bronze Achievement Award is the highest given by the ARS. A new fountain and walks were completed in 2002–the Year of the Rose.
Planters Seed & Spice Co 513 Walnut St # A Kansas City, MO 64106
Step into the past as you visit this nostalgic general store with original wood floors and seed drawers. Since 1924, when German immigrant Henry Wertheim opened the store to sell farm and garden seeds, local farmers have visited the shop to purchase seeds on their way to sell produce at the farmers’ market. Located in the Historic City Market in Downtown Kansas City, it's part hardware store and part gardening store... an urban gardener's paradise offering an array of food products, spices, teas, coffees, soup mixes, candies, nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, vinegars, and a large variety of garden products. MORE ABOUT PLANTERS SEED & SPICE COMPANY
ThinkingBigger Article [Their service-oriented philosophy has driven Planters for 95+ years.] Feast Magazine Article [Green thumbs and urban gardeners will find plenty to dig into at Planters] On The Grid Listing [A store completely devoted to growing food the right way is worth going the distance for]
MORE COMING SOON!
If any of this is on your "bucket list" now is the time to make it happen! Plan to come early or stay over after The Fall Event.
Check back soon for more information... we're adding new information daily!
KANSAS CITY RESTAURANTS AND MORE
When it comes to great food, Kansas City has made its mark! Only a few blocks from the Intercontinental Hotel (our host hotel), the Country Club Plaza is sure to be a hot spot for The Fall Event participants!
Following is a list of local restaurants you may want to check out!
American Slang Modern Brasserie at the InterContinental Hotel 401 Ward Parkway Kansas City, MO 64112
Discover American favorites reimagined with French influences at the American Slang Modern Brasserie – a 200-seat restaurant and 35-seat bar. Savor masterfully crafted dishes prepared using seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Specialties include savory steaks, chops, pasta, and seafood. Or enjoy live jazz music while sampling signature cocktails and small bites on the patio overlooking the Country Club Plaza.
Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque - Country Club Plaza 4747 Wyandotte St Kansas City, MO 64112
No trip to Kansas City could be complete without indulging in some KC BBQ – cooked to perfection in an authentic brick oven! Jack Stack Barbecue originated in Kansas City in 1957, by Russ Fiorella in a traditional storefront barbecue, with a modest selection of 5 or 6 items. Jack Fiorella, the eldest son, worked with his father until 1974 when he decided to branch off and start Fiorella"s Jack Stack. See – and Taste for yourself why Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue was named "Best Barbecue House in the Country" in the Zagat 2000 survey.
Seasons 52
340 Ward Pkwy Kansas City, MO 64112
Seasons 52 at The Plaza is a fresh grill and wine bar featuring a seasonal menu and an award-winning wine list – all served in a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere. From signature flatbreads, soups and salads, oak-fire and brick-oven entrees, and Mini Indulgence desserts to an international selection of 100 wines, including more than 52 offered by the glass, there’s always something new to discover at Seasons 52.
KC ON TAP
Known for barbecue, jazz, and fountains, local breweries have transformed Kansas City into one of the fastest-growing craft beer destinations in the country. So quench your thirst with some of the best beer this side of the Mississippi – and don't forget the wineries and distilleries (see below).
There are more than 40 nightclubs in the Kansas City area featuring jazz, connecting the city’s current music scene with its past. The city has deep connections with both jazz and blues music dating back to the 1920s. According to city historians, at one time, there were more than 100 venues in Kansas City featuring jazz. Performances can be found in venues across Kansas City every day of the year. Whether you're looking for a late-night concert or dinner and a show, here's where you can go to experience live jazz.
Neptune Fountain
Mermaid Fountain
