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I have lived in Kansas City for the majority of my life – 18 years to say the least.

During the past four years I have been away at Truman State University, but that does not mean that I don’t have a plethora of memories from growing up there.

Since I turned 16 and was let loose on the city scene, I have gotten lost in northern Kansas City trying to see a community theater production; gotten my car stuck in the snow outside of a bar; sat in parking lot at one of the nation’s busiest Quicktrips at midnight eating taquitos with a friend to see if anything would happen there. I’ve been to the majority of the Target stores and locally-owned coffee shops, but have only brushed the siding of the new Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts. I’ve been to a few Royals Games, walked by a few urban gardens in the city, have bought pounds of rice at the Chinatown market, and of course have experienced the street art.

But, really, the most appealing aspect about Kansas City to me is it’s aptitude and the potential for change and the progression for well-being for others. It is also incredibly diverse, affordable, and emulsified with great people everywhere.

10 Amazing Things about Kansas City, Missouri

1. There are in fact two cities named Kansas City. There is Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.

The majority of Kansas City is in the state of Missouri. Now you understand.

2. Kansas City, Missouri is home to America’s National World War I Museum, at Liberty Memorial.

Soon after World War I ended, Kansas City leaders formed the Liberty Memorial Association (LMA) to create a lasting monument to the men and women who had served in the war. The LMA and citizens of Kansas City raised more than $2.5 million in just 10 days in 1919 ($34 million in today’s dollars).

In 1921, more than 100,000 people gathered to see the five supreme Allied commanders dedicate the site of the Liberty Memorial. The classical Egyptian Revival-style Liberty Memorial monument was completed in 1926 and dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in front of more than 150,000 people.

3. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to holding concerts for music, opera, theater, and dance.

Inside the Kauffman Center there are two performance venues were build specifically for their own acoustic envelope. The Muriel Kauffman (1,800 seats) venue holds a variety of dance and theatrical performances around the world while the Helzberg Hall (1,600 seats) hosts various music performances ranging from full orchestra to jazz concerts, pop concerts to lectures and recitals. More than 55,000 people attended the community open house during its September, 2011 grand opening. By the end of the Kauffmann Center’s first year, more than 475,000 people attended an event at the Center.

3. Sprint Center, the city’s premier entertainment arena, is located in downtown Kansas City.

Sprint Center opened in 2007 with an Elton John Concert,with concert tickets selling out in less than 90 minutes.

4. Kansas City is thought of as one of the city’s of “cradle of jazz”.

In the 1920’s and the 1930’s the jazz scene was created through nightly competitions throughout the clubs in the city, especially what is now the crossroads district (19th Street and Baltimore Ave). Which, until this day still hosts live music.

5. If you don’t know about First Friday’s in Kansas City, then you are missing out on something.

First Friday’s is the event in which thousands of people throughout the city gather to see the art gallery’s host their “open houses” on the first Friday of every Month.There are more than 60 galleries in the district, and often in the summer you will see live music, indie movies played on the side of buildings, and street performers.

6. With it’s European style, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine ranked Kansas City #6 in its list of 50 Smart Places to Live.

With more than 200 fountains, only Rome has more fountains than Kansas City. Paris is the only place that has more boulevards than the Kansas City.

7. There are nine featured farmer’s markets throughout Kansas City along with multiple programs that are working to revitalize the health local-food system.

The historic City Market has been one of the largest and most enduring public farmers’ markets in the Midwest, since its inception in 1857. Rain or shine,the City Market offers a farmers market every Saturday and Sunday year-round.

8. It wouldn’t be fair not to mention Kansas City without talking about Barbecue.

Arthur Bryant’s is one of Kansas City’s most famous barbecue destinations.

Yes, we have a Kansas City Barbecue Society, at least 100 Barbecue restaurants in the city, and some of the largest competitions for barbecue throughout the country.

9. Kansas City is a sports-loving city.

The city is home to the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional NFL football team, as well as the Kansas City Royals professional base ball team. The Wizards are Kansas City’s professional soccer team. The area also boasts a NASCAR stadium.

10. Union Station: The train station not only is a place of departure or arrival for the city and surrounding areas, but it also contains museum exhibits such as Science City, Irish Museum and Cultural Center, and the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity.

Union Station is huge, and probably one of my favorite sites in Kansas City, because I get to ride on the train to and from Truman State University.

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