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Five Must-See Places in Kansas City

Written By: NIKKI KISER
POSTED ON July 11, 2019

Each year the NCM Institute hosts thousands of students for retail automotive training at our Kansas City headquarters, many of whom are first-time visitors to the City of Fountains. As Kansas City is our home, NCM’s Travel Solutions team is here to help students enjoy their evenings outside of class with this local-insider list of the city’s top attractions, all just minutes from the NCMi classrooms!

1. Country Club Plaza

With its Seville-inspired architecture, the Country Club Plaza is one of Kansas City’s most desirable destinations. The shopping district boasts spectacular fountains, illuminated displays during the holiday season, and a wide variety of high-end retail storefronts, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.

This district is just a short walk from our NCM training facility (and the preferred hotel for NCMi students), making it an excellent choice for an evening out. One warning: storefronts close by 7 p.m. most evenings, except for Thursday nights when shopping goes strong until 9 p.m.

Our Favorite Recommendations Include:

  • If you’re looking for a menu with delicious fried chicken, an incredible steak program, and top-notch craft cocktails – Rye is an excellent selection.

  • There’s just something about enjoying an evening drink and appetizer with a stunning view. Parker at The Fontaine will give you just that with their rooftop bar and pool area.

  • Swanky interiors and award-winning cocktails are two things that pair well together. The Monarch Bar has mastered the art of hospitality, and it doesn’t hurt that the ambiance is perfect for an early evening cocktail.

2. Power & Light District

Just a few miles from NCM’s headquarters and in the heart of Kansas City’s nightlife scene, is the Power & Light District. While the Plaza focuses on upscale dining and shopping, P&L is all about the entertainment! Anchored by the Sprint Center, which hosts concerts and large events year-round, you can also enjoy exceptional nightclubs and fantastic sports bars.

Our Favorite Recommendations Include:

  • If you’re in search of a relaxing movie night, look no further than Alamo Drafthouse. Unlike your average movie theatre, Alamo is positioned in one of KC’s many historic buildings and offers drink and dinner service throughout the movie.

  • Nothing hits the spot quite like hearty, comfort food. BRGR offers a wide range of gourmet burger and vegetarian options for every palate.

  • No Other Pub is the perfect spot for a lively evening with plenty of interactive entertainment. All under one roof, this sports lounge offers bowling, shuffleboard, ping pong, and a virtual reality golf experience.

3. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson is an art museum (located one block from the NCM office), known for its neoclassical architecture and collection of Asian art. This local gem welcomes over 500,000 visitors per year and maintains collections of more than 35,000 works of art.

The grounds and sculptures around the museum are spectacular, and you will find several places along the way for picture-worthy photos of your own. Admission to the museum is free, however there is a fee to view the ticketed exhibitions.

4. Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District

Little Richard, Fats Domino, and other musical stars have sung about “Coming to Kansas City.” Why? Because Kansas City has a long and rich history of jazz! Since the 1920s, numerous legends of the genre have performed at area nightclubs that feature live jazz and blues in the city (with 40+ nightclubs still carrying on this tradition today). The prominence of these clubs granted Kansas City the nickname “Paris of the Plains.” Jazz enthusiasts can visit the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District to celebrate KC’s rich heritage.

Our Favorite Recommendations Include:

  • Visit the American Jazz Museum to learn about some of the greatest stars in jazz music and explore this unique historical landmark.

  • Discover the fascinating history of African-American sport heroes in baseball at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

  • Catch an early morning jam session at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, where KC’s current jazz and blues artists play after their Friday and Saturday night sets.

5. Liberty Memorial

The National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial were built in 1919 after a group raised $2.4 million (the equivalent of $34 million today) to honor the men and women who served in “the war to end wars.” In 1921, all the Supreme Allied Commanders dedicated the site; marking the last time all five gathered.

If you’re a history buff, you don’t want to miss this award-winning museum which houses one of the largest collections of WWI artifacts in the world! The WWI museum is closed on Mondays, but is open Tuesday through Sunday.

As a bonus, Kansas City’s Union Station and its interactive science center and planetarium are just a few blocks away!

 
Whether you’re visiting to the Institute for training, need help getting to an NCM 20 Group meeting, or want to take a well-deserved vacation, let NCM Travel Solutions handle the planning for you! Get your free travel quote here.