Eat legendary barbecue or feast your eyes on Spanish-style architecture, including fountains and murals galore. Shop at a unique boutique, head to a museum, then watch a pro sports game -- local teams include the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals.
Put yourself in the midst of a bustling business community. This quaint, historic area is one of Missouri's largest cities, and home to the headquarters of Sprint and Kaiser.
Catch a show at the Coterie Theatre, or choose one of the area's 30 bars and clubs. You could spend the entire day shopping at world-class Crown Center or deciding which of the area's 200 restaurants -- from casual to classy -- you want to visit for dinner.
Fish and boat along the area's many bodies of water. If you don't catch anything, head to a local restaurant for some down-home barbecue. This area offers plenty of affordable hotels and access to major highways (including I-35).
Stroll through Country Club Plaza, admiring the fountains, murals and boutiques. Nelson-Atkins Museum sculpture garden features works by Henry Moore and Claes Oldenburg.
Visit during Labor Day Weekend (first weekend in September) to attend the Blues and Jazz Festival. The multi-day affair honors the city's rich musical heritage and features performances by some of the genres' brightest talents.