Kansas City is a Midwestern city, filled with both old and new culture. Visitors to Kansas City are greeted by a bustling city, flourishing with art and entertainment, attractions and shops.
The history of Kansas City dates back to 1821, the year that Missouri became a state in the Union. It started out being named Westport, and the name wasn't changed to Kansas City until 1889. During the early 1900's, Kansas City was one of the centers of the cattle industry, and although the famous Kansas City Stockyards closed in 1991, the city owes much of its success and history to the livestock industry.
Today's Kansas City is much more than farmland and cattle. Located in an area of bustling growth, suburbs filled with shopping centers, attractions and restaurants surround the downtown area. The downtown area includes historic hotels that provide a glimpse back to the city's past, combined with fine dining establishments and contemporary clubs, shopping venues, museums and art culture.
Kansas City has a rich musical history, being the "cradle" of Kansas City Jazz, which is a transitional style of jazz known for its blues-based swing style of music. Many of the jazz greats got their start in Kansas City clubs in the early 1920's. Jazz thrived throughout the 1930's, and flourished even through the Depression era. Today, this heritage lives on in the many local clubs, which feature jazz on a regular basis. Kansas City is also home to the American Jazz Museum.
Kansas City restaurants are famous for steak and barbecue. Classic Kansas City-style barbeque has been a local favorite since the early 1900's, and during the days of the Kansas City Stockyards, the city became famous for its Kansas City strip steaks. These local favorites are enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike.
The Kansas City area has a long history of sports teams, which continues today. Home to the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football team, and the Kansas City Royals baseball team, sporting events are popular attractions at Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. Kansas City also has World Team tennis and Major League soccer teams. Kansas City also hosts Big 12 basketball tournaments on a regular basis.
In addition to the Kansas City Jazz Museum, the city boasts a number of other museums as well. These include several art museums, such as the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. The city is also home to the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, the Airline History Museum, the Arabia Steamboat Museum, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, among others.
Shoppers love Kansas City because of its wide array of malls and stores, ranging from discount outlets and major department stores to boutiques and specialty retailers. It is home to the Oak Park Mall, which features 187 stores contained in one indoor shopping center, and the Country Club Plaza shopping, entertainment and dining district, among many others.
Whether you are a sports fan, arts enthusiast, history buff or food connoisseur, there is something for all travelers to enjoy in Kansas City.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Making Hotel Reservations
Hotel Reservations:
There are many options for great hotel reservations in Kansas City. In addition to the many great travel sites like expedia or hotels.com you can also find hotels that a big website like that may not include. In addition to the many hotel options, also consider some of the bed and breakfast locations. You can always find other travelers' recomendations at many websites too. These will be agreat source of information and the real story of these hotels who obviously won't brag about their own short comings. When you return from your stay in Kansas City, please take the time to fill out some infomarmation on your stay. It will help others and perhaps encourgae them to have as great a time as you did at your Kansas City hotel. Yoiu can let them know which hotel you chose, why you chose that one and a couple of the things that really stood out to you. Great service? Then brag about it. Great view from your room - share it. Even if you can't post a picture or can't type a thousand words a few sentences sure can paint a vivid picture.
Perhaps some of the positives don't even actually haveto do with hotel itself. Did you find a great restaurant nearby? Did you find quaint shops in your travels? Include it all.
When making your reservations, be sure to ask a bunch of questions. Here are some that I also include:
* What is your cancelation policy?
* What is the earliest check-in time?
* Is there a fee if I need a slightly later check out?
* Does the room have a fridge or microwave?
* When in the contenental breakfast?
* Do you have ample parking? Valet?
* What are the additional fees or charges?
* Do you have high speed wireless internet?
Many of these questions may seem too obvious but try staying at a hotel that doesn't have internet yet, or one where parking is a nightmare. Then you'll wish you had taken just a moment longer when making the reservation.
There are many options for great hotel reservations in Kansas City. In addition to the many great travel sites like expedia or hotels.com you can also find hotels that a big website like that may not include. In addition to the many hotel options, also consider some of the bed and breakfast locations. You can always find other travelers' recomendations at many websites too. These will be agreat source of information and the real story of these hotels who obviously won't brag about their own short comings. When you return from your stay in Kansas City, please take the time to fill out some infomarmation on your stay. It will help others and perhaps encourgae them to have as great a time as you did at your Kansas City hotel. Yoiu can let them know which hotel you chose, why you chose that one and a couple of the things that really stood out to you. Great service? Then brag about it. Great view from your room - share it. Even if you can't post a picture or can't type a thousand words a few sentences sure can paint a vivid picture.
Perhaps some of the positives don't even actually haveto do with hotel itself. Did you find a great restaurant nearby? Did you find quaint shops in your travels? Include it all.
When making your reservations, be sure to ask a bunch of questions. Here are some that I also include:
* What is your cancelation policy?
* What is the earliest check-in time?
* Is there a fee if I need a slightly later check out?
* Does the room have a fridge or microwave?
* When in the contenental breakfast?
* Do you have ample parking? Valet?
* What are the additional fees or charges?
* Do you have high speed wireless internet?
Many of these questions may seem too obvious but try staying at a hotel that doesn't have internet yet, or one where parking is a nightmare. Then you'll wish you had taken just a moment longer when making the reservation.
How to Find a Good Hotel in Kansas City
When traveling, we all want to find a great hotel at a great price. However, it takes some shopping around to find a good deal. By following a few simple guidelines, it's possible to book a room at a good hotel at a good price.
If you are unfamiliar with the hotels in the area that you are traveling to, you will want to do your homework to insure that you find a good hotel that will meet all of your needs. One of the best ways of finding a good hotel is if you know somebody who has traveled to the area who can recommend one. However, most times this won't be the case, and you'll have to do your research by another means.
You can use online resources and travel sites to compare hotels. They usually use a "star" system to indicate the amount of features and amenities they offer. These types of sites also often feature reviews of the hotel written by others who have stayed there. It's often a good idea to check a few different travel and hotel rating sites, to compare. Once you have your choices narrowed down to two or three hotels, you can call the hotels themselves to continue your comparison.
In addition to making sure the Kansas City hotel rooms get good reviews and will offer you everything you require for your stay, you want to make sure to get a good price on your room. The best prices are often achieved by traveling during the off-season months. While this can successfully get you good rates on your hotel room, you have to consider whether the less expensive rates are worth visiting the area during the off-season. Additionally, if you are traveling on the weekends, you can usually find good hotel values at hotels in business park areas. Because they cater to the weekday traveler, hotels in business areas may be less crowded and quieter during the weekends, and may also offer weekend discounts.
Whether you choose to visit the area during peak season or off-season, you will benefit by planning your trip and booking your hotel as far in advance as possible. By shopping early, you will have plenty of time to not only check online agencies for special deals, but also call hotels directly to inquire about the rates. Sometimes calling a hotel directly will actually result in a better deal than the online discount sites can offer. However, some hotels guarantee that their lowest rates are available by reserving through their Web site. Again, by doing a little homework, you will be able to get the best rate possible.
Finally, don't forget that additional savings can be achieved by utilizing any frequent guest programs that you may be participating in, or by checking for special rates offered, such as military discounts, AAA discounts, or senior citizen discounts. By utilizing all the available discounts, and shopping carefully, you'll be able to find a hotel that suits both your travel needs and your budget requirements.
If you are unfamiliar with the hotels in the area that you are traveling to, you will want to do your homework to insure that you find a good hotel that will meet all of your needs. One of the best ways of finding a good hotel is if you know somebody who has traveled to the area who can recommend one. However, most times this won't be the case, and you'll have to do your research by another means.
You can use online resources and travel sites to compare hotels. They usually use a "star" system to indicate the amount of features and amenities they offer. These types of sites also often feature reviews of the hotel written by others who have stayed there. It's often a good idea to check a few different travel and hotel rating sites, to compare. Once you have your choices narrowed down to two or three hotels, you can call the hotels themselves to continue your comparison.
In addition to making sure the Kansas City hotel rooms get good reviews and will offer you everything you require for your stay, you want to make sure to get a good price on your room. The best prices are often achieved by traveling during the off-season months. While this can successfully get you good rates on your hotel room, you have to consider whether the less expensive rates are worth visiting the area during the off-season. Additionally, if you are traveling on the weekends, you can usually find good hotel values at hotels in business park areas. Because they cater to the weekday traveler, hotels in business areas may be less crowded and quieter during the weekends, and may also offer weekend discounts.
Whether you choose to visit the area during peak season or off-season, you will benefit by planning your trip and booking your hotel as far in advance as possible. By shopping early, you will have plenty of time to not only check online agencies for special deals, but also call hotels directly to inquire about the rates. Sometimes calling a hotel directly will actually result in a better deal than the online discount sites can offer. However, some hotels guarantee that their lowest rates are available by reserving through their Web site. Again, by doing a little homework, you will be able to get the best rate possible.
Finally, don't forget that additional savings can be achieved by utilizing any frequent guest programs that you may be participating in, or by checking for special rates offered, such as military discounts, AAA discounts, or senior citizen discounts. By utilizing all the available discounts, and shopping carefully, you'll be able to find a hotel that suits both your travel needs and your budget requirements.
Kansas City Sports
Kansas City is a great sports town.
The primary sports focus is the on Kansas City Chiefs National Football League team. They especially enjoy the intense rivalry with the Oakland Raiders.
Kansas City Royals fans are faithful to this perpetual basement dweller in Major League Baseball. The Negro League Baseball Museum has its home in Kansas City.
The city also is home to the Major League Soccer team the Wizards.
The people of Kansas City also enjoy the American Royal Rodeo every fall. The Rodeo has been held every year since 1899.
On a whimsical note, every year they dog track hosts the Weiner Dog National where 64 dachshunds compete for the National Title.
The primary sports focus is the on Kansas City Chiefs National Football League team. They especially enjoy the intense rivalry with the Oakland Raiders.
Kansas City Royals fans are faithful to this perpetual basement dweller in Major League Baseball. The Negro League Baseball Museum has its home in Kansas City.
The city also is home to the Major League Soccer team the Wizards.
The people of Kansas City also enjoy the American Royal Rodeo every fall. The Rodeo has been held every year since 1899.
On a whimsical note, every year they dog track hosts the Weiner Dog National where 64 dachshunds compete for the National Title.
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