Cheap Flights To Kansas City

Kansas City's location close to the meeting point of four Midwestern states and at the epicentre of the US makes it one of the most quintessentially American cities in the country. Referred to as "the Heart of America", there's few places to better experience the essence of the country. The city is known for its excellent food thanks to the surrounding farmland, particularly its barbecued beef. It's also the birthplace of Bebop and the childhood home of Walt Disney. KC's position on the dividing line of the American Civil War is testament to the city's ability to straddle the southern and eastern cultures of the US -- even today. There are also festivals to enjoy including the Jazz and Heritage Festival each year in May.

Things To Do

Kansas City is the capital and biggest city in Missouri. Despite being surrounded by farmland it has an ever-growing cultural and arts reputation that arguably started with bebop in the early 20th century. As a result it has become as famous for music as it has for its barbecues. As well as eating and music, the city is home to numerous excellent museums and almost as many fountains as Rome.

• Jazz Heritage
  Most people associate jazz with New Orleans, which rightfully deserves to be named the Birthplace of Jazz. Kansas City however plays a large part in the history and evolution of this musical genre and the development of bebop. Visitors can head to the American Jazz Museum on 18th Street to learn more or to one of the city's best loved jazz bars such as The Green Lady Lounge and the Phoenix.

• Beautiful Barbecues
  As the third-largest producer of beef and arguably home to the most passionate population of meat eaters, barbecue is big business in the city. Head to a steakhouse such as Jess and Jims or the famed barbecue house Arthur Byrant to enjoy some of the tastiest beef in America. Enjoy any barbecued meat with KC Barbecue Sauce, a sweet molasses variation on classic BBQ sauce.

• Fantastic Fountains
  As well as being called the Heart of America, Kansas City is also known as the City of Fountains thanks to its large number of water features. Top fountains include the JC Nichols Memorial Fountain and the one at The Country Club Plaza -- the US's first drive-in shopping mall. For a more tranquil option, the fountain in Loose Park is a favourite with locals.

Calendar Of Events

Music plays a large part of Kansas City's heritage and its contemporary arts scene, which can be seen through its annual calendar of events. Other events focus on food, history and independence.

• St Patrick's Day. With a large population of Irish descendants, this city plays host to one of the biggest and best St Patrick's Day Parades in the country on the 17th March.
• Kansas City Jazz and Heritage Festival. Held in late May, this is one of the world's most significant jazz festivals and takes place in venues across the city for a whole week.
• KC Renaissance Festival. From September to October, these medieval festivals are popular all over the US, and this one is certainly one of the most well known.