TimManBlog

Kansas City: Day and Night Sightseeing

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December 31, 2025

Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri by both population and area. Founded in the 1830s at the junction of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it is today known for its barbecue cuisine and as one of the most dynamic cities in the American Midwest. Starting with a walk around downtown and ending in Country Club Plaza’s bright Christmas decor, this post will show you some of the city’s best sights. Enjoy!

Below: some inspired sights near the library:

While wandering downtown, I discovered a hilly landscape with blocks that rise and fall. The Power and Light District, located next to the Sprint Center, offers a variety of bars and restaurants for post-game celebrations.

Jackson County, Missouri, has two seats and two courthouses—one located in Kansas City and the other in Independence. Independence is the older seat; Kansas City was added in the mid-20th century as it grew in prominence.

I read that the courthouse in Kansas City (shown below) was built in the 1930s at the behest of Tom Pendergast, the “boss” of the city’s Democratic Party machine. This is a 10- to 15-story, yellow-brick Art Deco structure typical of the era. I stepped inside briefly without going through security and saw a large Christmas tree in the lobby, along with pressed-metal ceilings and Art Deco trim.

In front of the courthouse stands a statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback. Jackson County was named for him. Across the street, a statue of Abraham Lincoln depicts him seated and playing with one of his young sons in front of City Hall. City Hall has the same design as the county courthouse, but is a few stories taller.

I made my way up to Quality Hill and Case Park for the scenic view overlooking the Missouri River, just downstream from its junction with the Kansas (Kaw) River. This high bluff rises approximately 200 feet above ice flows in the rivers below. At the peak stands the Corps of Discovery statue honoring Captains Lewis and Clark, who passed this spot on their way to the Pacific and back in 1804-06.

The view to the west from this point stretches beyond the river junction, revealing the buildings of Kansas City, Kansas, and extending deep into the plains that were once the territory of resettled Native American tribes. This spot once served as a lookout point at the edge of the United States.

I had a good winter’s day wandering around downtown Kansas City. For the evening, though, I drove five miles south to see a shopping area.

Country Club Plaza is renowned for its high-end stores and wealthy clientele, as well as for its Spanish-style architecture. During the Christmas season, the buildings in the Plaza are beautifully decorated with lights outlining their frames, creating a stunning visual display. This distinctive lighting style, known as Plaza Lighting, is often mimicked in smaller towns across the Midwest.

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The photos in this post were taken on December 16, 2013, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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