Local

Eleven reasons to appreciate all that Kansas City has to offer

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City's cultural tapestry comes alive through its bold landmarks, diverse communities, and vibrant experiences. Statues like the Plaza's resilient terracotta warriors celebrate international ties, while the CPKC Stadium and The Rabbit hOle stand as fresh testaments to global and local innovation.

Artists such as Arthur Kraft left enduring signatures with works like the once-prominent children's mosaic at the library, and MADE MOBB’s founders blend Asian and Samoan influences into Kansas City fashion and street culture.

Spots like the historic Kitty’s Cafe and new LGBTQ spaces highlight both tradition and change in the city’s neighborhoods. Together, these icons reflect a rich mosaic of stories, flavors, and creative spirit unique to Kansas City.

The KCTV tower as lit in 1997. By File

NO. 1: THIS TOWERING KC LANDMARK DESERVES TO SHINE AGAIN, ESPECIALLY WITH WORLD CUP ON THE WAY

A Kansas City icon used to “glow against the night for miles and miles around.” Can it ever light up again? | Published July 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

Two bronze castings of Chinese terracotta warriors stand just off the Country Club Plaza. A gift from Kansas City’s sister city of Xi’an, the statues were vandalized multiple times in their first year in Missouri. June 11, 2024. By Eleanor Nash

NO. 2: THESE KC WARRIORS HAVE SURVIVED 3 DECAPITATIONS. LEARN THE HISTORY OF THE PLAZA STATUES

A Star reader asked about these gifts from a sister city. Turns out, they had a rough first year in Kansas City. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

A view from the northwest corner of the KC Current’s new CPKC Stadium. By Emily Curiel

NO. 3: 2 OF THE ‘WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES’ ARE IN KANSAS CITY, TIME MAGAZINE SAYS. HERE’S WHERE

The attractions opened within the same week in 2024 and received global fanfare. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

The Reuben sandwich at Breit’s Stein & Deli, 412 N. Fifth St., in Kansas City, Kansas. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 4: HOW MANY OF THESE FAVORITE DISHES FROM KANSAS CITY RESTAURANTS HAVE YOU TRIED?

From fruity pancakes to a Mexican smorgasbord, our staff has shared some delectable KC food recommendations. | Published September 13, 2024 | Read Full Story

A pork tenderloin lunch sandwich, with pickles, tomato, onion and house-made sauce, is served in a basket lined with checkered paper alongside wavy fries at Kitty’s Cafe on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 5: IT TOOK ME 26 YEARS TO TRY THIS BELOVED KANSAS CITY SANDWICH. DON’T BE LIKE ME

“That’s crazy you’ve been here your whole life and never stepped in,” one of the owners said. “Someone didn’t bring you a sandwich or anything?” | Published November 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Arthur Kraft’s vibrant circus mosaic greeted visitors to the former children’s department in Kansas City’s old Main Library.

NO. 6: THIS ARTIST WAS BEHIND FAMOUS KANSAS CITY MOSAIC, OTHER WORKS. BUT WHERE IS IT NOW?

You might recognize several of this artist’s whimsical pieces. But one of the most-seen now sits in storage. | Published January 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Patrick Salland

Artist Jeff Parson is dwarfed by a towering Kansas City Chiefs display he created in his front yard on Gateway Drive in Riverside, Missouri. Parson designs and creates the cutouts to reflect happenings among the players on the team. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 7: RIVERSIDE ARTIST CREATES ROADSIDE ART GALLERY OF KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SUPERSTARS

Jeff Parson’s larger-than-life Kansas City Chiefs display is a fan favorite, featuring over-sized cutouts of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and Chris Jones. | Published January 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad

The dance floor, complete with a stage and numerous disco balls hanging from the ceiling, is seen at Q Kansas City on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Westport. By Emily Curiel

NO. 8: SEE INSIDE COLORFUL NEW KANSAS CITY GAY BAR: ‘CHURCH FOR THE QUEER COMMUNITY’

“It’ll feel like one big house party.” | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Get a look at the ornate Elks Hall, a Kansas City landmark relocated from Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition, and learn about its changing roles over the decades. By Monty Davis

NO. 9: THIS ORNATE KANSAS CITY BUILDING STARTED OUT AS PART OF THE 1893 WORLD’S FAIR

A fraternal organization made its headquarters in a building built for the 1893 World’s Fair. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Randy Mason Monty Davis

Mark Launiu is the co-founder and director of community engagement and events for MADE MOBB, a Kansas City-based streetwear brand he started with two fellow Asian American entrepreneurs. Together, they created a brand that merges their diverse cultural upbringings into a unified and original expression.

NO. 10: ASIAN AND SAMOAN HIP-HOP LOVERS SHARE THEIR STORY THROUGH A KC STREETWEAR BRAND

That’s what makes our brand special, we’re building a new kind of community made up of people from all walks of life. | Published May 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.