Explore Kansas City's cultural gems of 2025

This collection of stories explores places and experiences that define Kansas City's cultural scene in 2025.

You can follow the history of the Country Club Plaza, a site that reveals layers of shopping and design history, and see why the new CPKC Stadium along the Berkley Riverfront stands out in global travel rankings. The Rabbit hOle offers interactive exhibits that celebrate children's literature, while an underground 'Earthouse' in Springfield and a dome house in Baileyville invite visitors for unique overnight stays.

Art lovers can view CCH Pounder’s Black art collection at the new Zhou B Art Center, and music fans can trace the city's influence through hundreds of songs that carry its name. The Kansas City Royals are also set to debut new City Connect uniforms highlighting local sports and heritage.

Read the stories below.

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Emmy Award-winning actress C.H. Pounder will visit Kansas City to showcase her collection of art at the new Zhou B. Art Center in the Historic 18th and Vine District.

NO. 1: NEW KC GALLERY SHINING A LIGHT ON BLACK ART. FIRST UP: A FAMOUS ACTRESS’S COLLECTION

“I’m humbled by Kansas City’s generosity to open its arms to more venues that will honor the artistic works of local and international artists.” | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

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The Country Club Plaza, the nation’s first automobile-friendly shopping district, officially opened in 1923. Developer J.C. Nichols’ inaugural buildings were clustered around the intersection of 47th Street and Mill Creek Road. Three tall apartment towers on the south side of Brush Creek soon followed, and the city’s southward expansion was in full swing. By Monty Davis

NO. 2: VINTAGE POSTCARD OF KANSAS CITY’S COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA SHOWS SHOPPING CENTER’S EARLY HISTORY

The suburban shopping district was growing quickly in the early 1930s. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Randy Mason

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NO. 3: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THIS WEEK’S KANSAS CITY NEWS? TRY OUR UNIQUELY KC QUIZ

Test your knowledge of Kansas City with our Uniquely KC weekly quiz. | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by The Kansas City Star

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This Springfield, Missouri Airbnb is mostly underground and features a patio and firepit. The rental unit, called “Unique ‘Earthouse’ Retreat w/ Spring-Fed Creek,” was the Missouri Airbnb on the most user wishlists.

NO. 4: SEE INSIDE MOST-WANTED AIRBNBS IN KANSAS & MISSOURI: AN EARTHEN HOME AND A 10-SIDED DOME

One rental could cost you nearly $1,000 for two nights. | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

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

NO. 5: 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

Some of the most iconic people associated with “Kansas City” songs include Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (right), the Beatles, Wilbert Harrison and Tech N9ne. By Provided photos

NO. 6: KANSAS CITY HAS INSPIRED DOZENS OF SONGS. BUT WHICH ONE IS THE BEST?

The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tech N9ne and Melissa Etheridge have all performed songs inspired by the City of Fountains. But which anthem is the best? | Published May 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dan Kelly

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A Chiefs-themed City Connect Royals uniform. By Neil Nakahodo

NO. 7: ROYALS WILL GET NEW CITY CONNECT UNIFORMS. WE CAME UP WITH THREE DESIGN CONCEPTS

The Royals will be getting new City Connect uniforms next season. Here are three designs we came up with. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff Neil Nakahodo

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.