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Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
The state's largest city, Kansas City boasts a population of over 475,000 people, with the larger metro area housing over two million.
Major employers in the Kansas City area include companies working in the arenas of trade, transportation and utilities. Companies headquartering here include names from the Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 lists: H&R Block, Embarq Corporation and YRC Worldwide, Inc; AMC Theatres, DST Systems and Interstate Bakeries Corporation, among others. Hallmark, although privately owned, also has its headquarters here. Other well-known employers include Harmon Industries, Inc., makers of railroad and transportation equipment, and American Italian Pasta, the nation's leading pasta producer.
Sales and travel related taxes and fees can be somewhat confusing and quite heavy in the Kansas City area. Each county charges its own sales tax, and with the city spanning three different counties, it results in some confusion for people new to the area. However, the three major counties charge sales tax as follows:
Clay County 7.475%
Jackson County 7.725%
Platte County 7.975%
Local governments have a number of add-on taxes and fees that affect the traveler as well. An additional Convention and Tourism tax is charged at 7.55% for hotel stays. A 2% Food Tax is charged at restaurants and a flat Arena Fee is charged to hotels and car rental companies for each room occupied/car rented. Many times these Arena Fee charges are passed directly on to the consumer.
Holidays & Business Hours
On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:
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Coming & Going
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) spans over 10,000 acres and has three runways that can facilitate just under 140 aircraft per hour.
Complimentary inter-terminal transportation is available via red shuttle buses. The shuttles also run to and from airport parking lots. Both short and long-term parking is available at the airport, and 30-minute parking spaces are free.
Super Shuttle (formerly KCI Shuttle) transportation runs between the airport and area hotels. Call 816-243-5000 or 800-243-6383 for fare information. You can also ride public transportation, Metro Bus, to central Kansas City. Call 816-221-0660.
For private or shared ride service, contact Quicksilver Airport Service at 913-262-0905. Numerous taxi cab companies have rental offices at the airport. Average taxi fare to downtown is around $45 one way.
The Charles B Wheeler Airport (MKC) is another Kansas City area airport used by corporate, charter and recreational aircraft. It's located on 695 acres downtown.
Making Your Way
One of the best options for getting around Kansas City is renting a car. Local car rental companies include:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Airport
3 Nassau Cir
Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: 816-464-2500
Alamo Rent a Car
Airport
648 Madrid Ave
Kansas City , MO 64153
Phone: 888-826-6893
Payless Car Rental
613 N London Dr
Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: 816-464-2100
Major throughways into the city include I-70 running east-west (St. Louis east and Denver west); I-35 running north-south (Des Moines north and Wichita southwest); and I-29 running northwest (Omaha).
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority operates the city's bus system, Metro, as well as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system named "MAX" (Metro Area Express). The MAX system connects River Market, Downtown, Union Station, Crown Center and Country Club Plaza. MAX runs daily from 5am-1am. During rush hours, the buses make stops approximately every 10 minutes. For fares and other information, contact 816-221-0660.
News & Views
To stay abreast of local, regional and international news while in Kansas City, pick up a copy of the city's major newspaper, The Kansas City Star. Ingram's Magazine and The Kansas City Business Journal chronicle events in the business world, and The Pitch is a weekly alternative paper focusing on news, arts, entertainment, reviews and classifieds.
Area radio stations include some of the following popular choices:
KKFI 90.1 FM Community Radio
KANV 91.5 FM National Public Radio at the University of Kansas
KMXV 93.3 FM "Mix 93" Top 40/ Popular Hits
KFKF 94.1 FM Country music
KCMO 94.9 FM "Oldies 95"
KZPL 97.3 FM "The Planet" Modern Rock
KUDL 98.1 FM "Cuddle" Radio Continuous Soft Rock
KYYS 99.7 FM "KY" Classic Rock
KKJO 105.5 FM Contemporary Hits
WDAF 610 AM Sports Radio
KCMO 710 AM Talk radio
KEXS 1090 AM Southern gospel
KKHC 1250 AM La Super X, Espanol
KCZZ 1480 AM Spanish Radio
KPRT 1590 AM Gospel music
Neighborhoods
As a whole, the city is known for great jazz, tasty barbecue, sparkling fountains and expansive boulevards. About 150 different neighborhoods make up this vast whole that shines as a star in the nation's center. Some of the major neighborhoods include the following:
18th and Vine Historic District is located east of downtown. This neighborhood was once the center of African-American residents of Kansas City. It's known for producing some great jazz performers. Now it houses the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Crossroads Arts District / Southwest Boulevard was once a haphazard collection of abandoned buildings, but it's been revitalized into an artsy neighborhood that's become a popular shopping and dining destination. Plenty of art galleries line the streets, and First Friday gallery crawls are immensely popular.
Downtown was once languishing and crime ridden, but through extensive community effort it too has been revitalized and is now one of the city's most popular neighborhoods with restaurants, shops, theaters, nightlife options and the city's convention center.
Tucked in between Downtown and the south side of the Missouri River, River Market is home to the area's largest farmers market as well as a wealth of antique stores, shops, eateries, bars and nightlife options
Westport is defined by historic buildings and tree-lined streets with lampposts guiding the way. It's a popular nightlife spot with a mix of options.
To the northwest of the city you'll find the airport, Platte County in MO and Leavenworth County in KS. Clayton County, MO lies northeast, and Independence, MO is to the east. Jackson County, MO is to the southeast and Johnson County, KS to the southwest. Westward, you'll find Kansas City, KS.
Quirks & Curiosities
When asking for directions or area destination recommendations, you may hear locals using terms like "Restaurant Row," "Crown Center" or "the Plaza." Although these aren't necessarily terms you'll find quickly on city maps, they are important to your visit to KCMO (another Kansas City term that simply means Kansas City, Missouri).
Restaurant Row is the area around 39th Street that boasts a wealth of independent restaurants and shops. Crown Center is the creation of Hallmark, the independently owned greeting card company based in Kansas City. It's a popular shopping and entertainment destination downtown. "The Plaza" is The Country Club Plaza, a ritzy, outdoor shopping and entertainment center.
On another note, but quite interestingly, the city has earned its nickname as the "City of Fountains," because it boasts over 200 working fountains, more than any other city in the world save Rome, Italy.
Getting Your Bearings
If you need directions, have questions or want additional help in planning your visit to Kansas City, make your way to one of the conveniently located Visitor Centers.
Visitor Information Centers
Country Club Plaza
4709 Central
Kansas City, MO
Phone: 800-767-7700
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm
Downtown Kansas City
City Center Square
11th & Main
Suite 2200
Kansas City, MO
Phone: 800-767-7700
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
Mayor's Office
City Hall, 29th floor
414 E 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-513-3500
Fax: 816-513-3518
E-mail: mayor@kcmo.org
Necessities - Post Offices
Post offices are located throughout the city, with the main post office being located in Union Station.
Kansas City Main Post Office
315 West Pershing Rd
Rm 507
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-374-9101
Common Courtesies
Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.
Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).
Need to Know – Safety
For the most part, Kansas City is a relatively safe city, especially when you stay within well-lighted, heavily-trafficked areas. However, any large metropolis has its share of crime, so you should take common-sense steps to assure your own safety and that of your goods.
Eat Out and Save Money!
