(Updated for 2024!)
You might have heard that last night, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl! Because Mr. Donovan and I lived in Kansas City for over two decades, we are still huge fans. We’re visiting Kansas City soon to see old friends! I don’t think the rest of country knows much about Kansas City, which is too bad, because it’s a great town. So I thought I’d share some of the things I love about it!

1. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. (Beautiful photo by Michael Stano.)

Kauffman Performing Arts Photo by Michael Stano

Look at this thing. Moshe Safdie designed it, and it’s like an elegant space station rising up out of the prairie. It’s just as lovely inside, and the view from it at night is magical. (Here’s me inside, a while back…)

Beautiful Things About Kansas City Bryn Donovan

 

2. The barbecue at Joe’s.

Kansas City is famous for barbecue. Anthony Bourdain named Joe’s Kansas City, a Kansas City institution, as one of the 13 places to Eat Before You Die. Joe’s even makes a vegetarian bbq sandwich, and it’s to die for.

 

3. The parking garage at the downtown Kansas City Public Library. (Terrific photo by Tom Childers.)

KC Public Library Garage, Photo by Tom Childers

Isn’t it great?! Here’s a great closer-up view by Auntie G.

19 Beautiful Things about Kansas City } Bryn Donovan

 

4. Kansas City Union Station. (Gorgeous photo by Notley Hawkins.)

Long, long ago, I had a dinner party that unexpectedly ended on our balcony, watching fireworks over Union Station. It turned out the city had just passed a referendum to renovate the neglected building. It is a gem, inside and out.

Kansas City Union Station, Photo by Notley Hawkins

 

5. The Meyer Circle fountain on Ward Parkway. (Lovely photo by Michael Krueger.)

19 Beautiful Things about Kansas City, photo by Michael Krueger

 

6. Prospero’s Bookstore.

Prospero's Books, Kansas City

Fun fact: I participated in the world’s longest continuous poetry reading at this bookstore. It’s a great independent store stuffed full of books. Don’t forget to check out the basement!

 

7. The J.C. Nichols fountain on the Plaza. (Beautiful photo by David Arbogast.)

19 Beautiful Things about Kansas City. Photo by David Arbogast.

(Here, it’s turned blue in honor of the baseball team, the Royals.) Kansas City is called the City of Fountains, and they have more than any other city except Rome. This is very close to where our haunted apartment stood. 

 

8. The Plaza holiday lights. (Another stunning photo from David Arbogast.)

holiday lights at country club plaza, Kansas City

While I’m talking about the Plaza, this an obligatory item on the list.

 

9. Crown Center holiday lights. (Beautiful photo by Jonathan Tasler.)

 

19 Beautiful Things about Kansas City, photo by Jonathan Tasler

 

10. Loose Park. (Lovely photo by Canicuss.)

Most Loose Park photos are of the beautiful rose garden in the summer, but it’s pretty in the fall, too.

19 Beautiful Things About Kansas City

 

11. Laura Little’s Candies. (Great photo by Ben Hartman, from Kansas City Blogger Local.)

19 Beautiful Things About Kansas City, photo by Ben Hartman

This is a shop around the corner from my old house that sells homemade chocolates and cookies and other delicious things, at very low prices, and it’s the cutest place in the world.

 

12. Rozelle Court, Nelson-Atkins Museum. (Super cool photo by Patrick Emerson.)

I love everything about the Nelson, and this is a really special place. The last time I was here, I was interviewing a museum conservationist about her work for my forthcoming novel Her Knight at the Museum.

19 Beautiful Things About Kansas City, Photo by Patrick Emerson

 

13. Caravaggio’s John the Baptist in the Wilderness.

This is one of my favorite pieces in the Nelson. I guess it’s probably everybody’s favorite.

19 Beautiful Things in Kansas City

 

14. The Kauffman Memorial Garden. (Great photo by Mike Day.)

The prettiest little public garden, right in the middle of the city.

19 Beautiful Things About Kansas City, Photo by Mike Day

 

15. Liberty Memorial and the National World War One Museum. (Another awesome photo by Mike Day.)

19 Beautiful Things About Kansas City, Photo by Mike Day

I am always trying to get people to go to this fascinating and beautifully designed museum.

 

16. The Power and Light District. (Photo from KMBC news—read about the Super Bowl watch party!)

This is where a lot of Kansas Citians watch the away games! Years and years ago, downtown Kansas City was kind of bleak. Now it’s hopping. This town is good at comebacks.

Power and Light district, Kansas City Chiefs

 

17. The people.

Kansas City is full of writers, artists, performers, directors, and combinations thereof. In my experience, creative people in Kansas City build one another up. Where others would see competition, they see opportunities for collaboration and growth. Instead of thinking about doing things, and theorizing about what it means to do things, and defining who they really are as an artist, and criticizing other people who do things (such a popular pastime elsewhere)… they just do things.

I learned from that. I think it’s beautiful.

 

18. The Kansas City Chiefs!

The greatness of Pat Mahomes…the absolutely iconic American couple, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift…the mental discipline of a team that never panics…they’re ridiculously entertaining and inspiring.

~

Thanks so much for reading! (If you’re from Kansas City, what did I leave out?) 

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