Kansas City Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Kansas City, Missouri - MO, USA)

Kansas City started out slowly as a sedate 19th-century trading post nestled on the southern banks of the Missouri River. However, along with the advent of steamboat transportation, Kansas City experienced a sudden burst of investment and development, and since then has never looked back.

Today, despite mistaken impressions of Kansas City as a gentle-paced 'cow town', the city is in fact one of the Midwest's most exciting and upbeat holiday destinations, offering a diverse selection of cultural, historical and entertainment attractions, complemented by a warm and welcoming community. Life in Kansas City revolves at an easy pace and visitors will find travel tips easily available throughout the city.

Tourism and Tourist Information

Three of Kansas City's most distinctive features contributing significantly to visitor's experience of the area are the city's smooth and sultry jazz clubs; its legacy of sizzling, mouthwatering barbecues; and its abundance of beautifully crafted fountains.


The best place to check out Kansas City's jazz offerings is in 18th and Vine district, which offers a multitude of jazz clubs situated in the very area where legendary local jazz sounds came to life, while the River Market area offers some of the best barbecues in town. You won't have to look far to find one or more of the city's fountains; these superbly designed and decorated structures are dotted across the entire length and breadth of the Kansas City canvas.

The Greater Kansas City CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau / Association)
Address: Suite 2200, 25th Floor, City Center Square, 1100 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri MO, USA
Tel: +1 816 221 5242
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 17:00

Language

Over 300 languages are spoken throughout America, including approximately 170 languages that are indigenous to the area. The most commonly spoken language in Kansas City is English and different nationalities are well represented in America. Many other languages are on offer at language schools around Kansas City and Missouri.

Visas

For information about whether you will require a visa for travel to the USA, Missouri and Kansas City, it is best to check with your nearest consulate or embassy for information specific to your country. There are several different visas available, with visitors to Kansas City usually needing a non-immigrant visa that permits temporary stay. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries are allowed to enter America without a visa, providing they can meet specified requirements. It is always sensible to apply for visas well in advance before traveling.

Working

There are a number of categories of non-immigrant visas available for those intending to work in Kansas City, Missouri and America temporarily. Working without a visa is against the law and there are penalties for those caught in breach of this. People intending to work in Kansas City need to apply for the relevant visa in their home country and may also require a letter from their prospective American employer.

Smoking

Many restaurants in Kansas City now operate a strict 'no smoking' policy and the attitude of locals towards smoking in public places has changed dramatically in recent years. Smoking is now also no longer permitted on public transport in Kansas City, including buses and trains. Before smoking in public areas in Kansas City, it is often a good idea to check with those nearby first.

Tipping

Tipping is commonplace in Kansas City and in many cases required, unless the service has been particularly poor. Restaurants in Kansas City expect a tip of between 10 to 20 percent, as do taxi drivers. Bars in the city also appreciate tips and often leave a tips trays on the counter. Hotel staff in Kansas City, including luggage carriers and hotel porters, also expect a small tip, which can be as little as a dollar or two.