Kansas City in 2027: Free Streetcar, Free Nelson-Atkins, and the City's Barbecue and Jazz Core
As Kansas City approaches 2027, it boasts a revitalized downtown and an expanded streetcar system, all following the 2026 FIFA World Cup held at Arrowhead Stadium. Since 2016, the KC Streetcar has been free to ride, connecting the River Market, Crossroads Arts District, Country Club Plaza, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The National WWI Museum and Memorial, recognized by Congress in 2004, features a striking glass bridge adorned with over 9,000 poppies. Renowned local barbecue spots include Arthur Bryant's and Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Additionally, the 18th and Vine district is home to the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, while highlights like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Union Station enrich the city’s cultural landscape.
Key facts
- KC Streetcar has been fare-free since the line opened in 2016
- Congress designated the National WWI Museum and Memorial the official U.S. museum on World War I in 2004
- The Liberty Memorial tower is a 217-foot limestone shaft dedicated in 1926
- Arthur Bryant's has operated near 18th and Brooklyn since the 1930s
- Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que was called Oklahoma Joe's until 2014
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opened in 1933 and charges no admission for its permanent collection
- Country Club Plaza opened in 1922 and its holiday lights date to 1925
- Boulevard Brewing Company was founded in 1989 and acquired by Duvel Moortgat in 2013
Entities
Artists
- Charlie Parker
- Count Basie
- Bennie Moten
- Mary Lou Williams
- Jay McShann
- Henry Perry
- Charlie Bryant
- Arthur Bryant
- Calvin Trillin
- Barack Obama
- J.C. Nichols
- William Rockhill Nelson
- Mary Atkins
- Thomas Hart Benton
- Caravaggio
- Claude Monet
- Claes Oldenburg
- Coosje van Bruggen
- Steven Holl
- John McDonald
Institutions
- National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Liberty Memorial
- KC Streetcar
- Arthur Bryant's
- Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
- Gates Bar-B-Q
- LC's Bar-B-Q
- American Jazz Museum
- The Blue Room
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
- Kansas City Monarchs
- Negro National League
- Gem Theater
- Country Club Plaza
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- Hallmark Cards
- American Institute of Architects
- Boulevard Brewing Company
- Duvel Moortgat
- City Market
- Arabia Steamboat Museum
- Union Station
- Science City
- Amtrak
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Arrowhead Stadium
- FIFA World Cup
- Plaza Art Fair
Locations
- Kansas City
- United States
- Missouri
- Kansas
- 18th and Vine
- Crossroads Arts District
- River Market
- Country Club Plaza
- Union Station
- Main Street
- Pershing Road
- 18th and Brooklyn
- Blue Parkway
- Brush Creek
- Oak Street
- 45th and Oak streets
- Southwest Boulevard
- Missouri River
- Seville
- Spain
- Europe
- Africa
- Middle East
- Asia
- New York
- Arrowhead Stadium
Sources
- Quartz —