THE CASE FOR ST. LOUIS
Since moving back to my hometown of St. Louis six years ago, I've enjoyed playing tour guide for my husband and three sons, ages ten, seven and three. The thriving city has retained many of the attractions and all of the traditional eastern sensibility I remember from my youth (visits to the outdoor Muny Theatre and the zoo are vivid memories) and at the same time has plenty new to offer my boys (the Science Center and the eclectic City Museum are two of their favorites).In fact, I recently learned that St. Louis has more visitor attractions opening this year than any other city in the entire country (including, I must note, Kansas City). Hurricane Harbor, the new waterpark, thrilled my kids last summer; more recently, Faust Park's Butterfly House drew oohs and ahhs. We look forward to visiting the National Great Rivers Museum (located on a working Mississippi River lock) and pedaling across the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the longest pedestrian and biking bridge in the world (we already enjoy the Katy Trail, the country's longest rails-to-trails project).
With all these fun, family-oriented attractions and activities, the sights in St. Louis are necessarily more spread out than Kansas City's. However, it's easy to get around--ask for directions and watch people almost knock one another over in their race to be the first to help you. Or, look for the city's signature Gateway Arch (the country's tallest man-made national monument), which dominates the St. Louis skyline, and you can easily orient yourself. Plus, our modern MetroLink rail system will whisk you with ease to your next destination.
Since you'll work up quite an appetite checking out all our sights, you should know that St. Louis is famous for Italian food, rich, gooey buttercake and the ice-cream cone--it originated here at the 1904 World's Fair. (We even serve authentic Kansas City barbecue.) And we're the only city in the world that has its own McDonald's riverboat. So, come meet us in St. Louis.
—JEANIE FRANZ RANSOM
THE CASE FOR KANSAS CITY
If you think of St. Louis when someone mentions Missouri, think again. Kansas City has family-friendly attractions, entertainment and food to rival its more eastern neighbor. Okay, St. Louis has a big arch. My town is filled with outdoor sculptures and fountains, plus we've got parks, museums, theme parks and the world's best barbecue all within a manageable-size area. Pay us a visit, and you'll see that Kansas City has a relaxed, amiable feeling and a charm unlike anyplace else in the Midwest.Yes, we're partial. My husband and I have lived in Kansas City for more than 21 years and we raised two sons here. The kids say Kansas City is a lot like that greeting card slogan, "When you care enough to send the very best." Borrowing from Hallmark, which chose Kansas City as its corporate home, my family thinks the city's slogan should be "When you care enough to see the very best"--whether it's the historic sites (Missouri Town 1855 will take you back a century and a half), the museums (of jazz, fine arts and even miniatures) or the family attractions (the zoo and amusement parks).
Unlike St. Louis, where the sights are spread out, Kansas City is easy to navigate, and many family attractions are close together. My sons and young nephews take the trolley to visit their favorite sites (an all-day ticket allows riders to get off and on as often as they like). If you prefer to explore on foot, you'll love our open plazas and green spaces. We never tire of the beauty of Loose Park or strolling along the Country Club Plaza, an Old World marketplace adorned with more than 40 fountains and sculptures.
Mention Kansas City to food-lovers, of course, and you'll hear about our world-famous barbecue (the city boasts more than 70 barbecue restaurants). Kansas City barbecue is slathered with a medium-spicy, tomato-based sauce with a hint of molasses. My favorite is Gates and Sons Barbecue.
So, if you care enough to see the very best, come see Kansas City. If you want to see an arch, you can always have lunch at McDonald's.
—SUZANNE LIEURANCE
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated July 2005.
