The Heart of Kansas City Has 5 Unknown Wonders

The diverse cultural offers of Kansas City are reflected in its food, which includes brisket burnt ends, live jazz at storied locations, and Chiefs sports. However, there are also undiscovered treasures that provide interest and awe. A top-notch museum housed in a holy finger, a lunch counter that is 70 years old, the historical social center of Black jazz, and an original private collection of Winston Churchill's artwork are a few examples. Visitors can learn about the city's rich cultural offerings and hidden gems by booking DTW flights and exploring them.

Community Bookshelf

42 well-known literary works, including Margaret Wise Brown's "Goodnight Moon" and Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," are depicted on a mural in a downtown Kansas City parking garage. The artwork, which was created in 2004 by library trustee Joncreated in 2004 by library trustee Jonathan Kemper, has grown into a tiny neighborhood park and mylar-made spines are intended to depict books that have been contested, destroyed, or outlawed. For instance, L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was outlawed in 1928 for showing strong female leaders, while Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" was outlawed in New Mexico in 2001 for encouraging witchcraft and demonic practices. It's common to confuse the bookshelf with the Central Library right next door.

Arabia Steamboat Museum

The 1853-built Arabia Steamboat Museum in Pennsylvania was uncovered in 1988 by five treasure hunters. A mule and the steamboat's whole cargo fell to the riverbed below as the vessel, built along the mighty Missouri, sank in 1856. The heating and air company owner Bob Hawley and his sons got enthralled by the boat's tragic journey and started excavating. A sizable collection of pre-Civil War artifacts, including wigwood crockery, coffee kettles, clothing, pipes, shoes, and tools, were discovered in Arabia four months later. Visitors are transported to another era by the museum's glass display cases, clear-blue medicinal bottles, and tins of pie fruit.

Holy Finger of Kansas City

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features a Renaissance wing with a gallery containing a holy relic, and a gilded silver reliquary containing a finger bone of St. John the Baptist, dating back to 1400. The reliquary was part of the Guelph Treasure collection, which toured the U.S. in the 1930s. Nearby, visitors can explore Caravaggio's 1604 masterpiece, "Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness," which depicts the Biblical giant as a young man against a dark backdrop of oak trees.

Hallmark Visitors Center

The Kansas City-based Crown Centre is a sizable property that houses the corporate offices of Hallmark, a mall, a children's art center, and a Catholic church. With fleeting artifacts that chart the development of the legendary brand, the free Hallmark Visitors Centre offers a singular experience. The Hall of Christmas Trees welcomes guests to explore its collection of trees, each of which features a special theme created by corporate personnel and presented to the Hall family each holiday season. A dough-crafted tree from the 1970s and an actual pearl-adorned tree with gems saved by staff members when a flood demolished Hall's first department store are notable elements. Additionally, Hallmark is home to artwork from private collections, including works by Norman Rockwell and Winston Churchill.

Union Station Lamp Post Clock

The E. Howard Clock Company of Boston constructed the lamp post clock at Union Station in the 1880s, and it has a wonderful tale of tenacity. Its original location was at 10th and Main Streets. In 1918, it was moved to 11th Street and Grand Avenue, and in 1936, it was moved near Union Station, a crucial stop for American military men returning from World War II. The clock has changed with the times over the years, receiving around $50,000 in repairs from the Rainens in 2015 and the Helzberg family in 1999. The internal workings of the clock are now on display in Union Station's Science City, demonstrating both its durability and the value of time in protecting historical sites. Book cheap Detroit to Kansas City flights and experience the city's diverse attractions and experiences, making it an unforgettable destination.