speak of creative kc people both the crossroads n westbottoms was first re inhabited by artist fixing up the old indstrual lofts n started having events like first fridays n the areas grew from there once the delopvopers came n but it was all started and revived by the people because the city n devlpoers abandoned the area
I'm now positive you've stayed at the hotel I work at downtown. I'm Timothy, the AGM. I'm making sure the rest of the management staff and Peggy see the video. Glad to see you enjoyed downtown KC :D. Edit - I showed her the video today. You have made Peggy's day, month, hell her year! She was SO excited about your kind words.
I love my city 🙏🏻 A gem in the heart of the US. I’m happy you enjoyed your stay. Come again! Your videos have made me realize how much I took the midwest for granted.
Love coming down and Visiting KC from Des Moines… go-to’s for me are IKEA over to Microcenter back to downtown for for a late lunch or out to Joes off Stateline for some bbq before heading back home.
Yay Nick! I hoped you liked the Mid-West tour and I agree with your summary. I live in a suburb of KC called Grandview, and it's a little bit caught in no more space to grow, but has plenty of areas of new builds, or updates to the older homes. Thank you again for your visit and kindness of truthful reporting. I enjoyed your whole trip and videos! :😃
@Beautiful Stranger Sometime in the late 1980's/early 1990's there was a move to start pushing low income people and section 8 housing from the inner city to south Kansas City. Around that same time crime started going up in south Kansas City and those suburbs like Grandview, Raytown, Belton etc. They didn't move the crime problems, because the inner city was still horrible Its like they just spread the crime, drugs, murders further south. Around that same time the crack epidemic finally hit KC from California and pretty much all hell broke loose from the mid-1990's onward. That's what ultimately killed Bannister Mall and all that retail development around it; just wiped off the map like it never existed.
I've lived in Grandview for the past 12 years now quietly lived here. Grandview's a great place to live quiet and peaceful back when I was raising my daughter's it used to be dangerous now I can go anywhere in Grandview and not be bothered by anyone. Still another false and misleading statement about the Kansas City metro area.
@@jak3w that is that part that you don't hear the news local news talk about very but that agenda that they have to paint Kansas City super violent only has one color to it. Is very rare hear anything about independence or sugar Creek or oak Grove or Liberty or Smithville or excelsior springs hello a girl got kidnapped in excelsior and the local police didn't want to believe her after she was held in someone's basement.
*Really-Well-Done. This Midwest tour/series has been a Genuine Win.* Being from California (San Diego), I am Exhausted by the lunacy that politicians try to normalize so visiting all the true Midwest towns was a joy to experience. You managed to thoughtfully curate the series of stops and allow the viewer to vicariously explore the backroads and people as the story developed. *Your thesis that the Midwest is worthy of consideration was soundly supported.* Finally, the Last two guests were Perfect to close the series. The young lady was articulate, knowledgable and carried the conversation so very well. The last guess was a real winner as he was wearing a RAMONES Shirt. Best stuff you’ve produced so far. Really-Well-Done.
Gol dang, Nick, I never thought in a thousand million years I'd watch an entire series about the Midwest. Great job. What's next? A grand tour of the South? Keep it up, man.
I used to live there and still enjoy going back to visit. Those who haven't been there may be surprised at the number of mansions and all the fountains. They've really renovated Union Station since I lived there! I miss some of the old restaurants--Tippin's, Annie's Santa Fe, Baby Doe's, Houston's, etc. Rent was uber cheap back then.
Yeah, I forget the name of that road just along the border of Kansas that goes up the hill from the Country Club Plaza, but I couldn't believe how many mansions I saw.
Recently discovered your channel and I am hooked! These unboxing cities videos are great. I currently live in Leawood but visit downtown KC often. It's a great small city and continues to grow. Looking forward to the new airport, the royals being downtown, and hopefully seeing the Chiefs make it to the Superbowl again.
Most crime in Kansas City is personal/domestic or Gang Related…its not just a bunch of random killings and robberies. There might be some property crime. But just random acts of violence in Kansas City is not common. If you stay to yourself and stay out of certain situations, you will and should be fine.
KCMO is called the City of Fountains because we have more than Rome. We're also called the Paris of the Plains. We have the more boulevards than Paris. Our Swope Park is larger than Central Park in NY.
I live in KC and your video was awesome! I'm so proud of this city.. It's definitely growing and not known for a being a "fly over city" anymore! I just love my city so much! Thank you brother for your video. Very well done! God bless!
The point to KC BBQ is that the meat tastes amazing without sauce. It's perfectly cooked with or without sauce so the sauce is always served on the side
@@KS5040 I've lived in San Antonio, Houston, Denver, Albuquerque, and Tulsa. I think I'll be fine. It's a beautiful city. And I go where my husband goes. He got a job offer we couldn't pass up.
Loved this review! You’re right about the pockets of crime-but it’s still a friendly and fun place to be. Come back and see us again when the West Bottoms is completed!
Hey. Hi! KC is my home. I think you did a very good job of representing us. Thank you. Next time you come to town, I’d love to give you the nickel tour from a local perspective. You know, the shortcuts and all. Thanks again for lighting us up. You left out the airport and Union Station, the WWI Memorial and some other stuff, but I didn’t miss them. Thanks again, Mr. Johnson.
You didn’t mention the free public transportation. KCMO made public transportation 100% for riders. We pay additional tax for y’all to enjoy it and visit our town.
Kcmo is mostly detached single family homes and suburban sprawl with low density; more so than Overland Park and Lenexa. And over 50% of the metro areas office space is in Johnson county Kansas. Johnson county Kansas is the most densely populated and wealthiest county with over 619,000 people and 340,000 jobs. Johnson county’s median household income is 96,059$ and kcmos is 60,042$. Theres more people living within 5 miles of downtown Overland Park than within 5 miles of downtown kcmo. Johnson county Kansas GDP is higher than Jackson County Missouri. There has been decades of white flight and urban decay from Kansas City Missouri. Kcmo has a big crime problem too
I lived in Kansas City for a little over 6 years on both the Missouri and Kansas sides of the state line. I enjoyed my time there. Still have many good friends I made that I keep in touch with. It has the best BBQ in the country that's for sure! Rosedale BBQ in KCK is my personal favorite.
Having been born and mostly raised there for 30+ years, yes it looks better than it did but...Back in the 70s and 80s it wasn't as crime ridden as it apparently is today. Sure we had the gang wars with murders and bombings. But that was the mob and they basically just killed their enemies. And we had Bob Berdella cutting and chopping up young guys for grins. Actually met him once before he was caught. Made a delivery to him at his creepy little shop. And there are the floods in the West Bottoms and the Plaza areas. All in all I'll stay put because well there are better places to live.
Always excellent and fair Nick! Thank you! People should try the Mid West out ... just go and travel around like you did. It's full of good people, things to do and awesome open prairie country, lakes ...
I agree I live in East Central Illinois rural city more outdoor stuff to do than anything but I love how peaceful it is. The Prarie scenery in the Midwest is pretty, thanks Nick for giving me new found appreciation for soybeans cows farms n corn 😁😁😁 I've always appreciated the Casey's Pizza 😋
Visited three years ago and I was surprised that the downdown had a lively nightlife with music and people out enjoying themselves. I remember thinking "I could live here".
I last visited KC in 1998. I took a boat ride on the Missouri River, which was very nice. There was an excellent art museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. There was an old, run-down building, labelled as too hazardous to enter, which is now a World War I museum. Has anyone here visited that? There was also a place called Country Club Plaza, or just The Plaza, modelled on Seville, Spain. The city used to have a good summer jazz festival. Also, there used to be a good blues club in Westport. Remember, the alto sax great Charlie Parker came from this city. It's also where Count Basie made his start. There was a good jazz museum there. Outside of KC was a beautiful place called Powell Gardens. So there's more to Kansas City than you might expect, or at least there was back then. Someday, I hope to return.
Actually that WW1 museum was the run-down building that has been there since 1926. It was closed in 1994 due to safety concerns, because aging had produced problems with drainage and the original construction. Luckily everyone pitched in and in 2006 it expanded and reopened. I think if anyone ever gets to visit KCMO, make it a priority to see that wonderful museum.
Yes, County Club Plaza is the official name but we call it The Plaza for short. Our sister city is Seville, Spain. The World War I Museum is amazing! Powell Gardens is too and located further east outside of KC.
I haven't been home in such a long time it's going close to 40 years but I remember being a kid back then and going to school life was a lot simpler back then compared to what it is now we didn't have drive-by shootings and stabbings back in the '70s we had neighbors that were just good people and would help with another we had Stock Yards and factories back then but unfortunately times have changed people moved away like like my family did we moved to California and ever since but I would love to come back home but I have to look at it some parts of his change traumatically and some parts have not once again thanks for posting this video greatly appreciate so much.
The West Bottoms have a lot of big old buildings from the 1800s. The Missouri and Kansas rivers join there. It was a very prosperous area in the 1800s and early 1900s. Cool vibe down there.
My son was stabbed to death in K.C., MO last year in broad day light. It is extremely dangerous. I grew up there at 49th and Garfield St. It was bad back then, too.
I've lived off of troost a little street called Virgina Ave. It was "hood" but honestly everyone kept to themselves. It was a quiet neighborhood. The people were friendly as well. Never had any issues for the 2yrs I was there. Do miss the nightlife there and Oklahoma Joe's bbq
Every KCMO resident thanks you for that comparison to shitty kck. We hate when ppl think KC is in Kansas. It is improving but your right it's getting really expensive compared to what it used to cost to live here. love your vids keep up the great work
Loved your breakdown of Kansas City Missouri. I was born in Crimedot County Ks, but was raised in independence mo (a suburb of KC. I have lived all over both sides of the state line and I honestly have to say that I love Nebraska more. (no shocker there huh). But you missed so many sites, so many. You didn't see the Plaza, which is just a few minutes south of Westport. Beautiful place with many fountains, shops and very expensive restaurants. We used to be the city with the most fountains, not really sure if we still are. You didn't stoll through Brookside. Brookside has always been a hipster type area even when I was a kid. The buildings are so beautiful filled with fun shops. OMG you missed all kinds of food. We have several burger joints that will knock your socks off. You didn't venture up to North of the River much. I absolutely love it up there. There are some snooty people but most have that KC hospitality that you should expect. Really there are only a few things I would change. The cost of housing has become insane. INSANE. Yes still more affordable than a lot of cities but in the last 5 yrs it has gotten way out of hand. This leads to more people living on the street and why not get high? Right? I would get rid of that, "defund the police mayor" , crime has always been bad in this city but it has gotten so much worse in just the last few years. We tried to get him out but you know how politics go.. If you decide to come back to take another look email me I can either show you around or I can give you a fun list. BTW KCMO has always been a evolving town. There is always construction going on. Especially downtown. They started working on revitalizing decades ago. It does take a lot of time though. I remember seeing downtown as a ghost town, not so much these days. And we have the hottest local music scene in this part of the country and maybe even the rest of the country,. Maybe 🤔. I know LA used to have a badass music scene, I am glad I got to experience that before it went to shit. Anyway thanks for checking out our beautiful city. Hollar if you want to come on back..
it can be pretty gorgeous when it comes to that. some neighborhoods more so. one of my favorite things about the city is that many neighborhoods have a lot of greenery. i never realized there was a law about it. probably otherwise people tend to profit financially or through convenience by removing them, regardless of negative short or long-term effects. a tree per acre is still too low though and areas could be improved even if they can’t add more trees by requiring that native vegetation be spared or replaced. especially that which helps native species, can soak up a lot of carbon, etc.
I live in Overland Park and Austin Tx. THese KC, Kansas and Missouri videos are hilarious. I grew up in rural KS, your analysis of rural KS is spot on.
You didn't show the plaza area which I would have thought you would have. Famous for all it's fountains and statues, was wondering if it had held up through the years as it's been a long time since I've been back to Kansas City.
What a lovely little area at the beginning of the video. 😍 I'm from Springfield MO... So.. ya know.. it's pretty cool in comparison. Anything is better than this place. If you ever roll through Springfield MO please let me know Nick. I'll tell you all about the place. I've been here 33 long years, can show you all around the place. City isn't that big so it wouldn't take too long.
I've been going to KCMO since 1998, for work and fun. I absolutely love that city. City of Fountains!! Very friendly people and my favorite regional BBQ. A lot of cool things to do and see. An interesting thing about the power and light district, 4th Street live in Louisville Kentucky is the same exact thing. But I'm sure you knew that already. Been the Joe's BBQ, (used to be called Oklahoma Joe's) and yeah smoking guns is lacking... Slaps BBQ is really good, it's on the Kansas side. The new airport is amazing compared to the old one. The country club plaza area is cool but trendy. The War memorial is definitely a must-see. I always leave that city with good memories.
There are a lot fewer Casey’s in Kansas City’s city limits compared to Quick Trip. To all the people in the small towns surrounding KC is where Casey’s thrives.
Nick I enjoy your videos but I must correct you on something. KC is my 2nd home though I live in Northwest Arkansas. When you said Kansas City has more people than ever before I remember in the late 60's, early 70's the population on the city limits sign on Truman Road said it was 507,000+. I remember it well. Just letting you know.🙂
You should find your way to my area in Southeast Missouri. Farmington, Fredericktown, Piedmont and Poplar Bluff are the areas I grew up (mostly Piedmont).
My family moved to KC in 1960, when I was age 12. We didn't know what we were getting into. I didn't expect to like it, but I did. I spent a lot of time looking at segregation. But I worked part time at Paseo HS, which was integrated. Confusing. Segregation was nearly over when I moved away in the early 1980's. I recognized some danger on the street but had no problem. Might be different for me now, in my mid 70's. Still, the food is tasty and there're many tennis courts. I briefly returned in 1995 and got a match at the Plaza Tennis Center in about 2 minutes.
I lived in KC for 6 years, you actually saw my old aldi. 🙈 Some things I miss is the free transportation, Vietnam cafe, the River market. But the crime is very bad, it’s not a safe place to live. I know at least a dozen people who were robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight. There is a darkness I experienced in this down that I’ve never felt anywhere else
@@rose-co1xz I live in KC, not the suburbs, in the city (60 years) You are simply wrong that it is not safe, certain areas, at certain times, yes, you would be right, like any city but not even close for the city as a whole.
Born, raised and still haven't left my loved Kansas City, MO. As you can tell by my username. Kansas City is affordable for everything. You can have a nice life here. If you go looking for trouble it will also find you here. All I can say is live a straight and narrow here and you'll be safe and happy. 😊
Amen to that. most of the crime happens after dark in the wrong places at the wrong parties. I am a morning person who does everything in the morning and never sees all of the crime that comes out after dark when the mice are playing. I love the whole metro area. While I am a transplant here, I agree with your comment.
Lived in KCMO for 11 years (close to Gladstone) and loved it! (2000-2011). Denim and Diamonds was my hangout. Arthur Bryant’s off 18th and Vine was my fav BBQ…oh and Smokehouse. I see you were in the city where I live at now on Day 4 (Omaha).
The problem is when KC renovates an area, the last hot spot turns into a dump. Power and light goes up and Westport turns into a dump. 18th and vine was renovated and it’s a dump now. Sprint center goes up, Kemper goes to crap. Weird the city can’t support more than one area at a time. They’re not adding they’re just moving. Every mayor wants to move the stadiums downtown which is so ridiculous when you see the space the sports complex has. They just raised property taxes through the roof. A person should keep that in mind. There’s no rhyme or reason for the percentage. They just raise them to whatever they want. My neighbor got an 80% increase and mine was 18%. Idiots in Jackson county elect retired ball players to important positions that they have no business being in. Morons with no experience are running KC. An ex mayor that is now a congressman doesn’t pay his taxes and they named a street after him.
We definitely do appreciate it. I am a Missourian, we are friendly, but, the majority would like to keep our state politically the way it is. If you are running from Liberal Tyranny and bring those beliefs with you, many are not cool with it.
I'm an east coast transplant to KCMO and I gotta say, I love it here. It reminds me a lot of DC in the 1960s, great architecture, lots of Art Deco, gorgeous brick industrial buildings, that iconic Western Auto building, and get this-NO TRAFFIC. It's mostly progressive too.
Notice that everywhere he goes there are no tents on on the sidewalk. There is a crew that goes out and picks up the trash in downtown every single morning.
Thanks Nick for taking your time and money to show us flyover country couldn’t have been too exciting for you lol but I appreciated your dedication to making the videos.
I went to med schook in KC in the early 2000s. It needed some work back then, but it at least had the look of a city that was trying to improve and diversify itself. Glad to see that progress has continued. Speaking of food, KC has what I think is the single best Italian restaurant outside of Italy, Garozzo's. One of the few Italian restaurants in the US where the focus goes beyond noodles with red sauce.
Wow! The last time I was in Kansas City was in 1983. It has sure changed of course for the better. I hardly recognized it. I remember going to the Plaza when they would turn on the Christmas lights the Friday after Thanksgiving and a helicopter would land and Santa Claus would step out. I remember visiting the Crown Center and driving down Ward Parkway and looking at all the beautiful water fountains. Remember that song from the musical Oklahoma called Kansas City? "Everything is up to date in Kansas City, they've gone about as far as they can go, they even built a skyscraper 7 stories high, about as high as a skyscraper oughta grow". Looks like they have skyscrapers 70 stories high now. 🤣
Casey’s pizza is for people who like a lot of butter on their toast. I felt like having a more crispy pizza one time. so I had Casey’s run my pizza through the oven for a second pass. It just drew more oil out of the cheese and became even more greasy. Delicious and nutritious😋
This video is weird. He didn't go to the Plaza, Didn't show Crown Center/Union Station. Instead he showed a bunch of video from Prospect. He jumped around all over the place. Some of the commentary was funny. The interview at the end - that girl was a clueless suburbanite. She didn't say anything relevant that couldn't be said about any other place. KC has a great Mexican restaurant scene. Huge Mexican restaurant scene. That BBQ sandwich you got to go was PATHETIC! Was that Smokin Guns? That is some BS for them to serve that crap!
I'm from the area, there's a lot of work to do here, especially with crime. Let's hope the democrat politicians knock it out with the woke bs and start funding the police.
You mean like the great job the Democrats are doing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago or that pearl of the Midwest Detroit? Another great Democrat paradise is New York City and the NYPD has a budget of around $11B which if they were an army would put them in the top 20 or 25 militaries in the WORLD; and crime is going crazy there. That's more than 5 times the entire budget of Kansas City just for cops and its still a shithole.
Are you in St. Louis, MO yet? You got to make sure you hit up all parts of the of the metro areas. St. Louis City, North County, West County, and South County. Frontenac, Huntleigh, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Ellisville, Florissant, Black Jack, Kinloch Hazelwood, Spanish Lake, Ferguson, Jennings, Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Saint Ann, Central West End, Mehlville, Oakville, Sunset Hills, Kirkwood, Des Peres, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Brentwood, Clayton, and University City. These aren't all, but are fairly well known locations. Maybe you'll have time to at least drive through them, if not actually stop.
As far as you bashing KCK did you go past the intercity? Nascar, world class soccer ⚽️ stadium. Brand New American Royal 100 acres. Minor league baseball ⚾️ stadium. Huge number of more great events in KCKS 🎉
Being a senior, living in The Kansas City metro area you can find a lot to do. there are hundreds of miles of walking and hiking trails. and the cost of living is not that bad.
Love your content nick my fam and I watch your vids all the time love this vid on KCMO sry about the loud chiefs fans but we’re good folks keep the vids coming nick 😊
That should be the location for a new stadium. Arrowhead should be kept for college events and a future pre-Olympic qualifying sport events and concerts.
The crime issues ABSOLUTELY have to do with past redlining and discrimination. But not just that issue on it's own. It's the fact that nothing has been done to rectify this issue and help the people affected by it. The crime issues have more to do with poverty and desperation than drugs also.
This video triggered a childhood memory. Not for KC but San Fran where I know you have been. I am a native and lived in the Potrero Hill section as a child. There was a Safeway there (still there!) where we shopped. Back then they had a fully armed security guard who walked around the store because of a lot of robberies. That was the early 70s! See? Everything bad is new again.🙄
I was shocked to learn that the biggest employer in Kansas City these days is government, local, state, and federal. What happened to the city of Ford and BOP, Butler Buildings, Hallmark, and more?
Here's the entire Midwest road trip playlist! ruclips.net/p/PLq-_cmf3H6yreUhBrJwFhC9LeCYh1TvBL
Samantha Fish is from KC
speak of creative kc people both the crossroads n westbottoms was first re inhabited by artist fixing up the old indstrual lofts n started having events like first fridays n the areas grew from there once the delopvopers came n but it was all started and revived by the people because the city n devlpoers abandoned the area
@Swati Singh theres no ocean mountains or anything to stop urban spraw so everyone drives n kc because everywhere is far away
I didn’t get a notification
RUclips drops the ball a lot. Do you have your notifications turned on?
I'm now positive you've stayed at the hotel I work at downtown. I'm Timothy, the AGM. I'm making sure the rest of the management staff and Peggy see the video. Glad to see you enjoyed downtown KC :D. Edit - I showed her the video today. You have made Peggy's day, month, hell her year! She was SO excited about your kind words.
But did you give her a raise?
Peggy is a part of what's good in KC.
I love my city 🙏🏻 A gem in the heart of the US. I’m happy you enjoyed your stay. Come again! Your videos have made me realize how much I took the midwest for granted.
Love coming down and Visiting KC from Des Moines… go-to’s for me are IKEA over to Microcenter back to downtown for for a late lunch or out to Joes off Stateline for some bbq before heading back home.
@@JK-co8og Des Moines is great, too.
born and raised in KCMO
Kansas city is meh, too much asphalt
Yay Nick! I hoped you liked the Mid-West tour and I agree with your summary. I live in a suburb of KC called Grandview, and it's a little bit caught in no more space to grow, but has plenty of areas of new builds, or updates to the older homes. Thank you again for your visit and kindness of truthful reporting. I enjoyed your whole trip and videos! :😃
@Beautiful Stranger Sometime in the late 1980's/early 1990's there was a move to start pushing low income people and section 8 housing from the inner city to south Kansas City. Around that same time crime started going up in south Kansas City and those suburbs like Grandview, Raytown, Belton etc. They didn't move the crime problems, because the inner city was still horrible Its like they just spread the crime, drugs, murders further south. Around that same time the crack epidemic finally hit KC from California and pretty much all hell broke loose from the mid-1990's onward. That's what ultimately killed Bannister Mall and all that retail development around it; just wiped off the map like it never existed.
I'm in Indep, also getting kind of rough. The opiate and meth usage is a big part of it
I've lived in Grandview for the past 12 years now quietly lived here. Grandview's a great place to live quiet and peaceful back when I was raising my daughter's it used to be dangerous now I can go anywhere in Grandview and not be bothered by anyone. Still another false and misleading statement about the Kansas City metro area.
@@jak3w that is that part that you don't hear the news local news talk about very but that agenda that they have to paint Kansas City super violent only has one color to it. Is very rare hear anything about independence or sugar Creek or oak Grove or Liberty or Smithville or excelsior springs hello a girl got kidnapped in excelsior and the local police didn't want to believe her after she was held in someone's basement.
*Really-Well-Done. This Midwest tour/series has been a Genuine Win.* Being from California (San Diego), I am Exhausted by the lunacy that politicians try to normalize so visiting all the true Midwest towns was a joy to experience.
You managed to thoughtfully curate the series of stops and allow the viewer to vicariously explore the backroads and people as the story developed.
*Your thesis that the Midwest is worthy of consideration was soundly supported.*
Finally, the Last two guests were Perfect to close the series. The young lady was articulate, knowledgable and carried the conversation so very well. The last guess was a real winner as he was wearing a RAMONES Shirt.
Best stuff you’ve produced so far. Really-Well-Done.
hello just wanted to point out the mans shirt was not the ramones since the last 4 letters were omes.. saw them play ages ago!!!
@@marcinasia1731 Ahhh…me too all through the 80’s. Bummer about the shirt. I was being hopeful I guess…
🌟Exceptional comment 🌟
Well-written, thoughtful, and informative...
I agree, we would be much happier if you left California and did not return! ❤
Thanks again buddy for letting us see through your 👀 the good the bad and the ugly. Always looking forward for the next one.
Visited KC for the first time in September. Was impressed. You can sense a resurgence going on. I am from Detroit area. I'd go back.
Thanks for making a video about my hometown; Kansas City MO! I grew up on the South Side burbs of Kansas City near Grandview and Leawood
Gol dang, Nick, I never thought in a thousand million years I'd watch an entire series about the Midwest. Great job. What's next? A grand tour of the South? Keep it up, man.
The south is next year. The next series is a two-part California adventure!
@@NickJohnsoncan you do chino hills next
These vids save me a lot of travelling, keep em coming
I used to live there and still enjoy going back to visit. Those who haven't been there may be surprised at the number of mansions and all the fountains. They've really renovated Union Station since I lived there! I miss some of the old restaurants--Tippin's, Annie's Santa Fe, Baby Doe's, Houston's, etc. Rent was uber cheap back then.
Yeah, I forget the name of that road just along the border of Kansas that goes up the hill from the Country Club Plaza, but I couldn't believe how many mansions I saw.
@@eurodoc6343 Ward Parkway, maybe?
Winstead's Drive-In on the plaza
@@deborahbarry8250 Yes! Fun little fifties place with good limeade.
@@rhondawray4969 yep, that's the one!
Recently discovered your channel and I am hooked! These unboxing cities videos are great. I currently live in Leawood but visit downtown KC often. It's a great small city and continues to grow. Looking forward to the new airport, the royals being downtown, and hopefully seeing the Chiefs make it to the Superbowl again.
We visit Leawood too, then we go back home to the northland.
Most crime in Kansas City is personal/domestic or Gang Related…its not just a bunch of random killings and robberies. There might be some property crime. But just random acts of violence in Kansas City is not common. If you stay to yourself and stay out of certain situations, you will and should be fine.
Nick's Great Midwest Tour, well done!
The brick architecture is awesome and should be preserved. Cheers from Syd. AU
St louis Missouri on the opposite side of the state has even more, older dense city area full of late 1800s brick buildings
@@WalksandSuch Yes, I know, great brick architecture in St. Louis, even a Louis Sullivan building. It is a pity that the place has issues.
Hi Nick! I've never been but happy things look to be changing. Keep up the interesting stories.
Great Video! Didn't see The Plaza though... and the houses on Ward Parkway are incredible. You could do just those in one video!
that concert was a blast!! ❤️ that they put so much effort into their summer concert series & we got to see it! And Miss Peggy!! Love her!
The P&L sure puts on some great shows!
KCMO is called the City of Fountains because we have more than Rome. We're also called the Paris of the Plains. We have the more boulevards than Paris. Our Swope Park is larger than Central Park in NY.
I live in KC and your video was awesome! I'm so proud of this city.. It's definitely growing and not known for a being a "fly over city" anymore! I just love my city so much! Thank you brother for your video. Very well done! God bless!
The point to KC BBQ is that the meat tastes amazing without sauce. It's perfectly cooked with or without sauce so the sauce is always served on the side
Kansas city bbq is all about the sauce
The sauce is boss in KC
@@jb.8169 exactly. KC bbq is known for the sauce lol
Thank You!!!!! People swear we hide behind sauce! 😂😂😂 You can get sauces on the side, and meat is still amazing. BBQ is a religion in Kansas City…❤
I just seen another video where he says Saint Louis consumes the most BBQ sauce. My first thought was "ya to hide the meat" lol
Thank you for posting. My husband and I are moving to KCMO this weekend. I'm excited. This helps ease some of my fears.
I make music. Would love your view.
@@KS5040 I've lived in San Antonio, Houston, Denver, Albuquerque, and Tulsa. I think I'll be fine. It's a beautiful city. And I go where my husband goes. He got a job offer we couldn't pass up.
Thanks Nick! Loved the mid-west series.
Yep my daughter worked at a Casey's in Nebraska I was very surprised how good their pizza was especially for the middle of nowhere
This is the best channel on you tube! Found it by accident. Thank you
Loved this review! You’re right about the pockets of crime-but it’s still a friendly and fun place to be. Come back and see us again when the West Bottoms is completed!
what's the plan for the West bottoms?
Great series thank you. You would do great if you put your videos on Rumble now while still on RUclips.
Hey. Hi! KC is my home. I think you did a very good job of representing us. Thank you. Next time you come to town, I’d love to give you the nickel tour from a local perspective. You know, the shortcuts and all. Thanks again for lighting us up. You left out the airport and Union Station, the WWI Memorial and some other stuff, but I didn’t miss them. Thanks again, Mr. Johnson.
You didn’t mention the free public transportation. KCMO made public transportation 100% for riders. We pay additional tax for y’all to enjoy it and visit our town.
I was born and raised in KCMO and nobody, I mean NOBODY would pick Casey's Pizza (which I've never had) over Gates BBQ, thats just silly.
I like that you forcus on the parts of America that's been "forgotten". I'm in love with small towns, simple and people are not complicated. =)
My small town got invaded by city dwellers from surrounding states. Now it's infested with drugs and crime. No thanks.
Yeah, people from larger geographic areas are complicated & confusing 🙄
In kcmo the people are nice
by "complicated" do you mean educated and aware of others?
I’m planning on moving to Kansas City from CO, I’m a huge chiefs fan & I have a lot of family in KC. Wish me luck
I moved to KC from Colorado Springs years ago great place to raise kids
Kcmo is mostly detached single family homes and suburban sprawl with low density; more so than Overland Park and Lenexa. And over 50% of the metro areas office space is in Johnson county Kansas. Johnson county Kansas is the most densely populated and wealthiest county with over 619,000 people and 340,000 jobs. Johnson county’s median household income is 96,059$ and kcmos is 60,042$. Theres more people living within 5 miles of downtown Overland Park than within 5 miles of downtown kcmo. Johnson county Kansas GDP is higher than Jackson County Missouri. There has been decades of white flight and urban decay from Kansas City Missouri. Kcmo has a big crime problem too
Thank you. Appreciate the entire Unboxing series. Future Blind Mover.
I lived in Kansas City for a little over 6 years on both the Missouri and Kansas sides of the state line. I enjoyed my time there. Still have many good friends I made that I keep in touch with. It has the best BBQ in the country that's for sure! Rosedale BBQ in KCK is my personal favorite.
I like Torre's Pizza and Grinders sub shop. You could visit the Nelson Atkins museum or the KC art institute.
I love Kansas City. It’s very Hispanic friendly. 30% of people in the metro are Hispanic
I love the Hispanic food in KC. One of the highlights that are never really mentioned, because BARBEQUE!!!
Having been born and mostly raised there for 30+ years, yes it looks better than it did but...Back in the 70s and 80s it wasn't as crime ridden as it apparently is today. Sure we had the gang wars with murders and bombings. But that was the mob and they basically just killed their enemies. And we had Bob Berdella cutting and chopping up young guys for grins. Actually met him once before he was caught. Made a delivery to him at his creepy little shop. And there are the floods in the West Bottoms and the Plaza areas. All in all I'll stay put because well there are better places to live.
My hometown, greatest city on Earth.
SOUTH AMERICA IS BETTER WITHOUT HISPANICS.
@@johngray491 whatever you say liberal
Always excellent and fair Nick! Thank you! People should try the Mid West out ... just go and travel around like you did. It's full of good people, things to do and awesome open prairie country, lakes ...
I agree I live in East Central Illinois rural city more outdoor stuff to do than anything but I love how peaceful it is. The Prarie scenery in the Midwest is pretty, thanks Nick for giving me new found appreciation for soybeans cows farms n corn 😁😁😁 I've always appreciated the Casey's Pizza 😋
Visited three years ago and I was surprised that the downdown had a lively nightlife with music and people out enjoying themselves. I remember thinking "I could live here".
I last visited KC in 1998. I took a boat ride on the Missouri River, which was very nice. There was an excellent art museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. There was an old, run-down building, labelled as too hazardous to enter, which is now a World War I museum. Has anyone here visited that? There was also a place called Country Club Plaza, or just The Plaza, modelled on Seville, Spain.
The city used to have a good summer jazz festival. Also, there used to be a good blues club in Westport. Remember, the alto sax great Charlie Parker came from this city. It's also where Count Basie made his start. There was a good jazz museum there.
Outside of KC was a beautiful place called Powell Gardens. So there's more to Kansas City than you might expect, or at least there was back then. Someday, I hope to return.
Actually that WW1 museum was the run-down building that has been there since 1926. It was closed in 1994 due to safety concerns, because aging had produced problems with drainage and the original construction. Luckily everyone pitched in and in 2006 it expanded and reopened. I think if anyone ever gets to visit KCMO, make it a priority to see that wonderful museum.
You left out the entire North side of Kansas City. Our City officials forget it's existence also. We are pretty awesome too.
Yes, County Club Plaza is the official name but we call it The Plaza for short. Our sister city is Seville, Spain. The World War I Museum is amazing! Powell Gardens is too and located further east outside of KC.
I haven't been home in such a long time it's going close to 40 years but I remember being a kid back then and going to school life was a lot simpler back then compared to what it is now we didn't have drive-by shootings and stabbings back in the '70s we had neighbors that were just good people and would help with another we had Stock Yards and factories back then but unfortunately times have changed people moved away like like my family did we moved to California and ever since but I would love to come back home but I have to look at it some parts of his change traumatically and some parts have not once again thanks for posting this video greatly appreciate so much.
Ok Andre
Hey Nick... I hope you are doing good.. l missed your video's from a long time . Now l am back again.. gonna watch all ...
Yay where have you been??
@@NickJohnson It's a long story .. But now l am totally active again & going to rock in the comments section lol
The West Bottoms have a lot of big old buildings from the 1800s. The Missouri and Kansas rivers join there. It was a very prosperous area in the 1800s and early 1900s. Cool vibe down there.
Hey Nick&mappy I hope you have a wonderful Halloween & had a Experience with a ghost. 🎃👻
Shame you didn’t go any further south than Westport. You missed the Country Club Plaza, Ward Parkway, etc. …
My son was stabbed to death in K.C., MO last year in broad day light. It is extremely dangerous. I grew up there at 49th and Garfield St. It was bad back then, too.
I've lived off of troost a little street called Virgina Ave. It was "hood" but honestly everyone kept to themselves. It was a quiet neighborhood. The people were friendly as well. Never had any issues for the 2yrs I was there. Do miss the nightlife there and Oklahoma Joe's bbq
Every KCMO resident thanks you for that comparison to shitty kck. We hate when ppl think KC is in Kansas. It is improving but your right it's getting really expensive compared to what it used to cost to live here. love your vids keep up the great work
Shitty please it’s just needs the right ppl to run it for once
@@donellspagner4365nah it just needs to rename itself cuz it ain't KC it's kansas
I'm from the east coast but went to school in Kansas City. I can't tell you how many people still ask me how I liked my time in Kansas.
You like these videos? I have only seen two, but they come off as pretty judgmental and semi-rude at times.
@@stephenswarts5616 yeah I don't agree with everything he says but he makes good points, and is very knowledgeable about what he does.
Loved your breakdown of Kansas City Missouri. I was born in Crimedot County Ks, but was raised in independence mo (a suburb of KC. I have lived all over both sides of the state line and I honestly have to say that I love Nebraska more. (no shocker there huh). But you missed so many sites, so many. You didn't see the Plaza, which is just a few minutes south of Westport. Beautiful place with many fountains, shops and very expensive restaurants. We used to be the city with the most fountains, not really sure if we still are. You didn't stoll through Brookside. Brookside has always been a hipster type area even when I was a kid. The buildings are so beautiful filled with fun shops. OMG you missed all kinds of food. We have several burger joints that will knock your socks off. You didn't venture up to North of the River much. I absolutely love it up there. There are some snooty people but most have that KC hospitality that you should expect. Really there are only a few things I would change. The cost of housing has become insane. INSANE. Yes still more affordable than a lot of cities but in the last 5 yrs it has gotten way out of hand. This leads to more people living on the street and why not get high? Right? I would get rid of that, "defund the police mayor" , crime has always been bad in this city but it has gotten so much worse in just the last few years. We tried to get him out but you know how politics go.. If you decide to come back to take another look email me I can either show you around or I can give you a fun list. BTW KCMO has always been a evolving town. There is always construction going on. Especially downtown. They started working on revitalizing decades ago. It does take a lot of time though. I remember seeing downtown as a ghost town, not so much these days. And we have the hottest local music scene in this part of the country and maybe even the rest of the country,. Maybe 🤔. I know LA used to have a badass music scene, I am glad I got to experience that before it went to shit. Anyway thanks for checking out our beautiful city. Hollar if you want to come on back..
Ok thanks!! Good to know!
KC has a law. You have to have one tree per acre. It's always been like that with the greenery since I was a kid.
it can be pretty gorgeous when it comes to that. some neighborhoods more so. one of my favorite things about the city is that many neighborhoods have a lot of greenery.
i never realized there was a law about it. probably otherwise people tend to profit financially or through convenience by removing them, regardless of negative short or long-term effects.
a tree per acre is still too low though and areas could be improved even if they can’t add more trees by requiring that native vegetation be spared or replaced. especially that which helps native species, can soak up a lot of carbon, etc.
nice one! was hoping to see malcom and eddie's bar in this episode.
I live in Overland Park and Austin Tx. THese KC, Kansas and Missouri videos are hilarious. I grew up in rural KS, your analysis of rural KS is spot on.
You didn't show the plaza area which I would have thought you would have. Famous for all it's fountains and statues, was wondering if it had held up through the years as it's been a long time since I've been back to Kansas City.
No. The plaza is all retail not mom and pop and lots of homeless and crime nowadays. Pretty empty storefronts and all.
One thing I have to say is that….. There are no corn fields in Kansas City Missouri 😂😂
Thanks for the info Nick. !!! 🙂
You didn’t even go to country club plaza wow that’s the highlight of the video
What a lovely little area at the beginning of the video. 😍
I'm from Springfield MO... So.. ya know.. it's pretty cool in comparison. Anything is better than this place.
If you ever roll through Springfield MO please let me know Nick. I'll tell you all about the place. I've been here 33 long years, can show you all around the place. City isn't that big so it wouldn't take too long.
This tour would've been better with more local input.
And you should all know that KC will be hosting the NFL draft next year as well as the World Cup in 26!
I've been going to KCMO since 1998, for work and fun. I absolutely love that city. City of Fountains!! Very friendly people and my favorite regional BBQ. A lot of cool things to do and see. An interesting thing about the power and light district, 4th Street live in Louisville Kentucky is the same exact thing. But I'm sure you knew that already. Been the Joe's BBQ, (used to be called Oklahoma Joe's) and yeah smoking guns is lacking... Slaps BBQ is really good, it's on the Kansas side. The new airport is amazing compared to the old one. The country club plaza area is cool but trendy. The War memorial is definitely a must-see. I always leave that city with good memories.
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts safe travels
Casey's is NOT a big deal in KCMO. We love our Quick Trip (QT).
Should be Casey's
There are a lot fewer Casey’s in Kansas City’s city limits compared to Quick Trip. To all the people in the small towns surrounding KC is where Casey’s thrives.
Driving over the viaduct used to stink with the stock yards there. The stench was memorable.
Nick I enjoy your videos but I must correct you on something. KC is my 2nd home though I live in Northwest Arkansas. When you said Kansas City has more people than ever before I remember in the late 60's, early 70's the population on the city limits sign on Truman Road said it was 507,000+. I remember it well. Just letting you know.🙂
You should find your way to my area in Southeast Missouri. Farmington, Fredericktown, Piedmont and Poplar Bluff are the areas I grew up (mostly Piedmont).
My family moved to KC in 1960, when I was age 12. We didn't know what we were getting into. I didn't expect to like it, but I did. I spent a lot of time looking at segregation. But I worked part time at Paseo HS, which was integrated. Confusing. Segregation was nearly over when I moved away in the early 1980's. I recognized some danger on the street but had no problem. Might be different for me now, in my mid 70's. Still, the food is tasty and there're many tennis courts. I briefly returned in 1995 and got a match at the Plaza Tennis Center in about 2 minutes.
I graduated from Paseo in the early 2000s and it’s always interesting to hear about the schools history…
What about Waldo and Brookside? Or homes along Ward Parkway?
I lived in KC for 6 years, you actually saw my old aldi. 🙈 Some things I miss is the free transportation, Vietnam cafe, the River market. But the crime is very bad, it’s not a safe place to live. I know at least a dozen people who were robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight. There is a darkness I experienced in this down that I’ve never felt anywhere else
Certain areas are bad, not the whole city and I have a hard time believing the "dozen people who were robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight"
@@fenian123 ok I’m sorry you can’t believe me. Maybe my friends and old classmates are just unlucky
@@rose-co1xz I live in KC, not the suburbs, in the city (60 years) You are simply wrong that it is not safe, certain areas, at certain times, yes, you would be right, like any city but not even close for the city as a whole.
Thanks for sharing this very informative video.
Born, raised and still haven't left my loved Kansas City, MO. As you can tell by my username. Kansas City is affordable for everything. You can have a nice life here. If you go looking for trouble it will also find you here. All I can say is live a straight and narrow here and you'll be safe and happy. 😊
Amen to that. most of the crime happens after dark in the wrong places at the wrong parties. I am a morning person who does everything in the morning and never sees all of the crime that comes out after dark when the mice are playing. I love the whole metro area. While I am a transplant here, I agree with your comment.
Kansas City Missouri is by far the most underrated city in the US.
EXTREMELY 😢
Not Raytown! I had an internship there last year, and it was bad. The amount of crackheads in town was just insane 💀💀
I live in Raytown and I don't see that.. But I seriously don't go out much either.. Where though?
@@moonbaby5411 Enterprise rent a car on 350 highway
That is good to know. Thank you..
Lived in KCMO for 11 years (close to Gladstone) and loved it! (2000-2011).
Denim and Diamonds was my hangout.
Arthur Bryant’s off 18th and Vine was my fav BBQ…oh and Smokehouse.
I see you were in the city where I live at now on Day 4 (Omaha).
The problem is when KC renovates an area, the last hot spot turns into a dump. Power and light goes up and Westport turns into a dump. 18th and vine was renovated and it’s a dump now. Sprint center goes up, Kemper goes to crap. Weird the city can’t support more than one area at a time. They’re not adding they’re just moving. Every mayor wants to move the stadiums downtown which is so ridiculous when you see the space the sports complex has. They just raised property taxes through the roof. A person should keep that in mind. There’s no rhyme or reason for the percentage. They just raise them to whatever they want. My neighbor got an 80% increase and mine was 18%. Idiots in Jackson county elect retired ball players to important positions that they have no business being in. Morons with no experience are running KC. An ex mayor that is now a congressman doesn’t pay his taxes and they named a street after him.
We definitely do appreciate it. I am a Missourian, we are friendly, but, the majority would like to keep our state politically the way it is. If you are running from Liberal Tyranny and bring those beliefs with you, many are not cool with it.
I think people in the city welcome it. It's pretty left leaning even though the rest of the state isn't except for STL
I'm an east coast transplant to KCMO and I gotta say, I love it here. It reminds me a lot of DC in the 1960s, great architecture, lots of Art Deco, gorgeous brick industrial buildings, that iconic Western Auto building, and get this-NO TRAFFIC. It's mostly progressive too.
interesting. Worth a visit to check out
Notice that everywhere he goes there are no tents on on the sidewalk. There is a crew that goes out and picks up the trash in downtown every single morning.
Dope video info on point 💯
Thanks Nick for taking your time and money to show us flyover country couldn’t have been too exciting for you lol but I appreciated your dedication to making the videos.
Grew up in Lenexa, KCMO has always been a shit hole 😂
The outdoor food market was there on the bottoms on the weekends.
I went to med schook in KC in the early 2000s. It needed some work back then, but it at least had the look of a city that was trying to improve and diversify itself. Glad to see that progress has continued.
Speaking of food, KC has what I think is the single best Italian restaurant outside of Italy, Garozzo's. One of the few Italian restaurants in the US where the focus goes beyond noodles with red sauce.
Wow! The last time I was in Kansas City was in 1983. It has sure changed of course for the better. I hardly recognized it. I remember going to the Plaza when they would turn on the Christmas lights the Friday after Thanksgiving and a helicopter would land and Santa Claus would step out. I remember visiting the Crown Center and driving down Ward Parkway and looking at all the beautiful water fountains. Remember that song from the musical Oklahoma called Kansas City? "Everything is up to date in Kansas City, they've gone about as far as they can go, they even built a skyscraper 7 stories high, about as high as a skyscraper oughta grow". Looks like they have skyscrapers 70 stories high now. 🤣
Casey’s pizza is for people who like a lot of butter on their toast. I felt like having a more crispy pizza one time. so I had Casey’s run my pizza through the oven for a second pass. It just drew more oil out of the cheese and became even more greasy. Delicious and nutritious😋
This video is weird. He didn't go to the Plaza, Didn't show Crown Center/Union Station. Instead he showed a bunch of video from Prospect. He jumped around all over the place. Some of the commentary was funny. The interview at the end - that girl was a clueless suburbanite. She didn't say anything relevant that couldn't be said about any other place. KC has a great Mexican restaurant scene. Huge Mexican restaurant scene. That BBQ sandwich you got to go was PATHETIC! Was that Smokin Guns? That is some BS for them to serve that crap!
I'm from the area, there's a lot of work to do here, especially with crime. Let's hope the democrat politicians knock it out with the woke bs and start funding the police.
You mean like the great job the Democrats are doing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago or that pearl of the Midwest Detroit? Another great Democrat paradise is New York City and the NYPD has a budget of around $11B which if they were an army would put them in the top 20 or 25 militaries in the WORLD; and crime is going crazy there. That's more than 5 times the entire budget of Kansas City just for cops and its still a shithole.
Democrats are as useless as the 💩you flush
Kansas City allocated $248.2 million or 24.3% of its general revenues to police.
or hope and demand people do better
River Market is a fun area and Columbus Park is quaint. Then there is Strawberry Hill as well. There is also the Plaza
Are you in St. Louis, MO yet? You got to make sure you hit up all parts of the of the metro areas. St. Louis City, North County, West County, and South County. Frontenac, Huntleigh, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Ellisville, Florissant, Black Jack, Kinloch Hazelwood, Spanish Lake, Ferguson, Jennings, Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Saint Ann, Central West End, Mehlville, Oakville, Sunset Hills, Kirkwood, Des Peres, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Brentwood, Clayton, and University City. These aren't all, but are fairly well known locations. Maybe you'll have time to at least drive through them, if not actually stop.
I've done a video on St. Louis before
I just eat an entire medium box of Casey's pizza in Pratt, Kansas today and I gotta admit it was satisfying and moderately greasy.
Been here for about a year now... Has its ups and downs but overall Kansas City is a great place to be...
As far as you bashing KCK did you go past the intercity? Nascar, world class soccer ⚽️ stadium. Brand New American Royal 100 acres. Minor league baseball ⚾️ stadium. Huge number of more great events in KCKS 🎉
Being a senior, living in The Kansas City metro area you can find a lot to do. there are hundreds of miles of walking and hiking trails. and the cost of living is not that bad.
Great info. I like visiting areas where i can walk, bike and run, actaully see people and not use a car for everything.
Love your content nick my fam and I watch your vids all the time love this vid on KCMO sry about the loud chiefs fans but we’re good folks keep the vids coming nick 😊
Ok Kyle :) ❤️ tell your family I said hi!
That should be the location for a new stadium. Arrowhead should be kept for college events and a future pre-Olympic qualifying sport events and concerts.
The crime issues ABSOLUTELY have to do with past redlining and discrimination. But not just that issue on it's own. It's the fact that nothing has been done to rectify this issue and help the people affected by it. The crime issues have more to do with poverty and desperation than drugs also.
Or... it could be the fact that people are committing crimes, just a thought.
@@dariusx4829 that doesn't mean there isn't causes to those issues
Yeah that's what all the clickbaity stuff doesn't help with. I don't think he understands those kind of issues.
@@bigboy9661 causes or excuses?
There's no excuse
I really enjoyed this MidWest series - I watched the whole tour!
This video triggered a childhood memory. Not for KC but San Fran where I know you have been. I am a native and lived in the Potrero Hill section as a child. There was a Safeway there (still there!) where we shopped. Back then they had a fully armed security guard who walked around the store because of a lot of robberies. That was the early 70s! See? Everything bad is new again.🙄
I thought Kansas City MO. Is named “the city of fountains”. Didn’t see even one fountain in your video! Where’s the founts???
I like walking on the Country Club Plaza. There are many talented people down there.
Good stuff Nick..I live 70 miles NE of KC yep farm country... KC is one of the best gems for a city..But shhhhhushhh.
I was shocked to learn that the biggest employer in Kansas City these days is government, local, state, and federal. What happened to the city of Ford and BOP, Butler Buildings, Hallmark, and more?
Casey's is good - you should try Tim's Pizza in Independence or Funhouse in Independence.
You should have played the song, Going to Kansas City, Kansas City Here I Come…😂