Kansas City or St Louis to visit

Which city is cooler? Feels like St. Louis has cooler older homes, but Kansas City has maybe been more developed. Thoughts?

level 1

Absolutely love both places. I like the larger amount of parks and conservation areas around STL for outdoor activities.

level 2

also great hiking and biking trails

level 2

STL definitely has more/better state parks within driving distance. KC is too far north and we have fewer state parks. Also, they’re just not as cool. They’re mainly flat forests.

level 1

I grew up in STL and live in KC now. I feel like KC is easier to live in, just getting around, less traffic (our infrastructure is tradh though). I am raising my kids in the city and I feel like KC is much better for that. Our neighborhood parks are worse, but our big parks like Loose Park are great. STL has a better zoo, but our art museum is better. I won't argue about food because frankly it's all delicious.

level 1

I'm pretty sure wars have been started over this question.

level 2

Don't make me reincarnate John Brown

level 1

I am not from either city but have lived in both -- St Louis has much better infrastructure and better public areas like parks and stuff. KC has better everything else.

level 2

Food. STL is really on fire right now when it comes to food and beer that is recognized nationally and not just locally or regionally.

level 2

I have never heard anybody talk about STL in terms of parks our the our doors. Not even from people from there.

What's so special about it?

level 1

Both cities have their positives and negatives. The important thing we can all agree on is that the highway that connects them is the worst stretch of highway in the entire country.

level 2

What, you don’t like a two-lane highway clogged with semi trucks?

level 2

I'll die on the hill of KC having better BBQ. Everything else is pretty spot on

level 2

I have to disagree with the “unique neighborhoods” comment. They all look the same to me. Either small or overly large brick homes and 2 or 4 family flats. All so close to each other that one has to turn sideways to squeeze in between them. I love the area, but I feel all the neighborhoods blend together.

level 2

Exactly this. I was born and raised in STL but also have family in KC so I spent some time there. Personally I feel like STL has more character and places to go, but KC was always so great and friendly.

All the negatives about STL are true, also the wealth gap is so much worse there so there.

level 2

Great comment! You made me both want to visit St Louis & be proud of living in KC.

level 1

Born and raised in STL. Visited KC a few years ago and was blown away by how nice everyone is that I’ve been contemplating a move there since. I felt much safer walking through neighborhoods and downtown.

level 1

Judging purely on "coolness," I would pick St. Louis becaise of the architecture and history. And it has some extremely cool special locations, like the City Museum and the new Aquarium.

Overall, though, I like Kansas City a little more.

level 2

From someone who doesn’t live in MO but likes both of these cities and has been to every major city in the country other than Minneapolis, the City Museum was insanely awesome. My kids still talk about it and they are old enough to probably barely enjoy it now (we went 5 years ago).

level 2

Yeah, I think of KC as better places to live, STL more to do during a visit.

level 1

As a foreigner I much prefer STL which feels more cosmopolitan/diverse/East Coast. KC feels very white bread/Midwesterner, it has more Hispanics though.

level 1

There is a lot more to do in Kansas City, but as another commenter said St. Louis is the place for conservation/parks. Kansas City’s continued downtown growth is pretty exciting for the region. Unfortunately St. Louis’ downtown is pretty much a ghost town, even with two pro sports teams playing there. I’ve lived in both and travel frequently between the two, but I much prefer Kansas City.

level 2

Interesting take. I lived in both cities simultaneously for years and I think there’s way more to do in STL - it isn’t even close. I’m talking about the entire STL metro area vs KC metro area, I think you may be comparing the downtowns in which case you are right KC is way better. KC is definitely growing faster (STL isn’t really growing at all) but the STL metro area is massive compared to KC.

Is Kansas City Missouri worth visiting?

Is St. Louis MO worth visiting?

Is Kansas City bigger than St. Louis?

How many days should I spend in Kansas City?