18TH & VINE HISTORIC DISTRICT. During the roaring '20s, this swanky neighborhood, defying Prohibition's mandates, would swing and groove nightly to the smooth sounds of Charlie "Bird" Parker, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald at places like the famous Blue Room. After an extensive reclamation process, the neighborhood has again become a thriving part of the city, especially following the opening of the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Originally part of the Santa Fe Trail (a route used by pioneers for trade and transportation), Cave Spring, in its latest incarnation as an urban nature center, offers recreational and educational opportunities. Learn about the history and ecology of the area at the interpretive center, pack a picnic lunch for an outdoor meal, take a short hike, or enjoy the cave and the wildlife habitat pond. Cultural history programs outline Native American practices for both school kids and adults.

DOWNTOWN. Visitors to City Hall are in for a treat, twice over. First, they can marvel at exquisite Art Deco architecture and detailing, which lend one-of-a-kind, Depression-era grace to the structure. Decorative, elegant lines and indulgent materials like Italian marble and hand-pressed oak veneer paneling adorn the interior. Next, they can take the elevator to an open-air observation deck on the 30th floor, which, on a clear day, affords stunning views of the city's outlying suburbs and the Missouri River. Best of all, visits to City Hall and the observation deck are free.

DOWNTOWN. September 15, 1806. On this date, explorers Lewis and Clark stopped in what's now downtown Kansas City on the way back from their famed journey to the Pacific Ocean. Pausing at the spot now known as Clark's Point, William Clark noted that the location is "the perfect commanding situation for a fort." Views of Kansas, Missouri, and the area's complex waterway system still amaze visitors; educational panels about the expedition ­ along with a bronze statue depicting the two explorers with their guide Sacajawea and dog Seaman ­ are other highlights of the spot.

INDEPENDENCE. This historic site offers a glimpse at the 33rd president's life and career. The white, Victorian-style home looks much as it did in the early 20th century, complete with period antiques and family heirlooms. During the Truman presidency, the home was referred to as the "Summer White House." The site also features the homes of Bess Truman's two brothers and the home of the president's aunt (on nearby Delaware Street). Tours are limited to eight people, and tickets are time-specific, issued on a first-come, first-served basis.