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 KANSAS CITY, MO. - Kansas City is one of five international "Destinations to Watch" in 2009, according to SmarterTravel.com. The popular travel Web site recently unveiled to USA Today its top picks for travel in 2009, and Kansas City was the only place in the United States to make the list. Other destinations making the cut were Vancouver, Canada; Peru; Rivieria Nayarit in Mexico; and Vilnius, Lithuania.
"Our top picks for destinations to watch in 2009 are bursting with up-and-coming, you've-gotta-see-this attitude," the Web site says. "Not only are these destinations on the rise, but each offers good value to travelers looking to vacation affordably in the coming year. …With this much excitement to come, 2009 just got a whole lot more interesting."
Kansas City's culinary scene, downtown renaissance and overall affordability were cited as major reasons for the Web site KC's ranking as a top pick. Here are nine more reasons why Kansas City will continue to generate buzz in 2009.
1. 40th Anniversary of KC's Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration
The week-long MLK commemoration in Kansas City is one of the nation's largest tributes to the famous civil rights activist. The city marks the 40th anniversary of this celebration with a week full of live entertainment, speakers and workshops.
2. Kansas City is a College Basketball Mecca
Kansas City has hosted more Final Fours and more NCAA basketball games than any other city in the country. And it's once again hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, March 19 & 21. KC is also the home of the College Basketball Experience and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. • collegebasketballexperience.com
3. 100th Anniversary of the Kansas City Zoo
The year 2009 marks the centennial anniversary of the Kansas City Zoo, which has grown into the nation's 10th largest zoo and one of "America's Best Zoos in 2008" according to The Intrepid Traveler magazine. • kansascityzoo.org
4. The New Kauffman Stadium / Reopening April 10
The Kansas City Royals' new Kauffman Stadium promises to be one of the best ballparks in Major League Baseball. The $250 million renovation includes more intimate seating throughout the park, wider concourses, a new bar and restaurant and a Royals Hall of Fame. • kcroyals.com
5. The Prowler at Worlds of Fun / Opening April 18
This summer, Worlds of Fun is adding a seventh roller coaster to its thrill inventory-the wooden Prowler. The new scream machine will offer a smooth, "bobsled-like" ride, an 85-foot initial drop and speeds of up to 51 mph. • worldsoffun.com
6. Heartland Harvest Garden at Powell Gardens / Opening summer 2009
Powell Gardens is opening the largest garden of its kind in the country-a 100-percent-edible, 12-acre Heartland Harvest Garden that will show the path of food from seed to plate.
• powellgardens.org
7. Schlitterbahn Water Resort / Opening summer 2009
Kansas City is unveiling one of the world's largest tubing parks this summer. Schlitterbahn Water Resort features miles of interconnected rivers and signature attractions such as the Master Blaster uphill water coaster. • schlitterbahn.com/kc
8. Tour of Missouri / September 7-13
With Lance Armstrong's return to professional cycling, the world can expect renewed interest in the sport. KC will once again be a part of Tour of Missouri, which is one of the nation's top cycling events, ranking only behind the Tour of California. • tourofmissouri.com
9. Advertising Icon Museum / Opening fall 2009
The Advertising Icon Museum will provide a unique look at how advertising shapes our lives and will feature the world's largest collection of 3-D advertising icons. • advertisingiconmuseum.com
About the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
The KCCVA is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance economic growth and quality of life for the region and its residents through marketing, sales and service for the convention and tourism industries. For more information, visit the organization's Web site at VisitKC.com.
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Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention
& Visitors Association
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College Basketball Experience
Caption: Located in the new Sprint Center, this attraction celebrates college basketball by placing visitors in electrifying, game-like situations. Photo credit: Erik Miner
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Downtown Skyline w/ Union Station
Caption: Built in 1919, Kansas City's Union Station graces the downtown skyline. This image is not available for download.
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Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium
Caption: The Kansas City Royals play more than 80 home games each year at Kauffman Stadium.
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Kansas City Zoo
Caption: Children can get upclose with lemurs in the Kansas City Zoo's Discovery Barn. This image is not available for download.
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Kansas City Zoo, tiger
Caption: Home to more than 1,000 animals, the Kansas City Zoo celebrates 100 years in 2009.
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Powell Gardens
Caption: Kansas City's botanical garden features 915 acres of beautiful, ever-changing gardens, nature trails, contemporary architecture and year-round events. This image is not available for download.
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Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark
Caption: In summer 2009, waterpark giant Schlitterbahn will open its first resort outside of Texas in Kansas City, Kan. Photo credit: Schlitterbahn.
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Tour of Missouri
Caption: Held every September, Tour of Missouri is a seven-day, 600-mile professional cycling race across the Show-Me State. This image is not available for download.
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West Edge
Caption: Opening spring 2009, The West Edge development will house a boutique hotel, a restaurant and the Advertising Icon Museum.
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Worlds of Fun, The Patriot
Caption: One six world-class coasters at Worlds of Fun, The Patriot is the longest and tallest inverted roller coaster in the region.
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