Destination Information - Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Neptune, god of the sea, raises his trident and roars through turbulent waters led by three powerful horses. A block away, Bacchus, god of wine, looks down from his grapevine-wrapped pedestal upon a captive audience of nymphs and satyrs. Nearby the beautiful goddess Pomona poses with a cluster of grapes in a sun-drenched courtyard.

No, this isn't Mount Olympus, fabled home of the Greek gods. It's Kansas City. And these are but a few of the hundreds of majestic fountains that make their home in this Midwestern treasure, known as the City of Fountains.

Kansas City is said to be the home of more fountains than any city in the world except Rome. Exactly how many fountains Kansas City has is not known, for public and private fountains are added regularly. It's sort of an unwritten policy that a fountain of some fashion is incorporated into the design of most new commercial building projects in Kansas City. But it's not only the number of fountains that makes Kansas City the City of Fountains, but the craftsmanship and presentation of these celebrations of water. Spending a day leisurely touring these stunning structures adds to the Kansas City experience.

Downtown Kansas City, north of Crown Center, boasts numerous fountains, lending a calming effect to the hustle and bustle of the busy business district. Four impressive fountains in the area include the Barney Allis Plaza Fountain at 12th & Wyandotte, the City Hall Fountains at 12th & Oak, Muse of the Missouri at 9th & Main, and the Rain Thicket Fountain at 12th & Walnut. Some of these fountains have interesting histories. To conserve energy during the war effort, the City Hall Fountains were turned off in May 1942 to save the city $1.50 per day in electricity costs from the circulating pumps. The Rain Thicket Fountain's stainless steel representation of trees in an urban setting at first encountered some controversy for its nontraditional design. Since its dedication in 1981, it has become a favored piece of art.