KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, is regarded as the "Heart of America" since it was founded in 1850. Kansas is recognized for its thriving arts and entertainment sectors, award-winning barbeque, world-class museums, and jazz music. It's a city that likes to keep tourists at bay… KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, is regarded as the "Heart of America" since it was founded in 1850. Kansas is recognized for its thriving arts and entertainment sectors, award-winning barbeque, world-class museums, and jazz music. It's a city that likes to keep tourists at bay. It is also a gorgeous metropolis, with more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world save Rome.