Kansas City neighborhoods: A travel guide
Though today it’s the heart of The New Midwest, Kansas City was once the doorstep to the American frontier, a bootlegging speakeasy type of town, a jazz capital for the greats. Its 240 neighborhoods — spread across 319 square miles and centuries of history — would be nearly impossible to cover, on foot or on the page.
But let these nine be a start. Expect artist hotspots and ‘hoods full of beloved greasy spoons, bustling entertainment districts and monthly street parties, upscale foodie hubs and diverse enclaves where “local” describes everything you taste or touch.
And like players in KC’s famous late-night jazz sessions, these nine neighborhoods can be experienced distinctly or together in harmony, crafting the cultural and culinary chops that earn Kansas City praise from locals, visitors, and everyone in between.
The grassroots monthly art festival known as First Fridays — now a giant on the calendar — turned this forgotten corner of the city into a vibrant arts district jam-packed with creative galleries, inventive restaurants and bars, and an infusion of KC personality. Don’t miss these experiences when you’re here.
18th & Vine
Redlining in the 1930s made this neighborhood one of the few places Black Kansas Citians could live. Thanks in part to its jazz clubs and baseball stadium, 18th & Vine became a thriving center of community and culture for many Black families and business owners, and those roots still show today — in museum halls, club stages, and the smoke from the city’s best barbecue.
Plaza / Westport
The heart of the city was once the front door to the frontier. The 19th-century architecture, old-style lampposts, and tree-lined boulevards of Plaza / Westport hang on, but now this historic ‘hood is more about high-street shops, late-night entertainment, and stunning Spanish-inspired architecture.
River Market
Since 1857, when steamboat traffic and westward expansion drove demand for goods, River Market has been synonymous with fresh food, hearty wares, and KC’s confluence of cultures. Visit today to see how these themes play out within a modern context.
Brookside
Located some 15 minutes south of downtown, Brookside is a slower-paced neighborhood full of welcoming tree-lined boulevards, charming historic homes, and quaint, awning-topped shops that will make you feel right at home. There’s still plenty going on, though — here’s a taste.
West 39th Street
Underrated, offbeat, and anything but pretentious, this colorful neighborhood located right on the Kansas-Missouri state line is full of quirky shops and world flavors. It’s a prime destination when you’re in the mood for something a little different.
Power & Light
Posh and lively, P&L is where the fun happens. From college hoops to live music to beer pong, it’s always time to play. The highlights below only scratch the surface.
Midtown / Crown Center
What happens when you cram this much history and this many shops, restaurants, and entertainment into just a few city blocks? You get an entertainment destination that promises fun for the whole family. Here’s some of what to look forward to.
West Bottoms
Wedged between two mighty rivers whose periodic floods have come close to destroying it now and again, the West Bottoms is perhaps best known these days for its shindig on the first weekend of every month, when it sees a stampede of visitors seeking strong brews and funky vintage finds.