Downtown Kansas City Travel Guide

Kansas City

Union Station which includes heritage architecture, a city and a skyscraper
Downtown Kansas City showing a city
Union Station which includes heritage elements and interior views as well as a small group of people
Downtown Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City featuring signage and a city

Entrepreneurial spirit, gentrification and originality combine to create a district full of architectural treasures, boutiques, live music venues and theatres. 

From barbecue joints to centuries-old monuments and concert halls, Downtown Kansas City is the beating heart of the town and a go-to destination for varied cultural experiences. Largely abandoned during the 1980s and 1990s, Downtown Kansas City is a shining example of successful regeneration. Brewpubs, fashion outlets, galleries and restaurants occupy former warehouses while once decaying buildings have been turned into innovative residential complexes.

Delve into the non-stop entertainment action of the Power and Light District. Shop for the latest trends, tantalize your taste buds with experimental cuisine and traditional barbecue dishes and watch performing arts shows. KC Live! is a covered square spread across an entire block that serves as the nightlife hub. Attend music performances and trade fairs at Kansas City Convention Center. The Sprint Center hosts basketball games, concerts and musicals.

Book tickets for a show at the Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland and Folly Theater. Sports lovers might want to check out The College Basketball Experience. Browse a hall of fame, have fun with interactive exhibits and shoot hoops.

Walk in the shadow of the skyscrapers that rise above the Financial District and get a feel for downtown business activities. Take a moment to appreciate historical landmarks such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Central Library and KCMO City Hall. At Ilus W. Davis Park find greenery and a quiet oasis amid the skyscrapers. Don’t miss an evening at The Phoenix, a jazz club opened in the 19th century.

Downtown Kansas City merges to the south with the Crossroads Arts District. Independent galleries line the streets and showcase both emerging and recognized artists. To the north is River Market, the city’s oldest neighborhood. Visit its attractions including the Arabia Steamboat Museum, City Market and Riverfront Heritage Trail.

Ride the KC Streetcar along Main Street and through the center of Downtown Kansas City from River Market to Union Station. The KC Streetcar is free to use, thus making the town easy to get around.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Kansas City

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

4 out of 5
200 W 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
The price is ฿4,393 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿4,393
฿5,303 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Bed was comfortable. Shower was great. Staff was awesome"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Kansas City Marriott Downtown
Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown by IHG

Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown by IHG

3.5 out of 5
101 West 11TH Street, Kansas City, MO
The price is ฿3,641 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
฿3,641
฿4,392 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Boutique hotel feel."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown by IHG
Hotel Phillips Kansas City Curio Collection by Hilton

Hotel Phillips Kansas City Curio Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
106 W 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
The price is ฿3,778 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
฿3,778
฿4,591 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this historic hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice clean rooms, especially for an older hotel. Loved the classic look to it. Staff super friendly. No fridge/microwave in room unless you ask for it. Walking distance to T mobile center which is why we stayed here. Overall very pleasant for an overnight stay."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Hotel Phillips Kansas City Curio Collection by Hilton
AC Hotel by Marriott Kansas City Downtown

AC Hotel by Marriott Kansas City Downtown

3 out of 5
906 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
The price is ฿4,670 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
฿4,670
฿5,648 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Crown Center and T-Mobile ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (165 reviews)
"We stopped in Kansas City on our cross country roadtrip. It was a nice, dependable hotel at the edge of the city."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Kansas City Downtown
Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown by IHG

Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown by IHG

4 out of 5
1301 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO
The price is ฿3,868 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
฿3,868
฿4,659 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"It was great! The only thing i would mention is parking at the hotel was $30 extra which i didn't know and it there weren't other options"

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown by IHG
Hotel Kansas City, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Hotel Kansas City, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

4 out of 5
1228 BALTIMORE AVE, Kansas City, MO
The price is ฿5,331 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿5,331
฿6,431 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (678 reviews)
"Awesome place"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Hotel Kansas City, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Kansas City

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Power and Light District

The ample dining options and great live music are just a few popular features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland or T-Mobile Center while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Power and Light Tram Stop to get around town.

Power and Light District
River Market which includes landscape views, a high-rise building and a city

River Market

The restaurants and museums are just a few things visitors like about River Market. City Market of Kansas City and Arabia Steamboat Museum are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at River Market North Tram Stop or City Market Tram Stop to get around the larger area.

River Market
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts featuring theatre scenes and interior views

Crossroads Arts District

4/5(1 area review)

Crossroads Arts District is a destination travellers like for its restaurants, and you might hop aboard the metro at Crossroads Tram Stop or Kauffman Center Tram Stop to explore sights like Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Crossroads Arts District
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts featuring theatre scenes and interior views

Westside North

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Westside North and surrounding area, you can visit Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Science City at Union Station.

Westside North
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Hospital Hill

Though Hospital Hill may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center.

Hospital Hill
Liberty Memorial featuring a high-rise building, a city and landscape views

Crown Center District

Take time in Crown Center District to visit attractions like Liberty Memorial and National World War One Museum. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Union Station Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Crown Center District

Downtown Kansas City Travel Guide