The popular Kansas City area, starring neighboring cities of the same name in Missouri and Kansas, spills with a variety of neighborhoods filled with attractions, entertainment and dining options.
In each Kansas City, groups can discover a core meetings-friendly neighborhood that is anchored by a convention center, as well as other lively districts that attendees can explore during their downtime.
Kansas City, Mo.
At the top of the lineup of must-visit neighborhoods in Kansas City, Mo., is the downtown convention district, which according to Cori Day, vice president of sales and services for Visit KC, is “home base for most groups” visiting the city.
“Named one of Forbes’ Top 10 downtowns, it’s currently enjoying a $6.5 billion renaissance,” she said.
Among the major developments downtown is the scheduled early 2020 opening of Loews Kansas City Convention Center Hotel, which will be connected via walkway to the Kansas City Convention Center’s grand ballroom.
The Loews property will add 800 guest rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting/event space to downtown’s already impressive meetings portfolio, which includes some 4,000 hotel rooms located within a few blocks of the convention center.
Downtown is simply a great place for attendees to hang their hats, whether they stick around the host hotel or venture away from downtown to visit other intriguing areas in the city.
“Our brand-new KC Streetcar connects this area to other popular entertainment districts, such as River Market and Crown Center,” Day said.
Of course, groups don’t have to stray too far to enjoy an entertainment district, as downtown’s Power & Light District (P&L) offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities, including the group-friendly 801 Chophouse, Bristol Seafood Grill, No Other Pub by Sporting KC and gastro pub Cleaver & Cork.
Another notable P&L resident is the 213-room Hilton President Kansas City, which features more than 12,000 square feet of event space, on-site group dining at Providence New American Kitchen and the Drum Room, where attendees can relax over cocktails.
Elsewhere in downtown, groups will find a calendar of outdoor festivals in Barney Allis Plaza, including Fiesta Hispana in September and City Lights around the holidays; the interactive College Basketball Experience, which accommodates corporate events; and several theaters for groups seeking a cultural outing, including Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the Kansas City Symphony,
Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Ballet.
Another great neighborhood that will tempt groups is Country Club Plaza, a Spanish-inspired district where attendees can grab a bite at group-friendly eateries such as Gram & Dun or Stock Hill, and those with extra cash on hand can enjoy some high-end shopping.
PageBreakAmong the many shopping opportunities here are HMK, a local boutique started by Kansas City-based Hallmark, where attendees will find Kansas City art and hard-to-find Hallmark cards, and Restoration Emporium, a popular spot for antique finds and rustic gifts.
“This area is distinctive for its Spanish-inspired architecture, statues, $1 million worth of outdoor artwork and fountains,” Day said.
Of the metro area’s more than 200 waterworks, the one that is most photographed, J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, resides in Country Club Plaza.
“Groups can make an outing of discovering their favorite fountains,” Day said. “And in the winter months, the area takes on a festive vibe, with more than 80 miles of lights adorning each dome, tower and shop in the district for the iconic Plaza Lights.”
The first stop for groups visiting 18th & Vine, a historic district that was internationally known as a hotbed for jazz, should be the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which are housed in one complex.
“Interactive exhibits and docent-led tours make the two American pastimes come to life,” Day said. “Groups can enjoy jazz performances together inside the Blue Room, a working jazz club that’s part of the American Jazz Museum.”
After exploring 18th & Vine, hungry groups can enjoy a Kansas City tradition with barbecue from nearby Gates or Arthur Bryant’s.
Kansas City, Kan.
Downtown Kansas City, Kan., is home to two standout venues for group gatherings, including the Reardon Convention Center, which accommodates groups with up to 2,000 attendees, and the circa-1925 Memorial Hall, which features a 2,800-seat arena and a ballroom that often books banquets for up to 300 people.
Maila Yang, marketing and communications manager for the Kansas City Kansas CVB, suggested attendees start their downtown outing at A Cup on the Hill, where they can grab a coffee to accompany them as they stroll down Minnesota Avenue, aka the Avenue of Murals.
“On almost each block along Minnesota Avenue, you’ll find a new colorful mural representing a different heritage or historical event that makes Kansas City, Kansas what it is today,” she said.
If the group is out and about for lunch, downtown is also home to authentic Mexican fare, including street tacos at taquerias such as El Camino Real and Bonito Michoacan.
“If you find you have a hankering for Kansas City barbecue, as many do, Slap’s BBQ in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood is an absolute must-try,” Yang added. “The Strawberry Hill area also features favorites such as the 403 Club, where you can grab a craft beer and join in on a pinball tournament.”
Village West, another popular city neighborhood, is the No. 1 tourist destination in Kansas, according to Yang.
“Over 12 million visitors per year come here to enjoy the most extensive dining, shopping, entertainment and lodging choices that Kansas City has to offer, all in one convenient location,” she said.
Shopping outings should include a trip to two megastores, Nebraska Furniture Mart and Cabela’s, as well as Legends Outlets, which melds recognized brand retailers and specialty stores.
Entertaining activities in Village West include outings to a Kansas City T-Bones Minor League Baseball game, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City; and among the various group-friendly dining options here are Granite City Food & Brewery and Arthur Bryant’s BBQ.
Another community groups can check out is Rosedale, which is often referred to as the KU Med area, as its main resident is the University of Kansas Medical Center.
“If you’re looking to pick up a souvenir that can only be found in Kansas City, Kansas, then your first stop must be SavArt,” Yang said.
At this art gallery and gift shop, groups can browse paintings of Kansas City scenes, handmade jewelry from local artists and quirky decor.
Hungry groups in the area will find an eclectic lineup of delicious options, from Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Topp’d Pizza to Vietnam Cafe and Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a nationally recognized barbecue joint.
