Kansas City, the Heart of America, has its own Currents and ways! Enjoy these tips on HOW TO enjoy Kansas City!
Kansas City is big on “Local and Hospitality”. We encourage visiting our independently, or family-owned businesses that have a genuine art to each industry in Kansas City, whether it be beer, bread or burlesque.
With that invitation, we ask;
“Be Polite & Go with the river’s flow”
Many artisanal places have their own styles of products and even service. If you walk into a bar and/or restaurant, Stop for a moment and take in their clearly displayed options and if you see something unfamiliar, ask. KC service and hospitality is Midwest renowned. Many people take pride in their products and could easily guide you through finding what you’re craving. We do not believe the customer is always right. We believe whoever the most reasonable is.
The Gold Standard: If you have the time, Enjoy a Spotlight on Service
“Don’t be a nuisance”
Kansas City is an inclusive city and welcomes all walks of life. However, being a family town means that we like to keep things nice and somewhat orderly. The “Midwest Nice” is a real thing. We may not all get along all the time, but we can rally for the right reasons and we don’t like you waking the children at night. We welcome you to be who you are, just be a good neighbor about it. That includes respecting property, people and spaces.
“We tip.”
We know the restaurant and bar industry needs a revolution across all states. However, until the robots take over, we have people. Real people. And whether it be a senior in high school or in life, to be “served” is a kindness and when done well- just tip. 15-20% of your total bill is standard, any above is kind and appreciated. If something was wrong, politely and calmly state your case; Paired with recommendation No.1, this tends to work quite well to get what you want.
“Mondays are for Members”
Kansas City believes in the three day weekend. Many businesses are closed on Mondays. They worked all weekend and Monday is just the day when everybody is recovering. With that in mind, we encourage you to look up AND verify businesses, entertainment and nightlife spaces before planning a whole trip around a Monday. There are a handful of great places entertaining on Mondays, you just have to know how to find them.
“No Public Transportation”
In comparison to other cities, Kansas City does not have a great public transportation system. We have ubers and the streetcar! We have a free, fun and smooth streetcar that carries you through the entertainment districts of the city. It begins at the City Market and runs through Downtown, The Crossroads and ending at Union Station. It is expected to have the second extension running through Midtown to the Plaza available in 2025, however we do not have a solid date as to when that will be. If you are staying in town for a good time, the streetcar is an excellent avenue to get around as it runs until one in the morning. However if you are coming from or to: the airport, outer regions of town, the raceway and/or stadiums, including the Kansas side of town, you want to have a car or pre-planned transportation. (TKC has an excellent list of vetted Uber Drivers and various transports, ask for a referral)
Kansas City is a wide-spread city with many neighborhoods or niches to stumble upon. Here are a few directives to assist in giving you bearings to Kansas City’s layout.
+Traffic! We have actual “rush hour” traffic. Anyone who has been to larger cities understands the KC has pretty decent traffic flow and space. However, during the mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 and the end of day four and five o’clock rush hours are true to form, especially on I-35 and 435 on the Kansas Side.
+You cannot get lost. Interstate 435 is a loop. It crosses both MO and KS in a full circle. If you feel like going for a drive, long enough, and you’ll be back where you started.
+Interstate 70 Crosses 435 because we are in the Bible belt and we need a good cross on display. If you are headed to see the Chiefs or Royals from town, you can take I-70 East; Versus going to Sporting KC or The Raceway would have you taking I-70 West. Aside from the stadiums and legends area, there are not too many reasons to stay near the stadiums. Plan to stay in town and drive out to your show or game. Plan well and verify, many tech apps have failures in large crowds and arenas. If you drive, expect to pay for parking and have patience.
+Kansas City’s nightlife often centers itself in the areas from North Kansas City to the Country Club Plaza and all in between. Visitors can find many hotels and AirBnb’s within these areas.
Though Midtown and inner areas of the city have residents. Many communites are the suburban neighborhoods now circling along 435. If you have your own wheels, the outer parts of Kansas City can have drinking, eateries, markets, and fun or family activities within a leisurely drive’s time.
“Don’t judge, we’ll do that for you.”
Many buildings and areas of KC have been repurposed making KC a city full of Easter eggs. You may never know who and what you’ll find and where. The West Bottoms is a clear example of an area that is full of entertaining and useful businesses from plant shops to paper stores, with wineries and bars in between. The West Bottoms is a hodge-podge of genres in one area of 1800 year old buildings; Each business taking their antique charm to new creative heights. So come on in, with an open mind since you’ll never know what who you’ll find.
“NO GROCERY STORES DOWNTOWN”
Kansas City’s local or regional grocers are: Hyvee, Price Chopper, and Consentino’s. Most of these markets are on the perimeter of Kansas City and in the residential neighborhoods. However in Downtown Kansas City has one large scale grocery market, Consentino’s, that does not stay open late. Planning accordingly would be wise if you need a large chain or full scale grocery market. Same for gas stations.
” If you’re looking for healthy, eat before eight.”
Though we have an array of health conscious locations across our great town, we still are the mecca of barbecue. Therefore, there has yet to be a great variety of healthy choices in KC past eight at night and especially in our entertainment districts.
For the planners, please enjoy perusing our network directory of location recommendations throughout Kansas City.