Let us be the first to welcome you to Kansas City! Please enjoy this list of tips and hacks to empower your most enjoyable visit in Kansas City.
Kansas City is known for its strong sense of community and hospitality. We take pride in our local, independently, and family-owned businesses, each contributing a unique craft to the city’s culture—from brewing and baking to entertainment.
TIP: POLITENESS, USE IT
Kansas City can be true to its “Midwest Nice”. What is Midwest Nice? MN is being polite and civil as to prioritize efforts of peace, community or business regardless of possible opposing personal feelings towards one another. Typically both sides are fully informed of all opinions. Also, the uses of “please, and thank you’s” in all forms of social and business mannerisms is still in effect in KC.
Step into any of our local businesses and you’ll find a clear passion for unique products and service. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the menu—Kc has people that are enthusiastic about their craft and love to help others discover new favorites. Here in Kansas City, hospitality is about creating a great experience for everyone involved, and we believe the most reasonable person in any situation is the one who’s right.
The Gold Standard: Take the time to meet this season’s Spotlight on Service.
Be Reasonable.
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. 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.
Just tip.
Until robots take over, the hospitality industry is powered by people—real people who provide a service. When you are served well, a tip is a direct way to show your appreciation. 15–20% of your total bill is considered the standard tip, and anything more is a great way to say thanks. If something isn’t right, please bring it to your server’s attention politely and calmly. Most establishments want to make things right.
“Mondays are for Members”
Kansas City loves a good three-day weekend, and many of our local businesses close on Mondays to give their hard-working teams a well-deserved day off. If you’re planning to explore on a Monday, we encourage you to double-check the hours of the spots you want to visit. While some places are taking a break, the city still has plenty to offer—you just have to know where to look! A quick search online can help you discover some great Monday gems.
“No Public Transportation. “
In comparison to other cities, Kansas City does not have a great public transportation system. We have ubers and a streetcar! We have a free, fun and smooth streetcar that carries you through the central entertainment districts of the city. It begins at the City Market and runs through Downtown ending at Union Station. It is expected to have the second extension running through Midtown to the Plaza available in October 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.
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.)
Actual “rush hour” traffic.
If you’re used to traffic in major cities, you’ll likely find Kansas City’s flow to be a pleasant surprise. However, like any major city, we have our “rush hours”. Be prepared for slowdowns on weekdays between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and again from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The busiest stretches of highway are typically I-35 on the Missouri side and I-435 on the Kansas side. It’s also important to note that I-70 downtown has a lot of construction, so a quick check on a navigation app before you go is a great idea to avoid getting stuck.
You cannot get lost.
Interstate 435 is a loop. It crosses both MO and KS in a full circle. If you drive long enough, you’ll be right back where you started.
Heading to a game or a race?
If you’re heading to a Chiefs or Royals game, you’ll take I-70 East to reach the Truman Sports Complex. For Sporting KC or the Kansas Speedway, you’ll take I-70 West to the Legends area. We recommend staying in the city center and driving to the venues for your event, as there are limited attractions in the immediate vicinity of the stadiums. Given the large crowds, it’s wise to plan ahead and verify information, as tech apps can sometimes be unreliable. If you’re driving, be prepared for paid parking and traffic delays, and allow yourself plenty of time. You will be entertained in the wait.
Kansas City’s Nightlife:
Is most centered in the areas between North Kansas City to the Country Club Plaza . Although KC is made up of a multitude of little communities, towns and pockets of scenes and pleases.
Hotels & Temp Stays
Visitors can find many hotels and AirBnb’s within the Midtown to Crossroads area; in addition to the West Bottoms & WestSide
While Kansas City’s urban core has its own vibrant neighborhoods, many of the metro’s communities are located in the suburbs that circle the I-435 loop. For visitors with a car, these outer areas offer a wide range of dining, shopping, breweries, and family-friendly activities, all within a reasonable drive. This provides a great opportunity to explore the broader Kansas City experience beyond the downtown core.
“NO GROCERY STORES OR GAS STATIONS DOWNTOWN”
Kansas City’s main grocers (Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, and Consentino’s) are typically found in the suburbs. While downtown has a single full-scale market—Consentino’s—it closes early. It is wise to plan ahead for your grocery and gas station needs, as options can be limited in the urban core, especially later in the evening.
” 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, especially in our entertainment districts.
Don’t judge, we’ll do that for you.
Many buildings and areas of KC have been repurposed making us 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. There’s wineries and bars in between a hodge-podge of genres to shop from. The 1800 year old buildings give each business an opportunity to take their antique charm to new creative heights. So come on in, with an open mind since you’ll never know what or who you’ll find.
Visitors and Locals alike: Please enjoy perusing our network directory of recommendations throughout Kansas City. The Crowned Kingdom Directory