Downtown

Downtown, the center of the city is currently undergoing major redevelopment. Downtown Kansas City has a variety of neighborhoods, including historical Westport, the Crossroads Arts District, 18th and Vine Historic District, Pendleton Heights, Quality Hill, the West Bottoms and the River Market.

East Metro

The East Metro district is the site of Truman Sports Complex, home of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. If there is one thing that riles Kansas Citians most, it is their beloved Chiefs. Most NFL stadiums pale in comparison to Arrowhead, where excitement and explosive fan support bring the venue to life when the Chiefs are in town. For baseball fans, there’s Kauffman Stadium, home of the Royals.

For those wishing to forego sports and opt instead for a slice of history, Independence is worth a stop. This historic town is the birthplace of former President Harry S. Truman and is home to the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum and a host of other historic points of interest, including the Vaile Victorian Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and the Mormon Visitors Center.

The East Metro area offers great places to stay, including the Adam’s Mark Kansas City, the Holiday Inn Sports Complex and the western-themed Benjamin Hotel & Suites. Stephenson’s Old Apple Farm Restaurant and LC’s Barbecue provide a taste of Kansas City cooking for those seeking a down-home dining experience.

Independence

Independence is located on the eastern edge of the Kansas City metro area and encompasses over 78 square miles.  It is the county seat of Jackson County. The current population is approximately 115,000.  Independence residents enjoy over 40 parks, excellent schools and outstanding shopping facilities that offer a wide variety of choices ranging from the historic Independence Square to one of the finest malls in the surrounding area.

Independence has been home to many famous people including Ginger Rogers, born here in 1911, but Harry S. Truman truly put Independence on the map.  Truman grew up in the area, held his first job at Clinton’s Drugstore, and in 1922 he was elected presiding judge of the county court.  In 1934 he was elected to U.S. Senate and by 1944 he was elected as Roosevelt’s vice-president.   On the death of Roosevelt in 1945, Truman became President and was reelected in 1948.  During his eight years in office, Truman used his Independence home as a summer White House and when he returned home at the end of his term, 10,000 people met him at the train station.  His library and home are now two of the biggest tourist attractions in Independence.

Johnson County

Johnson County, KCK’s southern neighbor, is also growing, with new businesses and residential neighborhoods sprouting up everywhere. The area has a reputation as a classy place both to live in and to visit. Public venues, such as Town Center Plaza and Oak Mark shopping malls, are always bustling with action. Like downtown, Johnson County is a hub for business, and the expansive Corporate Woods, along with several other new office complexes, has bolstered the area’s economy.

Kansas City, Kansas

Like its Missouri neighbor, Kansas City, Kansas (known as KCK) is a place on the move. The International Speedway’s new NASCAR racetrack draws thousands to the area. The Woodlands Racetrack, along with various shopping and dining establishments, attracts visitors from the metro and surrounding areas. Fun, family events, like the Kansas City Renaissance Festival and Kansas City’s Americana Weekend, make KCK a popular year-round destination for all ages.

The Northland

The booming Northland may be your first glimpse of Kansas City. The center of Kansas City is roughly contained inside the downtown loop. “The Northland” refers to the area of the metro area that is north of the Missouri River, comprising Clay and Platte counties in Missouri. This area includes the northern half of Kansas City, Missouri, which is referred to as “Kansas City, North” to distinguish it from the rest of the Northland and North Kansas City.  “North Kansas City” is a separate city that is completely surrounded by Kansas City, Missouri (abbreviated NKC). It is also called Northtown.

The city’s largest airport, Kansas City International, is situated in this area, while rolling hills and farmland are just minutes away. Several hotels, including the Kansas City Airport Hilton and Embassy Suites Hotel KCI Airport, are within walking distance of the airport and offer easy access to I-435. A booming economy has made the Northland an area of widespread growth, with new houses and businesses added regularly. Visitors staying close to the airport do not have to venture far in search of fun. The area is packed with shopping centers, strip malls and restaurants, including Paradise Grill, Jazz, Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum, Rembrandt’s, Smokehouse Barbecue North and Stroud’s Restaurant.

Olathe

Olathe is the county seat of rapidly-growing, affluent Johnson County. Located 20 miles southwest of Kansas City, Olathe is in the center of a national transportation network. Self-contained and self-sufficient, the city is populated with young, well-educated, high income, and highly motivated families.  With a population of 102,000, Olathe is one of the fastest growing cities in Kansas. Despite our unparalleled growth, we have retained the friendliness and warmth of a small town while offering big city amenities.

Overland Park

The population of 166,750, Overland Park is the second most populous city in Kansas. The geographical area includes about 62 square miles of Johnson County, which is located in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Overland Park is the second “smartest” city in the country, according to a study that examined cities with the highest percentage of residents age 25 and over with four-year college degrees. Overland Park has 46.4% residents with college degrees.

Plaza/Westport

Charming and classy yet avant-garde is a good description for the popular Country Club Plaza and Westport areas, two contemporary districts that play host to entertainment seekers. The Plaza, America’s first shopping mall, draws thousands of visitors annually thanks to its high-class shopping district, breathtaking Spanish colonial architecture and varied dining options.  Luxurious hotels and historic bed-and-breakfasts are within walking distance, with many offering magnificent views. During the holiday season, the Plaza is aglow with thousands of lights, bathing the sea of festive shoppers who flock there in twinkling white. Nearby Westport, a popular destination for locals is best known for its contemporary clubs and restaurants. Both districts attract Gen-Xers as well as Baby Boomers, so no one should feel out of place. Westport and the Plaza are within walking distance of each other, but the trip is quite a hike and can be a bit spooky, especially at night. If you still plan to travel on foot from one area to the other, plan to stop off at the Vietnam Memorial for a breather and a brush with history.

South Kansas City

Like its northern counterpart, South Kansas City is experiencing growth in both the business and residential sectors. Bed-and-breakfasts such as the Brookside House and extended-stay motels such as the Windsong Corporate Apartments make it easier for travelers to stay in the immediate area without having to commute. Locals and travelers alike enjoy dining at the many area restaurants, including the 75th Street Brewery, the Guadalajara Café and the locally renowned EBT Restaurant.

Travelers in search of entertainment can make a stop at Swope Park, which provides fun for all ages. The Kansas City Zoological Park, complete with the Sprint IMAX Theatre, makes for an enjoyable day trip. Finally, the open-air Starlight Theatre offers an array of theatrical productions during warm weather months.