I had a work trip to Kansas City in mid-April and flew in a couple days early to check out the city. After departing the airport, I initially visited Lawrence, KS (photos
here), but I spent the rest of my time in Kansas City. There was a lot to like while out & about exploring the city, most especially the plethora of old historic buildings. Certainly there were vacant lots mixed in as well, but the bones of KC are still quite impressive and it looks like continued infill will add more vibrancy in the years and decades to come. I hope to go back in the next couple of years for another visit as there’s still plenty more to explore.
1 – I stayed in the Country Club District which is a few miles south of downtown KC. Parts of the area are over a century old and contains plenty of great old residential architecture. Love these buildings along Brush Creek!
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3 – I stayed at The Raphael hotel right across Brush Creek from Country Club Plaza.
4 - Entering Country Club Plaza, which was built a century ago and designed to resemble the architecture of Seville, Spain.
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18 – A few photos on Easter morning from the West Plaza/Westwood neighborhoods, which as the names imply are located just west of Country Club Plaza. I love bungalows and there were plenty in this area.
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22 – Heading back to my hotel to wait out the incoming cold rain. It was quite a dreary Easter Sunday.
23 – But first coffee. Everywhere I visit I tend to map out local coffee shops I want to visit while I’m out & about exploring neighborhoods. Messenger Coffee was my favorite in KC.
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26 – After the chilly late morning/afternoon soaking rain (about 36-40F or 2-4C), there was fortunately a break late Sunday afternoon. So I decided to walk from my hotel north to the Westport neighborhood to check it out. This is Mill Creek Park.
27 – Old Westport is a former independent village which eventually became party of KC. Because of the weather and it being Easter Sunday, there weren’t a lot of people out shopping & dining. But it looks like a decent area.
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34 – From Westport I walked eastward to the Southmoreland area which includes the Museum of Art.
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38 – I didn’t visit the Museum of Art but I did explore the grounds, which are beautifully landscaped and complement the lovely old architecture of the building.
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49 – From there I walked to the Kauffman Legacy Park
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52 – Now heading into the Kauffman Memorial Garden, which I didn’t know anything about and just happened to come across while out exploring. Wow was it beautiful! I’m glad I happened to come across it by accident.
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63 – Making my way back along Brush Creek to my hotel in the Country Club District.
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66 – On Monday morning I parked at Union Station, which is just south of downtown KC, and crisscrossed back and forth from there northward through downtown and ultimately up to the Missouri River. Union Station includes some tourist items like a museum.
67 – But Union Station also serves as a train station and the interior is magnificent!
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71 – Meanwhile the exterior of Union Station is gorgeous!
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74 – I headed up the hill across from Union Station to check out the view and the National World War I Memorial. So glad to have the sun today!
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78 – Just to the east of Union Station and the National World War I Memorial is the Crown Center area.
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80 – The southern terminus of the KC Streetcar is adjacent to Union Station. I didn’t ride it north but did take it back south.
81 – Heading north towards downtown KC.
82 – There was an Amtrak train making a stop at Union Station as I crossed the bridge above the tracks.
83 – Heading into the Crossroads Art District.
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88 – Crossing above Interstate 670 into downtown KC.
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92 – Entering the Power & Light District
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95 – A mid-block plaza area in the Power & Light district to drink, eat, and congregate for events.
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99 – Now heading into the core of downtown where there were some beautiful old buildings mixed in.
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119 – Love this “wall” of beautiful brick buildings lining the street (though it was a rather busy street unfortunately).
120 – More beautiful old buildings on the northern side of downtown.
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133 – Now further east in the Government District.
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139 – Crossing I-70 into the River Market District, which is the neighborhood in between downtown KC and the Missouri River.
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149 – This appears to be a popular area with new construction apartment buildings (and condos?) alongside the older buildings in the neighborhood.
150 – There’s a pedestrian bridge that crosses above the busy railroad tracks along the shoreline of the Missouri River, which provides access to the riverfront trail.
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154 – Heading back into the core of the River Market District for a late lunch at the market.
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160 – It was a Monday when many shops & restaurants are closed after being open all weekend, so it wasn’t overly bustling with activity when I was there. But fortunately some places were still open for lunch.
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164 – Time to head back to Union Station. Luckily the KC Streetcar extends to the River Market which made for an easy hassle-free trip back south through downtown. The streetcar is free and it was a quick ride through downtown. There seemed to be a good mix of people on it as well. I was impressed.
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167 – Back at Union Station.
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And that’s all from Kansas City. Hope you enjoyed this collection of photos!