I was recently given the opportunity to visit Kansas City for a few days and experience some of the great things they offer for families. Kansas City’s Crown Center is just a short 20 minute drive from the airport and offers hotels, restaurants and attractions in one area.
I was a guest of the Westin Hotel Crown Center which is a beautiful resort in the heart of the city connected by covered walk-ways to many of the attractions and restaurants in the area. You can stay at the Westin (or the Sheraton) and visit multiple attractions without ever going outside and without renting a car.
On my first evening, I was able to easily walk and enjoy the Hallmark Visitors Center and Museum, Kaleidoscope (@Hallmark), SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center and the Coterie Theatre. While walking to these outstanding attractions, I passed restaurants and stores that I would have liked to have the opportunity to visit. All within walking distance and easily accessible.
The multi-level center that easily connects the wonderful attractions is full of shops, high-end stores and restaurants:
- The American Restaurant
- Amy’s Hallmark
- The Apothecary
- Best of Kansas City
- Caricature Entertainment
- Chip’s Candy Factory
- Chip’s Chocolate Factory
- Club 22
- Coterie Theatre
- Crayola® Café
- Crayola® Kansas City
- Crown Center Atrium
- Crown Center Customer Service
- Crown Center Showplace
- d’Bronx
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
- European Accents
- Finishings For Her
- Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
- Function Junction
- Greek Food, Ltd.
- Halls Kansas City
- Juice Stop
- K.C. Bar B.Q.
- KiD OH!
- Lunchland
- Milano Italian Dining
- The Missing Piece
- Mobile Solutions
- Musical Theater Heritage
- Naturally Salon & Day Spa
- Occasions
- Pak Ling Express
- Pen Place
- Potatoes and More
- Sciandrone’s Classic Touch
- Shang Tea Co.
- Sheridan’s Lattés & Frozen Custard
- Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery
- SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza
- A Streetcar Named Desire
- Taste of Philly
- Three Little Pigs BBQ
- Topsy’s Shoppes
- Toy Time
- Wilderness Reflections
- Z-TECA
Also nearby is Union Station. Built in 1914, Union Station encompasses 850,000 square feet and originally featured 900 rooms. In its prime as a working train station, accommodated tens of thousands of passengers every year.
- Today’s Union Station is filled with fine restaurants and unique shops. And just like in 1914, you can catch the train at Union Station’s Amtrak stop.
- Union Station also houses the permanent collections and archives for Union Station Kansas City, Inc./Kansas City Museum.
- To this they’ve added a permanent rail exhibit called the KC Rail Experience, exhibit spaces for traveling exhibits produced by the Smithsonian and other national organizations, a planetarium, an interactive science center called Science City and a vibrant Theater District featuring giant-screen movies and live theater, and much more.
Also located in Kansas City, just a short cab ride away:
- 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District where you can find the The American Jazz Museum, the Mutual Musicians Foundation and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, along with clubs and restaurants.
- The CrossRoads Arts District – an eclectic area of art galleries, shops and coffee houses
- The College Basketball Experience which houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
If you are looking for a family vacation adventure, Kansas City should definitely be on your list. There is something for every member of the family. I know I’ll be heading back since I feel like there is so much more I want to see!
I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free. However, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
