Where to Stay in Kansas City: 7 Best Areas & Safety

In this post, I’ll be looking at Where to Stay in Kansas City, best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Kansas City for first time, for families, couples, as well as the best hotels in Kansas City for all budgets and the safest place to stay in Kansas City.

Settled in 1850, the Missouri side of Kansas City covers 319 square miles and is home to almost half a million people, making it the largest city in the state by both area and population.

Kansas City is overall safe for tourists, but as in any big city, you should alway stay alert and practice common sense. To stay safe, you should stick to touristy and city center areas. Downtown is one of the safest areas to stay in Kansas City for tourists.

Where to stay in Kansas City?

The best areas to stay in Kansas City are Downtown, Country Club District, Midtown-Westport, Independence, Village West, and Worlds of Fun. These are popular neighborhoods for tourists that provide a range of tourist attractions and amenities.

Downtown is overall the best place to stay in Kansas City for first-timers. It is the heart of the city and offers widest range of accommodations for all budgets. Staying here puts you within walking distance to many tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.

On the other hand, if you want to stay a little further from the center, Independence is technically a separate city on the outskirts of Kansas City, where you can explore the area’s rich history in a slightly quieter environment.

Midtown – Westport is the city’s main entertainment district and is a great base for nightlife as it has an incredible collection of bars, clubs, and restaurants. The Country Club Plaza Area is a great area for shopping.

💖 Best Area for first-timers:Kansas City Downtown
💎 Best luxury hotel:Crossroads Hotel
🏨 Best mid-range hotel:Loews Kansas City
💰 Best budget hotel:Hotel Indigo Kansas City

Map of areas and neighborhoods in Kansas City:

map of Best areas to stay in Kansas City
map of Best areas to stay in Kansas City

7 Best areas to stay in Kansas City for tourist are:

1. Downtown Kansas City

Downtown, where to stay in Kansas City for first-time tourists
Downtown Kansas City

Downtown is the best area to stay in Kansas City for first-timer travelers due to its prime location. If you stay here, you will be located in the heart of the city, within easy access to top sights, as well as many restaurants, bars, and shops.

Located a 17-minute drive from the Kansas airport, Downtown Kansas City has recently been rated one of the best downtown areas in the United States. The primary business district is an area filled with skyscrapers, Art Deco buildings, history, culture, and dining and entertainment options.

The Power and Light District (also known as P & L by locals) is the $850 million entertainment district, the biggest new development project in the Midwest. P & L district covers 9 blocks, filled with shops, entertainment venues, bars, restaurants, and clubs, serving cuisines and drinks from around the world, ensuring everyone can find something to match their tastes.

You will find a covered outdoor courtyard of KC Live; T-Mobile Center (formerly known as Sprint Center) which is the country’s busiest arenas; College Basketball Experience; a modern cinema of Alamo Drafthouse; and a downtown jazz venue at The Phoenix.

You also have numerous venues, such as the Kansas City Convention Center, Crown Center, and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, where you can enjoy shows and events from a broad range of industries and interests.

The Crown Center District is home to more than 30 shops and restaurants, Sheraton Kansas City Hotel, The Westin Kansas City, Coterie Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, and the Hallmark Visitors Center,

The district has plenty of activities for children with the Legoland Discovery Center, the Sealife Aquarium, the first aquarium in the city, and Kaleidoscope which provides a creative art experience for kids.

Next to the Crown Center is the KC’s historic train station, Union Station. It is home to City Stage Theatre, a planetarium, and Science City, a family-friendly attraction.

To the south lies the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Penn Valley Park, Union Cemetery, and the Money Museum.

Fans of history will enjoy the Crossroads Art District, with its numerous historic buildings boasting a variety of architectural styles. These aren’t exclusive to the district either, as many historic locations can be found throughout Downtown (and the city in general) but this has the greatest concentration in the area.

There is also Kansas City’s River Market neighborhood, which is located on the Riverfront Heritage Trail. Home to River Market Antiques, and the City Market, one of the largest and oldest farmers’ markets in the entire country, surrounded by a collection of other unique shops and restaurants.

In this 150-year-old riverfront area, you will find the Arabia Steamboat Museum to explore 200 tons of sunken treasure dating back to 1856, and a large collection of pre–Civil War artifacts.

You can take a stroll to Berkley Park, enjoy the views over the Missouri River. you can grab a coffee at City Market Coffee or a sandwich at Pigwich at the Local Pig butchery.

You add this to the wide range of shops located throughout downtown, especially in The Garment District, from high-end stores to boutiques and thrift shops, and it makes Downtown a fabulous choice for anyone interested in some retail therapy while they are away.

Other places of interest are Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and American Jazz Museum in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District, where baseball, barbecue, and blues blend together for one sweet melody.

Downtown Kansas is well-connected public transport. You can easily travel around the city with the Kansas City tramway running along Main Street in downtown Kansas City linking Kansas City’s River Market area to Union Station and Crown Center.

It stops at Union Station, the Crossroads Arts District, the Power and Light District, the city’s CBD, and the historic River Market/City Market along with numerous other businesses, restaurants, art galleries, educational facilities, and neighborhoods.  

When you combine all of this with the incredible collection of hotels in the area, including everything from chain hotels to privately owned guest houses, it makes downtown a destination suitable for everyone, no matter their tastes, budgets or plans.

Stay in Downtown Kansas City if you are a first-timer, family, and couple seeking for a central safe location; You’re traveling without a car; you enjoy nightlife and shopping;

Best places to stay in Kansas City Downtown:

luxury ($$$): Crossroads Hotel, 4-star family-friend hotel, located in downtown Kansas City, close to major attractions, such as Kansas City Convention Center, Union Station Kansas City and National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

mid-range ($$): Loews Kansas City, 4-star hotel in central Kansas City, popular place to stay in Kansas City for couples and families with children of all ages. It offers easy access to Sprint Center, Union Station Kansas City and Historic Power and Light Building.

budget ($): Hotel Indigo Kansas City, 3-star family-friendly hotel, located short distance from Union Station Kansas City, Kansas City Convention Center and National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

budget ($): Home2 Suites Kansas City Downtown, 3-star hotel, located in Kansas City, short distance from from Sprint Center and Union Station. It features an indoor pool, fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk.

See more: Where to Stay in Yellowstone

2. Country Club District

Country Club District is home to Country Club Plaza which is one of the premier shopping locations in all of Kansas City, featuring high-end retail stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, and offices. First opened in 1923, it covers 784,000 square feet and features 18 separate buildings.

Designed by renowned architect J. C. Nichols, it boasts a Moorish Revival Style and was built to resemble traditional European structures, most notably those in Seville, Spain, making it one of the only centers of its kind in North America.

Aside from the Spanish-inspired architecture buildings themselves, there are also numerous statues, murals, mosaics, fountains, and other works of art, as well as faithful reproductions of the Giralda Tower in Seville and the Path Of Gold in San Francisco. 

The most prominent attractions are the bullfight mural on Central Street, the outstanding Neptune Fountain, and the JC Nichols Memorial Fountain.

Beyond its architecture, there are plenty of other historical points attached to the plaza as well. Not only was it the first suburban shopping center to feature unified architecture and common management and tenant selection, but it was also the first shopping center in the world designed with on-site parking to accommodate visitors traveling by car.

The plaza is also the location of one of the oldest events in the city, the Season Of Lights. Since 1930, thousands of residents have gathered on Thanksgiving night to watch a local celebrity switch on lights that will remain shining until mid-January. 

Much like the plaza itself, the surrounding area is also considered one of the city’s most historic districts as well. Designed by the same architect as the plaza, over a period of 45 years between 1906 and 1950, it is filled with buildings, roads, and monuments that feature a distinctly different style to the rest of the city.

As a result, numerous mayors, politicians, celebrities, and successful business owners have lived in the district.

Other points of interest are the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Loose Park Rose Garden, Kauffman Legacy Park, the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, and Kansas City Zoo.

Being located on the bank of Brush Creek, you can also go for a gondola ride along the creek, and take part in the Plaza Art Fair in autumn.

All of this combines to create a location that is equally ideal whether you want a trip spent shopping or taking in the history and architecture. In fact, those on a longer trip may even want to combine the two and truly make the most of this fabulous location.

Stay in Country Club Plaza Area if you want to learn about the history of the city; you want to experience a unique style of architecture; you want a huge range of shops, bars, and restaurants;

Best places to stay in Kansas City Country Club Plaza Area:

mid-range ($$): The Fontaine, 4-star hotel, great base for families and couples in the heart of the Country Club Plaza Shopping District. It offers guest rooms with free WiFi, as well as self-parking and valet options.

mid-range ($$): The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection, 4-star historical hotel, located within a 2-minute walk of the Country Club Plaza, which features shopping, featuring a gym, business center and rooms with a flat-screen TVs.

budget ($): Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza, 3-star family-friendly hotel, offering views of the Country Club Plaza, Kansas City’s entertainment and shopping district. It has an on-site restaurant and guest rooms come with a coffee maker, refrigerator, and free wifi.

3. Midtown-Westport

The Midtown – Westport region of Kansas City is one of the primary entertainment districts in the city. With everything from amenities and nightlife to attractions and historic locations, it is a destination full of things to keep all manner of visitors occupied throughout their stay. 

Considered a historic district, there are numerous buildings listed on the National Register Of Historic places, such as 500 Westport Road, Chouteau’s Store, the Knickerbocker Apartments, Norman School, the Uptown Building And Theatre, and the Valentine On Broadway Hotel, as well as much of the Ambassador Hotel Historic District.

Many of these historic locations were built in the fashionable architectural styles of the times, including Shirtwaist, Arts & Crafts,  Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival and Bungalow.

Art lovers will also find numerous institutions dedicated to the artistic history of the city, such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum Of Art, Kemper Museum Of Contemporary Art, and the Kansas City Art Institute, as well as an abundance of vibrant street art located throughout the district.

Another location listed on the National Register Of Historic Places is Hyde Park. An important watering hole for pioneers setting off on the trails in the 1800s, today it combines history with the opportunity to enjoy some open, natural space in the midst of the city.

Speaking of the pioneers, you will also find numerous statues and plaques, such as the Kansas City Pioneer Square Monument and Santa Fe Trail heritage Marker, that explains just how important the city was to westward expansion.

Midtown – Westport isn’t all history and art though. As I mentioned at the start, it is one of the main entertainment districts in the city. Numerous bars, cafes, clubs, and restaurants are located in the area, making it one of the best choices for anyone coming for a relaxing trip, where they can enjoy all of the food, drink, and wild nights their heart desires while they are here.

Some of the famous venues for live music, bars, clubs are the Riot Room, The Westport Saloon, Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements, Kelly’s Westport Inn, and Westport Ale House for craft beers.

Stay in Midtown – Westport if Nightlife is important to you; You’re traveling without a car; You are a fan of art; You are interested in the history of the city, especially the side relating to the pioneers.

Best places to stay in Kansas City Country Midtown:

budget ($): Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 3-star accommodation, situated in Kansas City, featuring free parking, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, 24-hour front desk and an ATM for guests.

mid-range ($$): The Truitt, 4-star family-friendly hotel, featuring a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. 5.3 km from Union Station Kansas City.

4. Independence

Located just east of Kansas City, Independence is technically a separate city that makes up a suburb of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Covering almost 80 square miles and home to over 116,000 people, it is large enough to be considered the 5th largest city in Missouri by itself.

The driving force for visitors visiting Independence is history, as it is a city with a rich past in a number of areas. For starters, it is known as the Queen City Of The Trails. It earned this moniker by being the setting-off point for California, Oregon, and Santa Fe trails, some of the most important expeditions in America’s westward expansion of the 1800s.

It is also an important destination in the Mormon community, as it was the site of Temple Lot, the first Independence Temple constructed for the Latter Day Saint movement by their founder, Joseph Smith.

Several separatist movements of the original church are still headquartered in the area, including the Community Of Christ, Church Of Christ, and the Church Of Jesus Christ, as well as a number of restoration branches of the original movement.

This gives you a fabulous chance to learn and experience more about one of the most infamous sects of Christianity, which many people know very little about. With 5 Catholic churches and several Episcopal churches in the area as well, it is also the perfect opportunity to see just how different the separate branches of Christianity actually are to one another.

Independence was also the hometown of former US President Harry S. Truman. That’s why you will find the graves of both the former President and his first lady, Bess Truman, here, as well as the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site and the Truman Presidential Library and Museum, which was the first presidential library created under the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act.

Speaking of libraries and museums, the Presidential one is far from the only option in the city. The range of libraries includes the Midwest Genealogy Center, Merrill J. Mattes Research Library, Center For The Study Of The Korean War, Kansas City Public Library, Mid-Continent Public Library, and the Jackson County Historical Society Archives & Research Library.

Meanwhile, on the museum front, you have the National Frontier Trail Museum, Owens – Rogers Museum, Leila’s Hair Museum, 1859 Jail & Marshals Home Museum, Puppetry Arts Institute, Bingham – Waggoner Estate, Chicago And Alton Depot and Vaile Mansion, as well as numerous places dedicated to the history of the Mormons.

You combine all of this together and you get a city that is just bursting with history and knowledge, just waiting to be discovered by those so inclined.

Stay in Independence if you like hiking; you are interested in the history of the Mormon Church, the westward expansion trails, or former US President Harry S. Truman.

Best places to stay in Kansas City in Independence:

  • budget ($): Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City – Independence, 3-star hotel, featuring family rooms, free private parking, a shared lounge and a bar.
  • budget ($): Woodstock Inn Bed & Breakfast, 3-star historic B&B, located in the Independence, Missouri city centre, offering a daily hot breakfast with eggs and fruit. The Independence Amtrak train station can be reached in 5 minutes’ walk.
  • mid-range ($$): Silver Heart Inn & Cottages, 4-star bed and breakfast, offering free WiFi, free bikes and a garden. American, vegetarian or gluten-free breakfast.

5. Village West

Located in the western part of Downtown Kansas, Village West is world-class shopping, sports, dining, and entertainment. Village West is a great place for sports lovers.

Village West is home to the 1.5-mile tri-oval race track, Kansas Speedway which draws thousands of fans for NASCAR Races. It also boasts the Children’s Mercy Park, home to MLS team Sporting Kansas City;  Field of Legends; Kansas City Monarchs; T-Bones Stadium; and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park.

Apart from the sports, Village West offers great shopping opportunities at Cabela’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Hollywood Casino, and  1,200,000 sq ft outdoor Legends Outlets Kansas City with many shops, restaurants, sculptures, and murals.

Other historical and cultural attractions are the National Airline History Museum, an original Queen Anne-style of Strawberry Hill Museum & Center, Huron Indian Cemetery, Memorial Hall. 

Take a stroll down Minnesota Avenue (known as Avenue of Murals) where you’ll find vivid artwork representing a different heritage and historical event in the area.

Best places to stay in Kansas City in West Village:

6. Worlds of Fun

Located a 20-minute drive from downtown Kansas City, Worlds of Fun in the Northeast is the ideal place to stay for families with young children. 

Worlds of Fun is the biggest amusement park in the Midwest with 235 acres of thrill rides, roller coasters, and family rides for all ages. 

For thrill-seekers, the theme park provides seven world-class roller coasters and many around five adventure areas of the park including Africa, Americana, Europa, Orient, and Scandanavia. The most prominent are the Patriot, Mamba, and the SteelHawk.

There is also the Planet Snoopy for younger ones, Oceans of Fun, and the Surf City Wave Pool.

Worlds of Fun hosts the Midwest’s largest Halloween event in September and October.

There are many restaurants and eateries inside the parks, you can even stay in one of its family-friendly campsite cabins.

Best places to stay in Kansas City in the Worlds of Fun:

7. Kansas City Airport

Kansas City Airport is located quite a way outside the city, meaning most parts of the city are just as viable to stay in as one another. 

Some of the best places to stay near Kansas City Airport are:

  • budget ($): Holiday Inn Kansas City Airport, 2-star hotel, located off Interstate 29, 3km Kansas City Airport, offering Free Airport shuttle.
  • budget ($): Four Points by Sheraton, 3-star hotel, next to Kansas City International Airport, offering free 24-hour airport shuttles, free shuttles within 5 miles.
  • budget ($): TownePlace Suites by Marriott, 3-star hotel, 2km from airport, offering free shuttle service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi.

Where should I stay in Kansas City for the first time?

Downtown Kansas City is the best place to stay in Kansas City for first-time travelers due to its prime location. If you stay here, you will be located in the heart of the city, within easy access to attractions, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops.

What are the best areas to stay in Kansas City?

Downtown, Country Club District, Midtown-Westport, Independence, Village West, and Worlds of Fun are the best areas to stay in Kansas City because they are the most popular areas with a wide range of things to do and see.

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In conclusion, Downtown, Country Club District, Midtown-Westport, Independence, Village West, and Worlds of Fun are the best places to stay in Kansas City for tourists. It offers a wide variety things to do and see for couples, families, and solo travelers.

Overall, Downtown is the best area to stay in Kansas City for first-time visitors due to its prime location. Staying here puts you in the heart of the city, within walking distance to major attractions. Downtown also offers widest choice of hotels that suit all budget travelers.

About Author: Linda Smith

I'm Linda Smith, the Hotel Expert, an experienced travel blogger who passionate about traveling. I'm here to share with you all my travel experiences and tips. I cover a wide range of travel topics, specializing in sharing information about the best areas, neighborhoods, and hotels in each city. I hope all these things will make your travel easier.

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