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Weekend Getaway in KC

Kansas City.  Home to Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, World Series champion Kansas City Royals, world-famous Kansas City barbecue and world-class family fun!

If you are looking for an incredible weekend getaway, packed with unique and fun family-friendly experiences, look no further than the Crown Center District in downtown Kansas City!  It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and have some fun with your loved ones! 

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Convenience

Between the Skylink and the KC Streetcar, you can park your car and leave it! 

The Skylink connects Crown Center, Union Station and the Sheraton via an elevated pedestrian walkway, completely protected from the elements.  In the words of my niece, “You can cross the street without holding hands!”  The KC Streetcar runs from Union Station to the River Market with 16 stops in between.

Where Should You Stay?

I highly recommend staying at either the Sheraton Crown Center or the Westin Crown Center.  They both have fantastic views of the Kansas City skyline, offer spacious and comfortable rooms and are connected via the Skylink.

The Westin is located above the Crown Center itself, right in the heart of the Crown Center District.  It is closer to the activities, shops and restaurants, including Union Station.

The Sheraton is located just north of Crown Center and is a very manageable walk via the Skylink to Crown Center and then to Union Station.

What Should You Do?

The options for fun in the Crown Center area are limitless!  Between Crown Center, Union Station and the neighborhoods connected by the KC Streetcar, you will have more than enough to keep you busy!

Crown Center

Crown Center is a bustling shopping center, containing shops and restaurants.  One of the local favorites is Fritz’s.  This train-themed restaurant delivers burgers and fries to your table with model trains!

Additionally, Crown Center houses the Coterie Theater that offers shows with a young audience in mind.  It also offers limited-time attractions throughout the year, so make sure to check out the schedule.

Two major attractions located in Crown Center are Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium.  Legoland contains 12 interactive, Lego-themed play zones.  Geared for children ages 3-10, the wide range of activities will be enjoyed by the whole family!  Sea Life will transport you to an underwater world where you can discover the beauty and wonder of ocean life.  Typically, you can purchase tickets to both attractions for a small discount.

Roy Inman

Union Station

Just a short walk on the Skylink will take you to Union Station.  Built in 1914, it is a beautiful building with many traces of the Railroad Age.  With the historic background and the numerous entertainment opportunities, you can easily spend an entire day here!

Catch a movie at the Extreme Screen Theater or the Gottlieb Planetarium, explore and interact with the scientific world at Science City, enjoy watching the model trains or even learn about a unique subject from a national traveling exhibit.

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KC Streetcar

If the weather is nice, plan on a day exploring the KC Streetcar route!  Take the Skylink to Union Station and head outside to the Streetcar stop.  A streetcar leaves Union Station every 10-15 minutes, so you never have to wait long.

Of the 16 platform stops between Union Station and River Market, several that offer great destinations for families!  One is at the Kauffman Center.  If you are interested in a live show, make sure to see what is playing at the Kauffman Center.  It is a beautiful building with an incredible view of the Kansas City skyline.  An evening here will certainly not disappoint!

Further down the line is the famous Power & Light District.  Known for its nightlife, it is also a fun area to explore during the day.  The rooftop of Cosentino’s Market at this stop is a great place to grab some lunch and enjoy KC life.

Another great stop for families is the Downtown Library.  If your family loves books, you will love this library!

The streetcar line ends at City Market.  The farmers market here on Saturday mornings is an event!  The stalls are filled with fresh foods, yummy baked goods and sometimes live entertainment.  Some shops and restaurants are open daily, while others are strictly open on Saturday.  Additionally, you can tour the Arabia Steamboat Museum and learn some local history!

When you are finished exploring, hop on the streetcar and head back to Union Station!

Tip of the Iceberg

This is just a small sampling of the fun you can have in a weekend in downtown Kansas City!

Joy Oufnac loves vacationing with her husband and four children!  She is a travel specialist with 3D Travel Company and would love to help you plan a special family vacation.  Contact her at joy.oufnac@3dtravelcompany.com to start dreaming!

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