Itinerary – Chiefs Weekend in Kansas City

If you’re looking to stay right near the stadium, the Best Western Premier Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel makes gameday fun, safe and easy.

That said, those who want to explore many of Kansas City’s vibrant Downtown corridor neighborhoods have an excellent selection of properties from which to choose. Many offer shuttles to and from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on gamedays, but a curated selection of local favorites includes: 

• Crossroads Hotel
• Kansas City Marriott Downtown
• Hotel Savoy Kansas City
• Loews Kansas City Hotel
• Hotel Kansas City
• Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
• The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
• The Fontaine
• InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza
• Hilton President Kansas City
• Hotel Phillips Curio Collection By Hilton

EVENING

Whether driving into town or flying through the recently upgraded Kansas City International Airport, the only appropriate way to start your Chiefs weekend is with a little local barbecue.

Make the trip out near the stadium—the site of your Sunday festivities—to sample ‘cue from LC’s Bar-B-Q, an unassuming yet decidedly delicious entrée into KC cuisine. Tip: If you’ve never tried them, be sure to order the burnt ends—a local delicacy.

After dinner, drop off your bags wherever you’re staying, then head out and hit the town:

• Clubs and Nightlife: Make your way to the Power & Light District for late-night revelry at nightclubs like Shark Bar and Mosaic Ultra Lounge. Another essential bar for after-hours fun is the legendary Kelly’s Westport Inn in Westport, an old-school joint with a passionate following.
• Cocktails and Craft Beer: Explore Kansas City’s booming craft beer scene in the East Crossroads at gems like Torn Label, Brewery Emperial, Border, Double Shift and Casual Animal. If you prefer something more refined, try cocktails at speakeasies like Swordfish Tom’s and The Hey! Hey! Club.

MORNING

Start Saturday right with coffee from one of KC’s excellent cafes. City Market Coffee in the River Market is conveniently located on the KC Streetcar route while Messenger Coffee Co. never disappoints—and serves up some killer third-story rooftop views.

Once appropriately caffeinated, fuel up with a selection of breakfast and brunch options throughout the Downtown area. Head to the River Market for fresh, locally-sourced brunch plates at The Farmhouse, sample authentic Australian favorites at Banksia or enjoy a traditional breakfast menu at Succotash, a quirky Union Hill favorite.

AFTERNOON

Spend Saturday afternoon exploring some of Kansas City’s most-coveted attractions and coolest hangs. Sports aficionados consider the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum a must-visit, but even the most casual fan should know that the institution is a national treasure.

Looking for something more casual? Try the Boulevard Brewing Co. Tours & Recreation Center, where guests of age can tour the brewery, sample dozens of varieties of suds and even play shuffleboard on the fourth floor Rec Deck.

EVENING

Celebrate a day well-spent in Kansas City by enjoying dinner on the Country Club Plaza, one of the city’s prime jewels. There, you’ll find fine dining at Eddie V’s and TheCapital Grille (two well-known brands with plenty of local love) as well as more barbecue at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue and delicious steak and fried chicken at Rye.

College football fanatics may want to catch the nighttime matchups; thankfully, Kansas City delivers when it comes to great watch party locations. Set up shop with drinks and late-night snacks at No Other Pub in P&L and craft beer at iTap in the Crossroads Arts District, both touting plenty of high-def TVs.

MORNING

Tailgate time. If you’re a diehard, you know that arriving early means your vehicle is in the stadium’s parking lot before the sun is up.

Newcomers shouldn’t fret, however, because the collegial environment fostered before Chiefs games makes it one of the friendliest places on earth, assuming you aren’t wearing a Broncos, Raiders or Chargers jersey—but even those clothing choices don’t dispel friendships from being formed.

AFTERNOON

Game time. No itinerary necessary, just get loud, have fun and be safe. At halftime, spend time exploring the stadium—it’s one of the oldest in the NFL and full of history.

EVENING

Win or lose, you’re regardless to have enjoyed yourself. If traveling back into town, either to gather your bags from your hotel or grab one final bite, it’s only fitting that you say goodbye to Kansas City with a meal from Town Topic. The old-school diner, which is open 24/7, has been slinging cheeseburgers and breakfast items for nearly a century, so you know it’s good.