Northeast KC

Overview

Tucked away in one of the city’s most storied corridors, Northeast KC blends natural beauty, timeless history and a fresh wave of local pride.

The Pendleton Heights community in the Northeast is KC’s second oldest residential neighborhood. Pendleton Heights, along with the nearby Scarritt Renaissance community, are packed with Victorian-style homes, most of which are over a century old.

On the northern edge of these two neighborhoods, you’ll find the 300-acre Kessler Park and the popular Cliff Drive. This National Scenic Byway offers about 4 miles of impressive views for walking, hiking and biking. Along the way, you can stop to rock climb, play disc golf or enjoy the Kessler Waterfall.

Uncover KC’s history at the restored Museum of Kansas City where exhibitions reach across three floors to tell the city’s story in rich detail. From the first Native Americans to the Prohibition-defying 1920s and today’s iconic landmarks, visitors can explore every era of Kansas City’s story. General admission to the museum is free every day.

Then head to the East Bottoms where J. Rieger & Co. brings bold flavor and good times to a historic setting. The first legal distillery in Kansas City since Prohibition, J. Rieger features four unique bars including a speakeasy and an outdoor bar experience perfect for summer nights. 

Where to Eat

The Historic Northeast is teeming with diverse food options — everything from Kansas City’s beloved barbecue to Salvadoran bites and Somalian flavors.

Start your morning off with a caffeine fix at PH Coffee where stools line the giant front window for people-watching and canned cocktails and local brews are also on the menu. Or after browsing the Museum of Kansas City, stop in at Elixir, an old-fashioned soda fountain with creative beverages and small bites from local eateries.

On the southern side of Northeast KC, dive into Kansas City’s signature cuisine at Gates Bar-B-Q, which boasts a legendary history as one of KC’s founding establishments for barbecue. And although the name might be misleading, you’ll find a generous menu of East African foods at KC Burgers, just around the corner. Don’t forget to sample sambusas at the Somali Mall, as it’s locally known, near Independence Avenue and Olive Street or try Salvadoran pupusas and fried plantains at El Pulgarcito on Truman Road.