Northeast KC

Overview

Northeast Kansas City is a collection of tight-knit, historical enclaves—and together, they offer the chance to explore some of the city’s latest and most treasured additions.

Located to the east of the River Market, Northeast Kansas City (often abbreviated as NEKC) includes nine individual neighborhoods. Together, the area preserves immigrant influences that reach back more than a century, one of the city’s most noteworthy collections of Victorian homes, a scenic byway that serves as a one-of-a-kind urban outdoor space, and several institutions that have made their mark on the KC cultural landscape.

Things to Do

The Museum of Kansas City is a crown jewel of the Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood. It’s housed inside Corinthian Hall, an ornately restored mansion that was originally built in the early 1900s for a local lumber magnate.

Exhibitions reach across three floors to tell the story of Kansas City in rich detail, examining every era of the city’s history—from the first Native communities that settled in the area to the Prohibition-defying 1920s and contemporary civic projects that have become iconic KC landmarks.

General admission to the Museum of Kansas City is always free. Plus, the institution offers reasons to return all year long. Watch the institution’s events calendar for a lineup of celebrations that range from summer concerts on the lawn to holiday festivities inside a brilliantly decorated Corinthian Hall.

Also in the area, find a breath of fresh air in an urban setting along Cliff Drive. The national scenic byway is closed to cars, giving pedestrians and bikers a dedicated space to explore. Visitors can also rock climb, play disc golf, stroll through Kessler Park or enjoy the Kessler Waterfall.

Where to Eat

Columbus Park is beloved for its warm, welcoming spaces with rich Italian and Vietnamese roots. The chicken spiedini at Garozzo’s is one of the city’s most famous dishes, with a decades-long history in the area. For Southeast Asian flavors, turn to Vietnam Café, Pho Lan KC or Cafe Cà Phê—Kansas City’s first Vietnamese coffee shop.

Columbus Park is also home to Dear Donna, offering an ever-changing menu and all the charm of a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Visit for a late breakfast or weekend dinner. For those seeking out one of Kansas City’s most time-tested traditions, Wolfpack BBQ & Burgers has gained plenty of fans for its smoked meats.

Few KC communities rival the diversity of Northeast Kansas City, and the area’s global influences are evident in its dining options.

Yasmeen Cafe’s halal dishes reflect a variety of African and Mediterranean influences. Continue down Independence Avenue for paletas at Frutopia, cassava and fried plantains at La Cubana and pan dulce at Elvira’s Cakes.

Pick up a slice of pizza or an entire New York-style pie at Northeast Pizza. The standard menu is joined by an always-changing pick for slice of the day.

The Pendleton Heights neighborhood is home to a pair of popular coffee shops with all-day hours. PH Coffee offers inviting interiors and a spacious, colorful patio. (Plus, the adjoining Public House pours wine and spirits later in the evening.) A few blocks away, check out Core Coffee for its daily drinks and brunch menu.

In search of cocktails instead? Downstairs in the Museum of Kansas City, where you’ll find Elixir. The old-fashioned soda fountain serves a menu of classic and creative beverages, plus small bites from local restaurants. It’s one of the city’s most unique choices for a cocktail.

Where to Shop

Just across the street from Cafe Cà Phê, Jade Market is a vibrant storefront showcasing Asian-owned businesses from KC and beyond. It’s guided by Hella Good Deeds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Kansas City’s Asian-American communities.

Inside the Museum of Kansas City, Wisteria is a boutique carrying everything from KC history books to local artwork. Plus, stained glass panels throughout the space make it a stunning shopping experience.

More Nearby

Kansas City’s East Bottoms district resides just north of NEKC along the Missouri River. While it’s primarily an industrial area, it also houses a pair of dazzling entertainment destinations with ties to essential moments in the city’s past.

J. Rieger & Co. has distilling roots in Kansas City that reach back more than a century, when it operated as the nation’s largest mail-order distillery. Today, it’s a one-of-a-kind spirits experience, with four distinct spaces to enjoy a drink under one roof. Highlights include a sprawling outdoor lounge at Electric Park Garden Bar and an impressive speakeasy known as The Hey! Hey! Club.

The distillery also houses a historical exhibit that chronicles the neighborhood’s past. During the early 20th century in the same location, Electric Park was home to one of the world’s first full-time amusement parks. Its influence can still be felt today: The park served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyland.

Next door, Knuckleheads is a homegrown music venue that hosts local and national acts of all kinds. Multiple stages welcome rock, blues, country, gospel and much more.