Kansas City is bustling. Ride through the heart of it all in style, all for free thanks to the KC Streetcar, which takes travelers to and from iconic hotspots such as River Market, the Power & Light District, Union Station and Crown Center.
And starting in late 2025, a new 3.5-mile extension will stretch the route even further south to popular neighborhoods like Union Hill, Westport and the Country Club Plaza.
Explore some of the most unique, most historic and most quintessentially “Kansas City” things to do and see while traveling along the current route and the upcoming Main Street extension.
River Market
International fare and local produce make this heartland favorite a must-visit streetcar destination.
- Spend weekends at The City Market farmers’ market, home to fresh produce, spices, flowers and more.
- Test your problem-solving skills at Breakout KC, a live-action group puzzle game that requires every bit of your wits.
- Kansas City’s riverboat past is on full display at the Arabia Steamboat Museum, where 200 tons of preserved, previously sunken treasure showcases life in the 1850s.
- Find your own hidden artifacts at popular salvaged goods shop River Market Antiques.
- At menswear specialist Houndstooth, guests can hand-design their own suits with the help of expert tailors, plus shop for clothing and other daily essentials.
Downtown Kansas City
Don’t sleep on Kansas City’s artsy business center—located between the North Loop and Metro Center stops—a thriving region thanks to live productions, swinging jazz and a supersized homage to some of literature’s finest.
- Take your love for literature to new heights on the rooftop at the Kansas City Public Library—and play larger-than-life chess while you’re there.
- Swing by The Phoenix for a sample of jazz, Kansas City’s signature sound.
- Journey to Hotel Savoy Kansas City for rotating art exhibitions that tell powerful stories of humanity.
- Musicals and cabaret revues get top billing at Quality Hill Playhouse, a 153-seat theatre only two blocks from the Library streetcar stop.
Power & Light District
This high-energy district is your go-to hub for nightlife and big-time events, ranging from basketball tournament watch parties to sold-out country music shows.
- Get ready to wear your team spirit on your sleeve after a visit to Rally House, the quintessential stop to stock up on fan gear.
- From new blockbusters to past classics, B&B Theatres Mainstreet KC is an elevated cinema experience featuring reserved seating, themed menus and exclusive movie events. Find it right next to the Power & Light stop.
- Catch megastars performing their best hits at T-Mobile Center, the one of the busiest arenas in the country, and other buzzworthy hitmakers at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland.
- Electric nightlife is the norm at KC Live! Block, where you’ll find everything from a dueling piano bar and country music hangout to frequent outdoor shows featuring popular musicians.
- Hands-on hoops haven The College Basketball Experience highlights every aspect of the sport, including high-pressure shot-making games, a broadcaster booth and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Crossroads Arts District
The heart of Kansas City’s creative culture thrives in this neighborhood that the arts built, now home to chic cocktail bars, bustling breweries and thought-provoking galleries.
- Travel from one renowned gallery to the next, each a different representation of KC’s dynamic art culture.
- Relive the joy(sticks) of your childhood at Up-Down, an arcade bar featuring countless restored games, including pinball, skeeball and other video game classics.
- Tour Kansas City’s booming brewery scene in the East Crossroads, where you’ll find Brewery Emperial, Border Brewing, Double Shift, Torn Label, Casual Animal and more.
- Jam into the late night at side-by-side jazz joints Green Lady Lounge and Black Dolphin, each only one block away from the Crossroads stop. For something more amplified, check out open-air venue Crossroads KC at Grinders.
Union Station
The end of the streetcar line is a true KC icon, standing proud as an achievement in architecture and transcontinental travel. Inside and nearby, you’ll find odes to this spirit of imagination and exploration in spades.
- Young ones love Science City for its interactive exhibits, jaw-dropping planetarium, dinosaur dig site and other hands-on activities.
- Expand your horizons year-round with internationally acclaimed traveling exhibitions at Union Station.
- Use The Link—an elevated pedestrian walkway—to connect to Crown Center, where you’ll find an assortment of kid-friendly entertainment, including an LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium and Hallmark’s experiential Kaleidoscope.
- The National WWI Museum and Memorial is only steps away—be sure not to miss this moving, state-of-the-art tribute to the Great War. Starting in 2025, you’ll be able to ride one additional stop on the KC Streetcar for even closer access to the museum.
Union Hill
Starting in 2025, KC Streetcar riders will be able to explore this Midtown neighborhood, a paradise for foodies and night owls. Just a short walk from the streetcar stop, you’ll find some of KC’s top restaurants and bars.
- A quick walk will bring you to Martini Corner, a hot spot for brunch, happy hour and late-night revelry. Check out one of the many bars and restaurants near 31st Street and Gillham Road: Tower Tavern, Brick House, Cliff’s Taphouse, Noka and Barrio Taqueria.
- Two blocks south of the streetcar stop, chow down at one of Kansas City’s most popular restaurants in the heart of the city. Barbecue aficionados can enjoy a famous Gates Bar-B-Q brisket sandwich or another popular pick.
Westport
From early-morning brunch to late-night entertainment, Westport stays bustling throughout the day. Meanwhile, the neighborhood’s history, dating back to the 1800s, stands as a testament to its long-standing appeal, offering plenty to explore for streetcar riders in 2025 and beyond.
- Remnants of Westport’s 19th-century charm color the neighborhood with historic buildings, old-style lampposts and tree-lined streets. History buffs will even find a walking trail with placards that recount the area’s past and the Battle of Westport, the largest Civil War conflict west of the Mississippi.
- When you’ve worked up an appetite, there are options around every corner in Westport. Try local favorites and award-winning eateries like Tailleur, Westport Café or Char Bar for your next meal, all a short walk from the KC Streetcar stop.
- Fun and funky gifts from colorful shops are Westport’s retail specialty. About one block from the streetcar stop, you’ll find Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities, where every nook and cranny is stuffed with must-have cooking tools. Down Westport Road, shoppers will find more unique shops like Mills Record Company and The Bunker.
Art Museums
One KC Streetcar stop puts riders within walking distance of two of the city’s most popular art museums. Hop off at 45th and Main streets (or 43rd and Main if you want to enjoy more of the historic Southmoreland neighborhood) to tap into your creative side.
- No Kansas City art conversation can start without first mentioning The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Its collection contains artwork encompassing more than 5,000 years of history from all across the world. Plus, it’s totally free.
- Just north, you’ll find the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, another free establishment that houses a carefully curated selection of modern art. After wandering the galleries, grab a meal at the new Oil on Linen, where the menu rotates periodically in connection with the art on display.
- Across the street at the Kansas City Art Institute, the KCAI Gallery is bringing students, faculty and community together in its free exhibit space. The gallery is dedicated to fostering reflection and conversations about current social issues and global challenges.
Country Club Plaza
Stroll through 15 city blocks of Spanish-inspired architecture to discover dozens of fountains, shop trendy designer brands and dine at beloved restaurants ideal for special date nights—all just off the KC Streetcar’s Country Club Plaza stop.
- No trip to Kansas City is complete without shopping on the Country Club Plaza. Shoppers will find high-end labels like West Elm and Kendra Scott or trendy stops like Lululemon and Free People. For local merch, don’t miss favorites like Charlie Hustle, EB & Co. and Made in KC Marketplace.
- Embrace the energy of this outdoor shopping district with some al fresco dining. The patios at local restaurants like Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, Gram & Dun and O’Dowd’s Gastrobar.
- Take in the sights and sounds of the Plaza with a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride or gondola float on the nearby Brush Creek.
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Soon, the KC Streetcar’s final stop will be near the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the South Plaza. This laid-back neighborhood touts historic homes and a thriving culture.
- Located on the UMKC campus, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre is one of the best-kept secrets in the Midwestern theater scene, delighting local audiences and inspiring New York productions at the same time.
- Also on UMKC’s campus, go back in time at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, featuring the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the nation’s largest collections of historic toys.
- A 15-minute walk to the west will bring streetcar riders to Jacob L. Loose Park, KC’s sprawling 75-acre green space. Kids can run free on the playground or feed the ducks at the pond. There’s also an outer trail for lap running and public tennis courts.