Where to Stay in Kansas City (7 Best Places, By a Local)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Kansas City

Before you go to Kansas City, it is crucial to know that Kansas City is in two states, Missouri and Kansas. Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas are two different places, despite having the same name and being close to each other.

The Missouri-Kansas state line and the Missouri River are important geographic markers. Neighborhoods on the Missouri side, like Waldo and Brookside, directly border towns on the Kansas side, like Prairie Village and Leawood. Driving north past the Missouri River means that you have left Kansas City, Missouri, and have entered the “Northland,” which consists of towns such as North Kansas City (which is its own city as well), Riverside, Parkville, and Gladstone.

The majority of the best neighborhoods and activities in Kansas City are in Missouri, such as Downtown Kansas City and the Country Club Plaza. So, now that that’s been cleared up, here are the top places to stay in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.

Downtown Kansas City

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Downtown Hotels: Hotel Phillips • The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center • Loews Kansas City

Downtown Kansas City is the place for you if you are looking to stay near the center of the action. There’s something here for travelers of all ages, depending on which part of downtown you choose to stay in.

For adults, couples, and groups of friends, I would recommend staying near the Power and Light District, which is home to Kansas City Live!, an outdoor venue with over 10+ bars and nightclubs. Just around the corner from here is Hotel Phillips, my top pick hotel and the best overall place for singles or couples to stay in Kansas City.

On the other hand, if you are traveling with children and want to stay downtown, I would recommend staying in the Crown Center area where there are more family-friendly activities. I recommend The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. 

Aside from the Power and Light District and Crown Center, I highly recommend the Bristol Seafood + Steak + Social for amazing seafood and The Phoenix if you are looking to get a cocktail at a lively jazz club. 

Pros of Downtown Neighborhood:

• Vibrant nightlife 
• Walkable to the best restaurants, bars, and venues in Kansas City
• In the heart of the city

Cons of Staying in Downtown Neighborhood:

• Loud, especially on the weekends
• Large crowds
• Difficulty finding parking

Crossroads Art District

👉 Best Area For Creatives | ✨ Best Crossroads Hotels: Hotel No Vacancy • Crossroads Hotel • Hotel Indigo Kansas City – The Crossroads 

Aside from Downtown, the Crossroads is great if you are looking for a place with a wide range of trendy coffee shops, cocktail bars, and diverse nightlife. 

I recommend staying at Hotel No Vacancy if you are looking for a unique, indie hotel. This charming, boutique hotel perfectly captures the artsy essence of the Crossroads area.

The Crossroads is home to dozens of art studios. On the first Friday of the month from April to October, the district hosts an event called First Fridays, where art galleries stay open late so the public can tour their spaces. It’s like a block party celebrating the art of the Crossroads neighborhood. 

My favorite places to eat and drink in the Crossroads are at Percheron, the rooftop bar at the Crossroads Hotel, King G – Bar and Delicatessen, and Parlor, a food hall with multiple dining options.

Pros of Staying in the Crossroads Neighborhood:

• Trendy, upscale restaurants and shops
• Art and cultural hub 
• The best coffee shops in the city

Cons of Staying in Crossroads Neighborhood:

• Difficulty finding parking
• Very busy especially during the weekends and First Fridays
• Can be expensive

Midtown-Westport

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Midtown Hotels: Hotel Westport Kansas City • The Truitt • AC Hotel Kansas City Plaza

Midtown encompasses several neighborhoods in Kansas City such as 39th Street, Hyde Park, and Westport. It is an excellent area for young travelers who are on a tight budget. 

The Westport side in particular is a great spot for young adults and individuals looking to bar hop for cheaper than they would in the Crossroads or Downtown. However, just like in any major city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to not stay out too late, as the Westport area is known to not always be the safest at night. 

Hotel Westport Kansas City is one of my top choices for those looking to stay in the Westport neighborhood. You can find comfortable rooms for under $100 per night. This hotel is also close to popular nightclubs like Aura and Lotus and bars like Kelly’s Westport Inn. It’s the perfect place to crash after a night of bar hopping in this neighborhood. 

Pros of Staying in Midtown Neighborhood:

• More affordable than other neighborhoods in Kansas City
• Lively atmosphere 
• Large young adult crowd

Cons of Staying in Midtown Neighborhood:

• Higher crime than other parts of the city
• Can be noisy at night, especially on the weekends
• Difficulty finding parking at times

Country Club Plaza

👉 Best Area For Luxury Travelers | ✨ Best Luxury Hotels: The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection • InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza by IHG • The Fountaine

The Country Club Plaza (called “the Plaza” by locals) is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Kansas City, aside from Downtown. It is a hub of high-end luxury shops, restaurants, and hotels. 

For a truly luxurious hotel experience, I recommend The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection. It is one of the best upscale hotels in Kansas City and has been frequented by many celebrities who visit the city. Another amazing option is The Fountaine, which has a rooftop pool that’s accessible in the summer.

Some of the best restaurants in this area include Stock Hill, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, and Gram & Dun. However, there are multiple high-end local and national chain restaurants too. Less than five minutes away from the Plaza are the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Pros of Staying in Country Club Plaza Neighborhood:

• High-end shopping, restaurants, and hotels
• Access to the best art museums in Kansas City
• Walkability

Cons of Staying in Country Club Plaza Neighborhood:

• Large crowds on the weekend
• Expensive compared to Midtown-Westport area
• Has some pockets of crime

River Market

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers & Foodies | ✨ Best River Market Hotels: Origin Kansas City Riverfront, a Wyndham Hotel • Hampton Inn Kansas City – Downtown Financial District • AC Hotel by Marriott Kansas City Downtown 

The River Market is a great place to stay if you are traveling for work or planning a weekend trip to the city. This neighborhood is located next to the Missouri River and Berkeley Riverfront Park. It is minutes away from Downtown KC and the Crossroads.

The River Market is home to antique shops, Betty Rae’s ice cream, and museums like the Arabia Steamboat Museum. But what it is best known for is the City Market. 

The City Market houses some of Kansas City’s most diverse restaurants all in one spot, such as the Blue Nile Cafe, Habashi House, and Carollo’s Italian Grocery & Deli. On the weekends, the River Market has a year-round Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and Sundays and the River Market Flea every Sunday from April-October.  

The Origin Kansas City Riverfront, a Wyndham Hotel is one of the few hotels directly in the River Market area, making it my top recommendation for travelers wanting to stay here. This hotel is directly accessible to the best activities and attractions in the River Market and the neighboring Berkeley Riverfront Park area.

Pros of Staying in the River Market Neighborhood:

• Great place for singles
• Walkable
• More accessible to the Kansas City Street Car than other neighborhoods

Cons of Staying in River Market Neighborhood:

• Close to highways so it can be noisy
• Difficulty finding parking
• Limited nightlife options

South Kansas City / West of the State Line

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best South Kansas City / West of State Line Hotels: The Inn at Meadowbrook • WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham Kansas City – Overland Park • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kansas City – Grandview

South Kansas City / West of the state line encompasses a very large part of the city. 

South Kansas City neighborhoods like Brookside, Morningside, and Waldo are considered to be safe places to stay and are the perfect place for families or individuals wanting to be away from the tourist or nightlife side of the city. There are not many hotel options, but you can look for vacation rentals. 

West of the state line includes places like Prairie Village and Overland Park. Both of these communities have a wider array of hotels, like The Inn at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village and WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham in Overland Park. Overland Park is also a very family-friendly community and is one of the largest suburbs in the area.

Most of the homes are suburban-style, but the South Kansas City area has the walkability and amenities of a city. There are dozens of restaurants, boutiques, and bars in both areas, particularly in Brookside. 

Pros of Staying in South Kansas City / West of State Line Neighborhood:

• Very safe
• Family-friendly
• Quiet

Cons of Staying in South Kansas City / West of State Line Neighborhood:

• East of Troost Street borders Brookside, which is known to have higher crime
• Not as lively as other parts of town
• The further west of the state line, the less walkable it is

Village West at the Legends

👉 Best Area For Laid Back Entertainment | ✨ Best Legends Hotels: Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City • Homewood Suites By Hilton Kansas City Speedway • Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City

Village West at the Legends (called “The Legends” by locals), is a great spot if you are looking for entertainment like casinos, sports games, barcades, and outlet shopping. This is a great area for individuals or families who would prefer to stay in a lively, suburban area as opposed to directly in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City is a waterpark hotel that is the perfect place for families to stay. Activities like the Legends Outlets, Kansas Speedway, Dave and Buster’s, and Hollywood Casino are popular entertainment options in this area. 

Pros of Staying in The Legends Neighborhood:

• Close to tourist attractions
• Affordable shopping
• Sprawling area

Cons of Staying in The Legends Neighborhood:

• High amount of visitors come here so traffic can be bad
• May be too “touristy” for seasoned travelers
• Not as close to downtown Kansas City, Missouri as other neighborhoods

Tips for Staying in Kansas City

Know which side of the state line you are in

The Kansas City metropolitan area sits on the border between Kansas and Missouri. But most of the iconic Kansas City places to go like Crown Center, Union Station, and the Country Club Plaza are all on the Missouri side.

Bring or rent your own car

Kansas City is a very car-centric community. Although Kansas City has been working on a years-long initiative to improve public transportation, it is still not widely used by locals. The Kansas City buses and street cars do not go outside of the city limits or stop in every location in the city. 

Try the BBQ

Kansas City is world-famous for their BBQ. However, if you do not eat pork or meat in general, there are several non-pork/meat options to choose from. 

Be prepared for small talk with strangers

The Midwest is known for its hospitality and friendliness. Be prepared for strangers to compliment you, make small talk, or give you a “Hi!” smile and/or head nod while walking past you. 

Pack for multiple seasons

Missouri is known for its unpredictable weather. Make sure to check the weather ahead of time, but be prepared to bring layers, particularly if traveling to Kansas City in the spring or fall. 

The suburbs of Kansas City are about 30 minutes away in any direction

Although Kansas City does have rush hour traffic, most commutes to and from Kansas City to the suburbs take about 30-45 minutes, unless there is an accident or there is major rush hour traffic.

FAQs about Kansas City

What are the best areas to stay in Kansas City for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Kansas City for first-timers are Downtown Kansas City, Crossroads Art District, and the Country Club Plaza. 

What are safe areas to stay in Kansas City?

Brookside in South Kansas City, Overland Park on the west side of the state line, and Lee’s Summit are all considered safe areas to stay in Kansas City. 

What are the best parts of Kansas City to stay on a budget?

Midtown-Westport is the best part of Kansas City to stay in if you’re on a budget. 

What are the best parts of Kansas City to stay with kids?

The best parts of Kansas City to stay with kids include Brookside in South Kansas City, Downtown near Union Station, Lee’s Summit, and Village West at the Legends. 

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I hope this article helped you find the best places to stay in the Kansas City area. Make sure to check out my article on 42 Things to Do in Kansas City for more ideas on how to make your trip to Kansas City an incredible experience.