Local's Guide to Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District
You know the drill. You arrive at your destination. And you want to get right to the place to be. Well, in Kansas City, that area is probably the Crossroads Arts District.
Located adjacent to downtown, Crossroads Arts District, or often just referred to just as the Crossroads by locals, is Kansas City’s most vibrant and unique area of town!
It is a foodie, brewery, and cocktail haven that has something for every kind of explorer. You’ll find an abundance of local breweries within close proximity, cocktail bars featuring beautifully crafted tiples, independent local shops and boutiques, coffee shops and cafes, and an all around upbeat eclectic spirit that makes it KC’s most happening area of town.
This is a must while in KC. I lived in this area for 3 years and still go there almost every weekend, it is just that great.
So, here’s a local’s guide to the Crossroads Arts District Kansas City. Enjoy!
Where is the Crossroads?
Crossroads is basically in the shadow of KC’s main downtown. Because it’s located immediately south of the downtown skyscrapers, you can shuffle from downtown by sidewalk, or hop on the free and very clean streetcar that goes down Main Street. The Crossroads is a quick jaunt from anywhere centrally located to downtown KC. Insider’s tip: you can also hop on the streetcar to get to the River Market area where the farmers market is located and tons of great eateries, coffee shops, local shopping, great restaurants and bars as well.
Parking?
If you’re in a vehicle, you will be able to find parking on the streets, which are free to park. You may need to drive around but should easily find a spot, it is mainly parallel parking if you want free parking. You can also pay to park in Brewer’s Alley for 10 bucks. There is also a bike share program (and scooters if that’s your thing) and plenty of public bike paths as well.
What time should I go?
I would recommend going in the day leading to the night time because both day and night are lively and fun! If it is a sunshiny day, you for sure want to soak in the sun on a brewery patio. There are also great coffee shops to start your day off right!
Here are the must stops for your day in the Crossroads!
Coffee Shops in the Crossroads
There are great coffee shops in the Crossroads area to start your day off with all the caffeine to keep up the KC exploring! Start off at HITIDES, a Hawaiian themed coffee shop that is in the heart of the Crossroads. Messenger Coffee is probably Kansas City’s most impressive coffee shop. It’s an amazing 3-level space with beautiful design and decor (and a rooftop!) and offers another great option for coffee, especially if you’re a coffee nerd like we are. Don’t forget to try the baked goods and sandwiches! We also recommend Mildred’s, P.T. ‘s, and Latin American coffee favorite Cafe Corazon.
Local Shops in the Crossroads
Head to the local shops! There are such cute shops in the Crossroads area. A couple of my favorites are Duet for home goods, Paradise Garden Club for plants and such a beautiful atmosphere. These are both in the heart of the brewer’s alley. Some other favorites are Dear Society for vintage and new homegoods and clothing, Verdant for plants, and Raygun for unique local finds with a fun flair.
Food in the Crossroads
The Crossroads has a few standout places to grab a bite to eat, ranging from upscale to street food. Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop is a place we indulge in almost weekly at this point. BLVD Tavern has great cocktails, pasta dishes, sandwiches and by far the best charcuterie board in Kansas City. If tapas are your thing, Extra Virgin is a happening place. Next door to Extra Virgin is our favorite upscale restaurant in KC, Fahrina (the pasta and oysters are to die for). Rockhill Grille is another nicer place, but its main event is its giant cheesy tater tots. If you came to KC for barbecue, Jack Stack is a great option located in the Freighthouse building close to the train tracks. Get your pizza fix at Buffalo State Pizza, Grinder’s, or Pizza Shuttle. Bar foods can be found at Taps on Main and Rhythm and Booze. The best late night food in Kansas City is also located in the Crossroads: Town Topic Hamburgers. It’s an old-timey diner open 24 hours and has some of the best burgers in the world. But be warned, the line outside gets long starting at around 1 a.m. If you want to avoid the line call in your order ahead. Waiting in the late night line is an experience on it’s own and something you should do at some point.
Crossroads Breweries
Breweries are one of the best things to do in the Crossroads. The beer is just that good! Due to the growing number of local breweries, there is an area in East Crossroads dubbed “Brewer’s Alley” that has exceptional local breweries. There are many others within short distance to continue your makeshift brewery crawl. Some top ones to check out are Double Shift, Nimble, Red Sash, Casual Animal, Brewery Emperial, City Barrel and Torn Label. Read more about all these breweries and more here!
Crossroads Cocktails
Kansas City has a notorious cocktail culture. Steeped in the prohibition era, cocktails in KC often invoke history and timelessness. The Crossroads is perhaps the best area to go to experience this.
Your first stop for cocktails has to be Mean Mule Distillery – an agave maker and cocktail bar with fun southwestern vibes and the best agave cocktails in the world! Mean Mule is actually located in Brewer’s Alley, so it’s an easy pit stop if you’re doing breweries. Agave spirits are basically tequila but due to it being distilled here in KC, they cannot be labeled as tequila. The agave spirit is smooooth and delicious on its own. But the cocktails here are some of the best in town. All the agave they use come from Mexico, so it is wonderfully made and crafted with attention to detail. This is my favorite place in all of KC!
Swordfish Tom’s is a hidden speakeasy, but if you can find it, they make probably the best cocktails in Kansas City. Insider’s tip: if the lantern by the front door is green, you can enter. If it’s red, you have to wait until there’s room for you. They are also endearingly against photos or phone use inside, and they will let you know. This place is cash only, but they do have an ATM inside.
Other great cocktails in the Crossroads are Afterward – a bookstore and bar, Lifted Spirits – a local gin, whiskey and vodka distillery with craft cocktails, SoT, and Tom’s Town.
Street Art
The Crossroads is the Arts District so there are art galleries to visit but honestly the best arts are in the streets! Wander around and see all the beautiful street art at every turn. Build yourself your own little Street Art walking tour, or check out AirBnb experiences to see if someone has a tour you can book.
First Friday
If possible, plan your KC trip to be the First Friday in the month, a warmer month would be best! First Fridays is an event that happens once a month where local vendors line the streets, live music and local bands are set up on the streets and parking lots. There are food trucks, street performances, and of course all the great breweries to hop in and out of. Most businesses have some kind of special happenings going on during First Fridays. First Fridays are really a blast and you can feel the energy and excitement. It feels like a huge block party and it just doesn’t get better than a big party in the Crossroads!
Enjoy the best area of KC- eat, drink, shop, and take the time to wander! Let us know how you enjoyed our hometown and happy place!
