New and Notable
Explore innovations, expansions and more ways to have fun.
Photo Courtesy of Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
From the beginning, Kansas City has been a crossroads — a place where journeys began, routes intersected and some travelers chose to stay.
It’s no surprise that many of the most exciting things on our horizon turn to the same elements and innovations that propelled the city to prominence.
Pennway Point
Yet another link to the city’s industrial past, Pennway Point is a growing place that reconfigures warehouse space as an “urban playground.” Featuring miniature golf and a giant ferris wheel that provides a bird’s eye view of the downtown skyline, the entertainment district will soon add restaurants, live music stages and a neon sign alley.
Berkley Riverfront
The confluence of two major rivers kickstarted Kansas City. Today, the Berkley Riverfront developments remind us of the metro’s beginnings. New apartments, shops, restaurants and Bar K — a dog park and bar named “best in the country” — are all bringing folks back to the banks of the Missouri.
Rock Island Bridge
The nearby Kansas River is also poised to explode with activity, thanks to what its creators call the world’s first “destination bridge.” Opening in 2025, the historic railway bridge has been reimagined as a place to eat, drink and enjoy stunning views along the waterway.
American Royal
Kansas City’s stockyards once teemed with livestock, and the American Royal celebrated it annually. Now the Royal is heading west. When completed, its new home near the Kansas Speedway will contain multiple arenas and food production exhibits, making it an epicenter of learning and competition.
South Loop Project
Want to enjoy the great outdoors? Soon you will be able to — right in downtown KC. Plans are underway to “cap” the south downtown freeway loop, creating a public green space suitable for all kinds of gatherings and events.
Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
Air travel is a big part of KC’s legacy, and no aviator fuels our imagination like Amelia Earhart. Her hometown of Atchison, Kansas, highlights her many achievements (and the mystery of her disappearance) in this interactive museum.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Before Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, the Negro Leagues gave Black ballplayers a place to showcase their skills. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the historic jazz district is building a new space to tell even more stories about these amazing athletes and their achievements.
SOBELA Ocean Aquarium
Okay, one thing KC has never had is an ocean. But the newest addition to the Kansas City Zoo is the next best thing, featuring a diverse, exciting mix of otters, turtles, sharks and other sea-faring creatures in a beautiful 650,000 gallon exhibit.
Black Movie Hall of Fame
The 18th & Vine neighborhood also boasts a new reborn addition. The Boone Theater harkens back to the area’s heyday as an entertainment mecca. It’s also home base for the Black Movie Hall of Fame, which inducted its first class in 2022.
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