River Market Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

River Market which includes a skyscraper, a city and landscape views
River Market featuring a park, flowers and signage
River Market which includes markets and food
River Market which includes a park
River Market showing a city and a garden

Navigate the streets of this waterfront district to discover historic landmarks, lively market stalls and cuisine from all parts of the world.

River Market is an animated, energetic and historic district of Kansas City. Spend a day exploring its bars, boutiques, cafés, galleries, markets and restaurants. Located on the banks of the Missouri, River Market is an extension of Downtown Kansas City. Formerly called Westport Landing, the neighbourhood operated as a trading dock and in the 1850s was where John Calvin McCoy established Kansas City.

Lining the streets are dozens of retail outlets, many of which are housed inside renovated warehouse buildings. Browse antiques stores, art dealers, handicrafts shops, jewelers, spice shops and tailor-made clothing retailers. Pass the Kansas City Artists Coalition to see exhibits of ceramics, paintings, photographs, sculptures and other art forms by local artists.

The district offers one of the city’s most diverse culinary scenes, with everything from Chinese to Ethiopian, French, Mediterranean and traditional American food available. City Market has been providing farm-to-table opportunities to its legion of loyal visitors since opening in 1857. Dozens of stands, including a barbecue joint, coffeehouse, Middle Eastern market and sports bar, open daily. Shop for fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables during the weekend farmers market.

Within the market is the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Experience life aboard a 19th-century paddle steamer, which sank in the Missouri River in 1856, via exhibits salvaged from its wreckage. Check the market’s official website for events such as cooking classes, live music and vintage car shows.

Walk to the waterfront, where the scenic Riverfront Heritage Trail connects Riverfront West park with Berkeley Riverfront Park. Sit a while and admire the triple-arched Buck O’Neil Bridge and the two-level ASB Bridge.

Reach River Market by walking for 15 minutes from Downtown Kansas City or by riding a streetcar. The KC Streetcar is a free service that travels along Main Street from City Market to Union Station. It stops in the Financial District, Power and Light District and Crossroads Arts District. Free parking is available at City Market.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best River Market Hotel Deals

Loews Kansas City Hotel

Loews Kansas City Hotel

4 out of 5
1515 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, MO
The price is AU$381 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
AU$381
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,840 reviews)
"Check-in experience was very disappointing. There were only 2 employees checking a long line of guests in so we were all waiting for a long time.Then, a group of like 10 people cut the whole line of people who had been waiting and began checking in. They took up all the available staff and extended ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Loews Kansas City Hotel
Kansas City Marriott Downtown

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

4 out of 5
200 W 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
The price is AU$279 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$279
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Nice room, clean, good service"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Kansas City Marriott Downtown
Orangewood Inn & Suites Kansas City Airport

Orangewood Inn & Suites Kansas City Airport

3.5 out of 5
11828 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City, MO
The price is AU$167 per night from 7 Nov to 8 Nov
AU$167
7 Nov - 8 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,815 reviews)
"Responsive shuttle"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Orangewood Inn & Suites Kansas City Airport
Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City

Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City

3.5 out of 5
1491 North 98th Terrace, Kansas City, KS
The price is AU$255 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
AU$255
6 Nov - 7 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Legends Outlets Kansas City and Kansas ...
9/10 Wonderful! (141 reviews)
"Would love to return and spend more time enjoying the pool!"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City
Hotel Lotus Kansas City Merriam

Hotel Lotus Kansas City Merriam

3 out of 5
9009 W Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Mission, KS
The price is AU$157 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
AU$157
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Mission. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,699 reviews)
"Very good"

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

Hotel Lotus Kansas City Merriam
Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown by IHG

Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown by IHG

4 out of 5
1301 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO
The price is AU$190 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$190
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Super clean room amazing staff and right by the T-Mobile center"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around River Market

Kansas City showing interior views

Financial District

Live music, restaurants and theatres are just a few things travellers enjoy about Financial District. Check out Santa Fe Trail or Kansas City Public Library while you're exploring the area.

Financial District
Union Station showing landscape views, a skyscraper and heritage architecture

Downtown Kansas City

3/5(1 area review)

Known for its ample dining options and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Kansas City. You can visit top attractions like Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland and Kansas City City Hall, and jump on the metro at Metro Center Station or North Loop Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown Kansas City
Default Image

Power and Light District

The ample dining options and great live music are just a few popular features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland or T-Mobile Center while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Power and Light Tram Stop to get around town.

Power and Light District
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts featuring interior views and theatre scenes

Crossroads Arts District

4/5(2 area reviews)

Crossroads Arts District is a destination travellers like for its restaurants, and you might hop aboard the metro at Crossroads Tram Stop or Kauffman Center Tram Stop to explore sights like Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Crossroads Arts District
Default Image

Hospital Hill

Though Hospital Hill may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center.

Hospital Hill
Liberty Memorial showing a city, a skyscraper and landscape views

Crown Center District

4/5(1 area review)

Take time in Crown Center District to visit attractions like Liberty Memorial and National World War One Museum and Memorial. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Union Station Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Crown Center District


River Market Travel Guide

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