18TH AND VINE

DESCRIPTION: Kansas City’s historic jazz district is home to legendary smoked meats, the stellar Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and celebrated live music clubs. It’s this combination of barbecue, baseball and bebop jam sessions that melds together for one sweet melody.

GENERAL LOCATION: Approximately 18^th and Vine streets

WEBSITE: https://www.kcjazzdistrict.org/

HOURS: Check with individual businesses and attractions for specific hours.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Two of the city’s most acclaimed museums are under one roof. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum chronicles the stars and stories of America’s favorite pastime. Next door is the American Jazz Museum, with its many listening stations, touch-screen adventures and custom-mixing soundboards.
• Sample KC’s signature sound at The Blue Room, the American Jazz Museum’s working jazz club, or at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, where the late-night sounds ring until 5 a.m.
• Celebrities and “common folk” alike have made the pilgrimage to Arthur Bryant’s for its legendary barbecue, slow-smoked then splashed with Original or Rich & Spicy sauce.

HISTORY: The 18th and Vine Historic District is the Black cultural hub in Kansas City. It earned the name “Jazz District” during the period from 1920-1940 when it became the center of jazz music. People could attend performances by jazz greats such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong and others.

Kansas City’s 18th & Vine neighborhood was developed during the era of segregation after an influx of people migrated to Kansas City seeking better jobs and a new way of life. They made their homes and businesses throughout the district, and by the end of the 19th century, this small community had flourished into a thriving African-American neighborhood.

WHERE TO EAT: The 18^th and Vine District has a number of popular restaurants. Make sure to visit Soiree Steak & Oyster House for steaks and seafood, Smaxx Restaurant for chicken, hamburgers and sandwiches, or the Kansas City Juke House for live music and southern style bar food.

WHAT'S NEARBY: Don’t miss the impressive Charlie “Bird” Parker statue at 18^th and Vine streets. Parker is a KC jazz legend who helped create a subgenre known as bepop in the ‘40s.

ANNUAL/SPECIAL EVENTS:

• Pay tribute to Kansas City’s iconic sound at the annual Jazz Walk of Fame. Leaders immortalize jazz artists’ names in medallions embedded in the sidewalks.
• The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum welcomes hot dog aficionados to sample delicious ballpark franks at the annual Heart of America Hot Dog Festival.
• The popular First Fridays event has spilled into the 18^th and Vine District. Shop local artists, vendors and food trucks in the heart of the Jazz District on the first Friday of every month.

DID YOU KNOW: Kansas City was home to the KC Monarchs, the two-time Negro Leagues World Series Champions and first ball club for the most influential player of all time—Jackie Robinson. Head into the NLBM where you can learn more about Robinson’s legacy and this groundbreaking league.

DON'T FORGET: Make an appointment to visit the Black Archives of Mid-America, one of the largest collections of African-American memorabilia in the Midwest.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

• From the north: Take I-29 south to The Paseo in Kansas City. Turn on 18^th Street.
• From the south: Take U.S. 71 Highway north then exit on The Paseo. Turn on 18^th Street.
• From the east: Take I-70 west to Kansas City then exit on The Paseo. Turn on 18^th Street.
• From the west: Take I-70 east and then I-670 east through downtown Kansas City. Exit on The Paseo and turn on 18^th Street.   

PARKING: Street parking is available throughout the district.