RIVER MARKET

DESCRIPTION: Sample cuisines from across the world and navigate through farmer’s market stalls stocked with fresh produce in this 150-year-old riverfront neighborhood that’s situated on the free-to-ride KC Streetcar route.

ADDRESS: 20 E. 5^th St., Kansas City, MO 64106

GENERAL LOCATION: South of the Missouri River and north of I-70, between the Heart of America Bridge and the Buck O’Neil Bridge.

WEBSITE: https://kcrivermarket.com/

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Take family and friends to visit the region’s largest farmers market, found at The City Market every Saturday and Sunday year-round. The bounty includes more than 140 stalls of fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and other local wares.
• A quick jaunt across the market brings you to the Arabia Steamboat Museum, where visitors can travel back in time to Kansas City’s frontier days and discover 200 tons of sunken treasure dating back to 1856.
• Venture through the River Market for unique finds of all kinds. Go digging at River Market Antiques in pursuit of vintage artifacts. Then search through Emblazon Cards & Gifts and the Candy Wizard for retro candy or a funky birthday card.

HISTORY: The area encompasses the location in which Kansas City was first founded. Over the years, the River Market has also been known as Westport Landing, the City Market, and River Quay. 

It derives its “Westport Landing” name because it was the dock on the Missouri River for the exchange of goods going to the community of Westport three miles to the south on higher ground that was operated by John Calvin McCoy. McCoy was to lead a group of settlers to created the “Town of Kansas” in the neighborhood in 1850, which in turn became the “City of Kansas” in 1853.

WHERE TO EAT: Dive in at dozens of diverse restaurants like local favorites like Taste of Brazil, Blue Nile Cafe and Muni. Then don’t forget to fuel up at a café like Thou Mayest or grab a sweet treat at Betty Rae’s.  

WHAT'S NEARBY: Take the KC Streetcar south to the Kansas City Library’s Central Branch and its massive “Community Bookshelf.” From there, continue exploring Downtown Kansas City.

At Berkley Riverfront Park, enjoy an afternoon at Bar K with your four-legged friend and a cocktail or catch a Kansas City Current match at CPKC Stadium.  

DID YOU KNOW: You can hike through the River Market with Urban Hikes KC. Hear stories of the mafia, Lewis and Clark, the Missouri River and more on this walking tour.

DON'T FORGET: The Town of Kansas Bridge and its observation deck provide a dramatic view of the Missouri River and other nearby bridges. There are historical markers at the observation deck referencing Lewis and Clark and KC’s riverfront history.  

PUBLIC TRANSIT: The KC Streetcar is free to ride and currently runs from Union Station down to the River Market, making a loop along Grand and Delaware, and on 3rd and 5th streets.

RideKC bus service also serves the River Market, with stops for bus routes 55, 103, 106, 10, 77, 85, 201 and MMAX.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

• From the north: From I-29 and I-35, follow the signs for I-35 South. Turn right onto Exit 2F – Oak/Grand/Walnut. Continue on Exit to Walnut Street, turn right. Continue driving north on Walnut Street, and you’re in the River Market!
• From the east: I-70 West toward Kansas City. Just before entering the downtown, follow US Highway 24 West about a mile to take Exit 2F – Oak/Grand/Walnut on the right. Exit to Walnut Street, turn right, or north on Walnut Street, and you’re in the River Market!
• From the south: North on I-35, north toward Des Moines. Exit on the Main Street – Exit – 2D onto 6th Street. Continue east on 6th Street to Walnut Street, turn left on Walnut Street, go over the bridge and you are in the River Market!
• From the west: I-70 East into Kansas City to Main St. Exit 2D. Continue east on 6th Street to Walnut Street, turn left on Walnut Street, and you are in the River Market!

PARKING: Parking is free on either side of 7th Street on the west side of Main Street. For more parking information, see Visit KC‘s parking map.