WEST BOTTOMS

DESCRIPTION: Eclectic is just the beginning in this historic neighborhood for antique shoppers and urban explorers alike. The West Bottoms offers an excellent selection of vintage stores and local shopping, as well as alluring bars and restaurants. Spend a few hours here and you’ll see that the great discoveries never end.

ADDRESS: Approximately 12^th and Hickory streets

GENERAL LOCATION: South of the Missouri River between I-35 and the Missouri-Kansas state line.

WEBSITE: https://www.westbottoms.com/

HOURS: Hours vary at individual businesses.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The most popular West Bottoms vintage and antique dealers open their shops to the masses for First Weekend celebrations, including food trucks, special events and more. Many stores such as Serendipity, Stuffology, Nook and Cranny and the Robin's Nest are also open every weekend.
• During the fall, thrill seekers will find no better destination. One of the nation's premier haunted house districts, the West Bottoms is home to Edge of Hell and The Beast, two of the spookiest adventures in town. Macabre Cinema offers another terrifying journey, while Full Moon Escape provides a chilling escape room experience all year long.
• Visit Hy-Vee Arena—home of the 1988 Final Four—for everything from basketball to pickleball. Next door is the American Royal Complex, home to livestock shows, rodeos and other events that serve as a reminder of KC’s Western heritage.
• A relaxed outdoor venue, Lemonade Park is the perfect place to embrace the neighborhood's charm and catch a live show.

HISTORY: The West Bottoms were founded around the 1860s with the arrival of the railroads and was the original downtown of Kansas City. The proximity of the two rivers and the flat land for railroads quickly made this location the economic engine of the area.

The area capitalized on the industrial revolution of the railroad industry allowing for the Livestock Exchange to be the distribution hub of Midwestern cattle around the nation and other smaller industries such as seed warehouses, furniture stores, and household products to prosper.

WHERE TO EAT: Treat yourself at Voltaire, a KC bistro serving creative cocktails and small plates, or try Golden Ox, a classic Kansas City steakhouse with decades of history.

For a flavorful lunch, join the line at Chef J BBQ, considered one of the top barbecue restaurants in the city. Be prepared to arrive early; the acclaimed spot often sells out.

If you're looking for libations, don't miss out on an impossibly smooth Old Fashioned at West Bottoms Whiskey Co., schedule a tasting at Amigoni Urban Winery, or swing by Stockyards Brewing Co. to sample local brews.

WHAT'S NEARBY: Visit the nearby River Market for an array of diverse dining options or check out KC’s Westside neighborhood for local favorites like Westside Storey and Chez Elle.   

DID YOU KNOW: After a devastating flood in 1903, the area was rebuilt with an industrial focus, transforming the West Bottoms into a major rail, agriculture and livestock hub.  

DON'T FORGET: Don't miss the upcoming Rock Island Bridge, a rejuvinated railroad bridge that will soon be Kansas City's newest entertainment district, featuring restaurants, bars, live music and more. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Ride KC’s route 101 and route 106 stop near the West Bottoms.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

• From the north: Take 1-29 and/or I-35 south toward downtown Kansas City; take the 12^th Street exit and head west.  
• From the east: Take I-70 west toward Kansas City then continue onto I-670 west; take the Wyoming Street exit.
• From the south: Take I-35 north toward Kansas City; exit at 12^th Street and turn west. Or take U.S. 71 Highway north before merging onto I-670 west; take the Wyoming Street exit.  
• From the west: Take I-70 east toward Kansas City then continue onto I-670 east; exit on Genessee Street.

PARKING: The West Bottoms has several free and paid parking lots. Find a map online here.