Packed with museums, theaters and galleries, the Crown Center District is a lively place to visit in the heart of Kansas City. Complementing the fun and educational attractions is a large and leafy outdoor area. Alternate daily outings between the park and the entertainment attractions.
The area has an eclectic range of fun activities for kids and adults. On a rainy day, explore the tanks of the SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, which has an underwater tunnel and touch pools for the little ones. If that isn’t enough to get your kids excited, take them to the rides and interactive games of nearby LEGOLAND® Discovery Center.
These two havens for entertainment lie beside the neighborhood’s namesake Crown Center mall, one of the best spots for shopping in the city. Browse international stores and local boutiques and purchase souvenirs. Inside the mall is the Hallmark Visitors Center with its iconic Kaleidoscope, providing another hub where children can express their creativity.
For more cultural enjoyment, visit the Belger Arts Center, which has workshops, exhibitions and a shop selling contemporary art. Watch shows in the Just Off Broadway Theatre or the Coterie Theatre.
The Crown Center District also has several museums, including the Money Museum and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The war museum is in Penn Valley Park, which covers the southern part of the neighborhood. On a pleasant day, stroll through the park and enjoy a picnic next to its lake.
The district is in the southern part of the Downtown Kansas City area. Travel by train to Union Station or park in the Crown Center mall garages. While in the city, make sure to explore surrounding areas such as Union Hill, the Power and Light District and Midtown-Westport.
The Crown Center District has a range of attractions for the entire family to enjoy.