All signs (and murals) point to Westport. | Photo by KCtoday
Looking for an eclectic neighborhood with no shortage of entertainment, shopping, and restaurants? Well look no further — Westport is the place to be. From morning brunch to late-night drinks, this KC neighborhood has a full day’s worth of activities.
Drive down Main Street to see a show at the Madrid Theater or grab a drink on the rooftop at Canary. Take a stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue for classic barbecue at Char Bar and a beer at Kelly’s Westport Inn. No matter which way you turn, Westport is full of opportunities of what Kansas City does best – enjoying life.
Can’t miss
Running low on time? A trip to Westport isn’t complete without a stop at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue + Archibald Avenue for Mexican cuisine at Port Fonda and then a short walk around the corner for a drink (or two) at Julep, so be sure to factor it into your day. You can even stop by the Kansas City Royals mural to look like a true Kansas Citian. You’ll thank us later.
Shop
For the thrifty folk,Arizona Trading Company buys and sells clothes and accessories for a fraction of the price.
Put your records on with Mills Record Company, an indie record store that buys, sells, and trades records, tapes, CDs, and books.
Eat + Drink
Beer Kitchen — burgers, brunch + beer. Must we say more?
Known for having the best burger in KC, Westport Flea Market has a rightful spot on this list.
Broadway Cafe is home to KC’s oldest coffeehouse and independently-owned roasting company.
Arts + Culture
Check out a glimpse into the past at 1885 Harris-Kearney House — home to the oldest residential piano in KC.
Do it for the ‘gram. It wouldn’t be a KC neighborhood without a mural or five. Check out the Chiefs mural at Westport Ale House for a true KC photo opportunity.
Love karaoke but not looking to subject the entire bar to your rendition of “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield? Check out the private suites at Offkey Karaoke Lounge.
Grass Volleyball Tournament Night | Wed., Sept. 21 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Zona Rosa, 8731 N. Stoddard Ave., Kansas City, MO | $7 | Gather a group of friends, or come get placed on a team, for a grass volleyball tournament. 🏐
Madison Cunningham | Wed., Sept. 21 | 8 p.m. | recordBar | $20 | Enjoy tunes from her newest album “Revealer.”
Thursday
La Onda: Crossroads Hotel | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | 417 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Enjoy this rich and varied exhibition series with contributions of Latin-X artists in Kansas City and beyond. 💃
Emerging Leaders Pickleball Tournament | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 6-9 p.m. | Chicken N Pickle, 5901 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $100+ | This annual fundraiser brings together young professionals for an evening of pickleball, networking, and live music.
Friday
Boots, Bourbon and Pearls | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Alexander Majors Historic Museum & Barn, 8201 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO | $90+ | Guests will enjoy a gourmet chili dinner, a signature bourbon cocktail, a silent auction + a raffle.
Tivoli Under the Stars: Moulin Rouge | Fri., Sept. 23 | 7:15 p.m. | Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | $58 | Transport yourself to Paris, 1899, for a movie night under the stars.
Broadway’s Leading Men | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $40+ | Unleash your inner thespian with songs from favorites like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim + Rodgers and Hammerstein. 🎭
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Ludo’s becomes 21+ after 7 p.m. each night. | Photo provided by Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar
Think shuffleboard is just for your grandparents? It’s time to spice up your weekend routine by rethinking this disc-shuffling, point-scoring game.
Ludo’s Shuffleboard, which recently opened in Martini Corner, welcomes shufflers ofall ages to come experience the fun + retro vibes of their three, full-size shuffleboard lanes and vintage arcade games. Ludo’s is the perfect venue for a group hang, date night, birthday parties, corporate celebrations and more.
Looking to unwind? Ludo’s has a full bar, complete with curated cocktails, bubbles, and rotating Kansas City brews. Specialty drinks include:
Pep Rally: featuring Resposado tequila, allspice dram, agave, and citrus flavors
Midtown Swizzle: a concoction of rum and lemon-lime flavors
Tang-o: a frozen blend of tequila, mango, lime, and orange
Bonus: For a midweek pick me up, Ludo’s offers Hideaway Nights — think themed evenings with tropical sips + specialty cocktails —every Wednesday.
Shuffleboard can be played with just one companion or up to 10 players in one-hour increments ($10-20 per hour). Pro tip: Be on the lookout for KC food trucks landing soon. 👀 *
Lenexa’s 47-acre Vista Village project by West Star Development is nearing a start on its 20-year bet. Medical, retail, and apartment spaces are anticipated, among other future business developments. Vertical construction is expected to begin in October. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Drake Development LLC is entering the owners market with its 418-home project in Overland Park — located at the NE corner of 179th Street + Switzer Road. Thiswill be a five-phase project, beginning with construction of 82 houses. (FOX4)
Watch
The countdown continues. Check out this video for updates on the new Kansas City International Airport terminal, including inside looks at the concourse gates. The terminal is expected to open in March 2023. ✈️
Biz
Speaking of KCI, KC aviation leaders revealed a map + list of businesses at the new terminal. Concourse A includes a Made In KC food hall, and Concourse B includes a City Market food hall. Along with a “barbecue experience,” other shops include Martin City Brewing, Guy’s Snacks, and Buffalo State Pizza Co.🍕(FOX4)
Employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm HNTB will relocate its Overland Park office to a new space within the 207-acre Aspiria campus in January 2023. The company signed a multiyear, 25,650-sqft lease.
Shop
Waldo is getting a new apparel company created by a local, contest-winning artist. Ben Walters turned his success in the Pabst Blue Ribbon design challenge into a new company called WornAll Apparel. The fresh, KC-focused designs are available on the online store — with pop-up events planned for the future. 👕 (The Pitch)
Arts
The City of Fountains Foundation (you know, the people who help fund + maintain the fountains) want to pay local artists $500 for coloring book designs. The books will launch has part of the organization’s 50th anniversary in 2023. Book funds will support continued fountain preservation. ⛲️
Travel
A day trip to Excelsior Springs may result in a few surprises after major renovations at The Elms Hotel & Spa. The historic property, known for its speakeasy history, retained originalmosaic tile while gaining a new café/wine bar, a new spa aesthetic, and an outdoor zen garden. (Kansas City Magazine)
Real Estate
When the Menard family decided to move home, the hot CA sun wasn’t the only thing heating up Orange County. Learn how an Opendoor-backed offer landed them the house of their dreams.*
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Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. The week was created in 1982 in response to a rise in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. The goal is to highlight the value of free and open access to information, as well as bring together the entire book community.
Here’s a few ways you can participate locally:
Ban These Books? Let’s Talk | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 6 p.m. | Plaza Branch | Free with RSVP | Hear veteran librarians walk through a range of books that have been targeted for removal or restriction in public libraries.
Interactive Display | Today-Sun., Sept. 25 | Flagship Books | Visit just one of many local indie bookstores participating in the awareness efforts.
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by Bella.
Editor’s pick: Fun fact: one of my majors in college was English Literature — so I have read quite a few banned books. My favorite frequently banned book has to be “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. Even better fun fact: I have a line of her poetry tattooed on me. Any guesses as to which one?
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* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.