We can’t wait for the “coming soon” signs to be gone. | Photo by KCtoday
With only a few months until the KC Streetcar takes its virgin voyage south of Union Station, we figured it was high time to prepare any anxious travelers for the trip. No baggage needed.
This is the first installment of our newest series, where we’ll be walking you through what riders can find — food, fun, a little history — just steps from the eight soon-to-debut streetcar stops. Up first: UMKC, 51st and Brookside.
Travel back in time
By 1957, the last of Kansas City’s 25 trolley routes were decommissioned and paved over to make way for the mighty automobile. For decades, the only vestiges left of our public transit past was the Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail, a walking and bike path retracing 6.8 miles of former trolley track — a line that runs eerily parallel to the modern-day UMKC streetcar stop.
Grab a bite
Let’s imagine you didn’t just hop on. If you’ve made the long journey south, or you’re looking for a pre-trip pick me up, there are more than a few options for hungry travelers nearby.
While a walk around the neighborhood is always recommended, we know some prefer a full itinerary of can’t-miss experiences.
Perfect Scents
National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Linda Hall Library
Crestwood Shops
KC Rep Theater
Time to take your seats. After a change of conductor + brief reboarding, tune in next time for the second stop on our trip north: Plaza, at Cleaver II + Main.
Asked
Asked
If you rode the entirety of its current route, how long would a trip on the KC Streetcar take?
A. 15-20 minutes B. 27-30 minutes C. 44-49 minutes D. One hour+
Bike Bus for Grown-Ups | Friday, Oct. 25 | 7-8:30 a.m. | KC Clay Guild | Free | Start outside the KC Clay Guild and end at 19th and Oak — and this bike ride will include a stop at the Gillham Cycle Track at Gillham Park along with coffee + pastries.
The JOCO Home + Remodeling Show | Friday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Times vary | Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park | $8+ | Prepare your home for hibernation with 200+ exhibitors ready to assist and inspire your next home project.
Haunted Histories | Friday, Oct. 25 + Thursday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | Alexander Majors House & Barn | $50 | Certified medium Peggy Casper will guide small groups in two-hour long investigations of the Antebellum Era mansion.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Sip and Stretch | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 8:45 a.m. | National WWI Museum and Memorial | Free with RSVP | Bring a mat and a friend for a fitness sesh lead by the Kansas City Ballet, and reward yourself for waking up early with a complimentary Ruby Jean’s Juicery drink.
Tricks & Treats | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Kansas City Power & Light District | Free entry | Visit over 15 participating restaurants and shops throughout the district for special treats.
Weston Whiskey Fest | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 2-5 p.m. | Weston Burley House Inc, Weston | $50 | Whet your whistle with the finest whiskies available, delight in conversations with local distillers, and discover new favorites.
Terror at Electric Park | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | J. Rieger & Co. Distillery | $100+ | Food, drinks, and entertainment are all included in your ticket to the haunted distillery of horrors, featuring live music, tarot readings, and the “Freak Show Drag Show.”
Sunday, Oct. 27
Chiefs Watch Party | Sunday, Oct. 27 | 11 a.m. | Casual Animal Brewing Co. | Free entry | Cerberus Coffee + New Material books will be on site early with coffee, books, and snacks, before Makin Come Eat’s Laotian pop up arrives for dinner.
The WNBA is welcoming three expansion teams by 2026, but the league’s commissioner is shooting for one more. Think T-Mobile Center would be a perfect home for a new pro team? You’re not alone — see what Mayor Quinton Lucas and Kathy Nelson of the KC Sports Commission had to say. (KCTV5)
Open
Your honor, opening day is here for Parkville’s Prima Facie Bistro. Started by a local lawyer and his wife, the upscale restaurant serves handmade pastas, steak, and seafood, alongside grab-and-go offerings at its more casual sister market. While brunch and lunch service are on hold, we have no objections to dinner on the outdoor patio. (KCBJ)
Shop
The sriracha shortage may have cooled off, but discounts at KCK’s Spicin Foods are just starting to heat up. Stop by its 111 Southwest Blvd. location today 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or tomorrow 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for its Parking Lot Sale, with up to 75% off its saucy selection.
Real Estate
A multifamily housing development is moving into south OP, after unanimous approval by the city’s planning commission. The plans detail 11 three-unit buildings, aka triplexes, built as part of an existing multifamily neighborhood around 159th Street and Mission Road. (Johnson County Post)
Biz
Federal tax credits totaling $35 million are set to help Crossroads-based Travois New Markets in its mission to uplift Native communities. Tribal governments and other Travois partners can use funds for projects promoting housing and economic development — including for-profit businesses, schools, and health clinics. (Startland News)
Try This
If you skipped breakfast, we’re so sorry. In more dining news, your lunch break just leveled up with a new deal from Kata Nori: 10% off your check when you order three hand rolls and any side plate.
Eat
A digestif of sorts. If all this food talk has you feeling overstuffed, may we suggest a big bowl of leafy greens? The Pitch’s Salad Week 2024 is already underway with delicious half-price deals on meals from nine local restaurants, now until Sunday, Oct. 27.
Legacy
Sporting KC co-owner, businessman, and philanthropist Pat Curran died earlier this month at 80 years old. Along with leading KC-based Curran Cos. and C3 Capital, the life-long local was a founding partner of Sporting Club — the organization that bought and rebranded the former Kansas City Wizards from Lamar Hunt Sr. in 2006. (KCBJ)
Cause
This is no sit-down gala.Camp for a Cause, a very fun fundraiser where adult teams compete in games to win prizes and raise money for kids facing cancer, returns on Saturday, Nov. 2. Learn more + reserve tickets.*
Put down your crafting scissors, we’ve got big news:
Starting Nov. 3, AdhDiy Craft Cafe will be open on Sundays inside its West Bottom’s 12th Street Post location. That means another 10 hours a week to order an afternoon activity off its restaurant-style menu and catch up with friends while keeping your hands busy.
While we always look forward to its 20% off happy hour, there’s one more reason to celebrate the small biz this weekend. Third Place Lounge and AdhDiy Craft Cafe are teaming up tomorrow, Oct. 26 for a nostalgic “crafternoon” sesh — featuring a full cereal bar + vintage cartoons to fuel whatever crafting project you plan to bring.
The Buy
The Buy
An emergency roadside kit. The 90-piece set comes with a LED headlamp, tire repair kit, jumper cables, window breaker and seat belt cutter, first aid kit, and more.
Ceremony and reception venues secured. Dress shopping commenced. Now, my wedding planning consists of daydreaming about all the fun details — currently imagining a beautiful cake and dessert spread from Little Butter Bakery.
