Day trip: downtown Kansas City highlights from Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City
Yes — you can do a downtown Kansas City highlights day trip from Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City. Expect roughly a 25–30 minute drive each way to central downtown attractions (Union Station, Power & Light, Crown Center, the River Market); plan a full day for transit, sightseeing, meals, and an evening event.
In this guide
- Getting downtown from Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City
- Start your day: coffee and breakfast at the hotel
- Morning: Union Station, Science City and nearby museums
- Midday: Power & Light District, lunch and shopping
- Afternoon: River Market & the City Market
- Evening: a show, dinner, and return to Margaritaville
- Tips for a smooth day trip from Margaritaville
Getting downtown from Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City
Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City sits in Village West at 1491 North 98th Terrace, Kansas City, KS 66111. Driving is the most practical option for reaching downtown; Google-based estimates and hotel information indicate about a 25–30 minute drive to central downtown sites.
Public transit is available but can take substantially longer (often 1.5–2+ hours depending on connections), so rideshare, taxi or a personal car are the fastest choices for a day trip.
- Drive time to Union Station / Power & Light: roughly 25–30 minutes by car
- Taxis and rideshares are commonly used; a hotel concierge can advise local options
- If you plan to park downtown, check individual venue parking rates and times
| Origin | Typical travel time (car) |
|---|---|
| Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City to Union Station / Power & Light | ~25–30 minutes |
| Margaritaville to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) | ~19–24 minutes (varies by route) |
Start your day: coffee and breakfast at the hotel
If you want a quick grab-and-go or a sit-down start before heading downtown, Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions in the hotel lobby serves espresso drinks, pastries, sandwiches and gelato. Hours listed for Joe Merchant’s are generally 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Sun–Thu and 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Fri–Sat.
For a fuller sit-down breakfast with pool views, LandShark Bar & Grill serves breakfast a la carte; LandShark’s general posted hours include morning service and the restaurant is open daily.
- Joe Merchant’s — quick coffee, sandwiches, pastries (lobby grab-and-go)
- LandShark Bar & Grill — full breakfast menu and indoor/outdoor seating
- Pack bottled water from the room or request extras at the front desk if you plan a long day
| On-site option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions | Quick coffee, takeout breakfast |
| LandShark Bar & Grill | A la carte breakfast before heading out |
Morning: Union Station, Science City and nearby museums
Union Station is one of downtown Kansas City’s main hubs and a practical first stop. It hosts rotating exhibits and Science City (a family-friendly science center) — a good choice if you’re traveling with kids.
Union Station is approximately a 25–30 minute drive from the hotel. Plan at least 1.5–2 hours at Union Station if you want to browse multiple exhibits or visit Science City.
- Union Station — exhibitions, architecture, occasional special events
- Science City — hands-on exhibits for families (allow 1–2 hours)
- Nearby: the National World War I Museum & Memorial is also downtown if you prefer history-focused visits
| Attraction | Suggested visit time |
|---|---|
| Union Station (general visit) | 1–2 hours |
| Science City | 1–2 hours |
| National WWI Museum & Memorial | 1–2 hours |
Midday: Power & Light District, lunch and shopping
Power & Light District is within walking distance of many downtown attractions and offers dining, shopping and people-watching. Lunch options range from casual pub fare to sit-down restaurants; check hours if you have a specific spot in mind.
If you prefer a slightly quieter shopping experience, Crown Center and its connected shops and dining are family-friendly and close to Union Station.
- Power & Light — restaurants, bars, and event venues
- Crown Center — shopping, dining, and often seasonal activities
- If you want Kansas City barbecue, downtown has multiple well-known options; reservations can help for popular restaurants
| Neighborhood | Why go |
|---|---|
| Power & Light District | Dining, nightlife, event atmosphere |
| Crown Center | Shops, family-oriented dining, near Union Station |
| River Market (north of downtown) | Local food stalls, weekend farmers’ market |
Afternoon: River Market & the City Market
The River Market area and City Market (depending on the day) are good for exploring local produce, small vendors, and casual street food. It’s a lively neighborhood for walking and photography.
If you prefer museums, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the KC Streetcar-served neighborhoods are other afternoon options but require more driving/time to reach from Village West.
- City Market — produce stalls, food vendors, seasonal weekend hours
- River Market — cafes and independent shops
- Consider timing: weekend markets can be busiest in the late morning to early afternoon
| Option | Good for |
|---|---|
| City Market | Local food, shopping (weekend focus) |
| Nelson-Atkins Museum | Art collections (allow 1–2 hours) |
| KC Streetcar | Short rides linking downtown neighborhoods |
Evening: a show, dinner, and return to Margaritaville
Downtown venues like T-Mobile Center host concerts and sporting events — check event schedules in advance if you want an evening show. Power & Light and nearby restaurants provide many dinner options before or after an event.
When you return to Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City, the hotel’s evening dining and bars (LandShark Lobby Bar, 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill when open seasonally) are available if you prefer to end the night on-site.
- T-Mobile Center — arena events (check event calendars)
- Dinner in Power & Light or Crown Center before heading back
- Hotel bars: LandShark Lobby Bar (lobby) and seasonal 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill (pool deck)
| If you finish downtown by | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Early evening (before 8:00 p.m.) | Return to hotel for poolside seating or LandShark dining (if open) |
| Late evening (post-event) | Use rideshare/taxi for a direct return to Margaritaville |
| Want a nightcap | Try the LandShark Lobby Bar |
Tips for a smooth day trip from Margaritaville
Bring layers — downtown Kansas City weather can change through the day. If visiting in summer, expect heat and possible thunderstorms; spring can be mild but wet.
If you plan to use the hotel pool before or after your day trip, note the property has both a year-round indoor pool with obstacle course features and a seasonal outdoor pool with waterslide and cabanas.
- Check LandShark Bar & Grill hours if you plan breakfast or dinner there
- If driving, budget time for downtown parking and event traffic during game/race weekends
- Non-hotel guests can buy pool day passes; the hotel offers complimentary Wi‑Fi to guests
| Hotel amenity | Note |
|---|---|
| Indoor pool | Open year-round; includes obstacle course and rock-climbing wall |
| Outdoor pool | Seasonal; water slide, cabanas, zero-entry area |
| Parking at hotel | Self-parking and valet available for fees |
