Crown Center

Directions

The Crown Center is near the crossroads of several major interstates and highways. Interstate 70 / 670, Interstate 35, Interstate 29 and Highway 71 all pass within a few miles of the district, making it extremely accessible from any direction. If you are traveling from I-49 N or I-29 S, please note that they seamlessly terminate into Highway 71 as you enter the downtown area. Once you are on Highway 71, you will encounter several stop lights as you approach the Center.

Facts about the Crown Center

• The Crown Center opened in 1971, when the first five buildings were completed.
• A walking elevated corridor called "The Link" connects the buildings within the center.
• It is located approximately 1.5 miles southeast of Downtown Kansas city.
• The Center contains over 50 unique shops, restaurants, theaters and experiences.
• The Center includes a LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEALIFE Aquarium and ice skating rink.
• There is also a HALLMARK Visitor Center located within the vast complex.
• The Link connects the center to Union Station, a beautifully reconstructed train station that now includes a science museum, exhibits and an Amtrak Station.
• On July 17, 1981, 114 people tragically died when walkways collapsed at the Hyatt Regency.
• A National WWI Museum and Memorial are located nearby.

History

The Crown Center was the brainchild of the founder of Hallmark Cards, Joyce Hall, and his son Donald Hall. In the early 1960's, the areas near the Hallmark Corporation's headquarters in Kansas City consisted of dilapidated parking lots and buildings. Together, Mr. Joyce Hall and Mr. Donald Hall developed the Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation, a concept that became a subsidiary of Hallmark corporation and which set in motion a massive renewal near the downtown area.¹

The project broke ground in 1968, and the original plan was for five connected seven-story office buildings. These first five buildings were completed in 1971.

Other buildings and features were added over time. Three additional buildings were completed from 1987 to 2000, and The Link sky bridge connecting The Westin to the office buildings and the Sheraton was added in 1988. Another part of The Link was added in 2000 that connected The Westin to Union Station.¹

Things to do

There are some fantastic attractions and restaurants located within the complex. SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND - Kansas City are located on the southeastern side of the district. There is an open area here with water fountains and tables, and also an ice skating rink. The ice skating rink is open each year from around the beginning of November to the beginning of March.

If you cross over Grand Boulevard from here, you will find one of the main entrances to the shops and hotels within the Crown Center. This area is a great place to wander and explore. Spin Pizza, Einstein Bagels, and a large Crayola store are just some of the many shops lining the walkways. One restaurant, called Fritz's Railroad Restaurant, delivers food to your table by overhead trains! It is a great experience for young children.

A few other shops include, but are not limited to:

• The Best of Kansas City
• The Apothecary (A great place to get essentials and snacks)
• Toy Time
• Amy's Hallmark

The Link walkway continues out of this area through the Westin Hotel, where it passes by some wonderful gardens that can be viewed at leisure. From the Westin, the Link travels over Pershing Road to its final stop, Union Station.

Union Station is a railroad station that was originally built in 1914, and has since been re-purposed as both a station and an entertainment facility. While the station still services passengers on Amtrak, it is now also home to the Kansas City Science Center, The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, and numerous exhibits and events throughout the year. At Christmastime, thousands of children come to visit Santa, and the station hall is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with hundreds of beautiful Christmas decorations.

Places to Stay

The best places to stay while visiting this attraction are the Sheraton and the Westin. Both of these hotels are connected to all of the shops, restaurants and Union Station via The Link sky bridges. Sometimes you can find amazing deals on one or both of these hotels, but the deals are usually dependent on things going on in the city at the time of travel, such as football games or holiday shopping.

If you plan on visiting other parts of Kansas City, there are a number of great hotels in the downtown area as well. The Kansas City Marriott Downtown offers some spectacular views, and the Holiday Inn - Aladdin is very nice too.

Parking

There are five garages in the complex. The Pershing Office and Westin Parking garages are accessible from Pershing Avenue. Two Public Parking garages are accessible from Grand Boulevard. The fifth is at the north end of the complex at the Sheraton Hotel. Each garage has electric charging stations. For more information on parking, visit the official Crown Center link here.

Information