If you’re like me and always looking for ways to add FREE, easy, screen-free activities into your weekend, let me suggest a walking, biking, or scootering tour of the ever-changing Crossroads Arts District murals and street art.
Kansas City has a rich history of art and artists from Thomas Hart Benton to Walt Disney and the historic Film Row. Today the Crossroads Arts District is home to over 400 independent artists and studios, making it one of the most concentrated gallery areas in the country, which means there is creativity happening around corner.
While I do recommend coming to a First Friday to experience how vibrant the neighborhood is, I almost like going on weekend mornings better because it’s easy to park and wander around with your littles. Plus, once you work up an appetite, there are several fun family-friendly places for treats and eats! Check out a few of the local restaurants like Parlor, Grinders, Brewery Emperial, Mission Taco Joint, Town Topic, Manny’s, and Mildred’s for great food and kid-friendly options.
There are several ways to explore the area depending on what you’re looking for, here are some ideas.
Sports Murals
We all love our KC teams and there are several murals around the area. They are great backdrops and amazing to see the scale and detail in person.
Chief’s Kingdom Mural – Tom’s Town Distilling Co.
Chief’s Red Wall – 18th and Locust
Raised Royal – Southwest Blvd and 25th Street
Raised Royal – Alley behind Escapist Skateboarding
Royal Girl – Afterward Tavern and Shelves
Sporting KC Mural – Plexpod Building
Kansas City Love
We all love showing our Kansas City pride and these murals are the perfect photo op for portraits or even to frame.
Made in KC Maker’s Mural – 26th and Summit
“Kansas City I’m So in Love” Mural – Imagine That Building
Love Kansas City – Foxx Equipment Building
Janelle Monae Portrait by Zulu Painter
Spira Care Mural
You are Beautiful KC Wall – Delphinium Salon
Inspiring Murals
These are perfect for Instagram and would make great backdrops for Senior Portraits.
Strong Women Mural – Women Leaders in College Sports
Summer Night – Messenger Coffee
Spread Good Energy
Endless love Mural – Behind Cellar Rat Wine
Street Art
I love that so many businesses in the Crossroads have offered their walls to Kansas City artists to express themselves. It’s so fun to see how the murals and tags constantly evolve and change. It’s worth taking your camera and walking through the alleys to catch all the surprising details and explosions of color.
Artist Alley 17th and Oak
Anime Murals by Jake Merten
Behind the Hemingway Building
Parking Lot by 1st Class Real Estate
Two Ladies by Zulu Painter – Behind Outreach Event Space
Sitting Man on Manny’s Restaurant by Alex Senna
Alley Behind Manny’s Restaurant
Alley behind Concentra
Blue Unicorn by Allison Bamcat
Mickey Mouse by Matt Gondek
Mural in Grinder’s Parking Lot
Mural in Dance Fit Flow Parking Lot
Mural by Kiptoe
