Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

27 miles/35 minute drive to Kauffman Stadium

WHERE TO STAY? Hotels Near Kauffman Stadium

Unlimited budget  - both within 6 miles of Kauffman Stadium
InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza

The Raphael Hotel

Moderate budget All three options are within walking distance of Kauffman Stadium

Four Points by Sheraton - Sports Complex

Drury Inn & Suites Kansas City Stadium

Holiday Inn Kansas City Sports Complex (3.75 miles from Kauffmasn Stadium)

Chaser budget traveler  The following lodging is within 4 miles of Kauffman Stadium

Super 8  Independence, MO

Best Western  Truman Inn

WHERE TO PARK?

Parking at “The K” has never been so easy- it sure beats struggling for a cheap lot at a downtown ballpark. The Kansas City Royals are one of a handful of ball clubs that offer a centralized parking lot in front of their respective stadium. General parking is only $15 and the Royals provide an easy-guide that has directions to either the east or west parking lot, depending on the direction you are coming from. Keep in mind that parking at Kauffman Stadium is cash only. If your trip allows it, we recommend to stay at one of the hotels listed above so you can walk to and from the game.

WHERE TO EAT?

One of our crew’s favorite restaurants in all of baseball is just 15 minutes from Kauffman Stadium. Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum is a must see when coming to Kansas City. Chappell’s not only serves great food, but also is home of the country’s largest collection of sports memorabilia (within a restaurant). Don’t leave here without trying the famous half-pound burger, meeting Jim Chappell (the owner) and finding the autograph baseball from Ty Cobb and the authentic 1974 World Series Trophy.

If you haven’t already noticed in the other Ballpark Chasers Guides, we love “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants and the local favorites. If you feel the same way, look no further than LC’s BBQ. Just four miles from Kauffman Stadium, LC’s can practically be smelled from the seats! Well, that may be an exaggeration, but LC’s is arguably the best BBQ joint in all of Kansas City. Our mouths are watering just thinking of their burnt end sandwiches and fries. Another favorite is Stroud's Restaurant, home of Pan-Fried Chicken. Although it's 20 minutes from Kauffman Stadium, its well worth it. 

Ballpark Chasers Favorite Bar- Johnny's Tavern

Newly renovated Kauffman Stadium brought several new features including a restaurant in Right Field, a Royals Hall of Fame exhibit and miniature golf in left field.  Rivals Sports Bar is open just beyond the Right Field bleachers and is serving up traditional sports bar cuisine. To keep you up on the game, Rivals offers a number of flat-screen televisions, including a 103 incher! Rivals Sports Bar makes for a perfect stop during those cool spring nights or blistering hot and humid summer days in Kansas City. A quicker option is to visit the Outfield Experience. Stroud's Chicken, which is connected to the Royal's Hall of Fame in Left Field, is a local favorite that arguably serves the best fried chicken in the country. And it wouldn't be Kauffman Stadium without Award-winning Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Pit. Check it out and get plenty of napkins! Our favorite ballpark food is the Drunken Barbacoa Beef Nachos. This plate of nachos is smothered with habañero queso, charred corn, black beans, pico de gallo and chipotle sour cream. Other favorites around the ballpark include Grilled Fish Tacos, Hawaiian Poke, Crab Cakes, and Burnt End Mac n Cheese. For dessert, go with the French Toast Ice Cream Sandwich. 

Craft & Draft is a fun tap room behind the left field fence that offers over 75 craft beers from around the country. Craft & Draft has a quick-fire pizzeria for customizable pizzas.

New Food at Kauffman Stadium

Brisket Topped Tots: Tater tots, smoked brisket, white queso, barbecue sauce and green onions. 

Artisan Chicken Sandwich: Grilled or fried chicken, roasted garlic aioli, candied bacon, pepper jack cheese, heirloom tomato, lettuce, avocado and fried egg on a split-top glazed roll.

BBQ Burger: Single or double burger, melted cheese, smoked pulled pork, onion rings and Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce.

Korean BBQ: Smoked pork kielbasa, barbecue sauce and daikon kimchi slaw. 

Chocolate Strawberry Swiss Roll: Chocolate sponge cake swirled with strawberry jam and white chocolate mousse, and rolled in milk chocolate ganache. 

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?

The Royals World Series run is a distant memory as ballpark attendance is back to normal. On average, Kauffman Stadium was 73% full during the 2019 season. Ballpark Chasers recommends pre-purchasing your tickets through the Royals box office.. 

If your schedule allows, plan on seeing the Royals play on Friday night in order to catch a great fireworks show following the game.

Ballpark Chasers Fun Fact:  One of the most coveted and hardest to come by seats in all of baseball is the famous red seat found in Section 101, Row C, Seat 1. The Royals placed this red seat in honor of the legendary Kansas City Monarch, Buck O’Neil. Don’t expect to find the seat on eBay, as the Royals front office donates this seat to a member of the Kansas City community for each home game.

WHEN TO GO?

Summers in Kansas City tend to be hot and humid. Expect temperatures in the 90’s with the lowest probability of rain during the months of July and August. If you prefer less humidity and cooler temperatures, plan your trip in April, May or early June. Just be prepared to bring your umbrella.

WHAT ELSE TO SEE?

Besides the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, no other attraction comes close to the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Founded in 1990, the NLBM is a non-profit organization with a privately funded mission to preserve the history of African Americans in baseball. Located in the historic district of 18^th and Vine (10 minutes from Kauffman Stadium), the NLBM will provide hours of entertainment and will leave you with a greater appreciation of the Negro Leagues. Admission to the Negro League Baseball Museum is $10 for adults or $6 for children ages 5-12. Ballpark Chasers recommends making a day out of it by purchasing a combo ticket ($15) which includes access to the Jazz Museum next door. Children under 12 would be $8 for a combo ticket. 

After a day at the museums, head over to the Country Club Plaza for 15 blocks of restaurants, shops, concerts, entertainment and a unique atmosphere that cannot be replicated anywhere in the greater Midwest. If your trip to Kansas City is spent with the love of your life, don’t leave the Country Club Plaza without a Venetian style Gondola ride. Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended.  

BALLPARK CHASERS VACATION?

Ballpark Chasers rave about the “Frontier 3” baseball road trip. This includes seeing Kauffman Stadium, Busch Stadium and Coors Field. We recommend finding the cheapest airfare to either Denver or St. Louis and using a rental car to drive in between. The drive from Denver to Kansas City is roughly 9 hours, or about 610 miles; whereas the drive between St. Louis and Kansas City is about 240 miles or 4 hours.

If you are looking to spend a few days in the Kansas City area, Ballpark Chasers suggests seeing a couple of games at “The K”, spending some time at the Negro League Baseball Museum, and taking in a Monarchs game at Legends Field. The Kansas City Monarchs are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.