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Six new KC attractions and upgrades spotlight thriving city life

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City is buzzing with vibrant new attractions and refreshed venues. The Kansas City Zoo’s Sobela Ocean Aquarium drew national recognition for its inclusive all-gender restrooms, featuring thoughtful amenities like toddler seats and adult changing tables.

Music lovers can look forward to a modern riverside amphitheater, as well as a revitalized Azura Amphitheater with expanded merch stands, upgraded pit areas, and improved backstage spaces. Mosaic nightclub in the Power & Light District is reopening after a dramatic renovation, offering an expanded dance floor and luxury lounge. Downtown Lee’s Summit’s Green Street project will bring a year-round market, outdoor performance space, boutique hotel, and immersive public art, while the Crossroads Hotel celebrates a new Michelin Key for excellence in hospitality.

The 131-room Crossroads Hotel opened in 2018 at 2101 Central St. By Keith Myers

NO. 1: ‘A BEACON OF HOSPITALITY’: KC HOTEL NAMED ONE OF THE BEST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY

It’s the only hotel in either Kansas or Missouri to receive the honor. | Published September 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

NO. 2: KC-AREA CITY APPROVES $120M BONDS TO BUILD NEW OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE ON MISSOURI RIVER

Earlier this week, the Riverside Board of Aldermen approved $120 million in bonds for the new amphitheater leased by LiveNation. | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alecia Taylor

A rendering of a large mixed-use project now called Green Street, which will include a farmers market and a performing arts space.

NO. 3: A MARKET WILL BE JUST 1 OF MANY FEATURES AT GREEN STREET. HERE’S WHAT ELSE TO EXPECT

The Lee’s Summit development is supporting local farmers and artisans while boosting foot traffic and supporting local businesses. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Janice Phelan

The sinks inside the Kansas City Zoo’s Sobela Ocean Aquarium bathroom.

NO. 4: THIS NEW KC ATTRACTION IS AMONG THE BEST IN THE US, RANKING SAYS — FOR ITS BATHROOMS

“They certainly provide our guests with much more privacy than most bathrooms do, and the additional amenities make them much more inclusive.” | Published October 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

A rendering of the Mosaic nightclub in the Power & Light District, which is receiving $2.5 million in upgrades to expand the space.

NO. 5: NIGHTCLUB IN KC’S POWER & LIGHT DISTRICT SET TO REOPEN AFTER MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADES

The nightclub has doubled in size with a new VIP lounge and sound system upgrades. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, with a capacity of approximately 18,000 people, recently completed significant offseason upgrades after four decades of hosting outdoor concerts. These improvements included the refurbishment and replacement of some of the venue’s blue seats, as well as new concrete walkways and in the pit area. The stage was also in the process of being re-painted. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 6: SEE HOW $1 MILLION GRANT SHINED UP AZURA AMPHITHEATER AHEAD OF 2025 CONCERT SEASON

The concert venue formerly known as Sandstone has made some recent upgrades to improve the fan experience there. | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.