What's parking like downtown KC during the weekends? (Liberty, Union: hotel, bus)

[doss1]

Hi all,
I'm looking at visiting KC for the first time some time in June. I will be staying the weekend at the Hyatt Place hotel near the airport. I read that it is about a 20min drive to downtown? Is there any free parking available downtown near the Power and Light district where one can park for most of the day? We plan to spend most of a Saturday down there. Can we get around without a car once we are parked?

Thanks.

[kcmo]

There is a park and ride lot in the River Market at the north end of the MAX bus line. It's free and safe to park there. Then you can take the max around downtown, crown center, plaza etc. It's at 3rd and Grand.

You can also park for free in crown center, the plaza garages and I think metered spots downtown are still free on weekends, so there is plenty of parking, but the rivermarket parking lot might be the easiest.

If you need a cab for some reason, they are plentiful in the downtown corridor as well.

Actually, if you plan to park on Saturday, the lot in the city market may be full. The City Market is bustling on Saturday mornings and parking becomes limited. I would definitely hit the City Market on Sat morning though if you can, it's a very neat experience.

[Okey Dokie]

20 minutes from airport area to downtown on a weekend sounds about right.

[xenokc]

Yes, you can get around city core on MAX bus once parked. Here's a city guide along the MAX Orange Line. You want to get on the Orange Line, not the Green Line.

Try the City Market free lot at 3rd/Grand first. You could even start at The Plaza (free parking) and bus to downtown.

[doss1]

Thanks, guys!

[xenokc]

For a day trip in city core, I'd recommend starting with City Market in morning, take MAX bus to Crown Center and check out that area and Union Station and maybe Liberty Memorial, then bus/cab to the Plaza and hang out there over afternoon and maybe the museums, then bus/cab back to downtown for night life - either Power and Light district or Crossroads district - you'll know right away which is your kind of thing.