Exploring Village West in Kansas City: Legends Outlet and Kansas Speedway

Hello and welcome back to the blog! Today, I’m here in Village West, Kansas City, Kansas, and I want to show you around two of KCK’s biggest attractions: Legends Outlets and Kansas Speedway. As a Kansas City native, I remember growing up hearing that Wyandotte County didn’t have much to offer. Johnson County was where all the good stuff was on the Kansas side of the KC metro. Today, though, this area is truly a one-stop shop for dining, shopping, and entertainment. You can easily find yourself spending the whole day here. I’ve got a lot to show you, so let’s get moving!

Legends Outlets: Shopping and Dining Extravaganza

Legends Outlets is the only designer outlet center in Kansas, home to over 100 designer outlets, retail stores, and restaurants. It’s called Legends to honor the legendary Kansans who made history. You’ll find a mark of each of these amazing men and women in every courtyard and corridor, from the Yellow Brick Road of The Wizard of Oz to pioneers like Amelia Earhart and political leaders like Dwight Eisenhower. If you want to catch them all, Legends has even put together a handy walking tour with all the highlights marked.

Of course, the biggest draw of Legends Outlets is the designer outlets themselves. Those seeking a good deal on high-end merchandise will want to hit up Banana Republic, Coach, Michael Khors, and Tori Burch, just to name a few. When you start to get hungry, there’s a restaurant for anything you might be craving. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, features delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine with live blues and jazz music. Dancing Crab serves up seafood, and El Toro Loco offers authentic Mexican food. That’s only a few of the roughly 15 sit-down service-style restaurants, plus about 10 fast-food and counter-style service restaurants.

If you just need a snack, the Beef Jerky Experience specializes in more than 200 varieties of jerky, including some unexpected meats like kangaroo and alligator that you can try before you buy. Or grab a can of KC’s cult classic flavored popcorn from Topsy’s. For a great time out with friends and family, Dave & Buster’s offers interactive games, airs current sporting events, and has its own quality restaurant.

Nearby Attractions: Fun for Everyone

There are so many amazing attractions nearby. First, you have the KC Monarchs’ Legends Ball Field, home to the 2023 reigning champions of the American Association of Professional Baseball. This team has a special history, named after the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965, winning 10 league pennants and two Negro League World Series Championships.

Next is Children’s Mercy Park, home to Kansas City’s Major League Soccer team, Sporting KC. There’s also Great Wolf Lodge, with its 38,000-square-foot indoor water park featuring a massive splash ground and aquatic jungle gym for the little kids, as well as multiple water slides, a lazy river, and hot tubs for both families and adults. For those who like to try their hand with Lady Luck, Hollywood Casino has 1,500 slot machines and 35 table games, plus dining options inside.

Kansas Speedway: A Thrill for Racing Fans

Kansas Speedway is probably what this area is most known for. It’s Kansas City’s home away from home for NASCAR fans and one of the top racing facilities in the Midwest. Here, you’ll witness the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menard Races. The track is an international hotspot for racing fans from all over the world.

The Hollywood Casino 400 is set for September 29th this year for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the perfect crescendo for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA Menard Series race on the 27th and the Kansas Lottery 300 on the 28th. To enhance the experience, rent a scanner to pick up real-time audio from your favorite drivers and crew, or join the Highline Club for all-inclusive food and drink options and pre-race access.

Races aren’t the only thing Kansas Speedway has to offer. There’s a campground for RV enthusiasts, and the Highline District is open to all ticket holders and campers. It includes DJ performances, driver appearances, yard games, and pickleball courts. If you’re a thrill-seeker, you might want to try driving a real NASCAR race car yourself. The experience, called “Best Experience Ever,” offers training and instruction followed by up to 48 minutes of speeding along the track on your own, with brief pit stops every eight minutes to let you live your NASCAR racing dreams.

On top of the racing excitement, the Speedway also hosts Treads and Threads, a black-tie gala fundraiser in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System. Together, they’ve raised more than $25 million toward the region’s comprehensive cancer center. Kansas Speedway is also home to the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, the largest barbecue contest in the world, featuring live music, yard games, and the best barbecue Kansas City has to offer.

Stay and Play

If you’d like to make a whole weekend out of it, there are plenty of hotel options right here in Village West. Most notable are Great Wolf Lodge and Chateau Avalon. We’ve talked about the water park at Great Wolf, but the hotel itself is a super fun option for families and kids at heart, with their own pizza shop and candy store, as well as an arcade and Magic Quest scavenger hunt. For a more romantic option, check out Chateau Avalon Hotel and Spa. This boutique hotel experience has 61 uniquely themed rooms, all with jetted tubs and room service options.

Conclusion

What was your favorite part of today’s tour? Any store or restaurant at Legends you want everyone to try? If you’re thinking of making a move in or around the Kansas City metro and want to know more about the attractions and amenities nearby, give us a call. Don’t forget to download our free buyer’s guide so you can know just what to expect when buying a home. Let me and my team be your Kansas City real estate experts of choice. Until next time!