6D OFF THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY RAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
ENTERTAINMENT
Bored of Lawrence? Go to Kansas City
Zona Rosa highlights upscale entertainment, shopping
BY DEJUAN ATWAY
Nestled and tucked quietly in north Kansas City, nearly undetected from anyone outside Platte County, lies the Zona Rosa neighborhood. Zona Rosa offers upscale entertainment, shopping and dining experiences in Kansas City, Mo.
Located at the intersection of I-29 and Barry Road, Zona Rosa is Spanish for pink zone. It is modeled after a suburb in Mexico City, Mexico, which is one of the nation's biggest cultural and commercial tourist destinations.
The name comes from many of the buildings in the Mexico City district that were various shades of pink during Zona Rosa peak in the 1960s.
Not as well known as the other chic Kansas City shopping districts such as the Country Club Plaza, The Legends, Town Center, and Westport, Zona Rosa opened in May 2004. The neighborhood has seen the growth of the area increase every year since its opening.
The 45-minute trip to Zona Rosa from Lawrence will make every KU student contemplate whether it is worth the trip.
The retail venue has 68 retail businesses which include a variety of different stores such as Helzberg Diamonds, Sharper Image, Abercrombie & Fitch to Build-A-Bear and New York Company.
Besides shopping, visitors to Zona Rosa can dine at restaurants, such as the Hereford House, Bo Lings and Mimi's Cafe.
If you get tired from the shopping and eating, visitors can get massages at the Avalon Salon and
Spa.
Patrons can also enjoy a movie or listen to comedians at the The Majestic.
Edward Thomas, Kansas City junior, said that Zona Rosa was one the nicest shopping districts in the Kansas City area.
Zona Rosa presents a nice casual atmosphere. It's a place where you can enjoy the weather and you don't have that enclosed feeling that you have with malls, Thomas said.
Zona Rosa also has residential loft- style apartments that can be rented and has a small children's park in the center of the neighborhood.
Kansan senior staff member DeJuan Atway can be reached at datway@kansan.com
James Westbrook of Park Hill snaps a photo of (from left to right) Laura Downing, Tracy Young, Sarah Korsmeyer and Shannon Herrington in a small courtyard at the Zona Rosa shopping center in north Kansas City, Mo.
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