Accommodations
You can reserve your room at InterContinental at the Kansas City Plaza, home of the Gatlinburg Conference. We have completely filled our room block at this hotel and we can’t expand it. You may still reserve at their regular rate. There are other nearby hotel options at more affordable rates also. We also have a hotel room sharing form if you would like to divide costs with another attendee.
Parking: InterContinental has garage parking for $25/day, $35 valet parking.
If you need any assistance you can contact us for help at gatlinburg@ku.edu
Getting from Kansas City Airport
Rideshare Services – Uber and Lyft services will pick up at any gate at one of the three terminals at KCI curbside areas as long as the spot is not designated for other services such as bus stop.
Rental Car Service – Kansas City Airport has rental car service for Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. All rental car companies share a Gray Rental Car Shuttle that stops at marked shelters at terminal medians
Taxi Service – Courtesy phones for taxi service are located both inside and outside the terminal at each bag claim area and at other strategic locations outside the terminal exits. Make sure that you give the dispatcher your exact location. Fares may be pro-rated (shared) when the originating passenger requests it and all other passengers agree. If calling from a personal phone, call 816-243-2345. Rates are $2.50 plus $2.10 per mile. Rates may vary due to traffic delays and waiting time.
Metro Bus Service – hourly metro bus services from Kansas City Airport route #229 / route name Boardwalk-KCI The regular fare one-way to or from KCI is $1.50. Reduced fare for eligible seniors, youths and persons with disabilities with a reduced farecard or Medicare card is $0.75. plan 1.5 hours for travel time
Transportation in Kansas City
Rideshare Services – Uber and Lyft services are available throughout Kansas City.
Rental Car Service – If you rented a car at the airport, parking at the InterContinental is available for $25 daily. There are other nearby parking options as well at the Crown Center Complex.
Other Transit Options –
- RideKC Bike: throughout Kansas City you can find bicycle docks by downloading the transit app.
- RideKC Bus system: Fares run $1.50 depending on the route and they will accept cash, or you can buy 3-day unlimited passes on the transit app.
Cultural Activities in Kansas City
Kansas City is known for Fountains, Sports, Barbeque Food and Jazz. In addition to this, there is a lively art and food scene near the Plaza and Westport area of Gatlinburg Conference easily accessible.
In close proximity
- Nelson-Atkins Art MuseumThe Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers free access to a broad collection spanning 5,000 years to the present day, the depths and complexities of human experiences. You can experience the exterior sculpture garden including Oldenberg’s oversized Shuttlecocks and the vast interior hallways of art in all media.
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Located on the campus of the nearby Kansas City Art Institute, the museum cares for nearly 1,500 artworks by hundreds of artists in its growing Permanent Collection.
- Loose Park Just up Wornell Road the InterContintental you can visit 75 acre Loose Park, once a site of a civil war battle. Now it features a rose garden center, meeting spaces and recreation spots.
Dining
Kansas City Country Club Plaza has over 20 restaurants to visit in close proximity. The historic Westport area just north of the Plaza has 35 more restaurants for you to explore.
The InterContinental also has an in house restaurant, American Slang which serves breakfast and dinner.
Accessibility
Creating an accessible Gatlinburg conference for everyone is our priority. If you have any concerns, questions or requests for accommodations please email us at gatlinburg@ku.edu.
Kansas City visitor center has also compiled a list of accessibility resources.
The InterContinental has resources on accessibility.
If you require Communications Access Realtime Translations (CART) or ASL interpreter for the conference sessions please email us at gatlinburg@ku.edu so that we can make arrangements.
Shopping
The InterContinental Hotel is directly across the street from the 100-year-old Seville Spain Inspired Kansas City Country Club Plaza which has many different shopping options.
Just a few miles north of the Plaza you can find the historic Westport area with many different shopping and entertainment options.
Traveling further north to the downtown Kansas City area along the streetcar route you can find neighborhood shopping along the Crossroad’s Arts District, the Kansas City Power and Lights Entertainment District, and finally the Kansas City River Market
