My children and I are accompanying my husband on a business trip to Kansas City this summer. It looks like we'll be staying at the Homewood Suites by the airport. I understand this is 20 miles or so from the city center, so can anyone tell me anything about the area— anything interesting for kids, good shopping, restaurants, etc? Anything about the hotel itself? Thanks in advance.
Homewood Suites Airport, Kansas City, MO
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Closer to 12 miles from the downtown. The biggest attraction close to the hotel is the Harley-Davidson plant. It has tours.
The nearby shopping and restaurants are along Berry Road or just off Berry & I-29 in Zona Rosa. Zona Rosa is a new outdoor "town center" with a lot of shopping and restaurants. It includes Swagat, which I think is the best Indian restaurant in the metro area.
Although there is a lot more to do in Kansas City, if I was staying in that area, I would be tempted to visit some of the places outside the city in that direction, rather than do KC stuff.
St. Joseph, MO was the eastern terminus of the Pony Express and has museums related to that, the James Brothers and other museums. There is a nice walking/bicycle trail along the Missouri River.
Weston, MO has neat old homes, a winery, a 150 year old whiskey distillery, museums, and the only tobacco auction west of the Mississippi River. It has a tiny, but interesting old downtown.
Leavenworth, KS has the Fort with a museum, river front park and two or three national cemeteries.
Atchison, KS has some really spectacular Victorian homes, a railroad museum, Amelia Earhart's birthplace, trolley tours, and St. Benedict’s Abbey. There are over 20 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
Keith
Thanks for the suggestions— sounds like there are lots of great things to see and do!
Homewood Suites is a new chain from Hilton. It has big rooms, big breakfasts, and light dinner Mon-Thu. We stayed at one in Chicago and liked it.
Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun isn't far from the airport (maybe 10 minutes) similar to a six flags. also, the Country Club Plaza is a must see. The shops, fountains, carriage rides, and people watching is a lot of fun. Also, there is a good variety of restaurants in the area.
I was just in KC last weekend and stayed near the airport. I needed to go into the Plaza twice. Thought I'd never get there!! It's just about all stop lights and traffic since there is no interstate running nearby. Does anyone have an EASY way to get to the Plaza from the airport?? I'm there twice a year and always make the trip to the Plaza at least once. It usually takes about 40 minutes to drive it. There's gotta be an easier way! Anyone??
The easist way to the Country Club Plaza from the airport is I-29 south. It turns into I-35 south when I-29 ends.
Go about 2 miles on I-35 (over the Missouri River and thruough the heart of the downtown). Then take Southwest Trafficway south. The exit for the Trafficway is on the left. This intersects the west end of the Plaza and West Port.
There will be some lights on Southwest, but there are only 5 or 6 and the Trafficway is three lanes and 45 MPH.
Alternately, you could take 71 South from the downtown. It is a freeway and runs about a mile east of the Plaza. 71 is recently built and I am not familiar with how easy it is to get from there to the Plaza, but even it should be easier than the way you have been going. The cross street you want is probably Brush Creek Blvd or Swope Parkway.
Keith