KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME
Mar 18th, 2003, 09:43 AM
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KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME
My husband and I are going to Kansas City on July 1st, 2003 for a magic convention staying at the Marriott Hotel (I presume downtown). Since I'm not all that enthused about living and breathing magic, what is there for me to do (I am in my mid-50's) but can shop til I drop and love beautiful scenery. Any good blues music to hear? I guess my husband will want to see some galleries. I seem to keep reading about how boring Kansas City is. Is there anywhere close by that's more exciting? Thanks for your input.
Mar 18th, 2003, 11:30 AM
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The downtown Marriott is close to the Nelson Atkins Museum of art, The Plaza and Crown Center. Lots of Restaurants, blues, shopping but no boredom! You could be staying at the Marriott in Overland Park, KS. They just built a convention center up the street.
Mar 18th, 2003, 11:38 AM
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In none of my eight visits to Kansas City was I ever bored. I definitely second the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. If interested in college sports, check out the NCAA Visitors Center. You may also like the Zoo, Miniature Museum, Swopes Park (just to laze around), a Royals game (if they're in town), Worlds of Fun, Hallmark Visitors Center, any of a dozen BBQ places, or any of a hundred places to shop. If you want to "stand on the corner, at 12th Street and Vine;" it's an actual (but totally boring) street corner.
There's also plenty of blues clubs, but, since I've never been interested in blues, I can't recommend any.
There's also plenty of blues clubs, but, since I've never been interested in blues, I can't recommend any.
Mar 18th, 2003, 11:45 AM
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Maxine it's funny you posted this today. On the Europe board there's a new string on the most overrated & underrated places you've been. I was tempted to put Kansas City as my most underrated. I've been there on business & was stunned at the beauty & sophistication of this city. Did you know it's known as the city of fountains? There's a great shopping mall with very upscale stores. Maybe someone else will know the name.
Mar 18th, 2003, 12:05 PM
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I also think Kansas City is a very underrated city. It has lots ot offer. I enjoy every trip there. The places everyone mentions are fine but since you said you love to shop - do not miss Country Club PLaza Area. It is wonderful. There are many stores and shops there and will keep you busy. Have a great trip!!
Mar 18th, 2003, 12:28 PM
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I don't usually enjoy "round the city" tours such as Grayline and others but Kansas City was an exception. It's a great way to get oriented and find placves you want to go back to visit. I also agree with previous posters that KC is way-underrated and a really neat place to visit.
Mar 18th, 2003, 12:32 PM
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I lived in KC years ago, and it's a beautiful place. There's great bbq, Gates and Arthur Bryant's are the most famous. Besides the Nelson Atkins museum, there's a new contemporary arts museum close by. Also, 12th Street & Vine has interesting Negro Leagues and jazz museums. The only drawback is that in July it'll be hot and very humid....
Mar 18th, 2003, 05:50 PM
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I live in KC and concur with all the above posters. Here's a quick list of to do's (no particular order):
1. Plaza (shopping & eating)
2. Plaza III restaurant on the Plaza (pricy but consistently rated one of the top steak houses in America
3. Bryant's or Gates (my favorites) for BBQ
4. Nelson Atkins Museum
5. 18th & Vine area (the song's 12th and Vine but the renovated area's around 18th)
6. Harry Truman Library (approximately 10-15 minutes from downtown)
7. Riverboat Casinos (if you're into gambling
8. Lydia's Restaurant (famed NY Chef's first restaurant outside NY- it's Italian food)
9. Union Station - truly a magnificant place and currently showing the Emancipation Proclamation & Declaration of Independence (both on loan from Smithsonian)
10. Liberty Memorial and WWI Museum (take elevator to top of Memorial if nothing else for view of the city) They both reside across the street from Union Station
1. Plaza (shopping & eating)
2. Plaza III restaurant on the Plaza (pricy but consistently rated one of the top steak houses in America
3. Bryant's or Gates (my favorites) for BBQ
4. Nelson Atkins Museum
5. 18th & Vine area (the song's 12th and Vine but the renovated area's around 18th)
6. Harry Truman Library (approximately 10-15 minutes from downtown)
7. Riverboat Casinos (if you're into gambling
8. Lydia's Restaurant (famed NY Chef's first restaurant outside NY- it's Italian food)
9. Union Station - truly a magnificant place and currently showing the Emancipation Proclamation & Declaration of Independence (both on loan from Smithsonian)
10. Liberty Memorial and WWI Museum (take elevator to top of Memorial if nothing else for view of the city) They both reside across the street from Union Station
Mar 19th, 2003, 05:24 AM
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I found your convention online, http://www.magician.org//convention.htm it is the downtown Marriott. That area is not the most interesting for site seeing and KC doesn't have a lot of public transportation.
Here is a brief list of things to do (with links) that I prepared for a small convention last year: http://www.kcsciencefiction.org/other.htm
If you do not have your own transportation, there is a trolley that will stop in front of the hotel and take you to The River Market & Steamboat Arabia, Crown Center, Union Station, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Westport and the Country Club Plaza. Also there are shuttles to the casinos.
There are quite a few blues venues, but let me suggest one that is a little different. The Blue Room attached to the American Jazz Museum. A nice intimate setting that has some great musicians. It is open only 4 days a week. It is particularly nice for non-smokers...because of the exhibits, there is no smoking. You can spend an evening in a bar and not smell like it
The shopping is good at the Country Club Plaza & Crown Center, but if you have a car, the shopping center that mclaurie mentions is probably Oak Park in Overland Park on the Kansas side of the metro area.
Keith
Here is a brief list of things to do (with links) that I prepared for a small convention last year: http://www.kcsciencefiction.org/other.htm
If you do not have your own transportation, there is a trolley that will stop in front of the hotel and take you to The River Market & Steamboat Arabia, Crown Center, Union Station, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Westport and the Country Club Plaza. Also there are shuttles to the casinos.
There are quite a few blues venues, but let me suggest one that is a little different. The Blue Room attached to the American Jazz Museum. A nice intimate setting that has some great musicians. It is open only 4 days a week. It is particularly nice for non-smokers...because of the exhibits, there is no smoking. You can spend an evening in a bar and not smell like it
The shopping is good at the Country Club Plaza & Crown Center, but if you have a car, the shopping center that mclaurie mentions is probably Oak Park in Overland Park on the Kansas side of the metro area.
Keith
Mar 19th, 2003, 07:42 AM
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I used to live in Kansas City and I miss it every day! I must say--SKIP Oak Park mall and go to the Country Club Plaza! Oak Park is a great mall, but the Plaza is the best shopping you'll ever have. The area is beautiful architecturally, there are many great stores and restaurants, and as mentioned, there are wonderful fountains strewn throughout. Don't miss "Halls"--Hallmark's own department store--they have a great fancy china/home section. Also, since you are staying down town, definitely visit Garozzo's for dinner one night. It's this GREAT little Italian restaurant that has a great atmosphere and history. I would take a cab, as it is a short ride, but somewhat difficult to find on your own. And one last note--put Union Station on your must do list. You'll love the beauty of the old train station that has been refurbished to look like new. There are a couple of restaurants there--stop by for lunch and spend an hour walking around and taking it all in. Have fun!!
Mar 19th, 2003, 10:49 AM
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I agree with the poster who says go to the Plaza and skip Oak Park Mall as it is jjust another nice mall. I love Country Club Plaza as it is different than what I have at home - Oak Park is much the same as malls here in CA. I also love Halls Dept. Store. It is fabulous.
Mar 21st, 2003, 11:14 AM
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Thank you all so much for your replys. If there are any more, let's here them. I just finished telling my husband that this trip might be a waste of money (since we are from Canada) but reading all of these repsonses gives me a different perspective on Kansas City. Thank you Keith for taking the time to look up the magic site. I will use all of your suggestions!
