Crown center hotel

I would stay on the Plaza - Intercontinental Hotel would be my first choice. There are lots of great restaurants on the Plaza.
If you like BBQ- Oklahoma Joe's is my favorite.

Crown Center Hotel is not on the Plaza.

And there is no such hotel as the "Crown Center."

Sorry...to clarify: there are two hotels in the Crown Center area--the Sheraton and the Westin. And the Plaza really is Kansas City's premier tourist area so it's always a good choice.

I agree with sunbum, if cost was not an issue, then the Intercontinental (which is on the Plaza) would also be my first choice. If you prefer smaller boutique style hotels, then The Raphael (also on the Plaza) is lovely and right across the street from the Intercontinental.

As for pizza, you might take a look at Coal Vines, a pizza restaurant on the Plaza. Plaza III is a possibility for steak, but I also like Pierpont's which is in Union Station. Oklahoma Joe's is also our fave BBQ place, but if you were looking for something a little more upscale then Jack Stack, which has a restaurant on the Plaza and in the Freight House District (near Crown Center and Union Station)is a good option.

I'm not all that enamored with the P&L District, but it serves a purpose I suppose. You didn't mention when you are visiting, but it's going to be crazy busy down there in the near future with Big 12 Basketball.

Enjoy your trip!

When will the Big 12 BB Tournament be in town? Our plans put us in KC next weekend.

It starts Wednesday night and the finals are next Saturday at 5pm. It's at the Sprint Center which is next to P&L so it will be overrun with fans. Not sure what the hotel situation is like--I would check on that asap. It brings a lot of people to town but then as their teams lose they leave which plays havoc with the hotels.

Stayed at the Best Western-close to plaza and Westport area.

On the less expensive side, there is a Hampton Inn up the hill (easy walk) from the plaza.

Minsky's Pizza at 51st and Main (not right on the plaza but close) is an old time favorite. However, this is probably more blue collar when compared to Coal Vine.

There also is (or was) a Minsky's in the River Market, if that is on your list.

The "Papa Minsky" specialty pizza is excellent.

I have to believe the Plaza, Crown Center and P&L will be packed this weekend due to the tourney.

If you are a WW 1 buff, we just toured the WW 1 museum at the Liberty Memorial (behind?) Crown Center. Pretty neat (and I'm not particularly a buff).

You didn't ask, but if you want a burger, try Winsteads (east of the Plaza). This may be sacrilege, but IMHO Winstead's still beats Blanc Burgers & Bottles, which is a gourmet burger place on the plaza.

(Winsteads is cheaper, too, by far, though no beer/wine at W's).

My hotel recomendation would depend in part on your party. If you are younger and more likely to party, I would recomend staying near Power & Light. If you have children with you, Crown Center. Otherwise, I would probably stay on the Country Club Plaza. (since you are doing piano bars, assume the last is more likely)

For BBQ, my first two recs would Danny Edward's Boulevard BBQ and LC's. Both are closed on Sunday. You might try the Majestic for steak or Sunday brunch.

We are rethinking our itinerary and may try to do the CC Plaza, Westport, and P&L District on Sunday/Monday. Do I have to worry about restaurants/bars being closed on Sunday? What time do the stores on the CC Plaza close? Which is better for BBQ, Jack Stack or Ok Joes? I am glad to here that the original Minsky's is still in business. We will put it on our list along with the Majestic.

I know Oklahoma Joe's is closed on Sundays. As to which is better, Jack Stack and OK Joe's are very different from each other so it's kind of an apples and oranges thing.

I would think most, if not all, of the stores on the Plaza would be open on Sunday until at least 5, if not 6. Check this website for details on both restaurants and shopping:

http://www.countryclubplaza.com/Index.htm