Trying to decide between taking our car to KC next month for a few days vs going Amtrak. We'd be getting a Priceline/Hotwire hotel either downtown or in the Plaza area, otherwise going to the art museum and generally looking around.

I lived off Holmes in the Waldo area briefly many years ago, worked downtown, and it seemed to me there was a decent bus system then. If we're willing to walk a fair amount, can we get around reasonably well without a car?

We'll be staying on the Plaza. Can we get a bus downtown for instance?

Okay, one more question: if we bring our bicycles on the train, are there bike racks on buses?

Yes, I have seen bike racks on some of the buses.

I live in the suburbs and am not that familiar with Kansas City's bus system. However, a private company (with some public assistance) has recently started running street trolleys between some of the tourist areas such as The Plaza and downtown (I assume you are heading more to the Power & Light District rather than to office buildings) on weekend nights.

Here is the link:

www.thekansascitystrip.com

And here is the link for Kansas City's public transporation system:

www.kcata.org

Have fun!

Huzzah! I just discovered Google Transit, with its bicycle route and public transit information. Assuming it's not pouring rain, it looks like a decent bike ride.

Oh, thanks, musicfan! I didn't see your post. Good to know about the trolleys and the P&L. Yes, we're a mother and daughter who's heading for her summer job soon, and we're strictly out for R&R.

You can't bring bikes on all Amtrak trains, and in some cases you have to make a reservation. I'd verify that bringing a bicycle is actually possible before assuming it will work.

If it were me, I'd drive. It gives you better access to restaurants at night.

Hi, Doug. Thanks! You might well be right.

The bike idea came from the Amtrak ticketing website; for an extra $10 each you can bring your bike. That particular train goes only from St. Louis (i.e. us) to KC and back.

The four of us drivers get by here with one car, the Metro system, and our bikes. St. Louis inches towards being more bicycle friendly. KC is a little less hilly, so it should have the potential to be a better bike town, I'd think.

Well, all the above being said, Kansas City is, for good or bad, pretty car-friendly. We have ample streets, lots of free parking, plenty of freeways. Parking at the Plaza hotels is free (I think...there might be an exception or two) and you can park in the P&L for as little as $2 (I can tell you where if you want to know). I don't do biking, nor know anyone who does, and I appreciate and apllaud your preference for biking and public transit, but just don't think I would recommend it here...having a car would just provide so many more options.

Feel free to post back with more ?'s.

And we LOVE St. Louis---DD and I were just there at the end of February and had a FAB time!

I second the recommendation to just rent a car.

I think a bike would be more hassle - especially trying to find someplace to lock it up at each destination.

I definitely would not ride at night - streets downtown are not bike-friendly, in my opinion.

Maybe a bit snobby, but I don't know ANYONE that rides the bus and the one or two people I know that thought they would only did it ONCE.

Get a car.