Arriving at 10:45 am, departing 4:10 pm.
Hate to sit at the airport, so any suggestions?
I figure I have about 4-4.5 hours for any travel and/or sightseeing.
I will have a carry-on, which for different reasons can't check-in till my departure desk opens up, so I will also need to store it at the airport if I decide to venture out. Is that possible at MCI?
If that's not enough time for the city, any other suggestions?
Thanks
If it makes any difference, I have never been to MCI/Kansas City, and this will be on Friday.

although KC airport isn't terrible interesting, it's in the middle of nowhere. I don't think you have enough time to get to the city and do anything. Pick up a good book.

That's a tough one.
MCI is a 15 minute drive from downtown.
Only problem is that KC's downtown is pretty dull.
If a basball fan, the Negro Leagues Museum is downtown. The Science Museum downtown is OK (but I don't think I's pend the $$ for cab fare for it). And Crown Center, but the shops and such are pretty generic.
Have a laptop? That might be your best bet (airport entertainment).

You could go down to the Plaza for a couple of hours. Its a little cab ride, but the plaza has some nice restaurants and great shops.
There is very little food and shop-wise at MCI - horrible for lay overs.

Having to kill time at KC airport myself I agree there is not allot nearby. The only thing I found near is a movie complex a couple of exits away. Sorry that I do not know the name nor could I tell you exactly where, pehaps someone at the airport could direct you

I used to spend a lot of time in KCI. If I had time to burn, I found the art museum to be a pleasant surprise.

The Nelson Atkins Art Museum is a good suggestion if that's up your alley. It's about a $35 cab ride one way with tip.

Why don't you try flyertalk! Seriously,
both these posts and flyertalk pretty much cover it...not that much to do.

I suggest trying to check in soon after arrival so that you don't have to return to the airport as early. I think the close-in parking has free parking if you park less than 30 minutes. If so (and the airlines don't let you check in sooner than 3:59 ahead) you might rent the car then head back, check in, then race to KC.

The airport is at the extreme northwest of the metro area. The local joke is that by the time you get to it, you are half way to Omaha.

The closest activites to the airport would proably be touring the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Plant (about 4 miles away) or visiting the Argosy Casino.

Any of the downtown areas (City Market & Steamboat Arabia Museum; Crown Center, Hallmark & Union Station; Negro League's Museum & Jazz Museum) are about 30 minutes away. Of those I would recomend the City Market/Arabia or Negro/Jazz museums. If you go the Market, sample BBQ at Winslow's Smoke House. If you go to the museums Arthur Bryant's BBQ is nearby.

If you wish to stay away from the city and the possibility of congestion causing a problem getting back to the airport in time, communities within about 30 minutes of the airport include Leavenworth, KS (Fort, military museum, two military cemeteries) or St Joseph, MO (Jesse James Home & Pony Express Museums, historic downtown, casino).

Tiny Weston, MO with its historic little downtown, museums and wineries is also nearby.

Keith

Everyone is right - the airport is just too far away to really have time to get anywhere and do anything in four hours. If you had a little longer, I would say go visit the Plaza. But you would be rushed, I'm afraid!