jedivader

Just wondering what areas in and around KC are best to stay in and which we should keep out of (location, safety, etc...).

Thanks!

apersuader65

Assuming you are staying in a hotel, just about any of the major chains are generally located in safe areas. Your proposed itinerary would allow a more specific recomendation. Please note, KC is located in Missouri, but many of its' suburbs are located in Kansas, i.e. Overland Park, Leawood, Shawnee Mission, etc. The Kansas cities are excellent for restaurants as well.

sweetannie

If location is not an issue (if for instance you have a wedding far south or north)then I would say stay on the Plaza. There are several options price-wise. annie

NeoPatrick

I would definitely pick The Plaza (also referred to as Country Club Plaza). I'd avoid staying downtown, which seems deader than a doornail at night.

MaureenB

I suggest the Plaza vicinity, too. It's unique to K.C., with lots of shops and restaurants. A true Kansas City experience, as opposed to a suburban hotel.
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jedivader

Thanks for the help so far. Have not looked-up any hotels yet but will post when I have some ideas of places.

We plan on trying out some of the brewpubs/breweries. We are big beer fans. It would be nice to be within walking distance to a few of the brewpubs.

We just plan to spend our time seeing what KC has to offer and anything else interesting within an hour drive outside of the city area. Ideas so far (Hallmark center, Arabia Museum, Earhart Museum, Airline History Museum, BBQ places). We also plan to drive to Topeka for a bit.

MaureenB

If you like museums, check out the Nelson art gallery.
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BoniseA

Topeka has one brewery. The Blind Tiger at 37th and Topeka Blvd. It's a bit north on 37th of Topeka Blvd.

www.blindtiger.com

Free State Brewery in Lawrence is really good.

www.freestatebrewing.com

jedivader

I found the Blind Tiger but did not think about looking for places in Lawrence. Thanks!

I also found (Lawrence):
Kaw River Brewery
Brown Bear Brewing Co.

Know anything about those? Not finding much on the net.

I have found plenty of brewpubs in Kansas City, MO/KS.

Does anyone know of any caves, mines, gem digging, treasure hunting in the area?

Similar type activities. I've really gotten into the show Cash & Treasures.

jedivader

Anyone have info/reviews on either one of these places?

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
3240 Broadway
Kansas City

Econo Lodge Airport
11300 N.W. Prairieview Rd.
Kansas City

We have points for free nights and we only have enough to stay in Econo Lodges. The airport location would get us two nights free, the downtown location would get us one night free. People on Trip Advisor have given the downtown location a lot of bad reviews. The airport location has some bad reviews too but they are not recent, the newest being 2006.

We were thinking of staying our first night at:

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown
770 Admiral Blvd
Kansas City
(River Market Brewing is next door)

And then our final two nights at:

Econo Airport (just to be close to airport for out very early flight home on Tuesday morning).

BoniseA

Brown Bear Brewing Co in Lawrence has been closed for years.

I've never heard of Kaw River Brewery in Lawrence. I think you should call them before you visit to make sure they're an actual place.

Free State is on the main street (Mass Ave) in Lawrence. Lawrence has a great downtown. Make sure you have time to look around.

Blind Tiger in Topeka can be really iffy. You might be better off just to drink there and not eat. Also earlier I said it's at 37th and Topeka, it's really at 37th and Kansas.

The last couple of Econo Lodges (not in KC) DH and I have stayed in, we have not liked. I think the airport Econo Lodge is probably better than the downtown one. But the airport is a long ways from downtown.

BoniseA

Also, I don't know if you were thinking of spending a night in Topeka. If so, do not stay in any of the motels that are nearby the Blind Tiger (South Topeka Blvd.)

Either go back to Lawrence or KC or drive to the Wanamaker area in Topeka.

jedivader

Is the Blind Tiger not in a good part of town?

My wife and I don't usually eat at all the brewpubs we visit. We keep a list of every on-site brewing place we've been and had at least one drink or tour. Thanks for the Blind Tiger food heads-up though.

Weren't thinking of staying in Topeka, probably not Lawrence either. Mainly wanted to stay around KC.

Which parts of KC metro area are a no-no to stay in (north, south, east, west)?

jedivader

How is parking downtown and around the Plaza?

Is there free parking on the weekends?

Cheap parking garages?

BoniseA

You'll be ok at Blind Tiger. Not the greatest part of town, but ok. The motels over there are the no-tell motel kind, with convenient access to a booby bar.

The only parts of KC you might want to stay away from is around Prospect and Troost. I think that maybe KC, KS isn't that great. But I don't think you'd end up in either place anyway. Maybe someone else could help with KC. I've lived in Johnson County. Most everywhere in Johnson County is safe.

You asked about caves. The closest to a cave are old salt mines across from the casino that used to be Station Casino. I don't know if they allow public access or not.

Several parking garages on the Plaza, all are free and for the most part safe.

Barley's Brewhouse is a chain of bars in KC. I think they all have like over 100 beers on tap.

I wonder where Keith is? He's a really good poster about KC and Kansas.

jedivader

Thanks for the help!

Still trying to decide on hotels.

Double checked the note on the Choice Hotel site that says that River Market Brewing is "adjacent" to the below hotel. If they consider 1/2 a mile walk adjacent!! I contacted Choice hotels because Google says it's one mile away. Choice says 1/2 mile. Adjacent...are you kidding. An easy walk but is this walk safe later at night after tossing back a few drinks?

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown
770 Admiral Blvd
Kansas City
(River Market Brewing is next door)

sweetannie

Ooh, I don't think I'd stay there. And, there is not a hotel next door to River Market Brewery.

I can see you are on a budget. The best place to stay is on or near the Plaza, which doesn't equal budget, but you might just call some of these places to see if they have a deal. There is a b&b or 2 nearby if you're interested in that. If none of these work, I can try to find something that is less expensive but a bit better part of town than what you've been finding.

Courtyard Kansas City Country Club Plaza

Hampton Inn Country Club Plaza

Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza

Holiday Inn Westport Plaza

Best Western Seville Plaza Hotel

Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza

Embassy Suites Hotel Kansas City- Plaza

Raphael Hotel

Residence Inn- Kansas City Country Club Plaza

Homestead Studio Suites- Kansas City

Holiday Inn at the Plaza

annie

jedivader

So the Comfort Inn on Admiral Blvd. is a bad area?

The reason we are trying to stay with Choice Hotels is because we have rewards points that can give us free nights....plus, we earn more points for future stays and airline points.

My wife and I don't spend much time in our hotels. We are out early and back late. Just need a clean safe place to sleep.

BoniseA: Found the Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson. Seems interesting but too far from KC.

Actually have come across a bunch of other stuff (Big Well, Monument Rocks, Castle Rock, Big Brutus, Ball of Twine) but everything is 2+ hours from Kansas City area.

http://www.8wonders.org/opening.cfm

BoniseA

There's salt mines in KC too. They are used primarily for storage. They also have a Groundhog Day 5K in them. That's how I got into them.

They're huge. But I don't think just anyone can get into them.

jedivader

That's cool....a 5k in the mine!

I'll have to do a little more digging.