rkkwan's short KC/St Joseph trip report
Aug 22nd, 2007, 06:01 PM
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rkkwan's short KC/St Joseph trip report
One of Continental's cheap weekend fare from IAH last week was Kansas City. $135 all in. Well, haven't traveled much this summer, so decided to do this with mom.
Because we had to take the 6am flight out, I decided to stay near the airport. [Usually, I'll use Priceline or Hotwire for 4* in town.] Got the Four Points right outside the airport for $61/night on Hotwire 3.5*. About same price as a nicer 4* at Country Club Plaza, I'd assume. But save on parking.
Rental car was also via Hotwire. Got a compact from Alamo for $9.95/day, but final is about $52 for 2 days.
[It's been a while since Hotwire beat Priceline for both in prices for my travel.]
Because we had to take the 6am flight out, I decided to stay near the airport. [Usually, I'll use Priceline or Hotwire for 4* in town.] Got the Four Points right outside the airport for $61/night on Hotwire 3.5*. About same price as a nicer 4* at Country Club Plaza, I'd assume. But save on parking.
Rental car was also via Hotwire. Got a compact from Alamo for $9.95/day, but final is about $52 for 2 days.
[It's been a while since Hotwire beat Priceline for both in prices for my travel.]
Aug 22nd, 2007, 06:20 PM
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8/18 Saturday
Morning flight was on CO Express, operated by ExpressJet. On-time, no problem, smooth ride. I got my exit row seat 12C with tonnes of legroom.
The central rental car facility at Kansas City International (MCI) is very new and very nice. At 11am, it was also extremely quiet.
Took about 3 minutes to get to the Four Points. Nothing nearby except other hotels. The property is kind of old, but rooms are decent. My mom has a SPG Gold card, so they gave us the larger corner room with a little foyer.
I decided that 1.5 days at KC is a little much. Since we're staying so far north of town, I decided to visit St. Joseph up the Missouri River. Only about 20 minutes north of the airport. We had brunch at a Cracker Barrel just off I-29.
After lunch, we visited the small but pretty nice Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Almost all American artists stuff. There's also a special exhibition by a KC artist called Lisa Lala, the theme being the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island. Also a pastel exhibition. Adult $5. Senior is $2, but they don't say what age. I asked, and nobody knew.
They charged us $7 total.
Then we drove to city center. There's a new Pony Express monument, and the main square was fenced off for the "Trail West" fair ($7) Not interested in country music and stuff, so we passed.
We did visit the Patee House Museum, the 1858 hotel that was the HQ of Pony Express during 1860-1. Some fairly interesting exhibits, including a 4-4-0 locomotive. $4 adult, $3.5 senior.
Behind the Patee House is the home of Jesse James. Also where he was shot and killed. The house was moved a few blocks to its current location. It's a very small 4-room house. Not particularly interesting, but only $2 adult, $1.5 senior.
It was around 95F that day and we were exhausted by then. Back to the hotel for a nap and nice swim at the pool.
We decided to check out some casinos at KC for evening entertainment. My mom had a dormant Harrah's card, not used since Rita wiped out Harrah's Lake Charles riverboat 2 years ago. We went to their property at North KC, but they'd wiped out her remaining credits. Boo hoo.
So, we got into the car and drive a couple miles east to the bigger and nicer Ameristar. Lots of restaurants there, including a branch of Arthur Bryant's BBQ. But the $19.99 buffet looked like a good deal, and it certainly was. Excellent excellent food, including some decent BBQ too.
After dinner, we stayed for an hour. The casino floor was supposed to be on water, but you'd never know it. Quite a nice set up. I lost $20 playing video poker, while my mom won over $30. We came out ahead.
Morning flight was on CO Express, operated by ExpressJet. On-time, no problem, smooth ride. I got my exit row seat 12C with tonnes of legroom.
The central rental car facility at Kansas City International (MCI) is very new and very nice. At 11am, it was also extremely quiet.
Took about 3 minutes to get to the Four Points. Nothing nearby except other hotels. The property is kind of old, but rooms are decent. My mom has a SPG Gold card, so they gave us the larger corner room with a little foyer.
I decided that 1.5 days at KC is a little much. Since we're staying so far north of town, I decided to visit St. Joseph up the Missouri River. Only about 20 minutes north of the airport. We had brunch at a Cracker Barrel just off I-29.
After lunch, we visited the small but pretty nice Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Almost all American artists stuff. There's also a special exhibition by a KC artist called Lisa Lala, the theme being the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island. Also a pastel exhibition. Adult $5. Senior is $2, but they don't say what age. I asked, and nobody knew.
They charged us $7 total.Then we drove to city center. There's a new Pony Express monument, and the main square was fenced off for the "Trail West" fair ($7) Not interested in country music and stuff, so we passed.
We did visit the Patee House Museum, the 1858 hotel that was the HQ of Pony Express during 1860-1. Some fairly interesting exhibits, including a 4-4-0 locomotive. $4 adult, $3.5 senior.
Behind the Patee House is the home of Jesse James. Also where he was shot and killed. The house was moved a few blocks to its current location. It's a very small 4-room house. Not particularly interesting, but only $2 adult, $1.5 senior.
It was around 95F that day and we were exhausted by then. Back to the hotel for a nap and nice swim at the pool.
We decided to check out some casinos at KC for evening entertainment. My mom had a dormant Harrah's card, not used since Rita wiped out Harrah's Lake Charles riverboat 2 years ago. We went to their property at North KC, but they'd wiped out her remaining credits. Boo hoo.
So, we got into the car and drive a couple miles east to the bigger and nicer Ameristar. Lots of restaurants there, including a branch of Arthur Bryant's BBQ. But the $19.99 buffet looked like a good deal, and it certainly was. Excellent excellent food, including some decent BBQ too.
After dinner, we stayed for an hour. The casino floor was supposed to be on water, but you'd never know it. Quite a nice set up. I lost $20 playing video poker, while my mom won over $30. We came out ahead.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 06:45 PM
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8/19 Sunday
I got up at 5:50a. Went down to the lobby and checked in for my 6:00a flight next day. Yes, I'm that obsessed. I was #1 checked-in and got seat 12A on the COEX flight - the "first class" seat on the regional jet.
Went back to sleep until around 10. Both of us were still very full, so we skipped breakfast, and headed straight to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts. They've just completed the new building and all the renovations of the original. Free admissions, and we found free street parking.
For the size of the city, the museum is really first class. We were most impressed by its collection of Chinese arts. A wooden Guanyin figure, and a mural from a monastery in Shanxi Province, China, are absolutely amazing. They also have a superb collection of late Ming Dynasty paintings and lots of early Chinese Buddhism artifacts.
For lunch, we ate at the Rozelle Court Restaurant in the musuem. Nice food too, like my grilled shrimp salad. About $22 for two.
It was almost 2pm. We left KC for Independence to visit the Truman Library. 3rd presidential library for me since last December (Carter, Nixon, now Truman). Sort of fascinating how several of his decisions in his presidency 60 years ago still have huge reverberation today - Hiroshima, recognition of Israel, Korea. $7 adult, $5 senior.
We drove over to the Truman House, but it was late and raining, and one needs to get to the National Park office to get a ticket. Forget about that. We just drove through Independence Square. It was totally dead on a late Sunday afternoon. Pretty disappointing.
Drove back to KC and parked at Union Station. Walked across the street to look up at the Liberty Monument and National WWI Museum. Too late for a visit. Then back inside Union Station. Also too late for the KC Rail Experience. Well, there's always next time.
Last thing to do at KC is to have some real BBQ. I chose Fiorella's Jack Stack just across the tracks from Union Station. I want a nice sit down meal, and from the various Fodors thread about it, Jack Stack seems to be the place. And dinner was great, though both of us ordered some "unusual" things. I had a lamb ribs, and mom has chicken wings.
---
8/21 Monday
Got up at 4. Left hotel before 4:30 and returned rental car. Got to MCI before 5. Plenty of time. Flight was on-time, and we were back to Houston at 8. I got in to work at 9.
Last comment is the rental car. Alamo at MCI let one just picked whatever on their lot. But for my compact rental, only 4 cars. Chevy Cobalt, Malibu Maxx and two HHRs. I'm not going to get caught dead in a HHR, and the Malibu is a larger and more comfortable car than the Cobalt, so that's what I chose. Well, no wonder Chevy cars don't sell. Its 3.5L only makes 217hp and the car is about 200lb overweight. So it has V6 fuel consumption and 4-cylinder performance. What a loser!
---
Thanks for reading. Pictures have been posted:
rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p646888657/
I got up at 5:50a. Went down to the lobby and checked in for my 6:00a flight next day. Yes, I'm that obsessed. I was #1 checked-in and got seat 12A on the COEX flight - the "first class" seat on the regional jet.
Went back to sleep until around 10. Both of us were still very full, so we skipped breakfast, and headed straight to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts. They've just completed the new building and all the renovations of the original. Free admissions, and we found free street parking.
For the size of the city, the museum is really first class. We were most impressed by its collection of Chinese arts. A wooden Guanyin figure, and a mural from a monastery in Shanxi Province, China, are absolutely amazing. They also have a superb collection of late Ming Dynasty paintings and lots of early Chinese Buddhism artifacts.
For lunch, we ate at the Rozelle Court Restaurant in the musuem. Nice food too, like my grilled shrimp salad. About $22 for two.
It was almost 2pm. We left KC for Independence to visit the Truman Library. 3rd presidential library for me since last December (Carter, Nixon, now Truman). Sort of fascinating how several of his decisions in his presidency 60 years ago still have huge reverberation today - Hiroshima, recognition of Israel, Korea. $7 adult, $5 senior.
We drove over to the Truman House, but it was late and raining, and one needs to get to the National Park office to get a ticket. Forget about that. We just drove through Independence Square. It was totally dead on a late Sunday afternoon. Pretty disappointing.
Drove back to KC and parked at Union Station. Walked across the street to look up at the Liberty Monument and National WWI Museum. Too late for a visit. Then back inside Union Station. Also too late for the KC Rail Experience. Well, there's always next time.
Last thing to do at KC is to have some real BBQ. I chose Fiorella's Jack Stack just across the tracks from Union Station. I want a nice sit down meal, and from the various Fodors thread about it, Jack Stack seems to be the place. And dinner was great, though both of us ordered some "unusual" things. I had a lamb ribs, and mom has chicken wings.
---
8/21 Monday
Got up at 4. Left hotel before 4:30 and returned rental car. Got to MCI before 5. Plenty of time. Flight was on-time, and we were back to Houston at 8. I got in to work at 9.
Last comment is the rental car. Alamo at MCI let one just picked whatever on their lot. But for my compact rental, only 4 cars. Chevy Cobalt, Malibu Maxx and two HHRs. I'm not going to get caught dead in a HHR, and the Malibu is a larger and more comfortable car than the Cobalt, so that's what I chose. Well, no wonder Chevy cars don't sell. Its 3.5L only makes 217hp and the car is about 200lb overweight. So it has V6 fuel consumption and 4-cylinder performance. What a loser!
---
Thanks for reading. Pictures have been posted:
rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p646888657/
Aug 22nd, 2007, 06:57 PM
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Deb - Thanks for the comments. You know, I look at all the cities with cheap weekend fares every week. But they never have ABQ or DEN. That's the part of the country I really want to tour (and not just drive through)!
Hopefully, they'll have something in the near future, and I'll come visit your 'hood.
Hopefully, they'll have something in the near future, and I'll come visit your 'hood.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:03 PM
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DH & I would be happy to show you the sights here in SW Colorado and cook some Thai for you
Southwest has the best fares from HOU to ABQ - do you use their DING service? You can find flights for $49 ea way sometimes. Most of them are under $100 with advance. ABQ to Durango area = 3 hour drive. One of the blessings/curse of living here.
You are welcome here anytime Ray!
Debi
Southwest has the best fares from HOU to ABQ - do you use their DING service? You can find flights for $49 ea way sometimes. Most of them are under $100 with advance. ABQ to Durango area = 3 hour drive. One of the blessings/curse of living here.
You are welcome here anytime Ray!
Debi
Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:03 PM
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Oh, I forgot to mention that we also drove through KCK Sunday morning, just so my mom can say she's been to Kansas!
I've been to KCK before, but didn't realize the downtown area is so small.
I've been to KCK before, but didn't realize the downtown area is so small.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:12 PM
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From the pics, looks like the rental car facility at MCI is new since my visit last year.
Did you like the new wing of the Nelson-Atkins museum? The reviews were all good but didn't seem like you took that many pics of it.
Did you like the new wing of the Nelson-Atkins museum? The reviews were all good but didn't seem like you took that many pics of it.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:17 PM
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yk -
About car rental. Now they have a central facility for all companies. The shuttle arrives at a depot underneath the building. Very nice setup.
So, when we first got out of the rental car lot, we saw a Conoco. Okay, no worry about refueling. But then you kept saying there was no place to fuel. Well, somehow when we returned the car (already filled up night before), we also didn't see the Conoco anymore. Hm... Were both of us hallucinating?
Well, later we did see it, but it's only near the rental car exits, not returns. Must be a conspiracy!
As for the Nelson-Atkins, we entered through the new Bloch building. But the stuff we most wanted to see - European and Chinese - along with the restaurant - are all in the original. So, we didn't check out the galleries in the new building at all.
About car rental. Now they have a central facility for all companies. The shuttle arrives at a depot underneath the building. Very nice setup.
So, when we first got out of the rental car lot, we saw a Conoco. Okay, no worry about refueling. But then you kept saying there was no place to fuel. Well, somehow when we returned the car (already filled up night before), we also didn't see the Conoco anymore. Hm... Were both of us hallucinating?
Well, later we did see it, but it's only near the rental car exits, not returns. Must be a conspiracy!
As for the Nelson-Atkins, we entered through the new Bloch building. But the stuff we most wanted to see - European and Chinese - along with the restaurant - are all in the original. So, we didn't check out the galleries in the new building at all.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:21 PM
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In hindsight, we probably should have skipped St. Joseph. Saturday afternoon to Independence, and Sunday just the Nelson-Atkins and Liberty Monument/Union Station. I was a little too greedy.
And since traffic won't be a problem at 4:30am, I should have stayed in either Crown Center or Country Club Plaza. I am so spoiled by the 4*s I've gotten on Priceline that a Four Points Sheraton for $61 is a poor deal!
And since traffic won't be a problem at 4:30am, I should have stayed in either Crown Center or Country Club Plaza. I am so spoiled by the 4*s I've gotten on Priceline that a Four Points Sheraton for $61 is a poor deal!
Aug 22nd, 2007, 08:20 PM
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Interesting report and photos (being a foodie, I looked for the rib photos first off!). From other posts I've always thought you were an airline employee because you know so much about travel. Are you an inverterate traveller then, or are you in the travel business?
Aug 22nd, 2007, 11:44 PM
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Thanks so much for posting, rkkwan!
Loved your photos! They are superb as usual! Great looking Mom too!
Being a bit of an architecture nut and museum nut, I really appreciated those shots in particular.
Thanks so much again!
Loved your photos! They are superb as usual! Great looking Mom too!
Being a bit of an architecture nut and museum nut, I really appreciated those shots in particular.
Thanks so much again!
Aug 23rd, 2007, 04:57 AM
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rkkwan:
I enjoyed your report very much - lucky mom to have you for a son. I had a quick peak at your photos and of course they are excellent. Will look at the remainder tonight.
You have helped so many people on this board with your kind and helpful replies to questions. Thank you very much.
Sandy
I enjoyed your report very much - lucky mom to have you for a son. I had a quick peak at your photos and of course they are excellent. Will look at the remainder tonight.
You have helped so many people on this board with your kind and helpful replies to questions. Thank you very much.
Sandy
Aug 23rd, 2007, 08:05 AM
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One thing about BBQ at Fiorella's Jack Stack. We got there at around 6pm on Sunday night. Downtown, Union Station and all surrounding area were super super quiet. But there was still a wait at Jack Stack. Just a short 10-minute wait as there were people leaving all the time. I was wondering why so many people were dining there at 5?
Another interesting thing is that while the portion sizes of our "unusual" items were pretty reasonable, when we left we looked at the other tables. Everybody has a huge platter (not plate) of ribs - some large beef ribs too!
Anyways, I like the decor, and prices are quite reasonable for a sit-down meal. I can definitely recommend it.
Another interesting thing is that while the portion sizes of our "unusual" items were pretty reasonable, when we left we looked at the other tables. Everybody has a huge platter (not plate) of ribs - some large beef ribs too!
Anyways, I like the decor, and prices are quite reasonable for a sit-down meal. I can definitely recommend it.
