Kansas City, MO advice needed

[wmtire]

We are planning a trip around the 4th of July weekend to Kansas City, as my 12 year old son has become extremely interested in World War I history, thus wants to visit the National WW I Museum there.

Can any of the locals or those familiar with the area, please suggest other fun/interesting things that would be worth doing while visiting the area.

Thanks, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[OldCoot]

World's of Fun, Swope Park, Union Station.

[elind]

Camp at World of Fun in KC. A great campground next to amusement park and a water park. Just stayed there last week at $4o/ nite and discounts to the parks. KC is big on BBQs for what they are famous for.

[wmtire]

Thanks guys, I am probably only going to have a short amount of time to visit and most likely am going to fly there (not camp). Any BBQ joints recommended near the WW1 museum?

Neil, I had seen Union Station on the map and just figured it was like most train Union Stations. I didn't realize it had all it did in it till I looked it up after your suggestion. We'll definitely add it to the visit list. Thanks

I was also looking at the money museum at the Federal Reserve just south of the WW1 museum, but it won't be open during our planned trip. I might could schedule a later flight out Tuesday perhaps.

[OldCoot]

I used to work out of there on the Rock Island RR as a brakeman on the passenger trains. IT IS HUGE! Just thankful my dad was a conductor and had taken me there several times before I started working. It was still easy to get lost once you get down on the floors under the main lobby.

[Capt. Mike]

Steamboat Arabia Museum...steamboat that sank in Missouri River in the 1800s and was buried in silt and mud. Found, excavated and the cargo was almost totally intact. Google it. Well worth a visit, probably 2-3 hours to see it all.

[birderlarry]

We just came back from a long, non-camping weekend in KC for a college graduation. For BBQ, try Joe's Kansas City Barbecue - Joe's Kansas City BBQ - World Famous Barbecue
Also, there are 4 locations for Jack Stack Barbecue restaurants. You won't be disappointed at any of the above.

[jboot1]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Thanks guys, I am probably only going to have a short amount of time to visit and most likely am going to fly there (not camp). Any BBQ joints recommended near the WW1 museum?

Neil, I had seen Union Station on the map and just figured it was like most train Union Stations. I didn't realize it had all it did in it till I looked it up after your suggestion. We'll definitely add it to the visit list. Thanks

I was also looking at the money museum at the Federal Reserve just south of the WW1 museum, but it won't be open during our planned trip. I might could schedule a later flight out Tuesday perhaps.

Draw a 15 minute circle around the museum and you can easily hit 10 of the top 15 BBQ places in the world. I kid you not. Definitely do not miss these 3:

1. Joe's Kansas City
2. Jack Stack
3. Q39

There are at least a dozen more that might be 3a, 3b, 3c, etc...
Baseball Fan? Visit the Negro Leagues museum at 18th and Vine. As of 2 weeks ago, KC now has a streetcar running from Union Station, through downtown to the River Market area. Lots of stuff to check out there. Legoland at Crown Center (right next to Union Station).

[wildcatmlm]

HI- KC has a lot to enjoy! Take in a Royals game, check out the Negro League Baseball Museum, Swope park is awesome, the Country Club Plaza is worth the visit. If you are into gambling there are casinos and for evening entertainment check out the Starlight Theatre and the Power and Light District.
Great barbeque is everywhere and I agree with the previous suggestions.
Have fun!

[aceinspp]

Lots of good suggestions here. There is a Jack Stack Barbecue restaurant right behind Union station. Excellent place to eat and is in a old RR ware house. I ate there two weeks ago. More good restaurants in City market and can take trolley there. The WW1 museum is just up the hill from Depot. Also they just got the Trolley line open the weekend we where there fun ride and still free to ride. Catch it at Union station. Later RJD

[marcusfan]

Ditto on Jack Stack by Union Station or Joes. My favorite is Gates but thats probably about 10 blocks away from Union Station. I think the All Star Game is over 4th of July so Royals are probably out. Agree that Steamboat Arabia is cool and so is Union Station. Rivervest is july 4th at Berkley Riverfront Park with 2 stages of music, kids activities, food, etc. Welcome to KC!

Marcusfan

[ChipBruce]

Here is a link to some of the events around the time you are coming to KC. Most of these have already been mentioned and I second and third all of those suggestions. It is a little far out, but there is a good Civil War sight at Lexington, MO, about 50 miles from downtown. There is even a cannon ball in the courthouse column! If you PM me and let me know when you are in town, I may be able to help more. I work in the shadow of the WWI Memorial.

https://www.visitkc.com/visitors/eve...Results&page=0

[wmtire]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and advice. I had checked to see if the Royals were playing and they are away then at the Phillies.

We are most likely going to stay at one of the hotels near Crown Center, as to be within walking distance of the main points of interest.

I had seen that Steamboat Arabia during a points of interest search and may have time to add it to our schedule. It all depends on how long we stay at the WW1 museum.

I also noticed a themed restaurant in Crown Center called Fritz's Railroad Restaurant, where a mini train drops off your order down to your table. Is this something that a 12 year old might enjoy?

Thanks again for all the help.

P.S. All this BBQ talk has me hungry. We have some pretty good BBQ places down here, so the bar is going to be high when I check out Kansas City's signature food. LOL

[aceinspp]

If your 12 year old is into trains then yes he will enjoy. Several layouts in Union station as well all free. BTW they have a cross walk over the RR tracks in back of union station to get to the BBQ place. Later RJD

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

If your 12 year old is into trains then yes he will enjoy. Several layouts in Union station as well all free. BTW they have a cross walk over the RR tracks in back of union station to get to the BBQ place. Later RJD

And an above-the-street covered walkway to get from Crown Center to Union Station.

[aceinspp]

Here is a couple of shots of my trip 2 weeks ago to KC. Pic of one of the layouts in Union station Later RJD

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Here is a couple of shots of my trip 2 weeks ago to KC. Pic of one of the layouts in Union station Later RJD

Thanks a bunch. I was telling my son about all the ideas my friends here on FRF have suggested, and he was getting excited. I'll show him these pics when I get home this evening.

[Old car]

If you are around Crown Center and if your son has any interest in Lego's--you have LegoLand right there. Some great Mexican restaurants fairly close over on Southwest Blvd. Rosedale BBQ isn't that far from Crown Center either.

[aceinspp]

I'm sure he will love the trains. What boy does not Later RJD

[wmtire]

Got back in Monday night from KC and had a great time. Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions. We didn't get to do all we wanted. I tried twice to get into Jack Stacks but didn't feel like the wait....nor did we want to wait in the long lines to go in Liberty Memorial.

I really liked Union Station and was more than impressed with it. Took the streetcar to Arabia Museum, and I may have liked it more than anything else. One of the sons/excavators was there, and I talked to him about some things that aren't on the tour. It was real fun.

I also liked the downtown area, and it reminded me a lot of downtown New Orleans, just cleaner.

I will make a little confession. The first day we walked from our hotel up the hill to the World War 1 Museum. The second day, I paid a cab to drive me up that hill.