What to do in Kansas City?

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@Munch

Arthur Bryant’s BBQ. I don’t care what the detractors say, they’re wrong. The sauce is weird - but it’s very specific to their sandwiches, and pairs extremely well. Don’t get the pulled pork or burnt ends - they’re soaked in a different sauce, and are pretty gross. Get the beef, sliced pork, or turkey - or a combo of any 2 of those. Or the ribs.

Bryant’s is pathetic. They don’t smoke the meat nearly enough; if you have to have sauce to make it palatable, it’s pretty sub-standard barbecue in the first place.

I’ve been to the original location twice- the second time to make sure I didn’t go on an off day. It’s bad stuff- kind of like baked meat with a whiff of smoke on it. I haven’t been to other KC barbecue places, so I’m not bashing the entire style, but Bryant’s was a massive disappointment- it’s about on par with what they serve in institutional cafeterias here in Texas.

[SerafinaPekala]

WWI Museum vote here too, altho I spent a whole day there. Much better IMHO than the WWII Museum in NoLa.

[blondebear]

I’ll second the Arabia Museum. You get to see what a fully-loaded steamboat carried…quite a treasure trove! They story of their digging it up is pretty amazing too. If you’re into transportation-related stuff, Union Station is worth a visit.

[pkbites]

What to do in Kansas City?

Stop at my brother-in-laws house and razz the hell out of him about his precious Chiefs getting knocked out of the playoffs. It’ll serve him right for being so obnoxious about them all season long!

[Sicks_Ate]

@Jas09

My favorite BBQ is probably Fiorella’s Jack Stack, although Oklahoma Joe’s is good too. Gates is also an old standy-by, and still sometimes my preference.

For outings, are you looking for shopping (you could go to Country Club Plaza, generally just called “The Plaza”) or museums (there is a science one in the restored Union Station)? Family stuff?

One more vote for Jack Stack as the best, hands down. Yes, it’s more pricey.

And nobody ever mentions it…it didn’t even know it existed, but I stumbled across Hayward’s BBQ on 4th of July. Best burnt ends I’ve ever had, though the beans were unimpressive.

@Gary_T

National World War I museum, only one in the country, recently made “official” by Congress. An excellent museum.

If you are at ALL interested in history and historical museums, make this your priority. It’s amazing.

[Bullitt]

Another vote here for the WWI Museum. You can spend hours and hours there.

[Son_of_a_Rich]

You could do what I do every time I’m in KC- drive by the house we lived in when I was in grade school, although I doubt it would have the same impact for you.

Seriously, if you go to the WW1 museum, take the antique elevator to the top of the tower. It’s a great view.

[B.Serum]

I prepared a visitors’ list for a friend not-too-long ago, so I’ll just adapt that for here…

Note about the airport: Be forewarned that the airport is somewhat of a lengthy drive from the city. It’s an odd airport, layout-wise: the 3 self-contained semi-circular terminals are rings no deeper than the length of a plane. While that meant you could get to your gate quickly in a pre-9-11 world, it required clumsy post 9-11 security retrofitting.

Anyway: Kansas City, working from the north to the south…

**River Market: **oldest part of town, dominated by the city market. I like it over there.
[ul]
[li]City Market: See above.[/li][li]Minsky’s: My favorite place to get pizza in KC[/li][li]Blue Nile Cafe: Great Ethiopian food![/li][/ul]

Power & Light District / Greater Downtown Area: Urban core encircled by I-70, I-35, I-670, Hwy 71, and Hwy 40
[ul]
[li]Power & Light District: Brand-new nine-block section adjacent to the Sprint Center. They have an Alamo Drafthouse movie theater. Also, Cosentino’s is a fancy deli / grocery store. I’ve only been back once since this went up, so I’m not super up on what’s what.[/li][/ul]

Crossroads Arts District: although it’s boundaries aren’t readily apparent, there are a lot of great locations to seek out.
[ul]
[li]Kauffman Center: brand new architecturally impressive center for the performing arts that is home to the ballet, opera, and symphony[/li][li]The Webster House: Classy upscale restaurant / antiques / shopping historical location[/li][li]Blue Bird Bistro: cozy little organic neighborhood restaurant[/li][li]Screenland Crossroads: fun little theater that shows old movies[/li][li]Bob Jones Shoes: My sister really liked this shoe store. If that’s your thing, give it a shot.[/li][li]2000 Block of Baltimore Street: several cool art galleries on this block[/li][li]Lidia’s: popular Italian restaurant[/li][li]Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ: One of the biggies: fancier brand of BBQ.[/li][li]Hammerpress: awesome letterpress cards & stationery of national renown[/li][li]La Bodega: great tapas place[/li][/ul]

18th & Vine: Renowned as one of the cradles of jazz. Neighborhood might be moderately intimidating for nervous white folk.
[ul]
[li]Blue Room / Gem Theater: Ground-zero for jazz, period.[/li][li]KC Juke House: Blues & BBQ. Also, chicken & waffles[/li][li]Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Baseball fan? A great slice of history![/li][li]Arthur Bryants: Just down the street from all the other stuff is another one of the big BBQ institutions[/li][/ul]

Crown Center, etc.: Hallmark area & assorted shops
[ul]
[li]Crown Center: has a little mall that has range of passable attractions, food & shopping, but also has high-end clothing at Halls, fancy dining at The American Restaurant[/li][li]Union Station: connected by skyway to Crown Center, it has additional theater, exhibits, and dining (in addition to the Amtrak Station[/li][li]WWI Museum & Liberty Memorial: Good for history buffs[/li][/ul]

Mid-city: mid way between Crown Center and Westport: not much here except for…
[ul]
[li]Gates BBQ: My favorite. I love the burnt ends sandwich. Don’t let the “HI! HOW MAY I HELP YOU?” throw you.[/li][/ul]

Volker: a great little out of the way mid-city strip of kind of hipstery shops and eateries along 39th street
[ul]
[li]Aladdin Cafe: Tiny but great Medditerranean restaurant[/li][li]Genghis Khan: I love Mongolian BBQ and this is the best I’ve ever found.[/li][li]d’Bronx: More good cheap pizza next to Khan’s on Bell St.[/li][/ul]

Westport: hopping area restaurants, clubs & shopping centered around Westport Rd & Pennslyvania Ave
[ul]
[li]Californios:This was where my girlfriend and I met for our first date. Sentimental inclusion.[/li][li]http://www.yelp.com/biz/tea-drops-kansas-cityTea Drops: Bubble and loose-leaf[/li][li]Jerusalem Cafe: Great Middle eastern food[/li][li]Murray’s Ice Cream: So delicious! But they’re only open seasonally, so check before going.[/li][li]Harry’s Bar & Tables: Good meetup spot[/li][li]McCoys: The go-to place for food and drinks[/li][li]Tivoli Cinemas: KC’s art-house movie theater [/li][li]Bunker: fun clothing[/li][li]First Watch: A staple — no one does basic breakfast better[/li][li]Recordbar: great local music scene venue[/li][/ul]

(Country Club) Plaza: With the spanish tile roofs on the upscale shops and restaurants; It’s pretty much the first place people take their guests and there’s a lot of options

Southmoreland: Across Main Street from the Plaza is a bevy of art mueums if you’re into that kind of thing
[ul]
[li]Nelson Atkins Museum of Art: Don’t miss the giant Shuttlecocks out front[/li][li]Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: A smaller museum and quicker visit near the art institute but they have good stuff[/li][/ul]

South Plaza: A bit further south approaching college area, there’s some more good eatin’
[ul]
[li]Planet Sub: All-time favorite subs![/li][li]Another Minsky’s: see above[/li][/ul]

And last, but not least, venture west off the beaten track into Kansas a little ways to get:
[ul]
[li]Oklahoma Joe’s: The last of the KC BBQ Institutions and a perennial favorite that shares space with a gas station[/li][/ul]