I just got a very nice gift from some friends that found out that I’ve never been to a WorldCon: Membership to this year’s WorldCon in Kansas City and $500 spending money! I get to go to my first World Science Fiction Convention and vote on the Hugos!
So, where does one go for a decent brew and burger? Is there any place in Kansas City that serves a decent steak? 
What should I do in my week’s stay there?
World War I museum.
Definitely take in a Royals game at Kauffman Stadium. It’s an absolutely beautiful place to watch a game.
Aside from the aforementioned WWI museum, the Steamship Arabia Museum is interesting. I also liked the Toy and Miniature Museum.
As a kosher-observant Jew, I have no first-hand opinions on restaurants in KC, but many of the natives with whom I correspond on the Royals Review message board say Oklahoma Joe’s is the best KC Barbecue joint, better than the more iconic Gates and Arthur Bryant’s. For local brew, they all seem crazy about Boulevard.
Is there a decent deli in town?
Seconded. It was *the *reason we stopped in Kansas City on a cross-country drive a few years ago, and it didn’t disappoint.
Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City, Missouri?
Let’s face facts, this restaurant doesn’t want people to find it.
It was pretty trippy. Your food is delivered by a model train, running overhead.
I’ll go ahead and preemptively shit on any recommendations that you go to Arthur Bryant’s. Don’t bother. It’s mediocre, under-smoked barbecue with weird sauce served by really surly people in a grungy part of town.
I will however, vigorously recommend the World War I museum. Very, very interesting and well done.
The Ft. Leavenworth base museum in nearby Leavenworth, KS is pretty neat as well, being a sort of “US Army in Frontier Days” kind of museum.
There’s also the Harry Truman library and museum in Independence, which is just east of Kansas City.
I’ll probably be relying on public transportation, so try to keep it in town if possible.
If you like baseball you might enjoy checking out the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
[del]Oklahoma[/del] Joe’s Kansas City BBQ is definitely worth checking out but I’m not sure how easy it is to get there with public transportation.
If you like art the Nelson-Atkins has a nice collection. For BBQ we like Jack Stack’s, but we aren’t local experts on BBQ.
If you go to the WW I Museum (which you should), stroll down to the Federal Reserve Bank. They have a nice little museum that’s free. There are observation windows where you can watch money counting rooms, see the vault etc. Money transport inside is automated, it’s pretty cool.
Plus, you get a free bag of shredded money!
Second the Arabia. Come to think of it, the new streetcar runs right near the convention center, and to Union Station which is an easy walk to the WWI Museum. It also travels to the River Market area where the Arabia museum is.
Jack Stack is the best BBQ, though it might not feel as authentic as a more “gritty” place.
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Missed the brew part…Boulevard Brewery is just south of downtown and is KC’s most successful brewery. They have some tasty beers indeed.
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ETA Jack Stack is walking distance from Union Station, too. U. Station usually has a good traveling exhibit of some sort.
EATA Robert Heinlein’s birthplace is 60 miles south of KC in Butler, but I suppose that’s a spendy cab ride.
I’m going to WorldCon-I have a sneaky suspicion someone will organize a pilgrimage to such a sacred site.
Of course - but like others have mentioned, you want to go for some BBQ. Lots of great suggestions. Joe’s is a relative newbie on the scene (they started up in a gas station in the mid-90s), and has become a destination of sorts. Bourdain considers it the best he’s ever had (specifically, the burnt ends). The gas station is still around - if you plan on going, go early. If you’d prefer something a little more upscale, Jack’s Stack is an awesome experience, and right near you downtown. I’d really recommend doing that, and getting a sample platter. There are a lot of even newer places serving up BBQ, but I haven’t had the opportunity to go when I get back. I hear Q39 is excellent, as is Char Bar.
Man, a full week. I’m really jealous. The Steamboat Arabia is down by the Farmer’s Market, which has a ton of great food options. Catching a Royals game is a ton of fun as well, if you’re interested in baseball. The Hall of Fame museum there is pretty interesting. If you are interested in baseball, the Negro Leagues Museum must be visited - they’ve done an amazing job there. Right across the street is the Jazz Museum, which is fun if you’re into jazz. Plan on being there several hours (4-5) to really soak it in.
A question about Joe’s BBQ. I always thought the signature dish of Kansas City barbecue was burnt ends. But Joe’s menu barely mentions them (they’re the last item on the menu).
They also recently went through a name change. Just to make it even harder! Joe's Kansas City BBQ - World Famous Barbecue
Just so you’re forewarned, Robert Heinlein’s birthplace is not set up as a tourist destination. The house still exists but it’s an ordinary private residence. There’s a plaque and the family that owns the house is apparently okay with people taking pictures.
To keep it confusing, Joe retired and moved to Texas. So Joe’s is now run by Jeff.