# What to do in Kansas City? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 15, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287 "2016-04-15T17:49:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/21 "2016-04-15T22:38:07Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > 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. Yeah, there’s really nothing worthwhile to see in Butler. Agreed that Arthur Bryant’s is not worth the stake white bread it takes to mop up the mess, but I can’t speak to the current best. My favorite in the region was Bates City Barbeque (not sure if it is still around) but be warned that “Kansas City BBQ” is typically smothered in overly sweet sauce that is just slightly more tangy than ketchup, and generally low on smoke flavor. If you are most familiar with southern and Oklahoma/Texas pit style barbeque it will be a shock to have KC style (which can actually be found all over the Missouri/Iowa/Illinois/northern Kentucky region). For steak, the new Majestic (which I’ve never eaten at) seems to have the best reviews. On top of the other museums (all good choices) I’ll recommend the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum and the nearby planetarium (if it is still open; I seem to recall some funding issues back in the 'Nineties) and also the Linda Hall Library, which is a publically accessible, privately-owned technical library adjacent to the UMKC campus which has many unique collections of papers that cannot be found elsewhere. You’re not missing much by not getting outside the city; it’s just farmland, cows, and grain elevators. Unless you like that sort of thing, of course. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/22 "2016-04-15T22:53:35Z")
Never mind; I see they moved the planetarium to the renewed Union Station, and **capybara** already mentioned Nelson-Atkins. I’m out of suggestions other than the Truman museum is out of the way for public transit and probably not worth it unless you are a die hard WWII buff. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Sasquatch\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@Sasquatch\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sasquatch_1)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/23 "2016-04-15T23:55:42Z")
But if you bump into any flying buffs with a car and want a day trip, going down to the Space Center in Hutchinson is worth it. It is a tiny out of the way place, but has an amazing variety of real WW2-60s air and spacecraft. There is an SR-71 in the lobby, and actual captured buzz bombs, V2 rocket parts, and early US space capsules ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/24 "2016-04-16T01:58:02Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > World War I museum. Another vote for this. Excellent. > [@cmkeller](#): > > Definitely take in a Royals game at Kauffman Stadium. It’s an absolutely beautiful place to watch a game. This too, and they offer an inexpensive pre-game tour that is quite good. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City, Missouri? > > Let’s face facts, this restaurant doesn’t want people to find it. Not easy, but I found it, last time I was there. But they are closed on Sundays - darn! Union Station is nice, historical. It’s close to the WWI museum. There are still bullet marks on the front wall from the Kansas City Massacre. [https://www.google.com/search?q=union+station+kc+bullet+holes&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari](https://www.google.com/search?q=union+station+kc+bullet+holes&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2016, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/25 "2016-04-16T13:11:05Z")
I hear they got some crazy little women there; you oughta get yourself one. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/26 "2016-04-16T14:55:46Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I hear they got some crazy little women there; you oughta get yourself one. There’s this [parking lot](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vine+St+%26+E+12th+Terrace,+Kansas+City,+MO+64106/@39.0984128,-94.5654409,227a,20y,90h,45t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x87c0f0787033ca95:0xcc9c3a4a40c1c266!6m1!1e1) you want to check out. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/27 "2016-04-16T15:28:18Z")
**Czarcasm** , I live near Kansas City and work close to the “Freight House”, which contains three restaurants (Lidia’s, Jack Stack BBQ, and Grünauers"). I absolutely second/third/fourth/fifth the World War I museum. It is a truly stunning museum and is worth spending time in. The Nelson-Atkins is good, as well. The Country Club Plaza, a few miles south of Downtown, is a well-heeled shopping area with high-end stores and restaurants. The Nelson-Atkins is about 3 blocks away from the Plaza, so, if you have the time, you can visit the museum and then have dinner at the Plaza. The Nelson-Atkins is free. The KC bus system (newly renamed to “RideKC”) goes from Downtown to the Plaza. Look for the “MAX” (Metro-Area eXpress) buses, and they go by designated stops every 10 to 15 minutes. Bus fare is $1.50 per ride, with one free transfer, good for two hours. You can also buy Day Passes. The local breweries are Boulevard and K. C. Bier, a newcomer to the scene. Boulevard is a local favorite. I heartily recommend their Tank 7. If you want to have a really nice evening, you can get one of their “Smokestack” series, which come in tall, champagne bottles, and contain about 3 big glasses of wonderful liquid. If you are having trouble sleeping at night, one of those bottles will put you in a right sleepy mood. I’ll be happy to share more info with you if you want, or if you have specific questions. Feel free to PM me. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/28 "2016-04-17T00:18:44Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Agreed that Arthur Bryant’s is not worth the stake white bread it takes to mop up the mess, but I can’t speak to the current best. My favorite in the region was Bates City Barbeque (not sure if it is still around) but be warned that “Kansas City BBQ” is typically smothered in overly sweet sauce that is just slightly more tangy than ketchup, and generally low on smoke flavor. I can’t really think of any of the typical names mentioned for KC BBQ that smother their food in sauce. Joe’s doesn’t. Gates doesn’t. Bryant’s doesn’t. Jack’s Stack doesn’t. And Bryant’s sauce tends much further down the vinegar spectrum than anything you’ll find outside of Carolina BBQ. Gates’ sauce is very heavy on the black pepper - I certainly wouldn’t call it “sweet”. Joe’s offers an assortment of options at the table - one of which is sweet. Maybe you went to Zarda’s. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/29 "2016-04-17T01:51:44Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I can’t really think of any of the typical names mentioned for KC BBQ that smother their food in sauce. Joe’s doesn’t. Gates doesn’t. Bryant’s doesn’t. Jack’s Stack doesn’t. And Bryant’s sauce tends much further down the vinegar spectrum than anything you’ll find outside of Carolina BBQ. Gates’ sauce is very heavy on the black pepper - I certainly wouldn’t call it “sweet”. Joe’s offers an assortment of options at the table - one of which is sweet. Maybe you went to Zarda’s. Yeah thanks for this…I read that and tried to think when I’ve gotten BBQ around here that was swimming in sauce. Only place I could think of was Applebee’s. On the side/on the table seems to be the standard. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/30 "2016-04-17T02:17:26Z")
I’ll admit that it has been decades since I’ve eaten at Bryant’s (or any Kansas City area BBQ) but the last time I was there I distinctly remember getting burnt ends and thinking it almost looked like soup for as much sauce as tye put on it, as well as the four slices of Wonder bread ot was sitting on. I’ve never eaten at Joe’s. I have eaten at Zarda’s, but only out of convenience or not having a choice; I’ve had better barbeque in New Mexico wherr they don’t seem to understand the point of barbeque. I’ve just generally found that Mid-Westerners like their sauces and often end up giving you a sandwich that is like a runny Sloppy Joe if you don’t ask them to hold the sauce. I’m personally a fan of minimal sauce, and while some think it a desecration, a little bit of horseradish sauce on the bottom bun or to dip tri-tip in. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/31 "2016-04-17T11:18:55Z")
> [@bump](#): > > 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. > . On Ft. Leavenworth. Note - they have changed polciies and since this is a military base they ask for all kinds of ID now and you need to get a special pass so while its still a good museum, its quite a hassle to get in. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/32 "2016-04-17T11:32:40Z")
I live in Kansas city (suburb actually). I’d recommend: [Steamboat Arabia museum. WW1 museum.](http://1856.com/) Union Station. The view from the [“Scout” statue](http://kcparks.org/attraction/the-scout/). [Deanna Rose farmstead park](https://www.opkansas.org/things-to-see-and-do/deanna-rose-childrens-farmstead/). [The College Basketball Experience](http://www.collegebasketballexperience.com/) [Jaeger’s Underground Paintball](http://jaegers.com/) [Nelson Art Gallery.](http://www.nelson-atkins.org/) (well the outdoor sculpture garden.) [Up-Down Arcade bar](http://www.updownkc.com/) [Tapcade Arcade Bar](http://screenland.com/tapcade-at-crossroads/) [Black Market airsoft Arena](http://cqbarena.com/) I prefer Gates barbecue - but be prepared to be yelled at. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/33 "2016-04-17T15:22:20Z")
I definitely want to see the WW I museum, have a bite at Fritz’s, and maybe try the “Rye-On-Rye-On-Rye” at Boulevard Brewery. Union Station is a possibility, as is Nelson Outdoor Garden. The Royals are playing Minnesota on August 18th, so that’s a possibility. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/34 "2016-04-17T22:47:15Z")
Well Fritz’s is basically just a restaurant where some of the food is delivered by train. The food is only so-so and is expensive plus be ready for a LONG line. I’d hit a Gates BBQ instead. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/35 "2016-04-18T00:18:14Z")
LC’s burnt ends are my favorites and the one place I personally will need to visit every time I visit KC. Joe’s for overall barbecue. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/36 "2016-04-18T01:31:41Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Well Fritz’s is basically just a restaurant where some of the food is delivered by train. The food is only so-so and is expensive plus be ready for a LONG line. I’d hit a Gates BBQ instead. I agree. Save yourself some money. Go to Crown Center (where Fritz’s is) and stand near the window. Watch someone’s food get delivered by the train, which runs along tracks just under the ceiling. Ooh and aah. Smile at being so thrifty and get a good bite to eat elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/37 "2016-04-18T02:03:35Z")
Another vote for the Steamboat Arabia museum! Heck, I had no idea Worldcon was in KC. I live in Topeka, about an hour’s drive to the west of either Kansas City. Went to Worldcon in Chicago many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/38 "2016-04-18T02:12:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > LC’s burnt ends are my favorites and the one place I personally will need to visit every time I visit KC. Joe’s for overall barbecue. Best ribs I’ve ever had were LC’s. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/39 "2016-04-18T02:26:34Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City, Missouri? As mentioned above, the name has been changed to Joe’s. What hasn’t changed is that it’s in Kansas City, _ **Kansas** _. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287/40 "2016-04-18T11:11:46Z")
To the OP, I looked at the link above but still really cant figure out what World Con is? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-kansas-city/752287.md?page=3)