World Science Fiction Convention-held in various places around the world annually.
Went to the museum in the early 1980s as a kid. Last time I visited the base after that was when my cousin got married back in about 2006= the reception was on base, and we stayed in the base hotel (my uncle is a former Army officer and works for TRADOC as a civilian now). I"d forgotten how much the searching by the rent-a-cops dressed like a SWAT team was a big pain in the ass.
Actual burnt ends, the semi-charred bits and pieces that fall off the end of a brisket, are typically wonderful but only a few places offer them. Most “burnt ends” on restaurant menus are just bite-sized pieces of said brisket. My understanding is that this is usually necessary in order to have enough available to offer it on the menu.
Now that I think about it, I’m not aware of there actually being a signature dish for Kansas City barbecue. If there is one, I wouldn’t expect it to be burnt ends. Perhaps it would be spare ribs, as opposed to the baby back ribs, pulled pork, and brisket that seem to be associated with other barbecue regions.
Also, Joe’s only has burnt ends on the menu a few days of the week (Wednesday and Saturday, I believe?) We took a trip out there last weekend, and my brother got a big order of take out for the family, including burnt ends. I don’t want to say *exactly *how many burnt ends I had, but when given full access to 5 lbs. of them, I’m going to take advantage of the situation. I regret nothing.
I’ll put that on the list for my next visit. 
LC’s just hit all the right notes for me.
When I think of KC, it’s burnt ends. Definitely the signature dish for a non-KC resident. (For me, here in Chicago, our signature would be tips & links–spare rib tips and Mississippi style pork hot links. Then spare ribs. For your typical Southside and Westside barbecue, you won’t really see baby backs around much at all.)
Someone upthread mentioned Q39. I’m a KC native and loves me some KC bbq sauce. Q39 is waaaayyyy too sweet. Even their Carolina style sauce is too sweet. The meat is wonderful and I love the pulled pork, but not a fan of the sauce. In KC, the sauce is everything. But the place is packed for dinner practically every night, so if you go, sit at the bar instead of waiting on a table. It’s pretty easily accessible via public transportation from Downtown.
Joe’s KC is a little far to go and a little harder to find without a car. It’s good, but Jack Stack is better IMO. I dislike Bryant’s and only eat at Gates when I’m near there and need a beef on bun fix. Gates ribs tend to be a bit on the dry/overcooked side for my taste and the 'HI MAY I HELP YOU!!" greeting gets on my nerves.
There are a ton of good places to eat Downtown near the convention center, steak and chop joints, seafood, bbq, standard bar fare, etc. and a few good places between Downtown and Crown Center. The Power & Light district is a good place to get a drink and people watch on the weekend. Be aware that although many of the bars are open during the week, there is not much nightlife there. Apparently KC folk still like to do their partying on the weekends.
But do not miss The Nelson-Atkins. Plan to spend 5 or 6 hours there. There is a nice little cafeteria to grab a drink and a bite.
Welcome to my town. I hope you enjoy your visit. But you must never tell anyone how awesome the place is, or else everyone will want to live here.
I found Q39 to be very good, contemporary barbecue. I didn’t get a chance to try Gates. I wasn’t wowed by Jack Stack’s (but their lamb ribs were great). Bryant’s I enjoyed much more than I thought I would. LC’s was my favorite, and Oklahoma Joe’s was my all-around safe recommendation for people visiting KC. That said, none of the places I visited had sub-par barbecue. The level of quality was amazing, and it really just comes down to personal taste.
We went there last year and security is much tighter. You have to go to a separate facility and they ask you all kinds of questions plus they run a background check and that for everyone in the car.
Quick way around it - bring a veteran with you. Any veteran with ID gets him and their whole car in with no problems.
I’m a veteran, and I’ll bring my DD 214.
Some have mentioned LCs which is great but may be too far away from your location as it’s damn near in Raytown.
If BBQ hasn’t been done to death you might try Plowboys for lunch. It’s new to the area and is the result of locals who went pro. One of their two locations is in the Town Pavilion building in the heart of the city area. Best burnt ends I’ve ever had and as a KC resident I’ve tried many. Like other places though their burnt ends aren’t offered every day.
You will probably find your way to the Power and Light district which has a collection of food/drink establishments surrounding a a center courtyard that becomes a big gathering place for events. I can’t say that anything there is exceptional but just about everything there is great if the party is happening.
If you’re going to Fritz’s, go to the original in KCK Presumably the same adequate food delivered by train, but the advantage of somewhat sketchy neighborhood and probably not much of a wait. My wife is a KCK native, so that is the one we always went to. Since you won’t have a car, it may be out of reach.
I hear tell you’ve got a river or two running nearby. 
Any spots I should take a look at?
There’s a park on the west side of downtown above I35 that has a great view of the Missouri/Kansas river confluence, and the “West Bottoms” warehouse/stockyard district.
There’s a foot bridge and walking trail by the FBI HQ that looks like it has the potential for a really good view, but I haven’t been on it.
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Name changed to Joe’s Kansas City BBQ… that and Jack Stack are the go to BBQ spots.
Taking in a Royals game will show you the best MLB fans in the country
Crown Center and the Plaza have some great pubs and attractions
If you’re a history buff AND want to get a drink or a bite to eat, Westport was a stop on the wagon trails west. Actually, the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails all passed through this area. In Westport check out McCoys brewery and Local Pig.
There are also several small Civil War battlefields scattered around. Loose Park south of the Plaza area is one and has some informative plaques etc. as well as being a fantastic place for a stroll.
The best BBQ is at Woodyard, but it is more of local place. The whole Power and Light District is one company, that keeps changing the names of their various restaurants. I never go there. My favorite entertainment venue is Knuckleheads Saloon, down in the East Bottoms.
Someone mentioned the bus pass. It’s an exceptional value. A single bus trip is $1.50, while a day pass is $3.00. The con is downtown, and the Main Street Max bus will get you pretty much everywhere you need to go. It starts in the River Market area, goes to downtown where the con hotel is, to Power and Light, Crossroads, Union Station, Crown Center, the WWI museum, the Fed, midtown, Westport, the Plaza, Brookside and Waldo. Roughly half of the entertainment in Kansas City is on or near this bus line.
Thanks for the info! I just hope there’s some slow time at the Con-So much to do, so little time! 