Any advice on going to Kansas City?

[cannon_fodder]

I have heard good things about  Great Wolf Lodge and know form personal experience that they don't over charge.  In fact, they don't charge enough to turn a decent profit.  Stupid Great Wolf Resorts.

The KC Zoo is a nice place to visit with your family, if the wife and you want to get away some evening alone (not sure how old the kids are here) there are several nice "boats" (aka Casinos) in the area.  West Port and the Plaza areas are the place to be as far as I know... both really cool.  

If you want Ribs (you do) there is a place behind the Union Depot that is really good.  Park at Union Depot so you can walk through it (pretty interesting), then go out back over the tracks (there is a walkway) and viola!  BBQ.  Getting there is a mini adventure on this route.

[Conan71]

I lived in KC briefly in the late '80's and had to go there on business about once a month for four or five years in the late '90's.  You are all making me start to miss it terribly.  

I guess it's time to go back up there for a fix.

[RecycleMichael]

I didn't like the zoo as much as others we have been to. It's main theme area was Africa and it just seemed hot and dry to me. We go to a lot of zoos and I would rate it average.

The best steaks I have had there was at the Hereford House next to Kemper Arena.

The big 12 basketball championship is in town in a couple of weeks. Rooms and hotels are pretty packed, but it is a great time to go to Westport, Zona Rosa, or the casinos.

[Kashmir]

I am so overwhelmed by your help, everyone!  [8D] Much, Much appreciated.

Thanks for the tip, Brutus!

Cannon, I didn't think the Great Wolf place overcharged...(I saw they had deals for $169) my children are still young enough so I can say "Let's tell the pool bye-bye" when I am freezing cold and tired of swimming...(btw, I am the mom, but I will let the husband know you suggested he should take me out!LOL!) We plan to hit the zoo, they have supposedly expanded the children's area.

Thanks for the Kaleidoscope tip, RM.  The 4 year old will love that.
[]

I always like reading this forum b/c of such helpful, friendly people. (conan, and TulsaMINI, I'm talkin' 'bout you)

(Thanks also Bruno and Honeysuckle, bugo and Cannon!)

[joiei]

The KCRag forum is a place to look around.  It is by and about KC by the locals there.  

My favorite pizza is Pizzabella in the Crossroads area.  I thought the tour at Hallmark cards was pretty hokey and probably would not hold the interest of a 4 year old.  

I highly recommend checking out The Country Club Plaza if you have never been to Kansas City.  If your there on a weekend, then the City Marketis a fun place to wander for a while.  There is a great Asian market adjacent to the market, lots of food stalls.

From everything I hear, T-REX cafeis a place to take kids to eat.  Sort of like a Rainforest cafe except with dinosaurs.  

When I go up to KC, the last place I stop is at Dean and Deluca to pick up some sandwiches for the trip home.  

Can I suggest a round trip, go up on 169 to Garnett, then 59 to I-35 and on in to Kansas City.  It gets you there quickly with out having to go through too many towns.  Then on your way home, take 69 down to the turnpike through Baxter springs and Miami.  Or vice versa.  Ft Scott and Pittsburg are kind of fun to go through.  Plus, you see different country and it is not that much further to go.  

THere are several beautiful fountains around Kansas CIty,  try to see several of them and some of them the kids can play in.  

The Pitch will have lots of restaurant recommendations and things to do lists.  

This guy, Chef Jaspar Mirabile is a character and may have some suggestions for good food that a local there would know.  

Have fun.  My next trip up is to be a judge at the Oklahoma Joe's bbq competition.  And for bbq, Oklahoma Joes.   In my experience, the old more famous places are not as good.  'But BBQ is a personal experience and opinion.  

[brunoflipper]

quote:Originally posted by HoneySuckle

We're thinking of going to Kansas City in March too during Spring Break!

How good of you to start this thread.

For good steak, where do you all recommend?  What about outstanding Italian food?

steak- hereford house or plaza III (i vote the for plaza III)

italian-  lidias (as in lidia bastianich- it is her only restaurant not in new york)... newer but awesome... i've been there when lidia came by and checked on our dinner, it was surreal...
but for real italian go to garozzos... go to the original locale on harrison... old school mafia hang out... get the veal spiedini or fettucini diablo con pesce- holy crap... the calamari is some of the best i've ever had... more ambiance

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

but for real italian go to garozzos... go to the original locale on harrison... old school mafia hang out... get the veal spiedini or fettucini diablo con pesce- holy crap... the calamari is some of the best i've ever had... more ambiance

(nods in agreement)

[HoneySuckle]

The Big 12?  

Man, lots of places sold out for Spring Break weekend[:O]  I figured it would be as easy as finding accommodations in Dallas, but so wrong.

Any ideas?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by HoneySuckle

The Big 12?  

Man, lots of places sold out for Spring Break weekend[:O]  I figured it would be as easy as finding accommodations in Dallas, but so wrong.

Any ideas?

You're going during the tournament?

[RecycleMichael]

I tried to warn you about the big12 tournament.

Blue Springs to the east has some decent hotels at affordable prices.

[joiei]

even Olathe?  that is pretty far out.

[HoneySuckle]

Should we change plans to avoid this tournament?

[RecycleMichael]

It depends on what you plan to do. This tournament shouldn't affect everything, but does sell out hotels and fancier restaurants.