WNLuvr

I'm doing an AA mileage run from LAX to MCI on Sat June 9th and will have an exciting 5-hour block of time between 10 am and 3 pm to do whatever my heart desires.

Anyone have any good recommendations of interesting things to do/good restaurants that could be seen in Kansas City in such a short time frame?

I know MCI is about a half hour from downtown, so transportation could be a consideration too. I'm not looking forward to any exciting airport time or plane watching, from what I remember the terminal area at MCI is small, dark, and a great example of life in 1977.

Thanks for your suggestions!

WNLuvr

ontheroad

MCI decor is throwback to 1977, while the Admirals Club has a late 80's feel to it. Although construction has begun to improve the place, you don't want to be stuck there too long.

5 hours @ MCI gives you ~3 - 3 1/2 hours in the city.

If you like history, the Steamboat Arabia Museum is facinating. A steamboat carrying tons of dry goods sunk on the Missouri River in 1856. It was preserved in mud for over a hundred years, then dug up. This place has the contents. http://www.1856.com/

The Country Club Plaza is the first shopping area built for cars. Tons of shops, free parking, and eating. Many good restaurants. http://www.countryclubplaza.com/ http://www.prainternational.com/dokci.htm#Restaurants

If you like Barbeque, there are several great places in town: Arthur Bryants is famous; KC Masterpiece is popular; Jake Edwards is nearby the Plaza.

Other museums: Kemper -- modern art, free; Nelson-Atkins -- various art.

A 1-day car rental may be less expensive then round-trip shuttles or taxi. Avis, Hertz, National, Budget, Alamo, Enterprise are all near the terminals.

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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

shadow

If you're a gambler, there are 2 casinos in N. KC, halfway between MCI & downtown. One is a Harrah's and I forget the name of the other one.

rmccamy

Depending on what kind of food you like, the Plaza is probably the best place to head for a good lunch. Only downside is that you really will only have about 2 1/2 hours to spend there, considering the time it takes to rent a car, drive down & back, return the car, and get back to your gate by 2:30 or so.

The River Market idea would give you more time because it's right downtown, and about 15 minutes each way closer to MCI than the Plaza. Saturdays would be a good time to visit the outdoor market, the Steamboat Arabia museum (right next to the market), and still have time for lunch at one of the restaurants there. There's a nice microbrewery there, a good Italian joint, as well as 3-4 other restaurants.

If you like to gamble, you could hit one of the boats. Harrah's and Ameristar are the two "classier" boats (although none of them are terribly upscale). Argosy is a few minutes closer to the airport; it's a little more low-rent, and has slightly looser slots and slightly friendlier table rules. Argosy occasionally lets you play 10x craps, something Harrah's and Ameristar never seem to do. KC's fourth riverboat, the Isle of Capri, is downright scary IMHO.

For transportation, a rental car is about your only choice if you aren't going to a major hotel. I've rented literally hundreds of cars at this airport (which is a scary fact in and of itself), and have found Hertz to be the fastest and most reliable, provided you have a #1 Club Gold card of course. I'd consider National a close second in terms of number of shuttle buses and speed of getting/returning a car. This rental shouldn't cost you more than $20 + tax for a small car.

2 Many Miles

Go bowling -- it's what I did last time I was in MCI.

fastflyer

If it's a nice day, you could go the other way - to Weston, Missouri. Or for that matter, to St. Joseph (that may be cutting it close, however).

To drive to the Plaza (or to the museums nearby), you will need to have some understanding of the road system in Kansas City. After you pass Municipal (downtown) airport, cross the Missouri River on the Broadway Bridge, and bear right toward I-35 South. Stay on I-35 toward Wichita (not Topeka or St. Louis) until you come to Southwest Trafficway (not SW Blvd). Follow the Trafficway, also known as Summit, several miles until you come to a steep hill around 47th Street. At the bottom of that hill, you proceed straight (do not merge right) across a divided boulevard and Brush Creek. Left onto Ward Parkway, and from there you will see the Country Club Plaza. I recommend parking there and walking. The Nelson-Atkins is about fifteen minutes walking distance (to the East on Brush Creek Blvd/ 47th) from the Plaza.

orangejjr

If the weather is nice, don't miss the Plaza. Mucho to do!

WNLuvr

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions! I snagged a $10 car from Priceline, so I think I'll take the drive down to the city/Plaza area for some good barbecue.

Wound up with a car @ Hertz so it sounds like that may speed things up.

WNLuvr

cblaisd

If you're into architecture, at 4601 S. Main near the Plaza, is Community Christian Church, which is a wonderful building designed by Frank Llloyd Wright.
http://www.community-christian.org/

And I utterly agree about barbecue, but would add Gates Barbecue to the list; the rib tips are to die for

orangejjr

If possible, try Smokestack, "Burnt Ends - Pork". I think the best of all.

SFOJFK

It's funny that I know about St. Joseph; I only went there on biz. It's the home of the original Pony Express. There is also the home of a famous outlaw (forgot the name).

I stick to getting some BBQ from Arthur Bryant's or Gate's.