Where to be in KC?

July 25, 2012 5:06 AM

What to do in Kansas City? Short road trip layover tomorrow night (7/26) and we want to know what to do (besides BBQ) so we can saw we have "been" to KC.

Us: Family of 4 with two boys 7 and 12. Not sure exactly where we are staying but probably close to I-35. I have read the BBQ answers from previous questions but would like input about other types of food. We will have the evening and the following morning free. Maybe something on the river.

posted by leetheflea to travel & transportation around Kansas City, MO (9 answers total)

One of my favorite restaurants in the world is Fritz's Railroad Restaurant in Kansas City, specifically the original Kansas-side location on N. 18th Street (the MO location is in a mall, I believe, which seems like it would be less fun, but I haven't been). It's hard to explain, but basically you place your order using a telephone installed at the table, then a large train brings your food from the kitchen via a track suspended from the ceiling, and lowers it to your table with a robotic arm. Plus, great burgers and shakes.
posted by unknowncommand at 5:19 AM on July 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

I would go there to visit the Negro Leagues baseball museum and go to a ball game while we're there.
posted by Occula at 5:54 AM on July 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

My favorite things to do with kids that age in KC (besides the Royals, who are out of town this week) are the Steamboat Arabia at the City Market (which has a great number of eating choices in and around the River Market district) and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The NLBM is a national treasure that just recently got a lot more exposure with the All-Star Game being in town earlier this month, and is a must-see for people of all ages, regardless of whether you're a baseball fan or not. The Baseball Museum shares space with the Jazz Hall of Fame and is in the heart of the 18th & Vine district. The original Arthur Bryant's is just around the block.

Other kid-friendly quintessentially-KC favorites include Science City and assorted exhibits at Union Station. Union Station is connected to Crown Center (the mall which houses a Fritz's location unknowncommand references above) and houses several attractions for kids including Kaleidoscope, Legoland, and a new aquarium. My favorite Gates Barbecue location is south on Main Street about 12 blocks from Crown Center at 31st & Main. Just a few blocks further south is Westport, a funky arts district, which borders on the Plaza, an upscale shopping and dining district filled with interesting architecture and beautiful fountains. Just east of the Plaza is the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, which features another iconic KC image, the huge shuttlecocks on the expansive lawn.
posted by kellyk801 at 5:59 AM on July 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

I very much enjoyed the Nelson Atkins. I would also suggest the Plaza, which boasts a nice outdoor mall with lots of places to eat and shop. I hear our zoo is pretty nice. Plan on a mix of indoor and out activities, we are often in the triple digits here, sadly.
posted by gilsonal at 9:37 AM on July 25, 2012

kellyk801 nailed it.
posted by donajo at 10:28 AM on July 25, 2012

Keep in mind that it is SUPER HOT here right now. Like, has been in the 100+ range for weeks (there's a chance of rain over the next couple of days), so being outside might be humid and miserable; might want to find indoorsy activities. OTOH it looks like you're coming from East Texas so maybe it's close to what you're used to.
posted by dismas at 10:56 AM on July 25, 2012

All these suggestions are great. The kids are into Fritz's and I think we'll do the NLBM Friday morning before we're back on the road to MN. Thanks to all. Ill try and update with reviews.
posted by leetheflea at 8:43 PM on July 25, 2012

The Crown Center is pretty cool, for a mall, but the best thing about it is that it connects with the Union station with an elevated walkway. So you can walk quite a bit of near downtown KC in airconditioning.
posted by geekhorde at 10:07 PM on July 26, 2012

Food: Genghis Khan Mongolian grill off... 38th? There's a cool Ethiopian restaurant at the River Market. Addis Ababa, I think. Great middle eastern food at the Jerusalem Cafe in Westport. Westport can be kind of fun to walk around too. There's a neat little ice cream shop there too, right around the corner.
posted by geekhorde at 10:10 PM on July 26, 2012