What to do in Kansas City?

Tofystedeth

My wife is going to an open house thing at Children's Mercy Hospital this Saturday, so from 10AM - 3PM I'll be on my own in Kansas City. What's there to do that's fun and free/relatively inexpensive? Any decent museums that have free exhibits or something? I recall at least walking through the lobby of one about 5 years ago, but couldn't tell you anything more than that. Unfortunately, it's butt-cold this time of year, so wandering around town afoot is out, which is my usual way to burn time in strange cities. I'd prefer something in the general vicinity of Hospital Hill, or an easily navigable highway trip away. I've navigated twice in KC and found it super confusing.

CheerfulBear

Crown Center is a couple blocks away. They have tons of shopping, restaurants, etc. You could always go ice skating by yourself and look creepy!

There's also Union Station which has restaurants, exhibits, museums, theaters, and other stuff.

Evil_Reaver

There's also the Country Club Plaza (Google Map). The Plaza is basically giant outdoor mall with all kinds of shops and restaurants. There's an AMC movie theatre on the Plaza as well.

RocketSauce

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Modern Art. Both are free, and located a couple of blocks from the Plaza.

nuclearalchemist

I've been to the plaza, it seemed pretty cool. My wife is from the area. Also, go find a Carlos O'Kelly's if you don't have them where you are from. Its mediocre but awesome mexican food!

CheerfulBear

Well if he's going to travel down to the Plaza from Hospital Hill (do you have a car, Tofystedet?) he might as well stop by Westport too. That's the art, music, alternative-stuff area. It's got a lot of great little restaurants, cafes, and shops. Go to Tea Drops and pick up some nice tea collected from the ancient lava tubes of Mongolia or something! Oh, they also have good bubble tea.

DasBoot

I'd suggest avoiding anything that involves being outside for any amount of time. Brian Busby says the high temp on Saturday is going to be -1. Yes, NEGATIVE ONE.

Evil_Reaver

I'd offer to hang out with the OP for a bit on Saturday but I don't know if I'm going to be in town or not this weekend. I should know by Thursday night/Friday morning.

quietguyintheback

How do you feel about biscuits and gravy? The Brick does breakfast from 10-3. There's a biscuit and gravy bar. Such good biscuits and gravy. Do that before the other stuff.

As for the other stuff, I'll second the Nelson. I'm not a big fan of the Plaza. Let's face it Kansas Citians. It's a mall. With pretty Christmas lights. Besides, it's outdoors. Sooo cold right now.

Evil_Reaver

quietguyintheback wrote: »

As for the other stuff, I'll second the Nelson. I'm not a big fan of the Plaza. Let's face it Kansas Citians. It's a mall. With pretty Christmas lights. Besides, it's outdoors. Sooo cold right now.

Eh, I only suggest the Plaza because it's there and accessible. Personally, I don't like going there because it's an outdoor mall and the only stores I ever go to are the Gap and the North Face outlet.

quietguyintheback

Don't get me wrong. I love the Better Cheddar as much as the next guy.

Tofystedeth

quietguyintheback wrote: »

How do you feel about biscuits and gravy? The Brick does breakfast from 10-3. There's a biscuit and gravy bar. Such good biscuits and gravy. Do that before the other stuff.

That sounds like a great place to have lunch. I haven't had biscuits and gravy in years. My wife and I are thinking of hitting Oklahoma Joe's for some barbeque for supper, as a friend of ours who grew up there says it's her favorite. And how can you visit KC without eating some BBQ. Thanks for the tips all.

And E_V, yeah, I'd hang if you're around. It'd be nice to put a face to a name. I could even treat you to lunch. Do you like biscuits and gravy?

Evil_Reaver

Oklahoma Joe's is my favorite BBQ place in Kansas City, followed by Jack Stack and then Gate's/Arthur Bryant's. There's two locations of Oklahoma Joe's: Kansas City, KS and Overland Park, KS. I've never been to the KCK location, but that's the original, back-of-gas-station restaurant. The OP location is in its own building and stuff, but that will be quite a drive from downtown KCMO.

I'll shoot you a PM later this week to let you know if I'll be around. Honestly, it's going to be waaaaay to cold here this weekend to do anything outside, so going to a movie or drinking in a bar (or both) are going to be your only viable activities.

FuzeBox

Hell yes on the Oklahoma Joe's - it's the best bbq I've eaten.

The Olathe (referred to as Overland Park in the post above mine) location is just off 119th on Strang Line - easy to get to via 35 South. It's on the right as you head south on Strang Line across from the Burger King in a strip mall. If you can get down there for lunch or dinner, do it.