Going to Kansas City

For art lovers--Nelson Atkins Museum. Do not miss this or you will never be able to live with yourself. Construction is taking place soon, but it won't affect the magnificent art work inside.

Sports fans--Arrowhead and Kaufman Stadiums are home to the Chiefs and Royals. Check them out if you're a football or baseball lover.

Gamblers--Several casinos are set up along the waterfront for gambling entertainment. Choose from The Argosy, The Flamingo, The Station Casino, and others.

Nightlife--The Westport area is full of entertainment, from Stanford's Comedy House to several bars and pubs.

Food--KC has a mixture of different and unusual places to eat. Barbeque is the best, but try other specialties like sub sandwiches and grinde

Quick Tips:

Bring many choices of clothing. You never know what the weather in KC might be like. Plan on shorts and t-shirts in summer, jeans and over-coats in winter.

Best Way To Get Around:

While on 'The Plaza' you must take a trolley for a *truly* Kansas City tourist trip. Walking is fine too. Unless you're a long-distance jogger/walker/biker, I suggest renting a car to see sights more than two miles from your hotel. Public travel is sketchy and unreliable.

The Longbranch Saloon is consistently rated as one of the best steakhouses in Kansas City. And in a city called affectionately "cowtown", you know that's an esteemed honor. Not only are the steaks great, but the other choices on the menu are excellent as well. My personal favorite are the potato skins. There's plenty of local beers on tap as well as the standards.

Curt sayings from 'Walt', the owner, adorn the walls. It's a great place to stay up late with your friends drinking beers and clogging your arteries. The waitresses have character.

The ongoing debate--which restaurant has the best pizza in Kansas City? Look no further than Waldo Pizza. Choose from about thirty toppings or bring in your own. I've heard the owner will meet any special request. So many people were ordering Spam on their pizza, Waldo decided to stock it. If you want green beans, bring them in. The cooks will put 'em on your pizza. My favorite combination is garlic, feta cheese, pepperoni, jalepenos. Some people like cream cheese and broccoli or hamburger and onions. You want it, they got it.
I'll tell you why I like Waldo's pizza. In addition to all the different toppings, there is the crust, the sauce and the cheese. The St. Louis style crust is really thin. Not my favorite, but if you like it that way, it's great. I like the New York style crust because it's not too thick, not too thin. Just right. The Chicago is not their specialty. It's too doughy. So try either the St. Louis or the New York. The sauce--heavenly. It's smooth and chunky. Like a great spaghetti sauce, but seasoned just right. No premade mix here. Several different kinds of cheeses are tossed on your pizza, not just mozzerella. It adds depth to the taste sensation.
Waldo Pizza is one of those places that only the locals know about. The customers are loyal. They will deliver nearly anywhere in the city. Besides pizza, Waldo has sandwiches, a salad bar and other scrumptious fare.

The Country Club plaza or 'The Plaza' is a bustling outdoor commercial area. Some say it's the first ever shopping mall, but it looks nothing like the ones we see now; the store fronts are open to the outside. Strolling through the Plaza, you'll see mostly brand name stores and fine dining establishments. Stores range from the toy-heaven FAO Schwartz to...
The best part about the area is the spanish architecture. Kansas City is the sister city of Seville, Spain and The Plaza shows it by it's tiled roofs and abundance of fountains. Take a trolley ride for the true tourist experience.

Stanford & Sons Comedy Club and Restaurant is in the top five of best comedy clubs in the U.S. I'd have to agree that for the most part it's a great place to get a laugh. The bad part is that you have to be over 18 to see the show and over 21 to stay at the bar.

Stanford's is housed in an old two-story building with the restaurant being downstairs and the comedy club upstairs. I haven't eaten at the restaurant and the reviews seem to be mixed. With so many varied eateries around the Westport area, I'd suggest eating somewhere else, then taking in the show. I mean, comedy is what this place is about.

rising comics and veterans Monday night is open mic night Stanford's offers many shows in one night. Watching stand-up is a unique experience. While your laughing your butt off, you can order a drink or two--and it won't cost you a fortune. If you're hungry before or after the show, Stanford's has a restaurant downstairs. They also have 3 full bars for those who might need another drink or two. entry in progress...

This is the place where the locals hang out at. Westport is the most culturally diverse spot in all of Kansas City. No one is out of place. Grab a coffee at Starbucks or Westport Coffee. Shop at any of the specialty clothing stores. Good eating establishments abound.

A view of the Nelson is something to write home about, but the works inside surpass the outside architecture.

William Rockhill Nelson donated most of the resources that created the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The museum is divided into collections--Egyptian, Greek and Roman in one wing. Renaissance/Christian works, Baroque, Roccoco and Impressionism in another wing. The second floor includes American art with a special hallway devoted to Kansas City native Thomas Hart Benton. The other wings on the second floor are devoted to Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian cultures. The small third floor houses the American Indian works.

Classical works include a panel of Monet's 'Water Lilies', Van Gogh's 'Olive Orchard', and Michelangelo's 'St. Jean the Baptiste'. Do not miss the completely reconstructed Buddhist temple on the second floor. You must sit for a moment and meditate to enjoy the full experience.

Step inside the Rozelle dining courtyard for a view of a huge fountain and become surrounded by the large balcony from the second floor. The food is excellent, but a bit pricey.

Avoid the museum at all costs on Saturdays. It's free and many little critters (children) like to ruin the peaceful experience. All other times are okay.

Worlds of Fun will make your feet hurt and your heart pump.

Grab a map when you enter and plan your day. Unless you like over-priced amusement park pizza, plan to bring your lunch in a cooler. Leave at lunchtime and snack on a picnic table.

World of Fun has great rollercoasters. Whether you like the old-fashioned wooden kind (Timberwolf) or smooth hydraulics (Mamba) you won't be disappointed. And since it heats up in KC during the summer, there are plenty of water rides to cool you down. Be prepared for lines though.

Oceans of Fun is an expansive waterpark. It'll take you all day to do the fun activities. You won't be able to miss the the huge wave pool with over a million gallons of water. Hey, we don't have an ocean here in Kansas City, but at least we can create one.

You'll have fun slipping down the water slides or kayaking in a lake. Adults should leave the kids at their respective water playground area and try out the Coconut Cove (see above for description).

The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art has perhaps a better modern art collection than its next-door giant, the Nelson Atkins. The Kemper is part museum, part art gallery and was originally designed to be a showcase of a nearby university's student works, but has evolved into a place where artists from around the world can exhibit their works.

The majority of the permanent collection is the Bebe and Crosby Kemper Collection which includes works by Robert Rauschenberg, William Wegmam, Georgia O'Keefe and Willem de Koonig. Those who have followed the art collector's world will recognize Mr. and Mrs. Kemper's collection as being under careful scrutiny over the past year. The Georgia O'Keefe which had been sold to them was discovered to be a fake.

Every few months the exhibits are rotated. You may see a photographer, a sculpter, a painter or any other artist displayed here. You'll find your concept of art challenged frequently.

Allow at least a half of an hour to an hour for a proper visit. The museum is free and like most galleries the museum is closed on Mondays. The Kemper has a small cafe which serves lunch throughout the week and dinner on weekends. There is also a small museum shop which sells

My personal experience with the Kemper has been enlightening. I first went here for a college class I was taking and have continued

Kansas City has its share of microbreweries too. Before leaving town, try some of the Boulevard Brewing Co. selections. The brewery started in 1989 and is located in a turn-of-the-century brick building. So try some Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat, Pale Ale, Bully Porter, or Tenpenny Ale. My preference if for the Unfiltered Wheat.