Kansas City & surrounding areas

[CraigOR]

Usually a tradition every year, to discuss the host city and local areas.  Food, entertainment, etc.  What to frequent, what to avoid.  I (and others) value your input & thank you in advance. 

This is my first NCAA since 2019, Pittsburgh.  If you have info on KC, Overland Park, Lawrence area, let’s hear it!

[Wrestleknownothing]

A short drive from the stadium on the Kansas side of the border is one of the best BBQ places I have ever been to. And that it is located inside a Shamrock gas station just adds to the legend.

https://www.joeskc.com/pages/the-original-gas-station-restaurant

When I have gone it is not unusual for the line to extend into the parking lot, but it moves quickly, and I have not had a problem getting a seat when I get my food. They do not allow you to save a seat while you are in line, and it works.

[Crotalus]

For food, just eat at all the BBQ joints. Arthur Bryant's, Gates, Joe's, Q39, Jack Stack....man, now I want BBQ.

[MidwestMan]

The venue is located adjacent to the "Power and Light" district which has a mix of bars and food options and ix always party central for Big 12 basketball tourney, Chiefs playoffs, etc...  The BBQ options have been mentioned, and there are several.  Joe's is awesome.  Lots of Mexican cuisine options on Southwest Blvd.  Kelly's Westport Inn is an Irish bar housed in what is said to be the oldest building in KC.  They usually have live entertainment on the weekend.  That bar is in the Westport area, which is just north of the Country Club Plaza.  Both Westport and the Plaza have several options for food and drink.  The City Market area is on the north side of I-70 and is the north terminus of the Trolly Car.  More food and bars there.  We haven't even touched the question of steaks.  Hope that helps.

[ionel]

2 hours ago, CraigOR said:

Usually a tradition every year, to discuss the host city and local areas.  Food, entertainment, etc.  What to frequent, what to avoid.  I (and others) value your input & thank you in advance. 

This is my first NCAA since 2019, Pittsburgh.  If you have info on KC, Overland Park, Lawrence area, let’s hear it!

Lots of options, you can now take the KC streetcar all the way from River Market to Power & Light on south to just about walking distant to the Plaza.  KC is very easy to get around.  The Negro League Baseball Museum is well worth a visit (Uber ride) the best BBQ (Arthur Bryant's)  is nearby but prob only works on Saturday morning/noonish depending on your session plans.  

Great breakfast place River Market is The Farmhouse

Edited March 14 by ionel

[KCMO2]

1 hour ago, MidwestMan said:

 That bar is in the Westport area, which is just north of the Country Club Plaza.  Both Westport and the Plaza have several options for food and drink.  The City Market area is on the north side of I-70 and is the north terminus of the Trolly Car.  

I would recommend staying away from Westport.  There are some decent bars and restaurants, but violence and shootings there are not uncommon.  River Market is a very cool area, and Zona Rosa (up I-29) and The Legends (west on 70) are neat shopping, dining, and drinking areas about 20 minutes from the arena.  The Power and Light district around the arena though is the best area in the city for food drink and fun, and everything is within walking distance.  Ameristar Casino is also very nice, about 15 min. north.  Also, all streetcars and buses in the metro are free.

If you happen to get lost, don't stray too far east of the Power and Light-Midtown-Plaza strip.  Some of those neighborhoods can get real sketchy real fast.

[PortaJohn]

3 hours ago, Crotalus said:

For food, just eat at all the BBQ joints. Arthur Bryant's, Gates, Joe's, Q39, Jack Stack....man, now I want BBQ.

I've heard Wolfepack and Slaps are were the true locals go.  True?  Does it stack up with the more famous spots?  Living in Philly I've learned the best places are never on the tourist lists for cheesesteaks 

Edited March 15 by PortaJohn

[jross]

Martin City is a peculiar place near SE Overland Park.  Jack Stack BBQ is great.  Pizza and brewery is okay.  Dos De Oros is my favorite hole in the wall / authentic Mexican place anywhere.  16 tacos for $35-$40.  Pick four different meats.

If you like Dunkel beer and sausauge, check out KC Bier in Prairie Village.

Check out either location of Grinders.  One is in KC and the other in the middle of a subdivision in Overland Park.  Get the Philli Cheesewiz Cheesesteak or Chili bomb your pizza slice.

Some might like Twin Peaks in Overland Park.

The KC river market is a neat venue.

Young people that like young people energy and expensive drinks will hang out at Power and Light.

Tour the Boulevard Brewery or The Roasterie Coffee Company.

Legends for expensive shopping.

KC Plaza for fine dining and shopping.

There is frisbie golf, hiking, ziplining, Snow Creek, lakes, bars...

Wall climbing and ninja course options.

Escape rooms, Break Thru

Guitar Center.

Many options.

 

[ionel]

11 minutes ago, jross said:

Boulevard Brewery 

If you like beer (not that anythings wrong with that) definitely check out Boulevard Brewery, short walk from far south stop on the Streetcar.  

Edited March 15 by ionel

[Crotalus]

I've heard Wolfepack and Slaps are were the true locals go.  True?  Does it stack up with the more famous spots?  Living in Philly I've learned the best places are never on the tourist lists for cheesesteaks 

I'm not a true local as I'm from Columbia. I haven't (yet) eaten at either of the places you mentioned. Perhaps others can comment on them. I will say, all the places I mentioned are famous for a reason. A lot of my local friends swear by Joe's and Arthur Bryant's is usually my go-to when in town. They are all excellent and you should eat at as many as possible. None of them should be avoided just because they are "tourist" spots.

[jross]

2 hours ago, NC MysterIonel said:

Lots of options, you can now take the KC streetcar all the way from River Market to Power & Light on south to just about walking distant to the Plaza.  KC is very easy to get around.  The Negro League Baseball Museum is well worth a visit (Uber ride) the best BBQ (Arthur Bryant's)  is nearby but prob only works on Saturday morning/noonish depending on your session plans.  

Great breakfast place River Market is The Farmhouse

The Negro League Baseball Museum is great!

However, I did have someone drill a hole in my truck's gas tank and steal gas from the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy parking lot next door during daylight. 

A homeless man followed me closely, was in my bubble, and intimidated me from my car to actually waiting in line at the original Arthur Bryants BBQ.

Avoid anywhere along the Prospect corridor, The Paseo, Troost, from downtown south to about 63rd St and Gregory Blvd. Avoid Swope Park at night, along Independence Ave east of downtown, and Cliff Drive.  Look up Trip Advisor on where to go and stick to those places.

Northland / Liberty / Rosa near the airport is nice.

All of Overland Park is safe.

Edited March 15 by jross

[ionel]

2 minutes ago, jross said:

The Negro League Baseball Museum is great!

However, I did have someone drill a hole in my truck's gas tank and steal gas from the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy parking log next door during daylight. 

A homeless man followed me closely, was in my bubble, and intimidated me from my car to actually waiting in line at the original Arthur Bryants BBQ.

Avoid anywhere along the Prospect corridor, The Paseo, Troost, from downtown south to about 63rd St and Gregory Blvd. Avoid Swope Park at night, along Independence Ave east of downtown, and Cliff Drive.  Look up Trip Advisor on where to go and stick to those places.

Didn't I say Uber?  And yeah if going to Arthur Bryant's only do so day time or order for pickup. 

[Crotalus]

If you like beer (not that anythings wrong with that) definitely check out Boulevard Brewery, short walk from far south stop on the Streercar.  

Agreed. Boulevard Wheat is one of my favorite beers and who doesn't like a good brewery tour.

[jross]

Unless staying down town near the venue, you want a rental car or prepare to pay for uber everywhere.  Getting around is unideal through public transportation.  But I live in the KC burbs... so... public transporation knowledge is limited...

Edited March 15 by jross

[ionel]

Just now, jross said:

Unless staying down town near the venue, you want a rental car or prepare to pay for uber everywhere.  Getting around is unideal through public transportation.  

There are lots of hotels places you can stay south and then take the free Streetcar up to Power & Light, easy peazy.  Just check the Streetcar map.

[jross]

2 minutes ago, NC MysterIonel said:

There are lots of hotels places you can stay south and then take the free Streetcar up to Power & Light, easy peazy.  Just check the Streetcar map.

Its more of if you want to got to Legends, KC Plaza, Oak Park Mall, Martin City, Overland Park, here, there... so much is 20-45 miles apart.  And there is plenty to do near the venue as well as you mention.

Edited March 15 by jross

[ionel]

Just now, jross said:

Its more of if you want to got to Legends, KC Plaza, Oak Park Mall, here, there... so much is 20-45 miles apart.  And there is plenty to do near the venue as well as you mention.

True.  Also its not an old trolly street car, its a modern new electric.

[PortaJohn]

First time I went to Kansas City I was shocked it was in Kansas.  Grew up learning in school it was in Missouri.  Damn you route 70

Edited March 15 by PortaJohn

[jross]

Oh yea PINBALL!

https://www.kineticist.co/post/pinball-kansas-city

[ionel]

2 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

First time I went to Kansas City I was shocked it was in Kansas.  Grew up learning in school it was in Missouri.  Damn you route 70

Did I mention downtown KC is a modern city, you won't see any nasty blue portajohns.  

[jross]

17 minutes ago, Flying Porta John said:

First time I went to Kansas City I was shocked it was in Kansas.  Grew up learning in school it was in Missouri.  Damn you route 70

The KC location being in "Misssery" shocks most as they assume KC is Kansas.  I live close to the stateline and spit eastward.  Lets call it spite for having better wrestling programs.  West of Stateline is nice Overland Park and East Stateline is a higher crime KC until you hit Lees Summit.  I lived in KC surrounding area for years and was an adult before learning several parts of KC actually nice and safe in both states.  Something about having my friends beaten up at 14 near the haunted houses shaded my view for the next 10 years.  My first week of downtown work, I was 'lit up' for asking what part of KC I could move my pregnant wife to, if there was such a safe place.  Woof did I learn quickly to swipe my thoughts left before speaking.  I had ~100 responses from being chewed out to being given a map with good/bad neighborhoods clearly marked.

Safe to me is leaving you possessions unsecure without risk of being robbed... and walking around by oneself at any hour without fear of safety.

On the neighborhoods app, within a 5 mile radius, my neighbors West complain about coyote spottings where as East I read a report of a high school son being kidnapped out his bedroom window!  Remnants of poor civic planning's impact on roads and neighborhoods.

Edited March 15 by jross

[PortaJohn]

5 minutes ago, ionel said:

Did I mention downtown KC is a modern city, you won't see any nasty blue portajohns.  

KC Kansas?  I want to go to this KC Missouri I was told about

[MidwestMan]

10 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

First time I went to Kansas City I was shocked it was in Kansas.  Grew up learning in school it was in Missouri.  Damn you route 70

Kansas City is in Missouri for the most part, but the city and suburbs extend into Kansas also.  Missouri River, Kansas River, State Line Road serve as boundaries.  

[PortaJohn]

14 minutes ago, jross said:

The KC location being in "Misssery" shocks most as they assume KC is Kansas.  I live close to the stateline and spit eastward.  Lets call it spite for having better wrestling programs.  West of Stateline is nice Overland Park and East Stateline is a higher crime KC until you hit Lees Summit.  I lived in KC surrounding area for years and was an adult before learning several parts of KC actually nice and safe in both states.  Something about having my friends beaten up at 14 near the haunted houses shaded my view for the next 10 years.  My first week of downtown work, I was 'lit up' for asking what part of KC I could move my pregnant wife to, if there was such a safe place.  Woof did I learn quickly to swipe my thoughts left before speaking.  I had ~100 responses from being chewed out to being given a map with good/bad neighborhoods clearly marked.

Growing up in PA we were always taught KC was in Missouri.  Could've been a PA football obsession thing making sure we knew were the Chiefs were located.  I can vividly remember people getting teased for not knowing this.  But then one day I'm driving east from Durango with some buddies and we decided for the first time ever to take the dreaded middle route (rt 80 might be longer but not considered as stressful as rt 70) and low & behold we drive into Kansas City Kansas.  The joke of where Kansas City is took on a whole new meaning  

Edited March 15 by PortaJohn

[jross]

Until Legends with Nebraska Furniture Mart, Cabellas, KC Speedway, Soccer... what brought folks to Wyandotte/KCK was Sandstone Amphithetre (Providence Medical Center Amphitheatre now) and Lakeside Speedway (Stock car racing).

If you want to stay near Legends.  You will need a car rental for travel to the wrestling venue.

The Chateau Avalon has themed rooms.  Ate at Bob Evans (ha) and had a castle room the night before flying out to my first vacation with the wife.
https://www.chateauavalonhotel.com/contact-location

Great Wolf Lodge is out there to... woodlands themes... swim park.
https://www.greatwolf.com/kansas-city

Edited March 15 by jross