OT: Need some ideas for stuff to do anywhere from St. Louis to Denver.

[Ben E Lou]

As usual, I'm taking a bunch of high school kids halfway across the country for a week this summer. This year, we're going back to Colorado. We leave on a Friday morning, spend the first night on the bus, and arrive at a hotel in Denver on Saturday afternoon. We spend that night in a hotel, then head to camp Sunday morning. It is a long bus ride from Atlanta to Denver, and to help break it up, we usually catch the Cardinals on Friday night. For the first time in several years, they don't have a home game on the night in question (May 28th), however, the Royals do. We *could* leave earlier than normal to make it to KC in time to catch the game. However, the problem with that is that it would put us in Denver at around 9am on Saturday--and hotel check-in isn't until 3pm. I haven't bought Royals tickets yet, and I have several options:

1. Leave earlier Friday morning. Make it to KC in time for the game. Do something fun in the Denver area Saturday morning until we can check in to the hotel.
2. Scrap the Royals game. Do something cool in the St. Louis area Friday night, and the timing works out. (NOTE: I've done the Gateway Arch once, and found it wasn't worth what we spent.)
3. Still leave Friday morning, but get creative and stop for two or three shorter events anywhere along I-70 to help slow us down so we don't hit Denver before mid-afternoon.

If any of you along I-70 can help me with fun stuff to do for a group of around 100 people, around 85 of whom are high school aged, it would be great!

Ideas???

[Ryche]

You could do what I did once when going from Minnesota to Colorado. Fuel up before you cross the Missouri River, then don't stop until you hit Colorado. Missing Nebraska (or Kansas in your case) isn't the worst thing in the world.

Of course, telling 100 people they can't go to the bathroom for 300+ miles could be rough.

[Ben E Lou]

You could do what I did once when going from Minnesota to Colorado. Fuel up before you cross the Missouri River, then don't stop until you hit Colorado. Missing Nebraska (or Kansas in your case) isn't the worst thing in the world.

Of course, telling 100 people they can't go to the bathroom for 300+ miles could be rough.Well, we have two charter buses, so the bathroom isn't the issue. The issue is having 40-45 teenagers on each bus going stir-crazy from being on a bus that long. :p

[WSUCougar]

Well, here’s a few possibilities off the top of my head:

The Gateway Grizzlies minor (rookie) league baseball team has a home game on 5/28. They are one of two area teams that are models of rookie league success (the other is the River City Rascals, who are not in town). The games are inexpensive, the stadiums are great, and it’s a lot of fun.

The St. Louis Zoo is very highly regarded. Actually, you could do Forest Park and offer a number of options. The zoo, the Art Museum, the History Museum, the Science Center, plus the huge park itself, all in one area.

Six Flags is just west of metro St. Louis.

Kind of an unknown gem (in my opinion, at least) is the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site across the river in Illinois. This was a HUGE city site of the native Mississippian culture, and the visitor center and mounds are quite cool.

The Arabia museum in Kansas City is pretty amazing. The Arabia was a riverboat that sank in the Missouri River during the mid 19th century and was excavated out of a corn field (the river shifted) a few years ago. The stuff they pulled out was incredible…it’s like a department store from that era. The museum is very well done.

The Negro League Baseball Museum is located in Kansas City, and worth a visit.

[fantastic flying froggies]

For reference on what to do while on the bus, see this thread :

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=22829

:D

[Ragone]

There is several stuckey's along i-70 (local joke)

hmm..really not alot between st louis and kc on i-70.. always the st louis zoo i suppose.... of course.. the entire downtown st louis area smells like one..

[fantastic flying froggies]

The Negro League Baseball Museum is located in Kansas City, and worth a visit.
I don't mean to threadjack, but just a quick question :

As a non-american, I am surprised that this name, which I assume is very politically incorrect, has been kept. Why is that ?

[cthomer5000]

I don't mean to threadjack, but just a quick question :

As a non-american, I am surprised that this name, which I assume is very politically incorrect, has been kept. Why is that ?beacuse the leagues were called The Negro Leagues (for example: Negro National Leauge).

edit: grammar.

[Hawglaw]

Well, here’s a few possibilities off the top of my head:

The Gateway Grizzlies minor (rookie) league baseball team has a home game on 5/28. They are one of two area teams that are models of rookie league success (the other is the River City Rascals, who are not in town). The games are inexpensive, the stadiums are great, and it’s a lot of fun.

The St. Louis Zoo is very highly regarded. Actually, you could do Forest Park and offer a number of options. The zoo, the Art Museum, the History Museum, the Science Center, plus the huge park itself, all in one area.

Six Flags is just west of metro St. Louis.

Kind of an unknown gem (in my opinion, at least) is the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site across the river in Illinois. This was a HUGE city site of the native Mississippian culture, and the visitor center and mounds are quite cool.

The Arabia museum in Kansas City is pretty amazing. The Arabia was a riverboat that sank in the Missouri River during the mid 19th century and was excavated out of a corn field (the river shifted) a few years ago. The stuff they pulled out was incredible…it’s like a department store from that era. The museum is very well done.

The Negro League Baseball Museum is located in Kansas City, and worth a visit.

Ditto on the minor league teams... I live about 2 miles from the River City Rascals' ballpark, and it is a great time.

There is also the City Museum, which is a crazy place and a good time....

[Hawglaw]

DOla...

I just took a look at an events calender for May 28th and there are a few things going on...

Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at the Fox that night. (I wasn't sure if it was a church group you were taking) The Fox is one of the most beautiful theatres in the country.

The Rib America Festival is also that weekend downtown.

St. Louis has two greek festivals...one small one and one large one. The smaller of the two is going on out in the west suburbs.

Just a couple of ideas...

[Ben E Lou]

I just got off the phone with the Gateway Grizzlies' ticket office. Sounds intriguing, but one problem: last year we saw Sammy Sosa and Co. at Wrigley. I'd hate for the *many* new kids going this year to feel like they're getting a second-class trip. Something I'll have to consider before making that decision...

[dawgfan]

If you stop in Kansas City, I recommend a visit to a Gates BBQ. Good stuff, though I admit my BBQ taste buds are severely limited in knowledge being from the Pacific NW and all...

I thought the St. Louis Zoo was quite good and also enjoyed the rest of Forest Park, though the museums and such might not appeal as much to the age group you're travelling with.

There's really no reason to stop anywhere between KC and Denver on I-70 from my experience.

[primelord]

I say we all just go play poker over at WSUCougar's house. :)

[dacman]

There will be a lot of stuff going on that weekend in both KC and St. Louis due to the Memorial Day weekend. I'm sure you can find something in either city.

If you go to the KC game you'll probably need to buy tickets ahead of time -- that is THE most popular weekend to go to a game (well, it was last year anyway) -- or you could hope they're not as good. :p

I don't think you'll get out of the KC area before midnight (the stadium is on the extreme eastern edge of the city -- Missouri side) with that large of a group if you go to the game, so I think your 9am in Denver estimate is probably ambitious.

[MizzouRah]

Ditto on the minor league teams... I live about 2 miles from the River City Rascals' ballpark, and it is a great time.

There is also the City Museum, which is a crazy place and a good time....
Ok, I pass up the TR Hughes exit almost everyday... unless I'm on 40. :)

We need to meet at Ethyls someday for a cold one. :D -or- my Uncle owns the Hot Shots bar and grills.


Todd

[sooner333]

Well, since there's nothing between Salina, KS, and Denver, I wouldn't know for that leg. There's a lot of wheat and Bob Dole's boyhood home.

[MizzouRah]

I say we all just go play poker over at WSUCougar's house. :)

Can do! Party at WSU's house!!! I'm sure he has enough room for a bunch of high school kids.


Todd

[MizzouRah]

SD,

A KC game would be a blast... I've always liked going to a few games a year there.


Todd

[randal7]

St. Louis Zoo is good, and the price is right (free). The Science Center should be fun for that age group, but has a small charge. The Missouri Botanical gardens in St. Louis might be tame for that age, but they have a pond with hundreds of huge Koi carp that you can feed (you have to see this to really appreciate it). The Gardens charges for admission, also, though (and sneak your own fish pellets in). For anyone who has been to the Orlando parks, Six Flags will seem small and dirty. If you come through Illinois, there is a nice mall just across the river from St. Louis in Belleville, IL. Meramac Caverns is past St. Louis off of I70 and is nice if you like caves.

[sooner333]

BTW, I liked Kaufman Stadium a lot more than Busch on my baseball stadium trip of the Midwest this summer. Kaufman was less crowded, nicer venue to watch a game, and you could get much cheaper tickets. Granted, nobody was there because they played the Tigers. However, the Cardinals have much better fans. But, it was a pretty cool place to watch a game. When you're in the stadium you really have no clue you're in the middle of a parking lot by the freeway in a not great area of KC; its pretty senic.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

If you go to Kansas City, make sure you take the kids to Gates Barbeque. Some of the best ribs I ever had. I order their sauce here in NYC it was soooo good. Just remember your cell phone! :D

[SackAttack]

Missing Nebraska (or Kansas in your case) isn't the worst thing in the world.

I've never been through Nebraska, but I wholeheartedly agree about Kansas. My dad usually isn't crazy about driving long distances at night, but when he and Mom drove to Columbia to pick me up from Mizzou in May '00, on the way back, we stopped in Kansas City for some BBQ (I don't think we ate at Gates, but there's just a ton of good BBQ eatin' in that area), and then just put the pedal to the metal until we crossed the western Kansas border.

Then, and only then, did we look for a hotel. :D

[JeeberD]

Once you get to Denver go to Highlands Ranch (my old 'hood) and eat at Beau Jo's Pizza. Trust me, it's totally worth the trip. And if you don't trust my recommendation, ask Bucc. He'll back me up on this one...

[Glengoyne]

Can't go wrong with Gate's or any number of other places to be honest. In Denver I always reccomend the Buckhorn Exchange. You can get a great meal in a memorable, albeit a bit over the top, setting. Go for the Oysters. They are of the inland variety.

[Glengoyne]

dola,
hehe I missed where you mentioned the part about "Hauling a bunch of kids around the country". Before anyone points out that you say that in the front line of your post, I'll lamely guess that I skipped right to your itenerary. I doubt the Exchange would meet your budgetary requirements. I do love to reccomend it to folks though.

[Hawglaw]

Ok, I pass up the TR Hughes exit almost everyday... unless I'm on 40. :)

We need to meet at Ethyls someday for a cold one. :D -or- my Uncle owns the Hot Shots bar and grills.


Todd

Sounds like a winner to me.... I live off the Bryan Road exit, a couple of exits off TR Hughes. Shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] and we'll have to meet up some time.

[Ben E Lou]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Any other amusement park type venues near I-70?

[panerd]

As a St. Louisan, I would do the Royals thing. If things haven't changed much from about 5 years ago it is pretty easy to get tickets and a really cool place to watch a game. Most of the ideas (zoo, Meramac Caverns, etc.) are only open during the day and wouldn't be of the highest interest to high school kids. It is enough trouble getting any of them to go to any of these places on field trips and that is DURING school.

PS: Your trip is in May? You could have them stop by Columbia, MO and look at the 2003-2004 college basketball national championship trophy. :D

PSII: I am in on the poker game at WSUcougars.

[panerd]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Any other amusement park type venues near I-70?

I live right down the street from Six Flags and there is a highway (not an interstate, but it has bus and truck traffic) that will connect you back to I-70 relatively quickly. And if you are taking the route I would think you would take from Georgia Six Flags is maybe only an hour off track of where you were headed anyways.

[JHandley]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Any other amusement park type venues near I-70?

Worlds of Fun is right off I-70. They just opened a new family/kids area so they are really promoting that right now, but the rest of the park is pretty cool.


hxxp://www.worldsoffun.com/

[JeeberD]

Elitch Gardens is a great amusement park in Denver. At least it was lots of fun about seven years ago when I went there all the time.

I actually think it's a Six Flags park now. Six Flags at Elitch Gardens or something like that...

Edit: Here's a link to it

Six Flags Elitch Gardens (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/elitchgardens/)

[Buzzbee]

I'm thinking you should just pop in a Sanford & Son DVD and cruise right on through to Denver. :D

[Ben E Lou]

I'm thinking you should just pop in a Sanford & Son DVD and cruise right on through to Denver. :DIf I were the only one needing to entertained, that would be a beautiful thing.

Actually, that brings me to another idea I had: anyone know when Return Of The King comes out on DVD? Jen and I own the first two extended versions. We can knock out about 10 hours of bus time with back-to-back-to-back showings of 'em.

[3ric]

The extended version isn't due until November, but the theatrical release could come as early as April if I remember correctly.

[Scarecrow]

Skydog-

Just a word of warning. That weekend is the same weekend that the NHRA O'Reilly Summer Nationals are in Topeka. Every Hotel between KC and Manhattan are a) already sold out, and/or b) charging 3x what they normally would.

If you're into jazz, there's this:

Topeka Jazz Festival (http://www.tpactix.org/tjf04.htm). Taste of Topeka Yard Party. 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Free admission, purchase tickets for food items. Outdoor food festival, lunchtime performance by Danny Jackson and the Topeka Jazz Workshop. Then performances again from 4:30 until Grammy Award nominee, Karrin Allyson takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Topeka Performing Arts Center-8th & Quincy. 234-2787.

[dawgfan]

The extended version isn't due until November, but the theatrical release could come as early as April if I remember correctly.

According to Amazon.com, the theatrical release is due May 25th.