Visiting Kansas City

[Easy Mac]

This weekend, I will be attending a wedding in Kansas City and I'm staying at the Marriott in Blue Springs.

I'll be flying in Thursday night and was wanting to get suggestions from the locals here (I think there are a few?) on what there is to do on Friday . I was thinking of attending a Royals game, but they are out of town.

Not looking for something crazy as we have a 4 year old (43 inches tall), we have a wedding to attend on Saturday at noon. I've never visited Kansas City before and so I've never had their BBQ (and I am in a hurry to get it.) I think I remember someone posting that there was a decent restaurant for barbecue which may work.

Anyhoo, suggestions?

[Scarecrow]

You're on the wrong side of town for me, but I'll take a shot as far as the BBQ:

- The closest one is probably Zarda BBQ (http://www.yelp.com/biz/zarda-bar-b-q-and-catering-co-blue-springs). I'm not a big fan, think it's along the lines of a Famous Dave's.

- THe closest one that I've actually been to is Smokehouse BBQ (http://www.yelp.com/biz/smokehouse-barbecue-independence?sort_by=date_desc) near Independence Center. It was alright (ate there at 9:00 at night after a full day of softball).

- If you want to go for 'The Name', Gates (http://www.yelp.com/biz/gates-bar-b-q-independence?sort_by=date_desc) is about 12 miles east of your hotel. Been to many Gates throughout the city, and have never been disappointed; they have the best sauce in KC IMHO.

- Finally, the one that I've heard is outstanding and want to try next time I'm over there is Bates City BBQ (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bates-city-bbq-bates-city). Always is listed as a top spot in KC. It's about 10 miles to the east.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Zarda is pretty good stuff. Arthur Bryant's is my personal favorite. Another nice perk is that they have the Negro Leagues Museum just down the block from AB's, so you can hit both and it's a relatively kid friendly museum.

For the kid, take them down to Kaleidoscope at Hallmark. It's at Crown Center. Free admission and they get to be creative and make all kinds of art. There's also two very cool kids restaurants at Crown Center. Crayola has a great restaurant, but my personal favorite is Fritz's Railroad Restaurant. They have automated trains that actually deliver the food directly to your table top. I guarantee your 4 year old will love it.

The Truman Library and Home are both in Independence, which is just up the road from Blue Springs about 10-15 minutes. It's one of the best presidential libraries you'll ever visit. Harry and Bess are both laid to rest there. The home is very neat as well.

The Plaza is a great place for all ages. It's an outdoor shopping area with lots of fountains. Lots of fun statues for the kids and stores for everyone else.

Kansas City Zoo is quite nice as well if you're looking for something for the kids.

I'll post more as I think of it.

[sterlingice]

Here's the contentious KC BBQ thread :)
Kansas City BBQ (and bbq in general) - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=78331)

SI

[vex]

Zarda is pretty good stuff. Arthur Bryant's is my personal favorite. Another nice perk is that they have the Negro Leagues Museum just down the block from AB's, so you can hit both and it's a relatively kid friendly museum.

For the kid, take them down to Kaleidoscope at Hallmark. It's at Crown Center. Free admission and they get to be creative and make all kinds of art. There's also two very cool kids restaurants at Crown Center. Crayola has a great restaurant, but my personal favorite is Fritz's Railroad Restaurant. They have automated trains that actually deliver the food directly to your table top. I guarantee your 4 year old will love it.

The Truman Library and Home are both in Independence, which is just up the road from Blue Springs about 10-15 minutes. It's one of the best presidential libraries you'll ever visit. Harry and Bess are both laid to rest there. The home is very neat as well.

The Plaza is a great place for all ages. It's an outdoor shopping area with lots of fountains. Lots of fun statues for the kids and stores for everyone else.

Kansas City Zoo is quite nice as well if you're looking for something for the kids.

I'll post more as I think of it.

Fritz's is great and it's also right across the street from LegoLand.

[britrock88]

Here's the contentious KC BBQ thread :)
Kansas City BBQ (and bbq in general) - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=78331)

SI

http://kevinandamanda.com/recipes/images/spicy-savory-pulled-pork/spicy-pulled-pork-21.jpg

:D

[Scarecrow]

http://kevinandamanda.com/recipes/images/spicy-savory-pulled-pork/spicy-pulled-pork-21.jpg

:D

:rolleyes: WTH??!???

Now this is a pic of KC BBQ:

http://okjoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oklahoma-joes-burnt-ends.jpg

[Easy Mac]

Gates has the best sauce? Holy shit that was probably the worst BBQ I have eaten. Tried the burnt ends. It was just nasty.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Gates has the best sauce? Holy shit that was probably the worst BBQ I have eaten. Tried the burnt ends. It was just nasty.

Good god, man. You went to Gates?!?!?!