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Kansas City or bust

Click here for slideshow.

My wife and I went to Kansas City last weekend for some truck and IndyCar racing at Kansas Speedway (been to a ton of NASCAR races, but have never been to a truck or IRL race).  We did it mostly because it seemed to be the only time we would ever have a chance (or interest) to go to KC.  Other than KC Masterpiece, George Brett and meat, I didn't really equate many things with the city.  However, upon our return, let me say this: we were both totally blown away by how SWEET KC is!  I was expecting some dinky old cow town, flat as a board, with nothing to do but tip over some cows and watch racing...but was I wrong!

The first thing we noticed driving in from the airport was that it was very hilly and green.  We stayed downtown (on the 23rd floor) and had an awesome view of the whole place.  Lush, green, rolling hills as far as the eye could see. Another thing that quickly struck us was how much character the city had.  Downtown is made up of old, new, colorful, unique buildings that puts Denver's downtown to shame.  And, at night, several of the buildings light up in different colors.

In exploring the area, we checked out an area called Country Club Plaza (the oldest shopping district in the country).  It is a great area full of high-end shops and restaurants in a European style.  We ate dinner at Baja 600, a great mexican restaurant right on the river.

As expected, the food was good virtually everywhere we went.  From McCoy's Public House in Westport, to the Drum Room downtown, to breakfast at Succotash at the City Market, we were never disappointed.

However, the highlight of the trip was without question, the National WWI Museum.  It was the most incredible museum experience I have ever had.  They ran a video at the beginning that helped set the stage in the world pre-war.  I didn't realize the tensions were so high and certainly didn't realize that the dominos fell so quickly due to all countries having stuck deals for helping each other (Ferdinand was shot, a month later Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, a week later the world is at war).  There were a TON of perfectly preserved artifacts, interactive exhibits and everything else you can think of.  And to think...we almost didn't go in...we had to be slightly convinced by the ticket lady to buy tickets.  If you go to KC, this has to be your first stop.  However, don't try to squeeze it in before lunch, it takes all day!!

I am already looking for reasons to go back.  I think the end of September is a perfect time to (re)visit Kansas City!

In the next post I guess I will talk about Kansas Speedway, the whole reason we went to KC.

-mike