Our Kansas City Adventure

Eric and I took a weekend trip to Kansas City this weekend in search of good food and free fun...mission accomplished! As you know, when we go on vacation food is usually the main attraction so the hunt for the best barbeque began. I did a lot of research before we left and found our top two places to try. I narrowed it down to Oklahoma Joe's and Fiorella's Jack Stack, although Gates was highly recommended, their's is supposed to be more Memphis style so we nixed that one.

First on the agenda was a stop in Kansas City, Kansas at Oklahoma Joe's Barbeque. Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations guy on tv) wrote an article in Men's Health, "13 Places to Eat Before You Die" and OK Joe's came in at #13. He also stated, "It's the best BBQ in Kansas City, which makes it the best BBQ in the world." That said, we had to try it. We waited in line for about an hour, oh, this place was located inside a corner gas station, and the wait was well worth it. The ribs were the best restaurant/gas station ribs I've had to date. This place lived up to the hype. The other bbq place we ate, not so much.

My meal:

Then is was off to Kansas City, Missouri.


We happened to go on the weekend of an art festival downtown so we checked that out (free).


Then we went on a photo adventure through downtown. Eric in front of the AMC followed by the legendary Drum Room.

Then we headed off to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (free). This place was awesome. You could spend hours in this place and not see everything. I'm a big fan of sculptures and oversized art, so I had a blast with the shuttlecocks!

We also did some shopping (not free) in the Crown Center and there just happened to be a LEGO exhibit going on so I had to check it out for my nephews (free). There were over 30 sculptures completely made out of LEGOS!

Then it was off to try the second barbeque joint, Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque. This place was voted Best in 2008 by VisitKC.com. I thought it was good, not the best. It was a fancy restaurant (nothing like a bbq joint) and had fancy prices to match.

For our final day, we hit the Crown Plaza shopping district and picked up a new car.

Okay, we didn't get the car but the owner did let me hop in it for a photo op after he saw me through the restuarant window posing by it. (free)

So, if you haven't thought about Kansas City for a weekend getaway, I'd say it's worth the drive.