Assistance Needed: 17 year old niece coming to town

[ChandraNH]

Thought I'd ask for some assistance with two issues. 

s noted in the thread title, our 17-year-old niece is coming to visit us for her spring break.  She's a senior in high school in Ogden, Utah and we want to make this special for her (it's also her first time flying and her first time on a trip without her family).

The only thing that she's mentioned wanting to do is go to some Oz exhibit at Crown Center.  I'm not sure how adventurous she is but we do want her experience what life in a large(r) city can be like.  She arrives next Tuesday and will be with us until the following Monday.  I do have the Plaza on the menu as I assume she will wish to shop.


The second issue is that my husband's world of warcraft guild (as geeky and yet not as geeky as it sounds) is coming out to visit us for two days in July (the weekend after the fourth).  What would you recommend as a tour for a largely uhmm..well, some of these guys are the are the people you see in your head when you think of a bunch of 20-40 somethings who sit around playing games online all weekend or after work....nerdy group of adults.  Some will have cars, some won't, some have more money than others. 

I was thinking that we'd do a bbq crawl (several of the group are from Memphis and want to compare) or at least run out and grab platters from OK Joe's, Bryant's, Gates and maybe Fiorella's and bring back to the house.  But then what?  Maybe hang out in the P&L district one night?  In terms of what these guys like to do...play online games, maybe music.  We thought about renting out one of the pools at our health club but that's an awful lot of pasty skin to force on bystanders.

All suggestions are welcome (I put this in the KC Scene forum as I couldn't decide where else would be best).

[grovester]

you are a saint!

[elextendo]

First Friday in the crossroads..museums..and of course GRINDERS

[butter_breath]

I bet the caddy shack would welcome her.
Joking just keep her away from there, they have enough 17 year old's there drinking already.

[kcmetro]

The video game dudes coming in the summer...might want to take them to a Royals game.  Not sure if they're sports fans though.  Or maybe Dave & Busters at the Legends.

[KCMax]

College Basketball Experience?

[heatherkay]

Both or either might like the Nelson.  Especially if the niece is the kind of girl who would hang Monet posters on her wall.  And depending if the gamers are into World of Warcraft just for the hacking up orcs (or whatever the WoW equivalent is) or if they are also into history, armor, etc.

ETA -- Nelson-Atkins has the added advantage of being FREE (with a suggested donation) for the permanent exhibits

[nota]

You're saying "warcraft" which I take to mean planes at least.

In any event, the DT airport used to have a "museum" or hangar of old planes from the WWII era that one might check out. I assume it's still there. I know the "Save a Connie" guys still are there.

17 year old nieces are easy. My granddaughter came to visit me in KC every summer and we had a ball. She's just now 21. Shopping is one thing most teenaged girls love-especially if she is making the transition from HS to college this year. Don't miss out on taking her to Skies (especially at night) and make sure you stay long enough for the full rotation. I think she can go into the bar with you if you don't want to spring for the meal.

If she's at all interested in American History, take her to Fort Leavenworth and take a tour of all the old homes. There is a walking tour or you can just drive around. You can take a sandwich or two and eat on the high bluff over the Missouri and imagine Sacajawea and her friends paddling through. There are two National Cemetaries(sp?) there as well. You can stand in the ruts the covered wagons made as they made their way across the river and on the Santa Fe Trail. Lots of interesting stuff there about the Trail of Tears and the Buffalo Soldiers. If she's not into history though, it will be a boring day.

[LenexatoKCMO]

In any event, the DT airport used to have a "museum" or hangar of old planes from the WWII era that one might check out. I assume it's still there. I know the "Save a Connie" guys still are there.

Its an airline museum.  They do have some old planes now, but decidedly non-warlike.  I believe they usually roll out an old TWA constellation as the primary attraction. 

[staubio]

Its an airline museum.  They do have some old planes now, but decidedly non-warlike.  I believe they usually roll out an old TWA constellation as the primary attraction. 

It is a great small museum.

http://www.airlinehistorymuseum.com/

[Jason]

For the guys, what about the Negro league baseball museum or Steamboat Arabia or WW1 museum.


I have never gone, so maybe someone can chime in here, a tour of the Harley Davidson plant might be interesting....

[WyCo]

As one who has an in-law that plays the game, I would say Dave and Buster's would be your best bet.  Games, drinking, food and TV's.
If the T-Bones are in town they would probably like that, little less jock than going to a Royal's game.  I don't think P&L would appeal to most of them.  Gamers are kind of hard to predict.  Maybe WWI museum and a trip to the top of the tower.
They will probably be good with one night just sitting around, grilling, and shooting the breeze.

17 year old, I would think she would enjoy having lunch in the P&L district, or maybe Sunday brunch at The Bristol.  Shopping on the Plaza, City Market and Steamboat Arabia.  Short tour of The Nelson (for most 17 year olds anyway) and lunch at Rozzelle Court?  Do we have any RLDS things that would be interesting.
Even if she isn't Mormon she might find it interesting.

[staubio]

I'd second the Liberty Memorial suggestion. Usually the WoW types are pretty smart and are interested in warfare and its history. The WWI Museum is top class for anyone, let alone someone with a specific interest in that. My little brother is an avid WoWer and he consistently mentions wanting to come back and see the museum again.

[kucer]

The only thing that she's mentioned wanting to do is go to some Oz exhibit at Crown Center. 

Took my daughter through this a few weeks ago after lunch at Fritz's.  It has a little bit of memorabilia, but for the most part is like the typical exhibits there...intentioned for a much younger audience (aka..crowded space with little ones running around like crazy). 

Fritz's has expanded though and is always great for lunch regardless of your age.

[910penn]

As a WoW nerd myself, I can say that most the people that are in my guild seem to have an interest in sports, casinos and especially beer...so perhaps maybe a wizards or royals game, flying saucer and a night at a casino?

[WyCo]

Wow, you must know way different WoW nerds than I do.

[ChandraNH]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

Nota, World of Warcraft is about orcs, trolls, blood elves, dwarves, humans, undead...all battling each other and their common enemies.  

the 17-year-old is off to college this fall (and I'm thinking an overnight trip to Chicago to get some dorm room type stuff from Ikea might not be a bad idea!)

For the WoWer's then I'm thinking:

Liberty Memorial
Negro Leagues Museum and possibly a cemetary if there are any old Negro Leagues players buried locally
Flying Saucer
BBQ Run
Wizards or Royals game if in town (for any who want to go)
City Market (I just like showing off the city.  I grew up in Memphis and I'm fairly certain that Memphis does not have an equivalent.  I'll also show off the P&L district and the Plaza just because.  And the guild has some women in it so they may enjoy the Plaza more than the guys.)

It would be great if the theater downtown were open at that time and showing the Watchmen, that could be a fun evening for the group.

I'll be putting together a website with suggestions for the guild.

And 910penn, if you'd like to come hang out with them, you're more than welcome.  They are on the Argent Dawn server, hordeside.

[trailerkid]

Don't know what she likes, but this is what would impress me when I was 17:

shopping at the Plaza.

strolling W 39th...maybe lunch at d'Bronx.

strolling Westport...maybe lunch at Blanc.

downtown Lawrence. very nice collection of shops/restaurants that would appeal to many 17 year-olds.

[kcmetro]

If your friends are from Memphis (and Memphis Tiger fans), take them by the college basketball hall of fame and show them the replica trophy they missed out on last year. 

[KCMax]

Negro Leagues Museum and possibly a cemetary if there are any old Negro Leagues players buried locally

Satchel Paige, the greatest pitcher in Negro League history, and quite possibly the best pitcher to ever play baseball period, is buried at Forest Hill Memorial Cemetary at Troost and Gregory.