Suggestions For The Tourist...

[Highlander]

This is great.  I'll be in town in late June myself and will use the advice too.  Majestic Steakhouse has always been on my list as a place to go.  Think I might try to go this time.  I actually thought that I read on this forum that it was closing. 

[loftguy]

This is great.  I'll be in town in late June myself and will use the advice too.  Majestic Steakhouse has always been on my list as a place to go.  Think I might try to go this time.  I actually thought that I read on this forum that it was closing. 

In 2007 the Majestic closed an ill-advised expansion into Branson.

[PumpkinStalker]

This is great.  I'll be in town in late June myself and will use the advice too.  Majestic Steakhouse has always been on my list as a place to go.  Think I might try to go this time.  I actually thought that I read on this forum that it was closing. 

I went a month ago and thought it didn't live to the hype.  Didn't really find the cut of meat much better than elsewhere.  Paid $42 for my strip, it was about a $28 steak to me.  The bartender was very good though, and made some good old fashioned martinis.  The atmosphere is great, service is fine, I just left thinking I paid double.

[mean]

I would agree that it is a little overpriced insofar as I'm not sure that any steak is really worth over $40. But if there is one that is worth that, I would suggesting looking for it at the Majestic. I have had several steaks there, and they have all been on a completely different level than what I've had at other places. However, I must confess I have never tried Plaza III.

Damn, I may have to hit Plaza III tonight just to compare. 

[nota]

Many of  my birthday dinners were spent at Majestic while we lived there.

I never thought it was overpriced nor that the steaks were bad quality. And the service was always perfect-old school perfect.

Someone could go there just for the history alone.

[nightotter]

Just FWIW-can that word "outsider" - to me, that is just a nasty way to say someone doesn't "belong" here.

I've lived as an "outsider" in both STL and KC. It is just a hateful way to segregate folks.

Just my opinion.

Changed. Outsider does seem a little dramatic. Thanks for all the input everyone.

[Cyclops]

The best steak I've ever had was at the Plaza III.

[KCPowercat]

The best steak I've ever had was at the Plaza III.

I second that....great local steakhouse.

[IraGlacialis]

If you are willing to make the trip down to the direct southern edge of KC, I'd recommend Jess and Jims steakhouse. My favorite place since I was little. And local too. And the unlimited beets... 
http://www.jessandjims.com/

As for places to visit, some definates are:
Nelson-Atkins (take some time to enjoy the weather and stroll around the sculpture garden)
Liberty Memorial/WWI Museum
Union Station
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
City Market during a weekend morning (good fresh produce at that time). The adjacent Steamboat Arabia museum is worth visiting.

As for jazz, 18th and Vine district. The place has been on an unfortunate decline lately, but you will find some bars/restaurants with performers. While you are there, stop at Arthur-Bryants for some ole KC-style BBQ (not for the fat-phobes). 

If you are looking for something varied to consume, go to Westport or 39th & State Line. Excellent selection of local restaurants in those two places.

If you come during the first friday of August, I suggest going to the Crossroads Art District for First Fridays. Admittedly quite packed and touristy during the summer, but still interesting.

[bobbyhawks]

The best steak I've ever had was at the Plaza III.

If price is no option, the American Restaurant will dominate every time.  You can't really go wrong with anything they serve, but they'll get you a great cut of meat for sure.

[mayor_of_waldo]

bbq - bryant's, 18th and brooklyn.

steak - plaza iii, country club plaza.

beer and pizza - grinders, 18th and locust.

tapas and sangria - la bodega, southwest blvd and avenida cesar chavez.

jazz - mutual musicians foundation, 19th and vine (arrive after midnight).

view - skies, a restaurant at the top of the hyatt regency in crown center.  get dinner elsewhere and go here for a nightcap.

brewery tour - boulevard brewery, 23rd and southwest blvd

wwi museum - liberty memorial, penn valley park

nelson-atkins museum of art - east of the plaza on emanuel cleaver ii blvd

if you are here on the first friday of august, you should check out the First Friday art crawl in the crossroads arts district. 

That is a nice list, I 2nd it.

[QueSi2Opie]

Mama Ray at Harlings

Mama Ray doesn't play at Harling's anymore.  She now belongs to The Embassy next door.

Anyway, here's my list...

BARBECUE: Arthur Bryant's (near 18th & Vine Jazz District) or Fiorella's Jack Stack (Freight House District)
STEAK: Plaza III (the Plaza) or Hereford House (downtown)
MEXICAN: Manny's (Southwest Boulevard near downtown) or Rudy's Tenampa Taqueria (Westport)
SEAFOOD: Bristol (Power & Light District located in the Central Business District)
BURGER: Westport Flea Market (Westport in midtown)
BREAKFAST: Succotash (City Market)
ITALIAN: Cigar Box (on Grand, across the bridge from Sprint Center) or Anthony's (on Grand, downtown)
PIZZA: Waldo's (in the Waldo District, south KC) <---fantastic thin crust
BRUNCH: Tomfooleries (the Plaza)

NIGHTLIFE: The Power & Light District (downtown), Martini Corner (31st and Gillham), Westport (midtown), and the Plaza (south midtown)

BLUES/JAZZ: KC Blues & Jazz Juke House (18th & Vine Jazz District), Blue Room (18th & Vine Jazz District), Jardine's Jazz Bar (near the Plaza), Knucklehead's Saloon (East Bottoms). 

SHOPPING: The Plaza (south midtown) and Crown Center (downtown).

MUSEUMS/HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (the Plaza), The Liberty Memorial Monument & the National WWI Museum (downtown), The Negro Leagues Museum/American Jazz Museum (18th & Vine Jazz District), Union Station (but skip the Science City museum unless you have kids), and The Steamboat Arabia Museum (City Market).

AMUSEMENT PARKS: World's Of Fun (KC North)

CASINOS: Ameristar Casino or Argosy Casino are the nicest of the four. Skip the Isle of Capri. 

[nightotter]

Does Waldo Pizza sell by the slice? I've seen it on a lot of lists here.

nightotter, what kinds of things do you like to do in Chicago.

Sorry, I missed this question. Wine and Dine, of course. Music (classical to punk), Local history. Architecture. Art. Sporting events. Fairs.

[Highlander]

Does Waldo Pizza sell by the slice? I've seen it on a lot of lists here.



Sporting events

While not a sporting "event", I understand the College Basketball Experience next to the Sprint Center is worth the visit. 

[ignatius]

Sorry, I missed this question. Wine and Dine, of course. Music (classical to punk), Local history. Architecture. Art. Sporting events. Fairs.

Wine and Dine:  BlueStem in W Westport (up for James Beard award), Room 39 on W39th, 1924Main and Michael Smiths (James Beard winner) at 19th/Main MAX stop, American in Crown Center.  JJ's and Starkers on Plaza for massive wine selection (Wine Spectator Grand awards).

For music, check pollstar.com when you come to town and pitch.com calendar.  Check out Crossroads Station behind Grinders, The Brick in Xroads and Korruption in W Bottoms for an all ages thrash show (is that still going?) - looks like you're 42 in profile, don't know if ages would be your thing.  Knuckleheads for gritty blues in industrial E Bottoms - but can book too twangy for me. 

More I think about it, might make the effort to do The Foundation at 18th/Vine area (Sat after 1AM).  That's about as historical of a local experience as it gets in KC.

Also may be surprised to hear theatre is very strong in KC, considered 3rd largest of Midwest/South with a couple dozen union companies and 80+ professional companies.. Check out Unicorn, MO Rep, Off Center in Crown Center or an outrageous Ron Megee camp theatre extravaganza - bunch of others listed at www.kcstage.com.

[ignatius]

Mama Ray doesn't play at Harling's anymore.  She now belongs to The Embassy next door.

Fixed.  Thanks I knew that and brain farted or somethin.

[ignatius]

By the time you get here, a new nitelife trolley service called "KC Strip" will take you to nitelife spots for 10 bucks from downtown to Waldo (75+ block stretch).  Will run til 3AM.

[KCFan]

I'd recommend the College Basketball Experience if you like college hoops at all.  National WWI museum is a must see in my opinion.

[ignatius]

If I recall, the WWI museum was produced by the Holocaust/Smithsonian museum.

[nightotter]

I've got a rough map started. Still need to fill in places...

Click here

or

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=l&hl=e ... 51405&z=13