Fall Escapes
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It’s fall, and they’re back in school now, be it grade school, high school or college. Speaking of college, 417-land is filled again with students, pouring out of local parking lots and clogging strips of asphalt throughout the region. Now is the time to get away. Vacations are more affordable than in summer and offer no less excitement and adventure. You can drive an hour to your nearest small-town festival, hit the Midwest’s major cities for a lost weekend of fun or set your heart racing with new adventures on the ground and in the air. Shoot for the moon. This is your time—time to escape.
Kansas City, Here I Come
By Tiesha Miller
| TIESHA’S TRAVEL TIPS: |
| • A cab from the Plaza to Westport is mucho cheapo. If you think you might get lost or have trouble finding parking, just call a cabbie. |
| • If you ride in one of those horse-drawn carriages on the Plaza, you are a tourist. Also, the 80 valets down there will hate you because the carriages move tediously slow. |
| • For a more comprehensive dining guide (similar to what you’ll find in the back of 417 Magazine), pick up The Pitch, a free alternative weekly. A kiosk is on most corners in Westport. |
| • Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St. Kansas City, 816-561-4000) is just east of the Plaza—47th Street will turn into Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., and the museum will be on the left side with the signature gigantic badminton birdies in the front lawn. |
| • George Brett’s restaurant on the Plaza has high prices with not-so-impressive food and atmosphere. |
Kansas City gives you the best of both worlds. Satiate your refined side with a stroll through the tents at the nationally acclaimed Plaza Art Fair, and then head to the American Royal for finger-licking-good barbecue. In between you have great shopping and dining destinations from the downtown scene to the overflowing options on the Plaza. This cow town has a lot to keep you entertained this fall.
The 28th Annual American Royal Barbecue Contest
When: October 4–7
Where: American Royal Complex, 1701 American Royal Court
Tickets: $10, day of admission.
More info: Call the American Royal at 816-221-9800, or visit americanroyal.com for directions, event information and more.
This world series of barbecue contests is the opening event of the American Royal and the season finale for the competitive circuit. Touting itself as the largest barbecue contest in all the land, the American Royal Barbecue has more than 500 teams enter each year. The grill masters set up in tents in the parking lot of the American Royal Complex, which sits just next to downtown Kansas City. From day to night more than 70,000 visitors join in the barbecue celebration, taking in lots of savory meat and tons of music, all to raise money for American Royal scholarships.
The 76th Annual Plaza Art Fair
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Kansas City's Country Club Plaza |
When: September 21–23, Friday 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Country Club Plaza
Tickets: This is a free event.
More info: Contact Plaza Customer Service, 4745 Central, Kansas City, 816-753-0100, or visit countryclubplaza.com for directions, shop listings, event information and more.
Frequently ranked among the top five art festivals in the nation, the Plaza Art Fair closes down the streets of the Country Club Plaza each fall, sets up white tents and presents 230 artists from 36 states. With the backdrop of the Plaza’s Spanish architecture, this outdoor art gallery comes together after a highly competitive jury process that determines the exhibitors.
An estimated 300,000 people walk the nine blocks to view work in many media, including ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, graphics and printmaking, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, pastels, photography, sculpture and wood.
This year’s Plaza Art Fair showcase artist is Lisa Lala of Lake Lotawana, Missouri.
78th Annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony
When: November 22, Thanksgiving night, 7 to 8 p.m.
Where: Country Club Plaza
Tickets: This is a free event.
More info: Visit countryclubplaza.com
If you’re willing to fight the crowds, and have never seen the Plaza Lighting Ceremony, be sure to find a parking spot early. (All of the Plaza’s parking garages are free and open to the public.) The streets will be packed. Fireworks immediately follow the flip of the switch. The more then 80 miles of lights are hung beginning in August. The main stage is at 47th and Wyandotte streets.
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The Lighting Ceremony on the Plaza |
Plaza Recommendations
A shopper’s paradise: the Country Club Plaza. It also has its fair share of dining delights. Check out countryclubplaza.com for a complete list of stores. Some highlights:
Standard Style Boutique
447 W 47th St., Kansas City, 913-312-1097
If you like Staxx, this is likely your scene. Standard Style’s Plaza location was designed by Springfield native and architect Matthew Hufft.
Kona Grill
444 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, 816-931-5888
This place was a very big deal when it opened a few years ago. Great sushi. If you go for happy hour and sit in the bar, there are sushi specials and strawberry margaritas (they taste fruity, but watch out, they’re strong little guys).
The Capital Grille
4740 Jefferson St., Kansas City, 816-531-8345
Very few places in 417-land can stack up to the high-end food and service at this great place to spot Kansas City influentials. Try the Stoli Doli pineapple martini. Beware the subtle taste, it’s extraordinarily strong.
