powercatsteve
< 25 Posts
Hey everybody, hope everybody is ready for the tournament and will be making the trip up to KC. As a KC resident who lives close to the arena, I'd like to offer my help to any and all Big 12 fans. I'm a member of the Big 12 fan information volunteer group that will be in the lobbies of many downtown hotels during the tournament for any help you might need (even if you aren't staying at one of the hotels, feel free to stop in and ask a question). To take care of some basic info, I put together this little guide to help plan your trip. You can also contact me directly at [email protected] with any questions . Also if you are on twitter, you can follow me @downtownkc (www.twitter.com/downtownkc) where I'll be live tweeting information and answering questions from fans.
Tickets - Men's are gone and anybody that's been to a tournament before knows the drill. Hang around the arena as teams lose to snatch up tickets. Scalping is legal in Missouri. Women's tickets are still available.
Transportation
Sprint Center and Municipal are an easy walk from many hotels in the downtown loop, for hotels in the crown center neighborhood of downtown, westport, or the Plaza, the easiest way to get to the games is the MAX bus line which runs right down Main. You can see route information here (http://www.kcata.org). For those staying further out in the burbs, there are also park and rides you can use and take the MAX into downtown or parking will be available throughout downtown...I'd recommend taking the bus to avoid parking headaches, especially for the midweek afternoon games. Parking garages are all over downtown, here is a good map (http://www.downtownkc.org/FileUploads/Sprint%20parking%20map.pdf)
KC Areas & General Links
here are links to basic KC neighborhoods of interest
KC Star Big 12 page -The Link
Great downtown map (we'll have these in paper form in the hotels) -The Link
Visitors Association -The Link
Downtown -The Link
P&L district (Downtown) -The Link
Westport -The Link
Country Club Plaza -The Link
18th & Vine -The Link
Legends -The Link
Things to do around the arena outside of eating /drinking
- Big 12 fanfest - all around the P&L district will be blocked off with tvs, things to do, etc. as well as pep rallies (times for pep rallies haven't been announced yet...usually they are right before the game of the team)
- AMC Mainstreet theatre - Great rehabbed theatre by AMC. This place was almost torn down until AMC saved it.
- Lucky Strike - bowling alley not like your traditional (http://www.luckystrike.com)
- Garment District - A newly opened clothing store in the P&L that is actually 9 small boutiques in one. Cool stuff
- The entire crown center/ union station area is a quick MAX ride south.
- Downtown Library - Not your typical attraction but it's a restored bank into the central library...good place to relax away from the busy P&L / Big 12 area. (http://www.kclibrary.org/central)
- Crossroads Art District (www.kccrossroads.org) - A collection of art galleries are in the neighborhood.
- City Market - Great farmer's Market and shopping on Saturday as well as some good restaurants (http://www.thecitymarket.org)
- College Basketball Experience - This place will be packed but its fun....attached to Sprint Center (http://www.collegebasketballexperience.com)
Attractions
Some of my favorite KC Attractions
- country club plaza - Great shopping and dining district as well as a great neighborhood to live in.
- 18th & Vine - Home of the Negro League Baseball Museum (http://www.nlbm.com) and American Jazz Museum (http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com).
- Crown Center (http://www.crowncenter.com) / Union Station (http://www.unionstation.org) / Liberty Memorial (http://www.theworldwar.org) - Great collection of attractions including the National WWI museum, Science City in Union Station, Kaleidscope (http://www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com) & Hallmark Visitors Center (http://www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com) in Crown Center which also has shopping, and ice skating
- Legends - new area in western part of the city, great outlet mall
- Nelson Atkins / Kemper Art Museum - Two great museums in the Plaza if that's your style (http://www.nelson-atkins.org &The Link
- Boulevard Tours - This is actually probably already booked up but if you can sneak in, great local brewery (http://www.blvdbeer.com)
- Casinos - Most casinos are pretty far North. The closest is the Isle of Capri. My personal favorite is Ameristar (it's also the furthest out). I believe Harrah's runs a free shuttle from the P&L district to the casino.
Places to eat and Drink
Most of the places I'll recommend are walkable from the arenas...
The places right around the arenas (in the P&L district) will be packed but I'll run down my opinion of them just so you have a feel for what they offer:
- Bristol - I love this place. Great seafood and a great bar. It's an original KC place that has since expanded regional. $$$
- 801 - Des Moines steakhouse which is solid...but if you are going to blow this type of coin on a steak, I'm going to Plaza III $$$$
- Teds Montana Grill, Famous Daves, Chipotle - known national chains I don't think you need to be told about. They are what they are. $$
- Bice - Northern Italian place...I don't mind it but it doesn't get the best reviews. $$
- Chefburger - Local gourmet burger place. $
- Maker's Maker - Modeled after the liquor, they serve steaks and some nicer stuff....I've never been impressed. $$
- Johnnys - Local (Lawrence) sports bar....solid food $
- Famous Daves - Bad chain BBQ. Look below for recommendations if you want BBQ $
- Mixx - Local salad and sandwich place....good stuff. Not the cheapest place for a salad (go to Cosentinos for that) $$
- Genghis Grill - typical mongolian BBQ place. Pick out your own food, they cook it. $
- Marquee - Bar food attached to the movie theatre. Might be able to sneak in here for a less busy meal. $
- Cosentinos - Our awesome downtown grocery store. Godsend for us living downtown. Good place for a quick, cheap meal.
- Savvy Wine Bar - coffee and wine. Some small food $
- McFaddens - Sports bar with alright food. $
- Gordon Beirsch - chain "brewpub". Food kinda like you would find in an Applebees as far as selection. Nothing bad, nothing that will blow you away. $$
- Kato - Japanese steakhouse...you know, throw shrimp in your mouth. Also has a sushi bar in the back. Never been, can't comment. $
- Frans - 24 hour diner...food is fine..also serves booze. $
- Peachtree - local soul food restaurant. Good stuff. $$
- Flying Saucer - Love this place....chain out of Texas with a ton of beers and some of the better bar food I've had.
- KC Live Bars - Each bar has a theme...
- Pizza Bar - no real theme but they serve pizza,
- Angel's Rock Bar - hard rock themed bar
- PBR Sky Bar - Country themed bar complete with a bull
- Lucky Strike - chain "hip" bowling alley
- Mosaic - DJ lounge type place, bottle service required for a table
- Shark Bar - 80's Music....ladies usually love this place
- Lucky Strike - chain "hip" bowling alley...place is huge.
- Ragland Road - Irish themed bar that has another location in Orlando...huge place with some tasty beers on tap
- Howl at the Moon - This place is a blast for the tournament...dueling piano bar.
Alright, now some of my favorites:
-bbq - Every resident has their own opinion, Gates is my favorite (http://www.gatesbbq.com) closest being at 31st and Main (on the MAX route), Oklahoma Joes is good as well, it's a car trip to Mission and 47th St (http://www.oklahomajoesbbq.com). Jack Stack is a sit down BBQ restaurant downtown (http://www.jackstackbbq.com) or the Plaza.
-steaks - Plaza III (p) (http://www.plazaiiisteakhouse.com) is my gold standard, Majestic (www.majestickc.com) has just reopened downtown and is solid as well as Prime Rib Grille (ran by the people who ran the Hereford House which burned down) (www.primeribgrill.com)
-mexican - Lots of different places can be found on Southwest Blvd, my favorite, due to their strong margaritas is Ponaks (www.ponaksmexicankitchen.com). Mannys (www.mannyskc.com) is also a KC tradition
-italian - Garozzos (www.garozzos.com) is great, Lidia's (www.lidias-kc.com) is also good, more of a northern Italian style (less red sauce, etc). Hole in the wall Anthonys (www.kcanthonysongrand.com) is a hidden gem in my opinion. Cupinis is a great place to grab a quick bite (www.cupinis.com). Pizza Bella is also great (www.pizzabellakc.com)
- seafood - Bristol in the P&L will be absolutely swamped, Pierponts (http://www.herefordhouse.com/content/pierponts2.php) in Union Station is good, McCormick and Schmidts (p) (www.mccormickandschmicks.com) is a chain but it's solid
- Thai - Lulu's in the crossroads is good, a few of our better one's downtown just closed with the recession
- Sushi - Downtown your real only option is Nara (www.narakc.com). Westport has Matsu's which is good.
-quick/cheap - there will be a ton of street vendors around downtown and there are a couple in the P&L that will be swamped with people. Journey a bit further out for these but they serve good quick food...like Cupinis, Peanut, Quaff, Bulldog, Cashew,
-sports bar - In addition to the ones above, If you want something kinda out of the way, head to Quaff for tvs and some alright bar food. There ill be tv's all over the P&L if you just want to watch the game.
-nightlife....of places close to the arena, I love Flying Saucer, Quaff, Nara, Martini Corner (a group of bars that will be a short cab ride from the arenaThe Link Cashew (www.thecashew.com), Bulldog (www.kcbulldog.com)...some out of the way places I like.
This is just a sample...I'm missing quite a few....fire me off an email or tweet if you have a specific request
schedule of events
Tuesday Open Practice (teams 5-12, first four teams don't have an open practice)
Noon-12:40 p.m.: No. 9 Texas Tech
12:45-1:25 p.m.: No. 8 Colorado
1:30-2:10 p.m.: No. 12 Nebraska
2:15-2:55 p.m.: No. 5 Missouri
3-3:40 p.m.: No. 7 Oklahoma State
3:45-4:25 p.m.: No. 10 Oklahoma
4:30-5:10 p.m.: No. 6 Texas
5:15-5:55 p.m.: No. 11 Iowa State
Wed - Men's games begin at 11:30am (bracket -The Link
Thursday - Women's games begin 11:00am (bracket -The Link
Hope everybody has a great time....KC really loves hosting this event and we try to do everybody possible to make it a fun weekend. Love to hear feedback on your trip either good or bad things. Thanks.
Tickets - Men's are gone and anybody that's been to a tournament before knows the drill. Hang around the arena as teams lose to snatch up tickets. Scalping is legal in Missouri. Women's tickets are still available.
Transportation
Sprint Center and Municipal are an easy walk from many hotels in the downtown loop, for hotels in the crown center neighborhood of downtown, westport, or the Plaza, the easiest way to get to the games is the MAX bus line which runs right down Main. You can see route information here (http://www.kcata.org). For those staying further out in the burbs, there are also park and rides you can use and take the MAX into downtown or parking will be available throughout downtown...I'd recommend taking the bus to avoid parking headaches, especially for the midweek afternoon games. Parking garages are all over downtown, here is a good map (http://www.downtownkc.org/FileUploads/Sprint%20parking%20map.pdf)
KC Areas & General Links
here are links to basic KC neighborhoods of interest
KC Star Big 12 page -The Link
Great downtown map (we'll have these in paper form in the hotels) -The Link
Visitors Association -The Link
Downtown -The Link
P&L district (Downtown) -The Link
Westport -The Link
Country Club Plaza -The Link
18th & Vine -The Link
Legends -The Link
Things to do around the arena outside of eating /drinking
- Big 12 fanfest - all around the P&L district will be blocked off with tvs, things to do, etc. as well as pep rallies (times for pep rallies haven't been announced yet...usually they are right before the game of the team)
- AMC Mainstreet theatre - Great rehabbed theatre by AMC. This place was almost torn down until AMC saved it.
- Lucky Strike - bowling alley not like your traditional (http://www.luckystrike.com)
- Garment District - A newly opened clothing store in the P&L that is actually 9 small boutiques in one. Cool stuff
- The entire crown center/ union station area is a quick MAX ride south.
- Downtown Library - Not your typical attraction but it's a restored bank into the central library...good place to relax away from the busy P&L / Big 12 area. (http://www.kclibrary.org/central)
- Crossroads Art District (www.kccrossroads.org) - A collection of art galleries are in the neighborhood.
- City Market - Great farmer's Market and shopping on Saturday as well as some good restaurants (http://www.thecitymarket.org)
- College Basketball Experience - This place will be packed but its fun....attached to Sprint Center (http://www.collegebasketballexperience.com)
Attractions
Some of my favorite KC Attractions
- country club plaza - Great shopping and dining district as well as a great neighborhood to live in.
- 18th & Vine - Home of the Negro League Baseball Museum (http://www.nlbm.com) and American Jazz Museum (http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com).
- Crown Center (http://www.crowncenter.com) / Union Station (http://www.unionstation.org) / Liberty Memorial (http://www.theworldwar.org) - Great collection of attractions including the National WWI museum, Science City in Union Station, Kaleidscope (http://www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com) & Hallmark Visitors Center (http://www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com) in Crown Center which also has shopping, and ice skating
- Legends - new area in western part of the city, great outlet mall
- Nelson Atkins / Kemper Art Museum - Two great museums in the Plaza if that's your style (http://www.nelson-atkins.org &The Link
- Boulevard Tours - This is actually probably already booked up but if you can sneak in, great local brewery (http://www.blvdbeer.com)
- Casinos - Most casinos are pretty far North. The closest is the Isle of Capri. My personal favorite is Ameristar (it's also the furthest out). I believe Harrah's runs a free shuttle from the P&L district to the casino.
Places to eat and Drink
Most of the places I'll recommend are walkable from the arenas...
The places right around the arenas (in the P&L district) will be packed but I'll run down my opinion of them just so you have a feel for what they offer:
- Bristol - I love this place. Great seafood and a great bar. It's an original KC place that has since expanded regional. $$$
- 801 - Des Moines steakhouse which is solid...but if you are going to blow this type of coin on a steak, I'm going to Plaza III $$$$
- Teds Montana Grill, Famous Daves, Chipotle - known national chains I don't think you need to be told about. They are what they are. $$
- Bice - Northern Italian place...I don't mind it but it doesn't get the best reviews. $$
- Chefburger - Local gourmet burger place. $
- Maker's Maker - Modeled after the liquor, they serve steaks and some nicer stuff....I've never been impressed. $$
- Johnnys - Local (Lawrence) sports bar....solid food $
- Famous Daves - Bad chain BBQ. Look below for recommendations if you want BBQ $
- Mixx - Local salad and sandwich place....good stuff. Not the cheapest place for a salad (go to Cosentinos for that) $$
- Genghis Grill - typical mongolian BBQ place. Pick out your own food, they cook it. $
- Marquee - Bar food attached to the movie theatre. Might be able to sneak in here for a less busy meal. $
- Cosentinos - Our awesome downtown grocery store. Godsend for us living downtown. Good place for a quick, cheap meal.
- Savvy Wine Bar - coffee and wine. Some small food $
- McFaddens - Sports bar with alright food. $
- Gordon Beirsch - chain "brewpub". Food kinda like you would find in an Applebees as far as selection. Nothing bad, nothing that will blow you away. $$
- Kato - Japanese steakhouse...you know, throw shrimp in your mouth. Also has a sushi bar in the back. Never been, can't comment. $
- Frans - 24 hour diner...food is fine..also serves booze. $
- Peachtree - local soul food restaurant. Good stuff. $$
- Flying Saucer - Love this place....chain out of Texas with a ton of beers and some of the better bar food I've had.
- KC Live Bars - Each bar has a theme...
- Pizza Bar - no real theme but they serve pizza,
- Angel's Rock Bar - hard rock themed bar
- PBR Sky Bar - Country themed bar complete with a bull
- Lucky Strike - chain "hip" bowling alley
- Mosaic - DJ lounge type place, bottle service required for a table
- Shark Bar - 80's Music....ladies usually love this place
- Lucky Strike - chain "hip" bowling alley...place is huge.
- Ragland Road - Irish themed bar that has another location in Orlando...huge place with some tasty beers on tap
- Howl at the Moon - This place is a blast for the tournament...dueling piano bar.
Alright, now some of my favorites:
-bbq - Every resident has their own opinion, Gates is my favorite (http://www.gatesbbq.com) closest being at 31st and Main (on the MAX route), Oklahoma Joes is good as well, it's a car trip to Mission and 47th St (http://www.oklahomajoesbbq.com). Jack Stack is a sit down BBQ restaurant downtown (http://www.jackstackbbq.com) or the Plaza.
-steaks - Plaza III (p) (http://www.plazaiiisteakhouse.com) is my gold standard, Majestic (www.majestickc.com) has just reopened downtown and is solid as well as Prime Rib Grille (ran by the people who ran the Hereford House which burned down) (www.primeribgrill.com)
-mexican - Lots of different places can be found on Southwest Blvd, my favorite, due to their strong margaritas is Ponaks (www.ponaksmexicankitchen.com). Mannys (www.mannyskc.com) is also a KC tradition
-italian - Garozzos (www.garozzos.com) is great, Lidia's (www.lidias-kc.com) is also good, more of a northern Italian style (less red sauce, etc). Hole in the wall Anthonys (www.kcanthonysongrand.com) is a hidden gem in my opinion. Cupinis is a great place to grab a quick bite (www.cupinis.com). Pizza Bella is also great (www.pizzabellakc.com)
- seafood - Bristol in the P&L will be absolutely swamped, Pierponts (http://www.herefordhouse.com/content/pierponts2.php) in Union Station is good, McCormick and Schmidts (p) (www.mccormickandschmicks.com) is a chain but it's solid
- Thai - Lulu's in the crossroads is good, a few of our better one's downtown just closed with the recession
- Sushi - Downtown your real only option is Nara (www.narakc.com). Westport has Matsu's which is good.
-quick/cheap - there will be a ton of street vendors around downtown and there are a couple in the P&L that will be swamped with people. Journey a bit further out for these but they serve good quick food...like Cupinis, Peanut, Quaff, Bulldog, Cashew,
-sports bar - In addition to the ones above, If you want something kinda out of the way, head to Quaff for tvs and some alright bar food. There ill be tv's all over the P&L if you just want to watch the game.
-nightlife....of places close to the arena, I love Flying Saucer, Quaff, Nara, Martini Corner (a group of bars that will be a short cab ride from the arenaThe Link Cashew (www.thecashew.com), Bulldog (www.kcbulldog.com)...some out of the way places I like.
This is just a sample...I'm missing quite a few....fire me off an email or tweet if you have a specific request
schedule of events
Tuesday Open Practice (teams 5-12, first four teams don't have an open practice)
Noon-12:40 p.m.: No. 9 Texas Tech
12:45-1:25 p.m.: No. 8 Colorado
1:30-2:10 p.m.: No. 12 Nebraska
2:15-2:55 p.m.: No. 5 Missouri
3-3:40 p.m.: No. 7 Oklahoma State
3:45-4:25 p.m.: No. 10 Oklahoma
4:30-5:10 p.m.: No. 6 Texas
5:15-5:55 p.m.: No. 11 Iowa State
Wed - Men's games begin at 11:30am (bracket -The Link
Thursday - Women's games begin 11:00am (bracket -The Link
Hope everybody has a great time....KC really loves hosting this event and we try to do everybody possible to make it a fun weekend. Love to hear feedback on your trip either good or bad things. Thanks.
