I'm an ex-Kansas Citian and I can suggest many places you might enjoy visiting while out there.
For art, you definitely need to stop by the NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART. It is an amazing collection.
If you want some great history there's the HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY & MUESEUM in Independence, which was already mentioned, as well as the STEAMBOAT ARABIA MUSEUM--which showcases all the artifacts pulled from a sunken Missouri River steamboat (ca. 1856) in near pristine condition. KC is also home to the only national World War I monument, the LIBERTY MEMORIAL & MUSEUM. Music history: check out the AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM in the 18th & Vine District (KC's old jazz neighborhood), and right across from the Jazz Museum is the NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME (if you enjoy baseball history).
If you're interested in natural history, the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS (about 45 min. to the west of KC) has a pretty nice museum of fossils, etc. Also on the Kansas side, is the JOHNSON COUNTY MUSEUM, which has a nifty "1950s All-ELECTRIC HOUSE", which is fun and kitschy.
For shopping, your best bets are the COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA--lots of bistros, restaurants, and boutique shops--and CROWN CENTER. Best areas for Fri. or Sat. nightlife are the POWER & LIGHT DISTRICT or the WESTPORT neighborhood.
The primary wine area in Missouri is around Hermann, MO, which is nearly all the way across the state (about a 3 hour drive). But it's the center of the "Missouri Rheinland" and has the best wine in the state. If you like beer, too, definitely try out KC's local microbrewery, BOULEVARD BEER.
If you're into architecture, there's the famous UNION STATION, of course. There's also a very impressive RLDS TEMPLE in Independence, MO. And I'm sure part of the conference will highlight the brand new KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.
Ryan Koonce
Processing Technician
Library of Congress (Packard Campus for A/V Conservation)
-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dr Rainer E. Lotz
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 6:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Missouri in May
Prior to the ARSC conference at Kansas City I have a week to spend from May 8 thru 14 and intend to rent a car. I have never been to this part of the US before. Any suggestions re what to do in Missouri? My interests include 78s, antiquing, junk shopping, jazz, naïve and modern art, gourmet food and wines, spectacular nature sights. Are there any shops, flea markets, restaurants, museums, collections or collectors, jazz or blues and ragtime concerts? National parks?
Recommended Bed & Breakfast? Should I take in say, Sedalia, or St. Louis or Joplin?
Thanks!
Rainer E. Lotz
Rotdornweg 81
53177 Bonn (Germany)
Tel: 0049-228-352808
Fax: 0049-228-365142
Web: www.lotz-verlag.de
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