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On my next trip, I plan to make a round trip day trip on the Ann Rutledge from Kansas City to Jefferson City. What is business class like on this train? What comes with this business class? Is it worth the extra $15 each way?
gregbkc Member # 3726
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I've made this day trip several times as I have family in Jeff City. I've never taken business class on the Rutledge but the train is rarely busy and you will have plenty of room to yourself in coach. I would just pocket the $15 especially since it's only a short ride between the two cities.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks, Greg. I had heard the train was often late; is that the case? I plan to visit the capitol and the restored buildings near the train station. If you have any other suggestions on what else to see, and where to have lunch, feel free to make them! I'll be on foot, but I walk a fair amount and like to see nice old buildings, among other things. I am going on a weekday.
gregbkc Member # 3726
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I wish I could make some suggestions but I'm not familiar enough with downtown Jeff City to do so. From my experience I can tell you that the train station is an easy walk to the capital, the governors mansion, historic downtown, and lot's of place's to eat a great lunch.
And what you have heard about the trains that run in Missouri is correct,they are never on time and often run into rather lengthy delays. It's not unusual for the west bound train to be a couple hours late coming into Jeff City. But on the positive side, the Jeff City station is comfortable and manned by great volunteers so you will have pleasant company if you have to wait.
If you need any info about KC let me know as I'm only a stones throw from Union Station.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Greg, Thanks for the offer. Right now, per advice here, I'm staying by Country Club Plaza in KC, the two hotels by Union Station being too expensive. I did not investigate staying downtown because people here recommended the Plaza and I got a pretty good rate there. The hotel I'm staying in does have a shuttle that would take me to Union Station, although perhaps not at all the times I'll be departing and arriving. But I can take it there for my visit to Union Station and the WWI memorial/Liberty Park. The shuttle will not go to the other places I plan to visit (other than Jeff City, I mean) are the Arabia/City Market, the Jazz Museum/Negro Leagues Museum at 18th and Vine, and the Truman sites in Independence. I'll be with a friend with a car for the Truman stuff, but my friend is not available during the day on the weekdays when I'll be visiting the Arabia and the museums at 18th and Vine, so I'll be on my own getting there. Renting a car is not an option; I don't drive well enough to drive in a strange city. I'm thinking I might either take a bus (MAX) from the Country Club Market area downtown to the Arabia OR taking the shuttle again to the Union Station area and walking down (Broadway? Main?) to the City Market area. I like to walk but I don't know that it is a good idea, timewise, trafficwise, safetywise; what do you think? In any event, I'd see the Arabic, have a nosh at city market, and then take a taxi to the museums at 18th & Vine, see the museums, and phone a taxi to take me back to the hotel, waiting in the Blue Room at the Jazz Museum for the cab. Hopefully this will all be easy and safe for a woman alone?
BTW, I heard from someone in Missouri tourism office that one of the Missouri trains is to be cut; do you know when? They didn't.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Easiest and best way to the City Market (Arabia Museum) from the Plaza is taxi.
You can ask the hotel front desk about options to/from 18th and Vine. I don't do bus in this town, it doesn't come close to reaching my part of town. (Parkville).
Unfortunately I'm working 6AM-7PM at the moment (and will be until the 15th), or I'd ask which hotel.
You might also check out whatever is going on at UMKC. There's always something; the Conservatory of Music has an excellent reputation.
Westport is another area fairly close to where you're staying with good night life.
gregbkc Member # 3726
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I'll ask. . . Which hotel are you staying in? The Plaza is definitely where you want to be. If you enjoy walking, you will love the pedestrian friendly Country Club Plaza with all its stores, fountains, Brush Creek walkway, and Mill Creek Park. The Plaza is the crown gem of KC and is very safe.
From the Plaza you can easily get to the Steamboat Arabia Exhibit by utilizing the Max as you mentioned. Walking from Union Station is a lot further than it sounds. (However, it would be safe to do along Main during weekdays) The City Market (5th and Grand) stop on the Max will literally drop you off right across the street from the main entrance to the Arabia. The Max is safe, reliable, and most importantly (to me) cheap. I use it all the time. The blue/grey buses are easily recognizable since they are different than all other city buses meaning its impossible to get on a wrong bus. You could also get to Union Station and Liberty Memorial/WWI Museum by Max as it stops at Union Station as well. Here is their website if you haven't seen it.
I'm glad to hear that you will be visiting the WWI museum. It is a fascinating visit for history buffs. Be sure to also go up the Liberty Memorial Tower for some great views. The Truman House and Library are also very interesting, good thing you will have a driver to get to those places. You definitely will need to cab it to 18th and Vine area. I like your plan.
One other place you might want to consider going is the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Its an easy 5 minute walk from the Plaza and is safe during daylight hours. You simply can't come to Kansas City without seeing our giant shuttlecocks in the Nelson's front lawn.
And finally, I haven't heard a thing, other than the usual rumors, about the Mules or the Ann Rutledge closing down. Certainly there will be no change in the immediate future. But beyond that, I'm fearful that they eventually will be gone.
Here's some pics I took a while back of KC Union Station and surroundings to wet your appetite. Happy traveling!
(Sorry for the long post, I just like to show off my city to visitors whenever I can!)
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Sojourner, if you are willing to dig a little deeper, I think you would be more comfortable at the Marriott/Country Club Plaza. I drove right by your Best Western/Seville on my way to Marriott last summer (and a 'hook up' with Mr. Pullman) - and I was just as glad. Possibly you would have differing thoughts, but the Marriott rate did not "push my obscenity button".
Yes, CCP is truly an attractive area, but to get there from Union Station, you do traverse some "rough country' (even though cleaned up from my railroad days when I frequently went to KC on business) where businesses such as Payday Loans are quite visible.
From the Marriott, should you wish to check up on your investments, American Century's HQ is right X the street and if you wish to check up on your taxes, H&R Block's HQ is also there.
It would appear though if you want to stay in the heart of CCP, here is a directory of hotels. However, I think some of those properties WOULD push my button.
But I certainly defer to Messrs. Greg and Pullman - they live there; I only visit on occasion.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thank you for the info, everyone. I will try to take the MAX down to Arabia and then a taxi from there over the 18th & Vine museums & another taxi back to my hotel. And I will try to see the art museum while in KC if there is time--esp if it rains! I'll try to walk over and see the outside anyway. And don't worry, Mr Norman, I won't stay at the Best Western Seville! In fact, I never heard of it.
Where, precisely, is this Westport neighborhood? It sounds like another nice area to walk around in. Can I walk over from Country Club Plaza (if there is time)?
The info about one of the Missouri trains being canceled came from a fellow I spoke with over the phone at the Jeff City tourist info toll-free number. He said he had been to a meeting where it was announced that one of the MO Amtrak trains was going to be dropped due to lack of funding. Hopefully, it won't be before I make my trip! I am (obviously) taking the Ann Rutledge, but he didn't remember which one, or when it was going to happen.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I think just as well, Ms. Sojourner; somehow I read, likely owing to your Plaza references, into your posting that is where you planned to stay when apparently I should have read "undisclosed location'.
But my comments regarding a walk between Union Station/Hallmark Crown Center and Country Club Plaza stand - I doubt if our local knowledge will refute same.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Well, I feel so glamorous about staying at an "undisclosed location" that now I definitely won't tell!
Speaking of undisclosed locations reminds me of when I saw a certain prominent political-type person in the ACELA lounge in NYP. He had been staying in an undisclosed location off the lounge, I gather, but came thru on leaving to board the ACELA.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Long, long years ago, I rode my bike from the Westin to the Plaza. (I was staying at the Westin at the time; I was a young Army officer, bachelor, with money to burn).
I would not recommend walking.
Greg likes the ATA. I don't. I've seen enough seedy characters at various bus stops on Main. Your call.
Another jump spot from the Seville Plaza is the Embassy Suites Westport/Plaza.
OK, so the General Assembly is going through its periodic soul-search for the 2d daily frequency. That happens every few years. Neither Amtrak nor UP have helped themselves with the OTP in keeping the service.
gregbkc Member # 3726
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I hope I'm not considered one of those "seedy" characters! (And for clarification, walking between the Plaza and downtown was never recommended. It would be quite unpleasant espicially considering the hills)
And to keep this post more topic related. . . I remembered reading a recent KC Star article about the current state of the track between KC and St. Louis and was actually able to find it online. A good read for anyone interested.
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I used to live in a town so small and obscure it was not on the state road map. Now that's an Undisclosed Location!
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Speaking of small towns and "undisclosed locations," my wife took the SWC from Chicago to LAX many years ago (with her first husband -before we got back together) and they were in coach. She tells me that, at about "2 in the morning," a rowdy passenger was put off the train in a place called Henrietta, Kansas -- as you all know, I have a set of very detailed USGS topographic route-maps covering all of AMTRAK's routes, and I CANNOT find a town called Henrietta, Kansas anywhere. Now there is a Henrietta, Missouri, which is about 20 miles east of KC on the SWC route, but if that if where my wife meant, she would not have gotten there anywhere near 2 AM, unless it was on a very very late westbound SWC.
Anyone from that neck o' the woods ever hear of a Henrietta, Kansas?
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Florence, yes (my Mom lived there in the 1920s).
Henrietta, no.
FWIW, I scrolled the current BNSF system map. No indication of a Henrietta, KS (but various and sundry named sidings are on the list.
I do remember, in the 90s, either a CZ or a SWC on the ex-CB&Q (KC-Lincoln line) diverting account something major in Iowa. Enough delay could make Henrietta MO at 2AM be possible!
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(And for clarification, walking between the Plaza and downtown was never recommended. It would be quite unpleasant espicially considering the hills)