Arabia Steamboat Museum, located in the River Market area (available by tolley from Crown Center), exhibits the frontier bound cargo recovered from the Arabia steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856. The excavation in 1989 recovered 200 tons of supplies, including clothing and shoes, medicines, guns, bottled fruits and vegetables, jewelry and perfume. Includes a theater presentation, guided tours and a working preservation lab.

Casinos: There are 4 nearby casinos. The Station Casino is the country's 5th largest casino and has a 140,000 sq ft gaming area, a 1400 seat live theater, the Phoenix jazz club and 13 restaurants (including the huge World Feast buffet which will be open until Midnight on Friday & Saturday night) (888)470-7700.
 
 

.	Flamingo Casino KC's gaudiest Casino is about 2 miles away. They have a great crab buffet and live entertainment on Friday evening. You should see this place at night!

Country Club Plaza: This charming shopping, dining and entertainment district was very popular during the 1997 Nebula Awards® weekend. Only 2 miles away, trolley's run between Crown Center and the Country Club Plaza throughout the day and evening.
 

Harry Truman Library & Museum: Year around changing exhibits, plus a new White House Gallery. Open 9-9 on Thursday; 9-5 on Friday, Saturday & Monday and 12-5 on Sunday. Take I-70 south to US 24 than east to Delaware Street - 12 miles. (800) 833-1225. The Truman Home is nearby and offers tours beginning every 15 minutes from 9-4:45 on Tuesday-Sunday. (913) 254-9929.

Robert Heinlein's homes, Ernest Hemingway's homes, Walt Disney's homes and first Studio: All located within a few miles of Crown Center. Depending on interest, a tour might be arranged.

Great Food: Kansas City is known for BBQ and steaks, but there are many other good choices. There are over 40 restaurants within 4 blocks, most of them available without stepping outdoors. Other nearby restaurants of special interest include Arthur Bryants the "classic" KC BBQ restaurant, The Golden Ox, Garozzo's Ristorante, Ghengus Kahn Mongolian BBQ, the Herford House and Lydia's.
 
 

.	Arthur Bryants Classic Kansas City BBQ in huge quantify. 1727 Brooklyn 231-1123 Bryants BBQ is also available without the "atmosphere" at the Station Casino.

Kansas City is also know for Jazz. One of the newest places is located inside the Kansas City Jazz Museum. The Blue Room is only open Thursday-Saturday and Monday. It is a non-smoking bar. The Negro League Baseball Museum is in the same building at 18th & Vine. Less than 2 miles from Crown Center.

Kansas City Zoo: New exhibits include the 95 acre African Exhibit, African Elephant Exhibit, Domesticated Animal Exhibit and the Natural Australian Exhibit. Open daily 9-5 In Swope Park, take I-435 south to the 63rd St exit - 7 miles east (816) 871-5700. Also contains the Sprint Imax Theater. (913) 871-IMAX.

Kansas City Royals: I-70 & Blue Ridge Cutoff, just east of I-435 - 5 miles east (816) 921-8000.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Available by Trolly from the Westin hotel. The collection includes works by such artists as Jasper Johns, Helen Frankenthaler, Frank Stella,   Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Nancy  Graves, Wayne Thiebaud, Grace Hartigan, William Wegman, Red  Grooms, Georgia O'Keeffe, Christopher Brown, Willem de Kooning, and  Robert Mapplethorpe.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of the country’s premier art institutions. Two miles from the Westin hotel, it has prestigious collections of European and American art, but it is known above all for its magnificent collection of Asian art, notably the arts of China, which has made it one of the  nation’s centers for the study of Chinese art. The Museum also is home to outstanding collections of ancient art,  decorative arts and the arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas.

Oceans of Fun: 60 acre tropically themed water park. Water slides, a million gallon wave pool, swim-up bar and other water rides. I-435 and Exit 54 - 8 miles northeast. (816) 454-4545.

Worlds of Fun: Theme park based on Around the World in 80 Days with major rides, shows and attractions. I-435 and Exit 54 - 8 miles northeast. (816) 454-4545.