Travel Log: Kansas

Kansas City is the heart of America. From good food to the national pastime, the culture of this nation is on display in the Midwest.

There's a movie. There's musical history. There's a motorcycle. But they're all lifestyles. And that's what Kansas City offers to her visitors.

MAP OF KANSAS CITY, KAN.
Click here for directions and an aerial map.

DID YOU KNOW
Henry Perry is considered to be the "father of Kansas City barbecue," although coincidently Perry was born near Memphis, Tenn. Perry served barbecue on newsprint for 25 cents a slab.

WHAT THE AREA OFFERS
Oz Museum -- In Kansas, there's no place like home ... there's no place like home ... there's no place like home. You thought it was only a dream. But in Wamego, Kan., it's reality. The OZ Museum shows how a children's book was transformed into a stitch in the fabric of American culture. Located approximately 100 miles west of Kansas City, for those who believe the dream, follow the yellow brick road.
• For more information, click here

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum -- Go back in time when guys like Moses Fleetwood Walker and Bud Fowler were pioneers and relive the history of the Negro League. It was in 1920 when a meeting at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Mo., resulted in a handful of team owners coming together to form the Negro National League. Today, the museum honors this historical event.
• For more information, click here

American Jazz Museum -- If Kansas City is known for its barbecue, it's known just as much for its history in jazz music. The 1930s saw jazz music make a sharp turn from big-band style to a more swinging, uptempo style of bebop jazz that has been preserved in Kansas City's 18th and Vine historic district. That style of music became Kansas City's style.
• For more information, click here

Harley Davidson Factory Tour -- It's a lifestyle. And those who live it can see where their pieces of beauty are made. The factory in Kansas City, Mo., is behind vehicle and powertrain operations, and puts out the Sportster, Dyna, VRSC and V-Rod bikes.
• For more information, click here

With the weather turning to fall, and since this trip is headed to the Midwest, it would only be appropriate to enjoy such surroundings in a proper way.

• Hayrides at Paradise Park
• Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch
• Renaissance Festival
• Ride Around the World
• Kansas City Pumpkin Patch Festival

MUST-VISIT RESTAURANT
LC's Bar-B-Q -- Kansas and barbecue go together like ... well ... who doesn't like barbecue. All reviews say this is a good old fashioned barbecue joint -- no fancy decor, no fancy napkins, no fancy nothing. And all the reviews say this is a good old fashioned barbecue joint -- good 'cue. Gasbbq.com rated LC's the highest of its 100 barbecue ratings, the only shack to top a 9.0 rating. The slight issue is to get there you have to cross state lines, a whopping 21 miles from the track in Kansas to Kansas City, Mo.
• For more information, click here
• For gasbbq.com's Kansas City barbecue reviews, click here

WEATHER FORECAST
The sun is scheduled to shine all weekend with some clouds moving in on Saturday and Sunday. Highs should be in the mid-70s. Complete forecast

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
Let NASCAR.COM help book your last-minute travel. Click here