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I have one midwestern trip in the planning stages that I might be able to fit in either the last week of February or the end of the second week of March (I need to be back before Easter weekend, early this year). I'm worried about the weather--will I be able to see the sights I hope to see at that time of year, or will it most likely be too cold, snowy, bad for train travel, and even a good chance of tornadoes! (I think there were quite a few last year?) So . . . what do you think? Also, which route would you take home--I have never been on the Missouri route--is it really nice east of Jefferson City or should I use the SW Chief home (see below)? Note that I have no extra days for any more stopovers or anything; I'll have to save St Louis for another time.
Planned Itinerary Day 1: Cap Ltd overnight to Day 2: Chicago, then SW Chief to Topeka, arriving in wee hours of what is technically the next day Day 3: see Kansas capitol, maybe prairie home or Brown vs Board or something else in Topeka Day 4: early train to Kansas City, see some sights (esp want to see that boat and maybe tour the train station if available; also interested in toy museum, jazz museum, WWI museum, ribs, etc; would do some of this Day 7) Day 5: continue in Kansas City, bus or taxi to Independence, Missouri, see Truman sights Day 6: continue in Kansas City, Amtrak round trip on Missouri route to Jeff City, see Missouri capitol Day 7: continue in Kansas City, see rest of sights I can fit in Day 8: leave either on Missouri train for Chicago or on SW Chief--per above, is it worth giving up changeover in Chicago to see the Missouri route east of Jeff City on the Missouri train this time of year?; anyway, whichever I do, catch LSL overnight Day 9: and get home
Note that I have no extra time for any more stopovers on this trip and would have to save St Louis for another time. . . .
notelvis Member # 3071
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Hey Sojourner,
Sometimes in the off-season they use superliner coaches on the Missouri trains. IF (and those closer to that part of the country could tell you when) that's the case on your trip, I would consider using that train via St. Louis to Chicago.
If not, the SWC and it's superliner comfort with a few extra hours in Chicago seems preferable to the Missouri service since you would have just gone roundtrip to Jefferson City a few days earlier. KCY to CHI via STL is an awfully long ride in an Amfleet or Horizon fleet coach with tiny windows.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks for that tip, David. Another option, which we talked about, is to leave KC a day early, take the Ann Rutledge to Jeff City and stay there overnight, then leave from there to Chi on the Ann Rutledge+Lincoln Svc next day. I could probably cash in one of my business class upgrades for the Jeff City to Chicago part, or just "splurge" on bus class, would that be any better? And I did just find a hotel that is walking distance of both the train and the capitol. Problem is, though, that given my schedule, I'd be coming into Jefferson City on a Monday. The capitol is open, but the buildings down by the railroad station would not be! OTOH, if I do the round trip from Kansas City a few days before, I could get to JEfferson City on a Friday or Saturday, which sounds like it would work better. But I think you're right: If I do the round trip to Jeff City, I'm gonna take the SW Chief home and forget the rest of the Missouri route, even though I may never be there again!
Anyway, my main concern is the weather. I would like to get this long-planned trip to KC (now with Topeka and JC) "under my belt"--but the best time for me right now (because of other trips and commitments) is really the last week in February through first few days in March, and I'm just worried about the weather. I hate to spend a lot of money making a trip and then get to see very little because of snow or something. . . .
Update: Well, the people at the Truman sites say not to come end of Feburary beginning of March--too likely to be icy, and the sites are far apart. And ANYWAY, the hotels seem too pricey to me. So I think I'll have to forget about this for this year. I cannot afford to go!
Another update: I did find a hotel at the KC Country Club Plaza I can afford, the Holiday Inn. Trip advisor reviews aren't so promising, so I'm not sure what to do. They have a free shuttle of sorts, which is good. And I could afford it even in April . . . well, not sure what to do. Anyone know this hotel?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Sojourner, for a "hook up" this past July with a Member here and dinner at the Golden Ox, the Marriott Country Club Plaza, was (senior rate) $110.
Oh, and should there be any American Century funds in your portfolio, you'll be right across the street from their HQ; should you use H&R Block for your income tax preparation, their HQ is also just a stone's throw away. Even HQ for Kansas City Southern Railway is not far away.
But then, as is the case with all of Corporate America nowadays, there aren't too many "visitors welcome' signs hanging out front.
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