Should we base ourselves in Kansas City?

Question

Hi,

Husband and wife 30s planning on coming to KS in May to see the TX Rangers play at Kauffman. While in town we’d also like to visit some of the Presidential Libraries in the area; Truman, Eisenhower and maybe even Hoover - if time permits/makes sense. We’d also like to visit Marceline, MO for Walt’s Hometown Museum.

The plan is to spend 4 nights. Fri - Tues. So for example; Friday evening baseball. Sat - library Sun: library Mon: marceline, Tues: Truman as closer to town.

I haven’t checked operating hours and some places could be closed Mondays/Tuesdays.

My question is , is this too much? Too much moving around? Should we stay in Kansas City or move around ? We’d rent a car. Hoover is probably pushing it as it’s a 5hr drive one way until we could make a little road trip out of it , possibly.

I imagine hotels in the city charge for parking. Should we stay outside of the city ?

Thoughts? opinions ?

Many thanks

Answer

Basing yourselves in Kansas City for a 4-night trip focused on the Rangers game, Presidential Libraries, and a visit to Marceline is definitely feasible, especially since you plan to rent a car. Kansas City is centrally located relative to the Truman and Eisenhower Presidential Libraries, so staying there allows you to make day trips without having to switch hotels constantly. Moving around too much could become tiring, particularly if you’re trying to see multiple sites in a single day.

Here’s a breakdown of your plan and considerations:

Friday – Evening Baseball: Staying in Kansas City makes perfect sense. You’ll have easy access to Kauffman Stadium, and you won’t have to worry about long drives after the game.
Saturday – Presidential Libraries: Truman Presidential Library is in Independence, just east of Kansas City, so a day trip from your hotel is very convenient. The Eisenhower Library in Abilene is about 2 hours northwest; it’s doable as a day trip if you start early, but you’ll spend a fair bit of time driving.
Sunday – Another Library or Eisenhower/Truman: Depending on Saturday’s pace, you could finish visiting the Eisenhower Library or spend a more relaxed day around Kansas City or Independence.
Monday – Marceline, MO: Marceline is roughly 2 hours northeast of Kansas City. A day trip is reasonable, but plan for travel time and meals, as it’s a small town with limited options.
Tuesday – Truman Library (closer to town): This works well as a lighter, closer stop before heading home.

Regarding Hoover Library in West Branch, Iowa: that’s about a 5-hour drive one-way. For a 4-night trip, this is probably too ambitious unless you want a separate overnight stop. It may be better to skip Hoover for this trip or plan it as a dedicated road trip in the future.

Hotel and parking considerations:

Hotels in downtown Kansas City will typically charge for parking, sometimes $20-$30 per night, but you gain the convenience of being close to dining, evening entertainment, and access to major roads for day trips.
Staying outside the city may save on hotel costs or offer free parking, but it will increase daily driving times, particularly for evening events like the Rangers game or dinners downtown.

Suggestions for a smoother trip:

Focus on Truman and Eisenhower Libraries as your primary day trips; consider leaving Hoover for a future dedicated trip.
Start early for day trips to maximize time at the sites and reduce stress.
If you want to reduce hotel costs or avoid downtown parking fees, consider staying in suburban areas like Independence or Overland Park, which still have easy highway access to your destinations.
Check operating hours of libraries in advance; some may be closed Mondays or Tuesdays, which could affect your itinerary.

Overall, staying in Kansas City is likely your best option for convenience and minimizing packing/moving around. Your itinerary is ambitious but doable with careful planning and early starts for longer drives.

Should we base ourselves in Kansas City?

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