Bartle Hall Convention Center – Things To Do With Your Team

Bartle Hall Convention Center, also known as Kansas City Convention Center, encompasses eight blocks and approximately 380,000 square feet of exhibit space. The facility also has a theater that seats 2,400 and an arena that can hold over 10,000. When traveling to Kansas City for a tournament at the Bartle Hall Convention Center, you and your team can take solace in the fact that not only is the convention center top notch, but also that the downtown area surrounding Bartle Hall is brimming with many entertainment possibilities.

 

Things to Do

The College Basketball Experience

Fans of college basketball or just basketball in general are going to want to check out The College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City. The College Basketball Experience is not a museum. It’s an interactive facility that provides a lot of basketball related games and obstacles. Start things off by walking through the hall of fame where influential college players, coaches, teams, and contributors to the sport are honored. After you pay homage to the legends that made college basketball what it is today, the real fun can begin.

Hit the Center Court and play a pickup game with the team. Equipped with six hoops, scoreboard, and shot clock, Center Court is as authentic an experience you’ll have besides playing in an actual game. Find out if you can stand up to the pressure at Beat the Clock. In this intense activity, you are expected to make a high pressure shot. The score is tied, time is running out, and an audio recording of a live crowd is blaring, all in an effort to help you understand how intense the experience is for the college athletes in the height of the moment. Can you sink the shot, or will the fans go home disappointed?

If you think making three pointers are easy, try your hand at Shoot from Downtown. Here, you can see how many college regulation three pointers you can make in the allotted time. You didn’t think The College Basketball Experience wouldn’t have a station devoted to dunking did you? Stocked with adjustable hoops, you can show off your slam dunk moves as much as you want at the Throw it Down activity.

Not everything at The College Basketball Experience is some iteration of working out your physical basketball skills. You and your team can get a firsthand opportunity to experience the world of broadcasting. Sitting behind a news deck, you can announce the game as if it was occurring in real time or be the color commentator who chimes in while there is some downtime in between plays. You’ll develop a new appreciation for talented broadcasters after seeing how hard it is to call games and keep an interesting banter going. The College Basketball Experience is a one of a kind attraction. Don’t pass up your chance to have some fun while you have a tournament at Bartle Hall Convention Center. 1401 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106

 

The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium

A part of Science City at Union Station, The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium puts on fantastic shows with the help of its dual 4K projection system and 5.1 surround sound speakers. With shows throughout the day all week, excluding Mondays, The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium is a flexible attraction that you can depend on when you’re planning your trip to Bartle Hall Convention Center. Relax in one of their recliners and lose yourself in the journey. Explore the mysteries of the universe and really understand the monstrous size of our planet as well as the other seven. Learn about supernovas, black holes, and the trillions of stars.

Another show option takes you back in time to when the dinosaurs roamed the lands. Get up close and observe these giant creatures and how they behaved. Don’t worry though, they can’t see you. Enthusiasts of astronomy will want to check out the presentation on the night’s sky. Take in depth looks into stars and constellations in this interactive show. 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108

 

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

There may only be seven screens at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, but that’s still more than enough movie choices. Couple that with Alamo’s food options and you’ll realize it’s the best theater around. You and your team will find the latest blockbuster hits at Alamo, as well as some very comfortable chairs to watch them in. The kitchen at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will make sure you’re well fed while you watch your movie. Order from a large menu consisting of favorites like hamburgers, wraps, sandwiches, and milkshakes, and enjoy the show. 1400 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105

 

SEA LIFE Aquarium

From the Bartle Hall Convention Center, take a trip to SEA LIFE Aquarium and witness some of the creatures of the deep. Home to a diverse population of animals, SEA LIFE Aquarium mesmerizes its guests with a wide array of sea life. You’ll encounter sharks, octopus, seahorses, turtles, clownfish, and many more animals swimming around in giant tanks. At the touch pool area, you can pet and hold animals like starfish, hermit crabs, and sea urchins. There’s more to do at the aquarium than watching all of the animals. You can take part in tank talks with the staff. Throughout the day, SEA LIFE hosts shows about various animals. If there’s one or more that you’re interested in, just be at that specific animal’s tank by the scheduled time. Any group of 15 or more people will receive discounted admission rates. 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

 

Arabia Steamboat Museum

Back in 1856, a steamboat by the name of Arabia had its hull breached by a walnut tree and sank to the bottom of the Missouri River. Over 100 years later in 1987, someone rediscovered it and a project to retrieve the steamboat began. The process took 20 years to recover the Arabia and restore it back to its former glory. Now, Arabia Steamboat Museum resides in Kansas City as a memorial to its disastrous journey. Surprisingly, much of the 200 tons of cargo was preserved and maintained good condition even though it was submerged for so long.

Once you arrive at the museum, you can watch a short video outlining the tragic story of the Arabia and how it was rescued from its watery grave. Venturing through the steamboat, you will discover artifacts like pistols, perfumes, pots, dishes, and even the walnut tree that sank the boat. This niche museum is captivating for all ages and well worth a trip. 400 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106

 

Breakout KC

There are a shocking number of escape rooms in Kansas City, three of which are within walking distance of Bartle Hall Convention Center. Kansas City’s most popular escape room and the best bang for your buck is Breakout KC. All six of their themes are designed to excite and stump you mentally. You will have to band together with your team if you hope to solve all the clues and escape before the hour is up. For any groups of eight or more people, Breakout KC prices the party as a single admission fee, the more people, the cheaper the cost is. 114 W 3rd St #102, Kansas City, MO 64105

 

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Places to Eat

BRGR

Dedicated to grilling up gourmet burgers for its customers, BRGR has evolved into a Kansas success story with three locations in the state. While you and your team are at Bartle Hall Convention Center, you can visit the Kansas City location in the Power & Light District. You’ll have a tough time deciding which one of BRGR’s 11 burgers is right for you, but rest assured that no matter which one you choose, it’ll be delicious. Besides burgers, you can find pork shank wings, chicken sandwiches, loaded tater tots, and more on the menu. 11 E 14th St, Kansas City, MO 64105

 

Plowboys Barbeque

Kansas City is recognized across the nation as having some of the best barbeque. Dig in to some yourself at Plowboys Barbeque. Two items that you need to try are Plowboys’ famous barbeque nachos and a Kansas City classic, burnt ends. Some other barbeque delicacies available for order are beef and pork ribs, pulled pork, smoked sausage, and brisket. Don’t miss out and regret not experiencing some Kansas City barbeque. Stop by Plowboys Barbeque. 1111 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64105

 

The Mixx

Looking for a restaurant that’s a tad bit healthier than a burger joint or barbeque place? Check out The Mixx. Specializing in salads, The Mixx offers a bunch of lighter, healthy dining options. You can choose from some of their specialty salads or build your own from a long list of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressings. You’ll be able to get a salad exactly how you want it at The Mixx. If salads don’t cut it for some of your team, they can try a sandwich or wrap. 1347 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64105

 

Johnny’s Tavern

A local restaurant serving up American classics, Johnny’s Tavern is a guaranteed spot to please the whole team. Cooking up favorites like chicken wings, 16 burger choices, sandwiches, wraps, and tacos, you really can’t go wrong eating there. Some other entrée options on Johnny’s menu are stir fry, shrimp or chicken platters with hush puppies, French fries, and coleslaw, fish and chips, and pizza. 1310 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106

 

No matter where you go in Kansas City, you and the team are destined for some enjoyable times. The advantageous location of Bartle Hall Convention Center really comes in handy when planning an itinerary for your trip. You’ll find that there’s more attractions to see than you can fit in one trip just near the convention center.