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Author Topic: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago  (Read 4309 times)

NOTHUMB

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Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« on: May 19, 2016, 10:02:50 PM »
Good evening Ballreviews members, its been a long time since I last posted,

As part of my drive across country this year to go to Nationals in Reno, a buddy of mine and I are doing a baseball trip. The trip is going to be:
Next Thursday Kansas City (against the Chicago White Sox)
Next Friday Denver (Rockies host the Giants)
Next Saturday Phoenix (Arizona hosts the Padres)
and then arrive Sunday in Reno.

On the way back we are making 1 stop in Chicago to see the Cubs in Wrigley (June 4).

Wondering if anyone from those 4 cities might have any suggestions on a few things:
Food/drink (specifically craft beer places with good food to go with)
Bowling alleys to practice at during the day/afternoon (open during the day, runs the lanes on a somewhat daily basis)
 
And does anyone wanna let me use their shower as we drive across country without stopping at a hotel??? Yea, yea, crazy I know. (We are covered in this department in Phoenix (have 3 friends that live out there). No need to be mean about this, please.

The 1st 2 inquiries are the most pressing. The shower, we will probably get a place between KC and Denver, but hey----its worth a shot. Why pay for water when you can get it for free. (Yes I know we could use a truck stop, but we were trying to avoid that LOL)
Chris Green
Bowler ID# 2039-6328

 

JOE FALCO

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2016, 10:25:19 PM »
Sounds like FUN! Good luck on the trip and bowling (and the shower).  :) ;D :'(
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NOTHUMB

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2016, 10:58:44 PM »
Thank you. Gonna be a blast. Got lucky that my wife's uncle is a big wig in Chicago and scored us tickets to a game that was ALMOST sold out. The only seats available were behind a pole. So to get good seats for nothing was quite an upgrade.
Chris Green
Bowler ID# 2039-6328

Steven

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2016, 11:31:21 PM »
It doesn't get much better than doing a major league baseball trip. Last year, my wife and I did Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Kansas City on successive nights. If you can do a baseball trip like that and combine it with bowling in Reno, priceless!!
 
We did all our eating and drinking at the ballparks. The high end food/drink choices at many stadiums are now on par with very good restaurants. It's pricey, but you get the total ballpark experience.
 
In any case, enjoy. It's the kind of trip you'll never forget.

WOWZERS

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2016, 07:00:00 AM »
Sounds like an absolute blast. Enjoy the time! The only city I have experience in out of the ones you named is Phoenix. Very hot, but no humidity. Bowling alleys were always well air conditioned when I was there.

I have not technically been to Chicago, but I have been to Schaumburg many times (just outside of Chicago) and the area was always nice. I have also visited Rockford which is about an hour west of Chicago, and if you get a chance, Cherry Bowl is very nice in Rockford.

Be safe!

chucksta29

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2016, 01:23:19 PM »
Kansas City info

For bowling I would recommend Gladstone Bowl, 300 NW 72nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64118.  This place is very well cared for, the proprietors have won several awards.  It's always clean and well taken care of.

For a craft Brewery the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium located in the Kansas City Power and Light District is real popular.  Huge selection of brews and great food.
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NOTHUMB

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2016, 10:52:45 PM »
Thanks for all the info so far. It is greatly appreciated.
Chris Green
Bowler ID# 2039-6328

tommyboy74

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2016, 04:57:36 PM »
Chicago- definitely take time to eat at Dinosaur BBQ.  It's a place from NY (I have one only 20 minutes from me) but you will have some of the best smoked wings and bbq food you can find.  Also, they feature craft beer and live music some nights of the week.

Here's their link: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/bbq-chicago
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Monster Pike

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2016, 05:44:40 PM »
If you want to eat near Wrigley, there's the Rockit Burger bar. Clark & Waveland. There's also 1 downtown in the loop called Rockit Bar & Grill. 22 W. Hubbard. Pub atmosphere. Pool tables upstairs & a bar upstairs as well.  Great burgers & great brews.  They will have craft beer & the standards.  I believe I had a Founder's Porter w/my cheese burger.

Murphy's has been there forever.  Waveland & Sheffield (behind center field across from park) I haven't been there in a long long time... So not sure about their food or if they have craft beers.

And of course, the Cubby Bear at Clark & Addison.  But I recommend Rockit over the others near Wrigley.


Downtown, Another great spot is Howell's & Hood. Over 100+ beers.  Pub food. Michigan Ave. at the Tribune Tower.

If you prefer steak... Well, it won't be cheap any where in Chicago.  But Smith & Wollenski's (by House of Blues) is great. Bowling Alley at House of Blues as well, but again, pricey. So is Gibson's.  Chicago Chop House.  All downtown.  But still just a short cab ride to or from Wrigley.  Since you're looking for free showers doubt steaks are in your budgets... LoL!  But just throwing it out there.

I live an hour from the city & schedules are wack during summer, so no showering at my house...  ;)

Monster Pike

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2016, 06:02:06 PM »
Schaumburg, IL area is nice.  But as far as bowling near there, you may have to go to towns nearby.  Hoffman Estates, Poplar Creek Bowl on Rt 72 just east of Barrington Rd for bowling. I believe they are closing or have closed Hoffman Lanes... Not sure.  The Assembly Bar & Grill just around the corner at Barrington & Hassell Rd. has the biggest & 1 of the best burgers in the Chicago suburbs.  They cook em on the grill right there in the center of the bar.  Great beers there too.

Good luck bowling & have a great time watching baseball at the different parks.  That is pretty cool.  The wife & I may do that when we're empty nesters... Making our way around the country visiting relatives on both sides.  Cooperstown on our bucket list also.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2016, 07:48:34 PM by Monster Pike »

milorafferty

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2016, 06:47:14 PM »
Truck stop showers can be quite decent, but you have to stop at the right places. Generally you should stick to the national chain and the showers will be cleaned after every use with fresh towels.

T/A's, MOST Flying J's(stay away from the smaller ones), Petro and Pilot's are usually decent. On I-80 in Nebraska, check out Bosselmans. Not bad at all.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2016, 06:48:56 PM by milorafferty »
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Monster Pike

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2016, 07:47:37 PM »
Truck stop showers can be quite decent, but you have to stop at the right places. Generally you should stick to the national chain and the showers will be cleaned after every use with fresh towels.

T/A's, MOST Flying J's(stay away from the smaller ones), Petro and Pilot's are usually decent. On I-80 in Nebraska, check out Bosselmans. Not bad at all.

For Illinois there's a T/A off I 90 on Rt. 20 in Harmony.  Just west of Rt. 47.  Never been there for a shower though...  ??? :-\

northface28

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2016, 11:19:08 PM »
AMF Hoffman is closed now. Poplar Creek is still open.
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milorafferty

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2016, 11:22:57 PM »
Truck stop showers can be quite decent, but you have to stop at the right places. Generally you should stick to the national chain and the showers will be cleaned after every use with fresh towels.

T/A's, MOST Flying J's(stay away from the smaller ones), Petro and Pilot's are usually decent. On I-80 in Nebraska, check out Bosselmans. Not bad at all.

For Illinois there's a T/A off I 90 on Rt. 20 in Harmony.  Just west of Rt. 47.  Never been there for a shower though...  ??? :-\

Not sure if I ever stopped at that one. I drove a truck for a few years and my only rule was a shower every day. I could handle going without a lot of things but a daily shower wasn't one of them.
"If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words?"

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NOTHUMB

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Re: Road Trip Help----Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago
« Reply #14 on: May 24, 2016, 05:44:29 AM »
You guys rock. Thank you!!!
Chris Green
Bowler ID# 2039-6328