Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come. The center of the United States boasts the convergence of the melting pot that America is and truly offers something for everyone: world-class museums, hip historic districts, delicious dining and Midwestern charm. Kansas City, there truly is no place like home, and home is where the heart of our adventure begins….
Begin Your Adventure Here
How comfortable are you when it comes to heights?
Enjoy scenery from the altitude of:
A) Grass: Pack a picnic and sprawl out on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the largest and most prestigious art gallery west of the Mississippi. With gigantic shuttlecocks as the centerpiece of Sculpture Park, the lawn is a beautiful and magnificent place to snap photos, play Frisbee, picnic and, of course, meander inside to enjoy a marvelous art collection at the museum where admission is always free!
B) Top of Building: Looking for a rooftop view that isn’t quite frightening if heights make you jittery and vertigo is not your friend? The Central Library of the Kansas City Public Library (14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO), housed in the former First National Bank of Kansas City, is one of the city's most beautiful "best-kept secrets." The library is an architectural masterpiece with reading rooms, research areas, a cafe and a rooftop view of the city skyline, complete with a giant life-size chess set! The best section of the library for families is the Children's Department. Enter through the pages of a book to a place where kids will discover a wonderful reading area organized by ages and interests and offering many hands-on activities, as well.
C) Treetops: Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Kansas City Zoo’s African exhibit, ranked as the top African zoo exhibit in the nation. The African Sky Safari gives visitors a bird's eye view of majestic animals as they roam wide open plains. Ride above the treetops and take in giraffes, zebras, antelope, cheetahs, rhinos, birds and more.
Which piques your curiosity most?
Learn more about:
A) Stingrays: Your family can be transported into an amazing underwater world with up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures at Sea Life Kansas City (2475 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.471.4386, www.SeaLifeUS.com). Come nose-to-nose with sharks in the walk-through underwater tunnel, experience the touch pool where you can hold a crab or touch a starfish, participate in educational demonstrations, watch animal feedings and explore this state-of-the-art home for many of the ocean’s most majestic creatures.
B) Money: The Money Museum (1 Memorial Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.881.2683) is the best place to get a firsthand lesson on the nation's financial system, and tours are free. Learn how the Federal Reserve Bank works and its role in the U.S. economy through interactive exhibits that explore banking and basic economics. Take a peek into one of the nation's largest cash vaults, create your own monetary artwork and view coins from each U.S. presidential administration. The museum offers one of the best free souvenirs in town: a bag of shredded cash for each guest!
C) Butterflies: Powell Gardens’ annual Festival of Butterflies (www.powellgardens.org/butterfly), July 31-Aug. 2 and Aug. 7-9, transforms the 2,500-square-foot conservatory into a temporary butterfly house, filled to the brim with gorgeous blooms and hundreds of tropical butterflies. We make it an annual tradition to attend the festival, where we enjoy a native butterfly breezeway, Monarch Watch, the Idalia Society, kids crafts, a costume parade, a butterfly catch-and-release area and much more.
Which dish makes your mouth water?
Dig into a feast of:
A) Barbecue: Mouthwatering, juicy barbecue is the name of the game at Fiorella’s Jack Stack (www.jackstackbbq.com), a Kansas City original and consistent Zagat award winner. Boasting four local restaurants, the eatery is bound to have a location convenient to you. The fare includes tangy sauce generously slathered over tender ribs, burnt ends and sliced meat. The exceptional side dishes challenge a diner to choose: baked beans, coleslaw, creamed corn or, my personal favorite, the onion rings!
B) Mexican Food: As one of Southwest Boulevard’s most notable Mexican restaurants for more than 30 years, Manny’s (www.mannyskc.com) has rightfully developed a loyal fan following with their generous portions and tasty burritos, tacos, enchiladas and homemade authentic Mexican tamales. What makes Manny’s stand out? The heat! They know spicy, and you can depend on their menu’s heat rating to lead you in the right direction if jalapños are what you crave.
C) Ice Cream: The chic shop with a sleek, modern atmosphere and robin's egg blue walls beckons customers to sample exotic and unheard-of-before ice cream flavors. Glace Artisan Ice Cream (www.glaceicecream.com), where the greatest challenge is narrowing down your choice, uses only pure, fresh foods and natural ingredients to create their delicious flavors—no artificial flavorings. Locally owned and operated, this ice cream shop frequently invents new flavors and shares their creation journey on the Glace Facebook page to tempt fans with new, tantalizing ice creams. And with Christopher Elbow chocolates as signature ingredients for many of the flavors, you simply can't go wrong! Visit one of two locations: 4960 Main St., Kansas City, MO, and 4535 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS.
Which item is most likely to make you want to stroll and shop?
Check out:
A) Art: First Fridays in the Crossroads (www.kccrossroads.org) is a Kansas City tradition and a perfect event for the art enthusiast and the curious alike. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues located in the Crossroads Art District showcase art from 7:00 to 9:00 on the first Friday evening of each month. Boasting restaurants, galleries and live music, the district is one of the best places to enjoy Kansas City’s art scene.
B) Antiques: Shopping the West Bottoms (www.westbottoms.com) is the perfect excursion to get creative juices flowing and exercise your decorating instincts. With antique shops, boutiques and retailers selling repurposed and refinished furniture and home décor, model trains and clothing, the shopping district has rightfully earned its place on the map for locals looking for that one-of-a-kind finishing touch for the perfect room, outfit or collection.
C) Food: Located in America’s breadbasket, Kansas City boasts more than 30 farmers markets, ranging from the best-known City Market (www.thecitymarket.org) with 100+ vendors to smaller local markets with focused audiences like Brookside’s Organic Market (www.brooksidefarmersmarket.com). Whether you are a locavore, vegetarian, vegan or omnivore, you’ll find friendly vendors, knowledgeable farmers, live entertainment and summer’s bounty at local markets. Read our guide to Kansas City's Farmers Markets.