Kansas City's Labor Day Weekend Fun Guide

2014 Edition

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We've rounded up our Top Picks for Labor Day Weekend! From one final dip in your favorite pool, to FREE concerts, to a great day at local amusement parks and attractions, and fabulous festivals... there is truly something for everyone! Always check the KC Parent Coupon page for discounts and deals at favorite venues and remember our KC Kids Eat Free Guide for savings on family dining too.

Union Station: The Discovery of King Tut

  • When, Where, What: Science City at Union Station is the place to be this summer! 
  • Why We LOVE It: Science City is Kansas City’s largest, most interactive science museum with something for visitors of all ages. Favorite exhibits include the Challenger Exhibit where you gear up as an astronaut for space flight, DinoLab where children dig for bones and watch as fossils are preserved, Echo Cave where children learn about nature firsthand, and exhibits about health, engineering, water, optical illusions and more. Top off your visit with a planetarium show for an unforgettable experience. This summer enjoy the Discovery of King Tut Exhibit.
  • About The Discovery of King Tut: This never before assembled complete recreation of King Tut’s Tomb and Treasure is making its North American debut in Kansas City. In this breathtaking exhibition, you will learn about and walk in the footsteps of the 1922 discovery of the most significant ancient Egyptian archeological site imaginable. Explore the tomb’s treasures as they were at the moment of discovery. Marvel at more than 1,000 brilliant objects, filling nearly 20,000 square feet. Listen as Howard Carter tells his story of mystery and adventure (audio tour included with every ticket purchase). Additional admission charged.

Rag, Swing, Bop!

  • When, Where, What: Showing Aug 29 & 30 Paul Mesner Puppets performs at Gem Theater (1615 E 18th St Kansas City, MO) Tickets:  $16 adults $11 children.
  • Why We LOVE It: This musical journey starts with the marching beat of John Phillips Souza, segues into the syncopated piano of Scott Joplin, and into the world of Kansas City jazz. As a boy, Charlie Parker becomes fascinated with all this music, and with a saxophone in his hands, breaks into this rollicking and often risque' world. He masters "step jazz", and goes out on the road, all the while reinventing the jazz sound that leads to his own unique style known as bebop.

Cool Crest

  • Only $10.99 Per Person.
  • Why We LOVE It: Cool Crest features 4 miniature golf courses with mechanical hazards, water traps, and decorations ranging from the Statue of Liberty to windmills and dragons. The dragon with the opening/closing mouth is always a favorite. Cool Crest also offers arcades, indoor soft play, and Go Karts (another favorite). They have a pizza shop for snacks and sodas after you play. Miniature Golf, Go Karts, and arcades are a great way to relax and enjoy family fun together. Bring the camera!

Gardens Gone Wild

  • When, Where, What: Powell Gardens (816.697.2600. 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO.) exhibit Gardens Gone Wild  thru Oct. 5.
  • Why We LOVE It: This exhibit features a collection of exquisite sculptures beautifully displayed in the acres of gardens at Powell Gardens. Adding to the fun, the staff at Powell Gardens prepared an Amazing Animal Quest for kids to enjoy their exploration of the sculptures and learn more about their favorite animals. My girls adored the animals (especially the bears) and they had fun learning more about them and mimicking their behaviors with the Animal Quest prompts. The exhibition is included with regular Garden admission. 
  • Bonus: Powell Gardens is hosting an array of fun extra events in conjunction with the exhibit! Follow their calendar for information.

A Day at the Beach

  • The Facts: Kansas City is home to several beautiful lakes with swim beaches, boat rentals and great fishing spots. The local swim beaches close Labor Day Weekend, making this your LAST CHANCE to play in the sand and swim at the lake this year. Read our guide to Kansas City's Lakes and Watersports to choose the best beach, boat rental, or fishing hole near you!
  • Why We LOVE It: We love to visit the local lakes each summer! The kids can play in the sand, swim, enjoy their inflatables (not allowed at most local pools), and picnic. And, it's affordable too! The kids love to play in the sand and build sand castles and swim and play in the water. Best of all, it is zero-entry making it easy for little ones (and due to this year's drought, it doesn't get deep - adults are able to touch almost the entire distance). Life Guards are on duty at all times and the beach is large enough to accommodate a lot of people without getting crowded, making this a great summer fun outing for a break from the pool! Read our TIPS for the Best Day at the Beach before you head out!

Santa-Cali-Gon

  • The Facts: Santa-Cali-Gon is Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, Independence, MO.  FREE except carnival and vendor purchases 816.252.4745
  • Why We LOVE It: This premier annual festival on historic Independence Square features more than 400 crafters/vendors and more than 100 food booths, free local and nationally known country western music on a community stage, gospel stage and headliner stage, a midway carnival and old fashioned contests like watermelon seed spitting, ice cream eating and rootbeer chugging.

Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun

  • The Facts: Worlds of Fun 4545 Worlds of Fun Dr., KCMO. Open Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 29 & 30) 10am-10pm, Monday (Sept. 1) from 10am-7pm.  and Oceans of Fun open 10:30am-7pm Sat-Mon Labor Day Weekend.
  • Why We LOVE It: Enjoy both parks for one ticket. Oceans of Fun is open for the final time of the summer this weekend. Worlds of Fun is home to seven world class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world, the Mamba, with a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster with four inversions, all at a top speed of 65 mph. Enjoy a thrill as the entire family rides together on the Spinning Dragons, where the cars freely rotate along the track. Or ride the classic wooden roller coaster the Timber Wolf. Guests of all ages love the live shows. Young children enjoy Planet Snoopy with great rides for kids. And the theme park boasts dozens of thrill rides and attractions for guests of all ages.

Pops in the Park:

  • The Facts: Sept. 1 Kansas City Symphony performance at Theatre in the Park at Shawnee Mission Park, 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS. The parking lot opens at 4:30 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m. The Symphony’s Instrument Petting Zoo starts at 5:30 p.m., and pre-concert entertainment provided by the Youth Symphony of Kansas City begins at 6 p.m. The Kansas City Symphony will begin performing at 7 p.m.
  • Why We LOVE It: We kicked off summer with the Symphony's FREE Concert at Celebration at the Station, now bid farewell to summer with The Kansas City Symphony’s FREE Labor Day concert at The Theatre in the Park at Shawnee Mission Park! All ages enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Pack a picnic and enjoy the holiday with familiar classics conducted by Assistant Conductor Aram Demirjian, and will celebrate the holiday with patriotic and familiar classics. 

Apple Picking

  • The Facts: Kansas City is home to many great apple orchards, and Labor Day Weekend is the season opening for many of them! Read our guide to Apple Picking in Kansas City for a complete list of Missouri and Kansas orchards.
  • Why We LOVE It: It's apple picking season! Kids love taking a trip to local farms. Each of the u-pick Apple Farms on our list is a locally owned family operation designed to provide the best in healthy produce and a great family outing. So, grab the camera and the cooler and take the kids on a trip they won’t forget! Read our Apple Picking Tips before you go to experience the most fun-filled day... AND be sure to call the orchard ahead to verify availability! Our #1 Favorite orchard? Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph, Missouri! Read our Tips for a St. Joseph Apple Picking Day Trip before you go!

One Last Dip in the Pool

  • The Facts: Most local pools close Labor Day Weekend. Visit your favorite pool one last time, or discover a new one with our guide to Kansas City's Pools and Waterparks.
  • Why We LOVE It: It only seems appropriate to bid farewell to summer the same way you welcomed its arrival.. .and after one long, hot, dry summer.... the weather is a bit more pleasant making it even more fun to take the family out for a swim!