Whether sleeping with penguins, exploring cave ruins or climbing giant tree houses, family adventures are in store—right in Kansas Citians’ own backyard!
An Overnight Adventure Close to Home
Penguins and polar bears are the newest stars at the Kansas City Zoo, and now you can enjoy a unique experience with our favorite polar friends.
All-in-One Overnight Adventure and Breakfast: The Kansas City Zoo is now offering family overnights! You can choose a Penguin Pole-looza on the first Saturday of the month, March 1 (April and May, too, if you miss out on March!) or a Polar Bear PJ Party on March 23 (and other months, as well) for $40/person. They also offer overnights for scouts and other groups if you watch the zoo’s website. Reservations for the overnights include sleeping in the animal exhibits, animal encounters, night hikes and continental breakfast! You may even get to explore the zoo after hours and see what the animals do at night (weather permitting).
Adventure Seekin’ at the Lake of the Ozarks
Sleep in a yurt, explore castle ruins and dine in a cave…adventure awaits with a Lake of the Ozarks getaway.
Where to Sleep: Stay at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, where you can enjoy camping without pitching a tent. The park offers cabins for rent year-round, or for those looking for something unique, spend the night in a yurt! A yurt is a circular structure with a fabric cover, atop a wooden platform with decking. The wooden frame, roof and locking doors make it strong and, most importantly, weathertight. Three large windows and a dome skylight let you enjoy the view, and stays are comfortable with a log futon, log futon bunk bed, a dorm-size refrigerator, coffee table, lamp, air conditioner and heater.
What to Explore: Ha Tonka State Park is one of our favorite state parks in Missouri! The park is about 30 minutes from Lake of the Ozarks State Pak. With meandering hiking trails through the Ozark Mountains overlooking the Niangua River, the Lake of the Ozarks, a river cave and the most famous landmark of the park—the imposing castle ruins—a day at Ha Tonka is an explorer's dream. While you’re at the state park, explore the natural bridge, which is 70 feet wide, spans 60 feet and reaches more than 100 feet into the air. You also can take in the Coliseum, a steep-sided sinkhole measuring 500 feet long and 300 feet wide, and Whispering Dell, a sink basin 150 feet deep, and Counterfeiter's Cave and Robber's Cave—both of which were used as hideouts by criminals in the 1830s. But most of all, bring your camera and snap photos among the castle ruins. The castle was planned by Robert Snyder, who dreamt of a private retreat with a European-style castle overlooking the beautiful view of the Ozarks. He designed a mansion with a center atrium and skylight, and he also planned the 80-foot water tower and carriage house on the grounds. In 1905, construction began but was not completed after Snyder's tragic death. His sons took over the project and finished the castle, simplifying their father's original design. Years passed and the house was sold and served as a hotel until a fire in 1942 ruined the interior. Today, the site of the castle and carriage house ruins are all that remain.
Where to Eat: There is only one cave restaurant in the world, and it happens to be located in Missouri about 30 minutes from Ha Tonka. The Cave Restaurant (26880 Rochester Rd., Richland, MO, 573.765.4554) is an experience unlike any other. Diners park near the cave, then await a shuttle (van ride) to the entrance of the restaurant where they may climb stairs to the entrance or take an elevator. The restaurant is in the cave’s main room or opening, and diners are invited to explore and take photos. The food is traditional American fare with steaks, fish, chicken and sandwiches. The location also offers cabins for rent as another lodging option and canoe trips in season (Memorial Day-Labor Day).
And More: You can enjoy fishing and boating on the lake or shopping at a local outlet. You’ll find plenty to do at the Lake of the Ozarks; look for ideas at www.FunLake.com.
Nature Lovin’ in Nebraska
A family trip to Nebraska is all about nature. From tall tree houses to the rain forest, this is a nature lover’s dream trip!
Where to Sleep: Stay at Lied Lodge and Resort (2700 Sylvan Rd., Nebraska City, NE, 800.546.5433), where your family will enjoy an indoor pool, gym and resort amenities at a beautiful and scenic location all within walking distance of your main attraction and adventure, Arbor Day Farms.
What to Explore: Visit Arbor Day Farm (2611 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE. 402.873.8717). The beautiful arboretum is a favorite family adventure. With tree houses and exhibits throughout, the highlight is the grand tree house 50 feet in the air with a spectacular view of the nature below. The park features hands-on nature exhibits for children, as well as many tree houses in which to play and explore and a Discovery Ride with a tour of the park. Every visitor receives a free souvenir tree as a great finale to a wonderful day enjoying nature.
Where to Eat: While you’re there, we recommend spending a day in Omaha (just an hour away). Dine at the Old Market Spaghetti Works (502 S.11th St., Omaha, NE), where kids eat free on Mondays, and everyone enjoys the generous portions of pasta and the salad bar housed in a Model-T truck.
And More: While you’re in Omaha, be sure to visit one of the coolest zoos in the United States (discounted admission for KC Zoo FOTZ members!). Explore the rain forest, aquarium, butterfly house and more at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE, 402.733.8400).
Kristina Light’s family is always looking for a new adventure, and they can’t wait to sleep with the penguins at the Kansas City Zoo this spring!