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Posts tagged ‘things to do’

Aug 3

Oceans of Fun

Beat the Heat – Cool off in KC this summer

I knew it was coming, didn’t you?  But I didn’t want to believe it. Our incredibly mild winter has morphed into an incredibly hot summer. For the last weeks of summer, here are a few kid tested/family approved ways to end summer with a bang and stay cool.

Oceans of Fun

  1. Waterparks. Who doesn’t love a water slide? Oceans of Fun (www.oceansoffun.com), has 60 acres of slide and water attractions. Or head over to Kansas City, Kan., to Schlitterbahn (www.schlitterbahn.com), which has the region’s only surf ride, a 3,000-foot rapids river and tube slides! If the heat is too much, Great Wolf Lodge (www.greatwolfe.com), and the Coco Key Water Resort (www.cocokeykansascity.com), both have indoor waterparks. Kansas City also has lots of spray parks and community pools (www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/ParksandRecreation/index.htm).
  2. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (www.nelson-atkins.org) A collection of nearly 35,000 pieces of art, you could easily spend an entire day here and still not see everything. Now through Aug. 19, the special exhibit, Inventing the Modern World, Decorative Arts at the World’s Fair is on display at the museum. Young and old will enjoy seeing the thousands of objects that were showcased during the 1851-1939 World’s Fairs.
  3. Crown Center (www.crowncenter.com) It’s a destination within itself. From the newest attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium to tried and true popular attractions like Kaleidoscope, Union Station, National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial (www.worldwar.org) to the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank (www.kc.frb.org/moneymuseum). And plenty (60) of shops and restaurants to fill your dining and shopping pleasures. Not to mention, the three performance theaters – American Heartland Theatre, The Coterie Theatre and the Off Center Theatre. Read more

Aug 1

City Market, just north of Downtown, has one of the largest farmers' markets in the region.

33 for Free in KC

For travelers on a shoestring budget, Kansas City offers many free adventures. The following list provides 33 free activities that offer something for everyone. Donations are accepted at some locations.

  1. 1827 Log Courthouse. Once the only courthouse west of St. Charles, Mo., it later served as a mercantile operation, home and gathering place for the early Mormon settlers.
  2. Board of Trade Visitors Gallery. Observe the fast-paced world of trading.
  3. Boulevard Brewing Company. Tour the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. Make your reservations online.

    City Market, just north of Downtown, has one of the largest farmers’ markets in the region.

  4. Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. A tribute to the city’s early African-American pioneers.
  5. Children’s Peace Pavilion. Hands-on museum focusing on world peace.
  6. The City Market. Saturday and Sunday mornings bring one of the largest farmers markets in the Midwest.
  7. Crown Center. There’s always something going on at this entertainment center. Check out the free outdoor movies and concerts during the summer months.
  8. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. A great place to see and feed an array of barnyard friends and other animals native to the area. (Free Mon.-Thu.; $2 on weekends)
  9. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Money Museum. Learn about the nation’s financial system through interactive exhibits.
  10. First Fridays. This 40-gallery art crawl in the Crossroads Arts District has quickly become a local and regional favorite, drawing thousands the First Friday of every month.
  11. Frontier Army Museum. Focuses on Fort Leavenworth’s role in westward expansion.
  12. Hallmark Visitors Center. Catch a behind-the-scenes peek at one of the world’s largest greeting card companies.
  13. Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations. Tour the facility to see how hogs are made.
  14. Haskell Indian Nations University Cultural Center & Museum. Preserves the vast history of Haskell’s evolution from boarding school to university.
  15. Johnson County Museum of History. See what has lured people to the suburbs for the past 175 years.
  16. Kaleidoscope. From the minds behind Hallmark, a free creative workshop for kids aged 5 to 12.
  17. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This new $413 million architectural marvel offers free self-guided, hour-long tours several times each month. Sign up online.
  18. Kauffman Memorial Garden. Showcases sculptures, fountains and colorful beds of exotic plants.
  19. Kansas City Zoo. Free admission for KCMO residents in October and November with proof of residency.
  20. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. With the famous contemporary pieces it houses, this museum is a city gem.
  21. Lakeside Nature Center. Learn about the natural world around us through live native-animal exhibits and workshops.
  22. Lanesfield School Historic Site. Practice your penmanship or cipher math problems on a slate with a costumed schoolteacher in a school built in 1869.
  23. Legends Outlets. Take a self-guided audio tour of the entertainment district’s tribute to more than 80 legendary Kansans.
  24. Legler Barn Museum. Built in 1864, this museum stands as one of the few remaining limestone barns.
  25. Liberty Jail. Historic site for both Clay County and the LDS Church due to the five months Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, spent here.
  26. Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Experience nature preservation through trails and the Nature Center.
  27. Mormon Visitors Center. Learn about the key role the Mormons played in the early and tempestuous history of Independence, Mo.

    The Nelson-Atkins Museum, one of the countries finest art museums, has free admission.

  28. National Archives at Kansas City. Research family trees, browse special exhibits, replicate famous signatures or view rare documents from around the region.
  29. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Enjoy of the finest general art museums in the country.
  30. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Featuring major exhibitions of renowned artists, the Nerman is the only contemporary art museum in Kansas.
  31. Overland Park Arboretum. A 300-acre park dedicated to the preservation of indigenous plants and wildlife.
  32. Penguin Park. This fun and playful park has everything from a 26-foot kangaroo slide to a 23-foot penguin to play inside.
  33. Shoal Creek Living History Museum. A village of more than 20 authentic 19th-century buildings dating from 1807 to 1885.

Jul 6

Street Closures for 2012 ASG

As you prepare to attend the events in #KC surrounding the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, the following resources are available to help you navigate the city. And don’t forget, you can always tweet us using @VisitKC or hashtag #KC. No Twitter? No problem! We’re also on Facebook and will be monitoring your questions and posts as well. http://www.facebook.com/VisitKC

Traffic & Street Closures

Please note: The following streets will be closed to accommodate outdoor activities and crowds:

  • 13th Street (between Wyandotte and Central)
  • 13th Street (from Central to Broadway)
  • To facilitate traffic and drop-off, the intersection at 13th & Central will remain open.
  • Several downtown streets will be closed on Sunday morning for the MLB All-Star Game Charity 5K Fun Run and on Tuesday in the Country Club Plaza for the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show parade. Click here to download a map of the routes.

For more information about Kansas City and MLB All-Star Events in #KC, visit VisitKC.com/Allstar or tweet us @VisitKC or hashtag #KC.

Jul 2

1 Comment

What Can You Expect at MLB FanFest 2012?

MLB All-Star FanFest, the largest baseball fan event in the world, will visit Kansas City for the first time ever in 2012 as part of MLB All-Star Week.

The five-day event will transform the Kansas City Convention Center/Bartle Hall into a celebration that captures the thrills and excitement of Major League Baseball. MLB All-Star FanFest will feature interactive exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions with Royals legends and Hall of Famers, memorabilia and much more.

Dates:  Friday, July 6 – Tuesday, July 10

Location: Kansas City Convention Center/Bartle Hall – 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO, 64105

Hours:(all times are local and subject to change)• Friday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.             • Saturday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. • Sunday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. • Monday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. • Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Admission: Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under (children two and under are admitted free), senior citizens and military personnel. All MLB All-Star FanFest attractions are included with the price of admission. The only additional event costs are for concessions, memorabilia and merchandise.

Tickets: MLB All-Star FanFest tickets are on sale at the following locations:

• Via the official All-Star Web site of Major League Baseball (www.allstargame.com) • Via the Royals official Web site (royals.com/2012) or 29 other team websites • Royals Box Office at Kauffman Stadium • By Calling 1-888-FanFest (326-3378)

Tickets are sold on a timed-entry basis, so fans should order early to secure the date and time of their choice. Once inside the venue, fans can stay at MLB All-Star FanFest as long as they wish.

Sample Attractions:

• ‘The Diamond’ – Located at the center of MLB All-Star FanFest, this attraction features daily clinics and appearances by MLB players, managers and other experts. Past appearances have included Tony Gwynn, Torii Hunter, Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr. and David Wright and many other MLB greats. • ‘Legends Autograph Program’ – Gives the fans the opportunity to receive free autographs from Hall of Famers and MLB Legends. Players such as Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Ferguson Jenkins and Juan Marichal have signed for fans previously at MLB All-Star FanFest

• ‘National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum’ – Take a stroll through baseball’s glorious past and experience the history of the national pastime with one of the largest collections of artifacts on loan from the ‘National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’ in Cooperstown

• ‘The Negro Leagues’ – A compelling visual journey back in time as ‘The Negro Leagues’ brings to life the heroic history of some of the game’s proudest and most talented players

• ‘Hometown Heroes’ –  ‘Hometown Heroes’ showcases the Kansas City Royals history, roots in the community and promise for the future • ‘World’s Largest Baseball’ – What better way to welcome families to the largest baseball fan-event in the world, than with the ‘World’s Largest Baseball?’ The signature white leather, red-laced ball measures 12 feet in diameter and features the signatures of baseball greats such as Hank Aaron, Rod Carew, Derek Jeter and Ozzie Smith.

Nov 18

Thankful

November is a time of reflection. To remember people and things we are grateful for. I am thankful for our veterans for their service to our great country.  I am thankful for my  children, family and friends. I am also thankful for Kansas City. In the past several years it has gone through a massive transformation and residents and visitors alike are reaping the rewards!

Here are four things that I am thankful are in KC (and that you should visit this month)!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. It travels (Nov. 16–-19)
to KC every year. It is a show not to be missed. From the timeless classic Revelations to new productions, like Annointed, a tribute to Ailey himself,  each production is moving and expressive. Every time I see Alvin Ailey, I always leave wishing I had become a dancer. This year’s performance will be very special – I am taking my eight-year-old daughter. This will be her first time seeing an Alvin Ailey performance. I hope that she will be inspired as much as I am and that it will become a tradition for us. Read more

Nov 10

"America I AM Our Foundation" Gallery, Photo by Carol H. Feeley

American I Am

If you’re like me, you know the basic facts related to the African-American experience in America. But upon seeing the new exhibit at Union Station—America I Am—I came away realizing that I hadn’t given a lot of thought to how those events impacted the people who lived them, let alone how they helped shape our country.

Tavis Smiley

I was fortunate to join a media preview hosted by Tavis Smiley, the PBS journalist, author and philanthropist who helped develop the traveling exhibit. Smiley wanted to chronicle the imprint that African Americans have had on American life. To do so, he recruited one of the top exhibition companies (the same company that did King Tut) as well as a remarkable collection of artifacts. Make no mistake; this is quite possibly the most impressive collection of African-American history ever brought together in one place. Read more

Oct 21

Edge of Hell Haunted House

Season of Screams

Stumble through a foggy werewolf forest, come face to face with the world’s largest anaconda in captivity, feel what it’s like to be buried alive—it’s all possible this Halloween season in Kansas City. If you love a good old-fashioned scare (like I do), you’ll want to pay close attention to the list I’m about to share. 

Fright fanatics: Did you know KC has been called the Haunted House Capital of the World? Check out these five bone-chilling adventures that will send shivers down the spines of even the bravest visitors. Read more

Oct 5

pumpkins

Pumpkins, Pigs and Ponies

School is in full swing and the milder temps feel wonderful. Fall is here. While the leaves haven’t really started changing, pumpkins are now on display all around our city. Which means one thing -  PUMPKIN PATCHES!  Our family loves going to pumpkin patches. It is an annual activity in our family and Kansas City has plenty to choose from.

We decided to go to Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins in Belton at 177th and Holmes Rd., since its stays open til 6 p.m., during the weekday and a short drive from our house. We went on a Thursday and we practically had the 140-acre farm to ourselves. It was great! My six-year-old son was in the chicken coop while my daughter was milking the wooden cow and I didn’t have to make them stay together. They could roam freely without worry (me, of course). But I suspect that weekends are entirely different. That’s when they have pig races, pony rides, a mechanical pumpkin chomping dinosaur and much more. Read more

Sep 12

Edge-of-Hell-Haunted-House

Fright Night in KC

As shocking to out-of-towners as the electric chair is to the poorly behaved, Kansas City is haunted house heaven. Or hell, depending on your perspective.

Read more

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