KC Going Places Fall 2014 / Winter 2015

kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

fall/winter 2014-15

kcgoingplaces.com

500 +

Ways to explore KANSAS CITY

spectacular views cool penguin adventures savoring local wines free fun for all ages tastiest BBQ in KC kcgoingplaces.com

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physicians

lee’s

summit

group

Lee’s Summit Physicians 1425 N.W. Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.524.5600 LSPhysicians.com

We offer pediatric walk-in urgent care seven days a week, medical advice by phone, after-hours on-call physicians and online scheduling!

Raintree Pediatrics 995 SW 34th St. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.525.4700 Raintree-Pediatrics.com Blue Springs Pediatrics 1600 NW South Outer Road Blue Springs, Missouri 816.554.6520 BlueSpringsPediatric.com

Sallie L. Veenstra, MD Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD Bryan L. Phillips, MD Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Ashley Campbell, DO Danielle Leivian, MD

Urgent Care Blue Parkway office Mon-Thur 8:00 am -7:00 pm Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm Sat-Sun 8:00-11:00 am Blue Springs & Raintree Mon-Fri 8:00 am-11:00 am

Robin Dawson, MD Cynthia M. Dean, DO Anne Parkin-Cohen, MD Lauren Lee, C-PNP Kelly R. Fritz, C-PNP Julie Kirkpatrick, C-PNP Camille Lucitto, C-PNP Cindy Fieser, C-PNP Sarah Dedrick, C-PNP

Scheduled appointments Mon - Fri 10:00-12:00 pm & 1:00-4:00 pm Free Prenatal Consults Mon - Fri 10:00-12:00 pm & 1:00-4:00 pm

trust.

healthcare you can 2

kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Angela Stott, C-PNP Kimberly McNerney, C-PNP Tiffany Vitt, C-PNP

TRU Hero « TRU History « TRU Fun

TRUMAN

EXPERIENCE AMERICA’S “BEST PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM” OPEN DAILY MINUTES FROM KANSAS CITY

TrumanLibrary.org 816.268.8200

MUST-SEE! FASCINATING! OUR KIDS LOVED IT! TripAdvisor Reviews Scan QR code for more Museum reviews

HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

KC-GoingPlaces_Truman_Half-page_Oct2014.indd 1

9/9/2014 11:12:29 AM

An Epic Exhibit of

E xt r eme Size!

Oct 2014 - Apr 2015

UnionStation.org kcgoingplaces.com

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the ultimate guide to family fun in KC

OUT & ABOUT 13 Outing Add-Ons: Best Barbecue 16 Through the Looking Glass

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PLAYTIME 22 Creative Juices 23 Indoor Fun 24 Inside Scoop: Janie Next Door 27 Outdoor Adventures

28 29 29 30

41 FEATURES 8 Tour the Town

Eight itineraries for every interest 18

Must-See KC All of the fun you can’t miss

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Cool Adventures Satisfy penguin fever

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One-Stop Spots Enjoy a night on the town

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Multigenerational Travel It’s a family affair

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KC’s Spectacular Views The most scenic sites in town

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50 Simple Pleasures Take in Kansas City’s hidden gems

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Savoring KC Wines 16 local wineries for wine lovers

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42 43 43 44 47 49 49

NATURE Fun in Nature Animal Attractions Plants & Gardens Nature Centers MUSEUMS Interactive Museums Arts Children’s Museums History Inside Scoop: Truman Library Science Special Interest

SHOWTIME 52 By the Numbers 53 Dance, Music & Theater

58 59 60 61 62 63

SPORTS Off to the Races Indoor Pools Roller Skating Sports Trivia Skating / Snow Sports Pro, Semi-Pro and College Sports

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE GIFT OF DANCE THE REGION’S MOST RESPECTED PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING DANCERS ENHANCE POISE, FOCUS AND RHYTHM IN YOUR CHILD WITH EXCELLENT STARTER CLASSES IN: • Creative Movement ages 3-5 • Fundamentals ages 5-6

Union Station

Johnson County 5359 W. 94th Terr.

Prairie Village, KS (95th & Nall)

Nall Ave.

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Downtown Bolender Center 500 W. Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO

Broadway

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS!

I-3

Photographer Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

• Pre-Ballet ages 6-7

94th Terr.

W. 95th St.

Pershing Rd.

SPACE IS LIMITED. . .ENROLL TODAY! 816.931.2299 | kcballet.org/school

Open Sept. 20-Oct. 31 10:00am-7:00pm 7 days a week

Fabulous Fun on the Farm!!

Bring in this ad & receive $1 off single admission.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

kcgoingplaces.com

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editor’s letter Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

T

here’s always something to celebrate in Kansas City, and this season our city is rolling out the red carpet in style.

One of our grandest landmarks, Union Station, is celebrating its centennial this year.

Originally a major transportation hub right in the center of the United States, Union Station is now home to Science City, numerous shops and restaurants— and it continues to serve train passengers as the rail station for Amtrak. To commemorate the anniversary of the station’s opening, the city is hosting festivities and events throughout the fall.

Across the street, the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I with special events and exhibits.

Kansas City celebrates not only the old, but the new— and improved—as well. Winter 2015 will mark the opening of the newly renovated National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. The city has long been proud of this world-class museum, and we can’t wait to see what new exhibits and displays lie in store for visitors.

This year, the Kansas City Zoo was proud to open the all-new Helzberg Penguin Plaza, where a dozen Humboldt penguins and more than 50 cold water penguins live in a state-of-the-art exhibit. The popularity of the zoo keeps growing. Just last year, a record-breaking 882,194 visitors enjoyed the animals.

I am excited to share favorite traditions with my children as we enjoy pumpkin patches, apple picking, a trip to the cider mill for warm donuts and fall festivals throughout autumn. We will enjoy the holidays with timehonored traditions like KC Rep’s 34th annual production of A Christmas Carol, the KC Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker—accompanied by the KC Symphony at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts—and, of course, the Country Club Plaza lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving.

Welcome to Kansas City! We’re happy you’re here and we hope you love it just as much as we do!

Kristina Light, Editor COVER PHOTO: Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo Photograph by Alistair Tutton, courtesy of JE Dunn Construction

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kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Managing Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Editor Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Ted Massing Jackie Streiker Marla Westrup Advertising@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Lauren Greenlee (Olathe) Tisha Foley (Belton) Karen Johnson (Kansas City) Stephanie Loux (Olathe) Micah Moore (Leawood) Alexis Rowland (Kansas City) Margaret Sarver (Lenexa) Heather Shields (Gladstone) Kathy Stump (Parkville) Business Office 11936 W. 119th #335 Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone 913.681.5139 fax

Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/KansasCityParent Follow us on Twitter: @KCParent Pinterest.com/KCParent

Member of:

Circulation verified by:

KC Going Places is published 2 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Going Places’ opinions.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. KC Going Places Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All photography and letters sent to KC Going Places will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially.

KC Going Places often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

Kansas City Metropolitan Area Use this map to help plan your tourism itinerary. Each listing in KC Going Places includes the map coordinates to help you find the nearby attractions! For instance, Kansas City Zoo (p. 29) is located at C4 on this map.

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Check out www.KCParent.com for exact venue locations, interactive maps and more!

*Map not to scale.

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kcgoingplaces.com

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getting to know kansas city: kc signatures

kc legends

kauffman center

truman home

A visit to Kansas City would be incomplete without enjoying some of Kansas City’s sensational signatures and the landmarks that celebrate them.

On Oct. 30, Union Station Kansas City (pg. 49), will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Currently home to Science City (pg. 49), the Gottlieb Planetarium (pg. 49), Amtrak and local shops and restaurants, the station remains a premier visitor attraction.

Spend a day at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial (pg. 48), then take a tour to the top of one of Kansas City’s most iconic landmarks, where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the city’s ever-changing and improving skyline.

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (pg. 53), is the newest crown jewel in Kansas City’s skyline, and this fall visitors will delight in live shows from the Kansas City Ballet (pg. 53), Lyric Opera (pg. 54), Kansas City Symphony (pg. 54)and touring productions. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts also offers guided tours that take visitors through the center, presenting a historic overview of its development and highlighting its architectural accomplishments, upcoming performances and volunteer opportunities.

The Country Club Plaza (www.CountryClubPlaza.com), modeled after the architecture of Seville, Spain, is one of Kansas City’s most recognized landmarks and home to many of the city’s most beautiful fountains, best restaurants and shops—and an ideal backdrop for family photos.

Head out west for a day of shopping at the Legends Outlets (www.LegendsShopping.com). Nearby, adrenaline junkies love to cheer for their favorite drivers as the Kansas Speedway (pg. 63) hosts NASCAR races. The speedway offers many experiences adding to the entertainment for families, whether you purchase a pit pass or scanners to track cars throughout the race.

Kansas City was home to the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Learn about his childhood at the Truman Farm (pg. 48), his humble lifestyle at the Truman Home (pg. 48) in Independence and his presidency at the Truman Presidential Library (pg. 46).

There, visitors participate in interactive exhibits including a replica Oval Office; they also explore Truman artifacts and special exhibits.

The “first lady of flight,” Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison. The Amelia Earhart Birthplace (pg. 44) tells the story of the legendary lady and her childhood adventures. While you’re in Atchison, make a point to take a trolley ride and enjoy other attractions.

Missouri has been home to many famous artists, and you can tour their homes today. The Thomas Hart Benton Home (pg. 48) and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate (pg. 44), former home of artist George Caleb Bingham, are two museums sharing the personal histories of two of Missouri’s most influential artists. This year marks the 125th birthday of Thomas Hart Benton, and you can learn about how Benton’s U.S. Naval experience in 1918 as a camoufleur and draftsman influenced his development as an artist, at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial (pg. 48) through Oct. 12.

It’s been said that jazz was born in New Orleans, but it grew up in Kansas City. There’s no place better to experience Kansas City jazz and celebrate our finest musicians than at 18th & Vine with a visit to the American Jazz Museum (pg. 43) and a live concert at the Gem or the Blue Room. Then, head next door and visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (pg. 49), where you’ll discover the history of American baseball from the African American perspective, beginning in 1863, and get to know many famous local baseball stars. Kids and adults alike will love measuring up against the life-size bronze statues of players in mid-game on the baseball diamond.

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kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

tour the town! kansas city’s wild west heritage

kc kid picks

mahaffie stagecoach stop & farm

paradise park

Kansas City is no longer the cow town it once was, but it holds its cowboy heritage dear, with many local traditions. Most notable is the American Royal (www.americanroyal.com), which hosts rodeos, agricultural competitions and education through programs and the American Royal Museum (pg. 29). The American Royal also hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, an appropriate event for Kansas City, the barbecue capital of the nation.

Horse lovers will enjoy a pony party or fall outing at Faulkner’s Ranch (www.FaulknersRanch.com), where you can celebrate a special event or pick a pumpkin. At the National Frontier Trails Museum (pg. 48) in Independence, you can load a wagon bound for Oregon and learn about the Westward Expansion. For a truly historic experience, take a wagon tour with Pioneer Trails Adventures (pg. 48).

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm (pg. 47) in Johnson County brings 1850s farming to life with tours and programs all year, including stagecoach rides, family programs and a working blacksmith shop. On snowy Saturdays in the winter, enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides through the farm. Learn firsthand about life in the 1850s on a tour of the John Wornall House Museum (pg. 46) or the Alexander Majors House (pg. 44), home of the founder of the Pony Express. Missouri Town 1855 (pg. 47) presents life in a small Missouri village in the 1850s through fun events, including their annual fall festival and Christmas celebration.

Horse lovers will enjoy a day trip to Boonville, just over an hour from Kansas City, for a tour of Warm Springs Ranch (www.WarmSpringsRanch.com), a state-of-the-art Clydesdale breeding facility and home of the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Little ones will enjoy the KidScape exhibit at the Johnson County Museum (pg. 46), a hands-on child-sized suburban streetscape, where children role-play as community figures in educational environments.

It’s no coincidence that our readers always rate Kaleidoscope (pg. 43) as one of the best kid-friendly destinations in Kansas City. Imaginations know no limit as kids create jigsaw puzzles, glow-in-the-dark art, crowns and more at this hands-on art center.

For traditional family fun, visit one of Kansas City’s family fun centers. Miniature golf, go-karts and arcades are all the rage at Cool Crest (pg. 62). At Paradise Park (pg. 25) your family will enjoy bonding as you fire foam balls at one another with air-compressed machine guns in the Foam Factory! While you’re there, climb a rock wall or explore the Children’s Edutainment Center, with everything from a miniature grocery store and bank, to an indoor water play exhibit and art center with face paints and special projects for kids. For more great indoor play, visit Monkey Bizness (pg. 25), Little Monkey Bizness (pg. 24) or Amazing Play (pg. 23) indoor fun centers, with great play equipment for children to enjoy. Sky Zone (pg. 26) in Shawnee is an indoor trampoline park with special play hours and packages for all ages from toddlers to teens.

Wonderscope Children’s Museum (pg. 44) offers handson exhibits for young kids. The Lego Ocean Adventure includes a Lego submarine inside which children can play. Other exhibits include H2O Water Play, a child-sized grocery store, raceways where children race golf balls on wooden tracks and much more.

Meet exotic animals at the Kansas City Zoo (pg. 29), where Nikita and Berlin, Kansas City’s resident polar bears, and the new penguins especially love winter weather.

The zoo is open DAILY except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The animals are more alert and active in the autumn and winter months when the weather is cool, and another bonus is that the zoo is less crowded. kcgoingplaces.com

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getting to know kansas city: the best fun for FREE in kc

art appreciation

money museum

nelson-atkins

If you’re looking for family fun on a shoestring, Kansas City offers an abundance of terrific free choices.

These are a few of our top picks for free family fun! See www.KCParent.com for “Free Fun” all year long!

Kaleidoscope (pg. 43) is one of the best destinations in Kansas City, according to our readers and their kids. This free hands-on art center, courtesy of Hallmark, invites visitors into a magical realm of creativity, where kids can create jigsaw puzzles, glow-in-the-dark art, crowns and more.

For unforgettable free fun, visit the Money Museum (pg. 45), where you’ll take home a souvenir bag of cash… shredded cash, that is! Interactive exhibits explore banking, basic economics and the financial policies that affect your family.

Driving through Kansas City, you notice a building with an airplane mounted on the roof, and it arouses your curiosity. What could it be? That airplane has become the trademark of the Roasterie (pg. 49), known for selling premier air-roasted coffee. The business offers one of the most fun free tours in town. Visitors watch as coffee goes from bean to brew. Call 816.931.4000 for reservations.

Experience the story of Kansas City’s own Hallmark, from its founding in 1910 to today. Visit the Hallmark Visitors Center (pg. 49) and watch as greeting cards are made, then participate in hands-on fun as you make a souvenir gift bow with the push of a button.

Unleash your inner motorcycle enthusiast with a free behind-the-scenes tour of the Harley Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations Plant (pg. 49), where visitors 12 and up watch the assembly of a V-Rod from start to finish.

There is only one shop in America where professional level violins, violas, cellos and basses are crafted, and it is located right in Downtown Merriam. K.C. Strings (pg. 43) is the shop where more than 20 craftsmen make worldclass instruments. You can schedule a tour for an in-depth view into the science of stringed instruments by calling 913.403.8999.

Kansas City is home to many remarkable art galleries, with three of her finest open to the public for FREE! The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (pg. 43), one of the largest galleries in the United States, maintains a permanent collection representing art from throughout history and around the world. Visitors enjoy the galleries and, on sunny days, picnic or stroll the landscaped museum grounds and sculpture garden. Before your visit, download the Nelson-Atkins Scavenger Hunt on www.KCParent.com for the whole family.

For modern art enthusiasts, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (pg. 43) and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (pg. 43) exhibit permanent and temporary galleries with special events and workshops for families.

Create family keepsakes at Paint, Glaze and Fire (pg. 25), Ceramic Cafe (pg. 23) and more paint-your-own pottery shops listed on pgs. 23-26. Patrons select and paint their own ceramic masterpieces—anything from piggy banks to plates, mugs to picture frames and many holiday pieces, as well. You can learn skills from painting to pottery, stained glass to sculpture at the Kansas City Art Institute (www.kcai.edu), where community education is offered, or Urban Arts and Crafts (www.urbanartsandcrafts.com), where modern skills are taught in a local shop.

Kookiedoodle Crafts (pg. 24) in Downtown Overland Park is a one-of-a-kind arts and crafts shop where children purchase kits and make masterpieces all within the store walls—no mess at home, only a take-home masterpiece.

Kids will enjoy painting, felt pillow projects, wooden crafts and more.

Paint-your-own-canvas shops are one of the newest trends across the city. Thirsty Palette (pg. 26) is a painting party cocktail studio in Leawood. People with no painting experience can create their very own intoxicating art! It is perfect for birthday parties for both kids and adults, corporate team-building functions, bachelorette parties and, of course, ladies nights out.

10 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

tour the town! autumn splendor

winter wonderland

parkville

nutcracker

Autumn and apples…the two go hand in hand! Kids love taking a trip to local farms to pick their very own fruit, and moms love the prices, which are significantly less expensive than at the local grocery store. In the fall, enjoy apple picking at Alldredge Orchards in Platte City (www.alldredgeorchards.com), Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph (www.schweizerorchards.com), Cider Hill Family Orchard in Kansas City, KS (www.CiderHillFamilyOrchard.com), or the Wagon Wheel Orchard in Gardner (www.wagonwheelorchard.com).

For a behind-the-scenes apple outing, visit the Louisburg Cider Mill (www.louisburgcidermill.com), where you can watch cider and apple cider donut making while enjoying autumn attractions, including farm animals, a corn maze, the pumpkin patch and country store.

Enjoy the crunch of crisp autumn leaves beneath your feet at local nature centers (pg. 30), many of them offering terrific fall events. Make it an annual tradition to attend Magic Woods at Lakeside Nature Center (pg. 30), or visit Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary (pg. 30), where the forest comes to life at night with costumed characters. Powell Gardens (pg. 30) hosts an annual jack-o’-lantern walk.

Participate in an educational program at Burr Oak Woods (pg. 30) or hike through the Parkville Nature Sanctuary (pg. 30). Take a starry night hike at George Owens Nature Center (pg. 30).

Step back in time for a pioneer fall festival experience at Watkin’s Woolen Mill (pg. 49), Shoal Creek Living History Museum (pg. 48), the Shawnee Indian Mission (pg. 48) or Missouri Town 1855 (pg. 47), all offering wonderful handson history programs to engage and enrich your love of the past and celebrate fall traditions. Contact each site for event details.

Kansas City boasts many terrific sledding hills all across the metro! Over the years, our loyal readers have shared their favorites, and you can learn about all of the best sledding hills in KC on www.KCParent.com!

Take a spin on the ice at one of the local outdoor rinks, The Ice at Park Place (pg. 62) and the Crown Center Ice Terrace (pg. 62).

Sleigh bells ring at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm (pg. 47), where you can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides on snowy Saturdays throughout the winter. The historic site offers tours and programs all year, including stagecoach rides and a working blacksmith shop.

If you’re craving snow but can’t find any locally, you don’t have to drive to Colorado to enjoy it. Weston’s Snow Creek (pg. 62) is a short 45-minute to one-hour drive from downtown KC, appealing to skiers and snow boarders alike.

Stroll through a winter wonderland on a luminary walk at the Overland Park Arboretum (pg. 30), Powell Gardens (pg. 30) or the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (pg. 43). George Owens Nature Park (pg. 30) hosts a winter solstice event with beautiful ice sculptures every winter. Call the sites for a schedule.

Enjoying holiday classics at live shows is an annual tradition. The Kansas City Ballet (pg. 53) performs The Nutcracker to the delight of thousands of visitors. The Kansas City Repertory Theatre (pg. 54) brings A Christmas Carol to stage, a celebrated tradition in Kansas City for decades.

Christmas in Kansas City wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Fairy Princess at the Kansas City Museum (pg. 46), where children take photos and leave with a special gift. For something more whimsical, visit the City Market (http://thecitymarket.org/events/overview) for Holidays in Whoville on weekends. Kids make special Seussian crafts and take photos with the Grinch.

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all about

kansas city ACROSS 3. Kansas City has more miles of ____ than Paris.

5. Last name of the performer famous for singing “Kansas City.”

8. This country music singer and X Factor winner is a Belton, MO, native.

1. ACROSS PHOTO CLUE: This is a photo of the __________ fountain on the Country Club Plaza

10. On Thanksgiving night, the magic begins when Kansas City’s “Nighttime Fairyland,” as it was known in the 1930s, comes to life at this local landmark.

11. In 1910, Joyce Hall began selling postcards out of a shoebox—the beginning of what would be become this, the world’s most famous greeting card company.

13. Author of A Farewell to Arms, began his writing career in Kansas City.

14. Selling air-roasted coffee, this local business offers free tours of their establishment, known for an airplane adorning the roof.

16. Shawnee Mission North High School alum now, thanks to Oprah, gives advice to thousands worldwide.

17. The thing to do before every Chiefs game.

DOWN 2. First introduced in Kansas City in 1977, this is now the most famous kids’ meal ever served at a wellknown fast food chain.

4. “There’s no place like ____.”

6. Kansas City is “The City of ____.”

7. The American Royal began as a national Hereford show in the Kansas City _____.

Down: 2) Happy Meal 4) home 6) Fountains 7) stockyards 9) Nash 12) Helzberg 15) Bird Across: 1) Nichols 3) boulevards 5) Domino 8) Tate Stevens 10) Plaza 11) Hallmark 13) Hemingway 14) Roasterie 16) Dr. Phil 17) tailgate

Answers: 12 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

9. In 1933, the Union Station massacre was the shootout and murder of four law enforcement officers and a criminal fugitive as an attempt to free Frank “Jelly” ____, a federal prisoner.

12. This local jewelry store gives away free buttons that say “I Am Loved.”

15. Outside the American Jazz Museum, you may take a photo with an 18-foot-tall bronze head of native son Charlie ____ Parker.

OUT & ABOUT what is kansas city-style barbecue?: Kansas City’s style differs from the popular methods of cooking barbecue in Texas or Memphis. Here in the heartland, our barbecue meat is slow smoked over wood, typically hickory, and slathered in a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce.

BBQ FACTS

25 cents:

The price of slow-cooked ribs first sold in Kansas City by Henry Perry in the 18th & Vine neighborhood in 1908. The restaurant later became Arthur Bryant’s.

the most barbecue: According to the Kansas City Barbeque Society, we have more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States.

35: This year marks the 35th annual World Series of Barbecue at the American Royal in Kansas City. More than 550 teams compete in the largest barbecue contest in the world.

11-13:

The number of ribs in a full slab.

18 hours: Some Kansas City barbecue dishes are smoked up to 18 hours to reach perfection. chips too: The popularity of KC-style barbecue carries on in other local products. The most popular flavor of Guy’s potato chips, founded in 1938 in Kansas City, MO, is Legendary BBQ, which sold 230,134 bags in 2012. sides: The five most popular side dishes are baked beans, onion rings, potatoes (mashed, baked, fried or potato salad–it’s all good), cole slaw and corn. research sources: • Kansas City Barbeque Society: www.KCBS.us

• American Royal: www.AmericanRoyal.com • U.S. News & World Report: http://travel.usnews.com/

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OUT & ABOUT

OUTING ADD-ONS:

OUT & ABOUT

OUTING ADD-ONS:

Photo Courtesy of VisitKC.com

making the cut: the best barbecue in kc Enjoy Kansas City’s own signature style barbecue and an outing!

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low-smoked meat, sweet and tangy sauce, meltin-your-mouth juicy ribs…it has been said that in Kansas City, barbecue isn’t just a meal, it’s a way of life. We take pride in our barbecue in Kansas City and every autumn host the World Series of Barbecue at the American Royal, the world’s largest barbecue contest. And year-round we can be found feasting at our favorite restaurants and arguing around water coolers in offices across the metro about which local restaurant truly serves the tastiest, the tangiest, the sauciest, the tenderest (yes, we’ll even invent words to describe it!), the very best barbecue in town. Chances are good that if you ask 10 locals for their favorite barbecue joint, these restaurants will make the cut!

Fiorella’s Jack Stack www.JackStackBBQ.com Claim to Fame: Zagat’s highest rated barbecue in the country, including Most Popular Restaurant in Kansas City 2012. Voted Kansas City’s best barbecue in Ingram’s Magazine (2000-2010).

Kansas City Origins: Founded in 1957 by the Fiorella family, the first location was a storefront barbecue house with a modest selection of five or six items and originally named Smoke Stack Barbecue. Jack, the eldest son, changed the name of his restaurants to Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue in 1997 as a derivative of the original label.

14 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Signature Items: Best known for delicious entrees including crown prime beef short ribs, burnt ends, Duroc pork chops, rack of lamb and farm-raised Atlantic salmon. They also serve tasty side dishes like hickory pit beans, cheesy corn bake and onion rings.

Four Locations:

• Freight House Location: 101 W. 22nd St., #300, Kansas

City, MO, 816.472.7427. Nearby Attractions: Union Station, Crossroads Art District, National Archives, National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial, Money Museum • Country Club Plaza Location: 4747 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO, 816.942.9141. Nearby Attractions: Country Club Plaza, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National Museum of Toys & Miniatures, Kauffman Memorial Gardens, KC Repertory Theatre, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art • Martin City Location: 13441 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.942.9141. Nearby Attractions: Truman Home (Grandview), Mac-N-Seitz Baseball & Softball, Martin City Paintball, Johnson Farms Pumpkin Patch • Overland Park Location: 9520 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS, 913.385.7427. Nearby Attractions: Museum at Prairiefire, Mission Bowl, Skate City Overland Park

http://OklahomaJoesBBQ.com

Claim to Fame: Oklahoma Joe’s is renaming their company to Joe’s Kansas City by the end of the year and has been the Zagat #1 rated barbecue restaurant in Kansas City every year since 2004. Zagat also named Joe’s famous sandwich, the Z-Man, the best sandwich in Kansas in its “50 States, 50 Sandwiches” list.

Kansas City Origins: Beginning as the Slaughterhouse

• 10440

E. 40 Hwy., Independence, MO, 816.353.5880.

Nearby Attractions: Kauffman Stadium, Arrowhead

Stadium, Cool Crest Main, Kansas City, MO, 816.753.0828. Nearby Attractions: National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial, Money Museum, Comedy City • 103rd & State Line, Leawood, KS, 913.383.1752. Nearby Attractions: Alexander Majors House, AMF Bowling • 1026 State Ave., Kansas City, KS, 913.621.1134. Nearby Attraction: Strawberry Hill Museum

• 3205

Five in barbecue competitions, the group won contests including the Lenexa Kansas State BBQ Championship, the American Royal Open and the American Royal Invitational. Since they began competing in 1991, Slaughterhouse Five has won more than 25 Grand and Reserve Grand championships. And in 1993, it was named the Kansas City Barbeque Society’s Team of the Year.

Jeff and Joy Stehney used their winning recipes to open Oklahoma Joe’s restaurant in 1996, winning fans ever since, including President Obama on his summer 2014 visit to Kansas City.

Kansas City Origins: Since the 1920s, Kansas Citians have been enjoying the Bryant family’s signature sauce and smoked meats.

Signature Items: The Z-Man Sandwich (slow-smoked

Signature Items: Ribs, turkey and beef served with cole

brisket, provolone cheese and onion rings on a Kaiser roll), Smokie Joe Sandwich (chopped smoked beef and pork on a bun), ribs and chicken. Popular sides include pig salad, pit boss salad, barbecue beans and creamy coleslaw.

slaw and barbecue beans.

Three Locations:

• Original Gas Station Location: 3002 W. 47th Ave., Kansas

City, KS, 913.722.3366. Nearby Attractions: Mission Bowl, Skate World, KC Repertory Theatre O

• lathe Location: 11950 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS, 913.782.6858. Nearby Attractions: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, Olathe Lanes East, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art L

• eawood Location: 11723 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS, 913.338.5151. Nearby Attractions: The Museum at Prairiefire, Skate City Overland Park, Pinstripes

Gates

Arthur Bryant’s www.ArthurBryantsBBQ.com Claim to Fame: Serving celebrities since 1930, Arthur Bryant’s has been enjoyed by Steven Spielberg, Michael Landon, Robert Redford and Jack Nicholson—to name just a few. Presidents Truman, Carter and Obama have all enjoyed the King of Ribs’ famous recipes.

Two Locations:

• Missouri Location: 1727 Brooklyn Ave., Kansas City, MO,

816.231.1123. Nearby Attractions: American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum • Kansas Location: 1702 Village West Pkwy., Kansas City, KS, 913.788.7500. Nearby Attractions: Legends Outlets Shopping Center, Kansas Speedway, Sporting KC, Great Wolf Lodge

www.GatesBBQ.com

Claim to Fame: Customers are greeted with “Hi, may I help you?” the moment they walk in the door. The greeting is Gates’ signature, one-of-a-kind Midwestern hospitality.

Kansas City Origins: Established in 1946 at 19th & Vine, Gates now boasts six restaurants.

Signature Items: Burnt ends, ribs, mutton and sides of beans and slaw.

Six Locations:

• 1325

E. Emanuel Cleaver Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.531.7522. Nearby Attractions: Country Club Plaza, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National Museum of Toys & Miniatures, Kauffman Memorial Gardens, KC Repertory Theatre, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

1

• 221 Brooklyn, Kansas City, MO, 816.483.3880. Nearby Attractions: American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

kcgoingplaces.com 15

OUT & ABOUT

Joe’s Kansas City (formerly Okalahoma Joe’s)

OUT & ABOUT

i

n 1865, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, introduced readers to Alice on her first adventures in Wonderland. Celebrate Alice’s adventures on an adventure of your own in Kansas City this fall.

A Tea Party at Henry’s Tearoom 401 SE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 “Yes, that’s it!” said the Hatter with a sigh. “It’s always tea time.”

It’s always tea time at Henry’s Tearoom! Located in historic downtown Lee’s Summit, Henry’s Tearoom is the perfect setting for a tea party that you will go simply mad over. Enjoy this beautiful historic church that will take you back in time with a fantastic assortment of antiques and collectibles. Continue your visit by grabbing a bite to eat at the highly rated tea room. The service and atmosphere make for the perfect outing where you can wear your best hat and enjoy your own pot of tea!

Kansas City’s Wonderland –Powell Gardens 1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO 64061 “Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.

Alice replied, rather shyly, “I — I hardly know, sir, just at present— at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”

When you think of Wonderland, what do you see?

Exotic plants, whimsical wildlife, scenic nature where you can clear your head? Then you should take a day trip to Powell Gardens, where you can explore the beautiful botanical gardens. Powell Gardens is a true Wonderland, where you can find flowers, trails, fountains and more. Bring your favorite copy of Alice in Wonderland and stretch out under a shady tree.

Roam the gardens for interesting creatures that trigger your imagination. Perhaps a rabbit? Maybe a pigeon? Maybe even a friendly caterpillar? There’s no doubt you will be swept away by the beauty and wonder of Powell Gardens, just like Alice was in Wonderland.

Through the Loo 16 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

OUT & ABOUT

A Giant Game of Chess at the Kansas City Public Library 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO 64105 “I declare it’s marked out just like a large chessboard!”

Alice said at last. “There ought to be some men moving about somewhere—and so there are!” she added in a tone of delight, and her heart began to beat quick with excitement as she went on.

If you are interested in learning more about Alice, you can check out Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass at the Kansas City Public Library downtown. This beautiful library location is a real gem of the city. You can follow your imagination on many adventures at the library with their incredible selection of literature.

“What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?” Don’t worry, they have a fantastic selection of children’s literature with plenty of pictures, just as Alice would like it. While you are there, be sure to check out the rooftop for a true Alice adventure! You can bring a friend and enjoy a nice leisurely game on the lifesize chessboard. You’ll have a great time in scenic downtown Kansas City with this fun outdoor chess game.

French Tarts at Baked in Kansas City 706 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO 64111 In the very middle of the court was a table, with a large dish of tarts upon it: they looked so good, that it made Alice quite hungry to look at them.

To honor the infamous trial over who stole the Queen of Hearts’ tarts, you can swing by Westport for our next stop.

Enjoy a delicious French tart at one of Kansas City’s finest bakeries, Baked in Kansas City. If you’re looking for exceptional French pastries, just like the treats from Wonderland, this is the place to be. If you’re feeling quite hungry, they have a full service restaurant, where you can even enjoy a hearty brunch, lunch or dinner with the whole family. Be sure to check out their hours before you go!

Bakery Counter Tue.-Thu., 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Fri.-Sat., 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Sun., 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Kitchen Tue.-Thu., 11:00–8:00 Fri., 11:00–9:00 Sat., 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Sun., 8:00-8:00 Closed Mondays

* Homer’s Coffee House at 80th and Metcalf offers homemade pop tarts on Saturday mornings.

Alice (in wonderland) Performed by the Kansas City Ballet at the Kauffman Center 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108 “Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail, “There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail.

See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!

They are waiting on the shingle–will you come and join the dance?

Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?

Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?”

The Kansas City Ballet never disappoints, and their performance of Alice (in wonderland) will surely be no exception!

Performances will take place Oct. 10-19 at the stunningly beautiful Kauffman Center. Be sure to get your tickets early, because this is going to be a performance that families will not want to miss. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and visit all of your favorite friends in Wonderland. This highly imaginative ballet shares the beauty of dance, while telling this curiously classic tale that we all know and love.

Alexis Rowland, a lifelong Alice in Wonderland fan and collector, is looking forward to the Kansas City Ballet’s fall performance.

a n K s a n i s s C s a l i t G y g n i ok kcgoingplaces.com 17

Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Dec. 6-24, enjoy all the spectacular sights and sounds of Clara’s magical adventures, the Mouse King’s battling the toy soldiers, an enchanted Christmas tree, dozens and dozens of stunning dancers, dazzling scenery and costumes, wondrous music played by the Kansas City Symphony and a snowfall inside the theater! www.KCBallet.org

kansas city 12 must-sees in

it’s a not-to-be-missed list for your fall & winter

Boo at the Zoo: On Oct. 25 and 26, the zoo has treats to go along with tricks. From 9:30 to 5:00, children will trick-or-treat at the zoo while enjoying Halloween-themed activities and entertainment. www.KansasCityZoo.org

The Culture House brings Störling Dance Theatre’s production of The Underground to stage on Feb. 6 & 7 at the Kauffman Center. See why it’s both a critical and fan pick as a top production every year. www.StorlingDance.org

18 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

American Royal: The American Royal Parade & Rodeo in September and World Series of Barbecue in October are annual events enjoyed by the whole family. www.AmericanRoyal.com

Fairy Princess at the Kansas City Museum: Weekends in December, visit the Fairy Princess, one of Kansas City’s original holiday traditions. In 1935, Kline’s Department Store celebrated the grand opening of their Toyland by introducing the Fairy Princess. For 25 cents, children visited the princess, sharing their Christmas wishes. www.KansasCityMuseum.org

Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum: On Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6, stroll down candlelit trails through the gardens and woods and around the ponds as you enjoy festive music and lighted displays. www.opkansas.org/events/holiday-luminary-walk/

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Glow at Powell Gardens: On Oct. 18-19, enjoy a brand new spellbinding Halloween experience at Powell Gardens. More than 700 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns will light a flickering path through the gardens with vignettes exploring this year’s theme, “Halloween at the Movies.” www.PowellGardens.org

KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol: Nov. 21-Dec. 26 the seasonal favorite returns for its 34th year with a message of hope and redemption. This year, fall in love with the Christmas classic all over again as the Rep adds new magic and sparkle to the tale! www.KCRep.com

kansas city 12 must-sees in

it’s a not-to-be-missed list for your fall & winter

Chinese New Year: Ring in the Chinese New Year on Feb. 13 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Celebrate the Year of the Sheep enjoying Tai Chi demonstrations, tea tastings, traditional Chinese music, food and more. www.nelson-atkins.org

20 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Pumpkin Patches: Kansas City is home to creative pumpkin patches, each with its own theme and a wide variety of attractions, from jumping pillows to train rides, corn mazes to pony rides and more. Visit www.KCParent.com and click Guides for a complete selection of local pumpkin patches to explore this autumn.

The National Museum of Toys & Miniatures Reopening winter 2015, the former Toy and Miniature Museum will wow with new and improved exhibits featuring the Midwest’s largest collection of antique toys and the nation’s largest collection of contemporary, fine-scale miniatures. The museum exhibits the art of imagination. www.ToyandMiniatureMuseum.org

Howl-o-Fest at Worlds of Fun: Weekends in October, fall under the spell of scare-free daytime Howl-o-Fest at Worlds of Fun. Your little ones will be charmed by Planet Spooky. Plus, they’ll love the Magical House on Boo Hill, live shows and a costume parade. Then come back at night for grown-up Halloween scares during Halloween Haunt. www.WorldsOfFun.com

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P L AY T I M E

P L AY T I M E

Kookiedoodle

get your creative juices flowing

C

hildren are inherently creative, and their imaginations can take flight when given time, encouragement and a bit of inspiration. Check out these creative hotspots, guaranteed to get your child’s creative juices flowing—and yours!

Kaleidoscope. From the moment you enter Kaleidoscope’s kooky 9-foot “E-door,” you know you’re in for a creative treat! Once inside, families can produce custom artwork using remnant materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes, bringing a whole new meaning to the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” Everything you make during a 40-minute art session is yours for the keeping. Sessions are free but on a first come, first served basis.

Ceramics & Glass Fusing. Does your child love to paint?

Then Ceramic Cafe in Leawood is just the place! Budding artists can select a piece of unfinished pottery of their choice and paint it with any of the 60 non-toxic color options available. For those lacking know-how or inspiration, knowledgeable staff are available to provide instruction on basic techniques guaranteed to create a stunning masterpiece. All that you need to create your perfect piece is supplied, from stencils to sponges, stamps and idea books. The hardest part of the process may be waiting to see the finished product once it has been through the kiln! Glass fusing, the process of cutting and firing glass, is also a popular art form, simple enough that children ages 10 and up are allowed to do it independently (younger children can participate if joined by a parent).

22 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Choose your glass base, cut colored pieces of glass and layer the cut pieces in a design of your choice on top of the base. A trip through the kiln fuses the layers of glass together to form a beautiful custom creation.

Painting & Crafting. You never know when creativity will strike. Kookiedoodle, located in downtown Overland Park, has kept this in mind by offering not only a slew of scheduled art and crafts classes, but also a walk-in studio. A great option for a date night or a moms’ night out or even a parent/child date is a paint-your-own-canvas studio. All materials are provided along with step-by-step instructions. You’ll head home with tons of memories and your very own masterpiece!

Cooking: Proper etiquette would say we shouldn’t play with our food. But who’s to say that should have any bearing on dinner prep? Next time your child asks what’s for dinner, invite him to join you as you whip up the meal.

Chop salad items with kid-safe nylon knives and assemble pizza toppings together. If baking pizza dough isn’t your thing, pick up a Papa Murphy’s Mini Murph Kit! Check your library or parks and recreation catalog for upcoming cooking classes, and don’t forget to ask your local grocery store’s bakery when the next cupcake and cookie decorating session is. Creativity never tasted so good!

Freelance writer Lauren Greenlee has a trio of little chefs that love to help whip up dinner and art projects in their Olathe home.

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4)

Art Experience at Mod Gallery

KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pg. 7 Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

Indoor Fun in KC 360 Gymnastics

431 N. Lindenwood Dr., Olathe, KS 913.782.3300 $ B3 www.KC360Gym.com Open play offered. Call for schedule.

Advanced Laser Tag

523 N. 291 Hwy., Liberty, MO 816.468.9663 $ C2 www.AmazingPlay.net Indoor play place with laser tag, laser maze, arcades and giant sky maze.

2026 E. Santa Fe St., Olathe, KS 913.254.9678 $ B4 www.AdvancedLaserTag.com New laser tag games every 10 minutes, a high-tech video arcade, prize counter, party room and observation deck!

T-Rex Café Build-A-Dino: 1847 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.334.8888 $$ A3 www.BuildABear.com Children create their own stuffed bears and other animal friends at this shop.

Coffee Playground Overland Park First Assembly of God

Ceramic Cafe

Cosmic Jump

1809 McGee St., KC, MO 816.695.4670 $$ C3 www.artexperience.us Professional painting instruction & bring-your-own-beverages classes.

9425 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 913.383.0222 $ www.CeramicCafeKC.com Paint your own pottery shop.

Blue Valley Recreation

B5

7700 W. 75th St., OP, KS 913.432.3281 FREE B4 www.OverlandParkMOPS.blogspot.com Coffee shop where parents can relax while kids play in the gym.

12025 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS 913.397.7700 $ A5 www.CosmicJump.com Indoor trampoline park.

Colors & Bottles

Dave & Buster’s

6545 W. 151st St., OP, KS 913.685.6000 $ B5 www.BlueValleyRec.org Play in the gymnastics area with trampoline, hoops, balls, parachute, etc.

Various locations.

855.806.4114 $$ http://colorsandbottles.com Local artists teach students of all skill levels to create canvas masterpieces.

Hosted at local restaurants.

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Chuck E. Cheese

Debbie Howard’s Gym

Oak Park Mall: 11465 W. 95th St., OP, KS 913.307.0328 B3 Zona Rosa: 8640 N. Dixson Ave., KC, MO 816.587.6515 B2 Indep Center: 18813 E. 39th St. South, Indep, MO 816.795.5266 D3

10510 Metcalf Ln., OP, KS 913.648.4920 B4 18701 E. 39th St., Indep, MO 816.254.6300 D3 15225 W. 134th St., Olathe, KS 913.390.0815 A5 9196 N. Skyview Ave., KC, MO 816.505.0902 $ B1 www.ChuckECheese.com Pizza, arcade games and indoor amusement rides.

The Legends at Village West: 1843 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.981.6815 $ A3 www.DaveAndBusters.com Arcade games, shuffleboard and billiards.

655 N. Somerset Ter., Olathe, KS 913.829.3006 $ A5 www.DebbieHowardsGym.com Open gym time offered for parents to play with their children.

Elite Gym

13600 W. 108th St., Lenexa, KS 913.469.5554 $ B4 www.EliteGymSwim.com Obstacle courses, tree houses, inflatables, zip line, trampoline and gym mats.

THIS IS WHAT

HAPPY

LOOKS LIKE Open Jump • Birthday Parties • SkyRobics • Ultimate Dodgeball & More

OPEN JUMP PRICING

$9...........................30 MINS $13..........................60 MINS $17...........................90 MINS $20..........................120 MINS

SkySocks are required to jump. ®

SKY ZONE Kansas City 6495 Quivira Rd STE A Shawnee, KS 66216 913-213-5900

Reserve your jump time now at www.skyzone.com/KC All jumpers are required to complete a liability waiver for the specific SZ location they are visiting. Participants under 18 must have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.

kcgoingplaces.com 23

P L AY T I M E

Amazing Play

PLAYTIME

P L AY T I M E

Extreme Grand Prix Family Fun Center 6731 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 816.286.4156 $ C3 www.ExtremeGrandPrix.com Indoor kart racing with high performance European karts of 45 mph.

A Flip Zone

INSIDE SCOOP: Jane Christison

Janie Next Door ® Musician, singer, songwriter Jane Christison is also known as Janie Next Door ®. Her newest musical venture is writing children’s songs and performing as Janie Next Door ® in upbeat, entertaining, interactive, live musical programs for children at preschools, elementary school concerts, festivals, libraries, birthday parties and other special occasions. www.janienextdoor.com GP: If you are raising KC kids, what is your favorite place to visit in KC with them and why?

Janie: I don’t have children (perhaps that’s why I’m having so much fun playing music for kids!), but if I did, I’d make sure we went to the KC Jiggle Jam Festival held on Memorial Day weekend each year at Crown Center. They have two or three stages featuring family-friendly children’s musicians with lots of activities for a fun family weekend.

GP: Favorite “only in KC” restaurant and why?

Janie: Johnny Cascone’s Italian Restaurant. Three reasons: 1) I love the food. 2) At one point in my performing career, the Cascones hired me to play my accordion table-to-table, serenading their customers.

3) Vito DiCapo, the one-of-a-kind host with the gravelly voice, who makes everyone feel welcome.

GP: Favorite autumn tradition in KC and why?

Janie: A trip to Parkville’s English Landing Park to see the fall colors and walk along the river.

GP: Favorite winter tradition in KC and why?

Janie: Viewing the Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza. It’s like instant Christmas when the lights are flipped on.

GP: Must-see KC attraction for out-of-town guests and why?

Janie: The Hallmark Visitors Center—it’s interesting for all ages.

24 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

I-49 Fun Center

17217 S. Outer Rd., Belton, MO 816.331.5867 $ C3 www.I-49FunCenter.com Indoor Inflatable play facility and birthday party venue.

Irene B. French Community Center Indoor Playground

853 NW O’Brien Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.524.2636 $ D4 www.AFlipZone.com Occasional open play on the 33-foot obstacle course, tumble track, trampoline and equipment.

5701 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 913.322.5550 $ B3 www.Merriam.org Enjoy Step 2 climbers, Little Tykes riding toys and more.

Fun Run

200 W. 74th St., KC, MO 816.363.1373 $ C4 www.KCClayGuild.org Make your own pottery.

1919 Industrial Dr., Liberty, MO 816.781.0386 $ D1 www.FunRunKansasCity.com Inflatable obstacle course, dual lane slide and bounce houses offer active fun. Enjoy the large toddler area and the Children’s Imagination Village.

Game Zone 20355 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.390.9993 $ A5 www.GameZoneKC.com Indoor arcade with a variety of games for many skills and interests. From popular dance machines to time-tested alley bowlers, there is something for the entire family.

Got Art Gallery

18 SW 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.600.5932 $$ D4 http://gotartgallery.org Local gallery offers painting classes for all ages and skill levels.

Grapes & Paints

7175 W. 95th St., OP, KS 913.314.2650 $$ B5 www.GrapesAndPaints.com A social BYOB painting studio which caters to all ages.

Gymboree Play & Music

KC Clay Guild

 FEATURED LISTING Kookiedoodle Crafts See ad on pg. 26.

7924 Santa Fe, OP, KS 913.387.4065 $ B4 www.KookiedoodleCrafts.com Kookiedoodle Crafts is a family owned and operated walk-in arts and crafts studio for children ages 3 to 12.

Providing customers with quality materials, unique project ideas and the freedom to develop projects as they see fit is a wonderful way to experience the many benefits of making art. 

Lenexa Community Center “Gym for Me Program”

13420 Oak St., Shwn Msn, KS 913.541.0209 $ B4 www.ci.Lenexa.ks.us Preschool toys and activities keep little ones busy. Call for schedule.

Little Monkey Bizness

12219 Shwn. Msn. Pkwy., Shwn Msn, KS 913.631.7000 $ B3 www.LittleMonkeyBizness.com Little Monkey Bizness is a full-service coffee house overlooking a nearly 4,000-square-foot play area for kids.

Prairie Village: 22 On the Mall, Prairie Village, KS 913.393.0203 B3 Zona Rosa: 7360 NW 87th Ter., KC, MO 816.505.3344 B2 www.GymboreeClasses.com $$ Gymboree offers open play for members and educational classes for young children.

8101 Marty St., OP, KS 913.895.6350 Free B4 www.OPKansas.org Three-story “jungle” playground entertains with slides, tunnels and swings.

Hook Gallery

The Maze Craze

1409B Westport Rd., KC, MO 816.531.4665 $$ C3 www.HookGallery.com BYOB and they provide the rest: supplies, instruction and a one-of-a-kind masterpiece created by you.

Matt Ross Community Center Indoor Playground

8610 N. Dixson Ave., KC, MO 816.587.6293 $-$$ B2 www.TheMazeCraze.com Find your way through our spectacular, mystical Mirror Maze. Climb, crawl and slither your way through the lasers in the Laser Maze!

10551 N. Ambassador Dr., KC, MO 816.880.9996 $ B1 www.MercuryGymnastics.com Mercury Gymnastics offers preschool gymnastics facility for open play. Call for a schedule.

Monkey Bizness

The Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20080 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.780.2500 $ A5 www.MonkeyBizness.com Kids will never get bored of climbing, bouncing, swinging and sliding at this inflatable play place.

My Gym

8532 W. 133rd St., OP, KS 913.685.9005 $ B5 www.My-Gym.com My Gym Children’s Fitness Center offers classes, parties and open playtime in the play rooms.

Paint, Glaze & Fire

12683 Metcalf Ave., OP, KS 913.661.2529 $ B5 www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net Paint your own pottery, make your own mosaics or enjoy the coffeehouse.

 FEATURED LISTING Paradise Park See ad on pg. 27.

1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.246.5224 $ D4 www.Paradise-Park.com Paradise Park, a premier family Kansas City destination, has something for the whole family to enjoy. The 35,000 sq.-ft. building is home to the Children’s Edutainment Center (CEdC), integrating children’s educational experiences into a fantasy of discovery play, exploration and fun! With a multi-level foam factory, you can fire foam balls through our air-powered cannons, geysers and blasters. A 24-ft. rock climbing wall, go-karts, miniature golf, bumper cars and laser tag add to the fun. 

Parkside Coffeehouse at Cedar Ridge Christian Church

8839 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS 913.393.3000 Free B4 www.ParksideCoffeehouse.com Coffee shop for parents and indoor play for tots! Gym, indoor playground equipment and ride-on toys.

Pinot’s Palette

Pump It Up

Potter’s Haven Art Studio

Raytown International Raceway

5235 W. 116th Pl., Leawood, KS 913.451.7466 $$ B5 www.PinotsPalette.com An upscale “paint and sip” studio where painters are taught to create their own works of art.

5 SW 4th St., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.525.9323 $ D4 www.PottersHavenArtStudio.com Paint your own pottery shop.

Potter’s Obsession

292 SW Blue Pkwy., KC, MO 816.941.2555 $ C5 www.PottersObsession.com A pottery and mosaic teaching studio.

Power Play

7230 W. Frontage Rd., Shwn Msn, KS 913.236.7867 $ B3 www.PumpItUpParty.com Have fun in gigantic inflatable-filled arenas for open play. Private party rooms available as well.

6141 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 816.353.7568 $ C3 www.RaytownInternationalRaceway.com

Race slot cars on a 1/24th scale quarter mile drag strip, and a 155-ft. Blue King road course. Location sells and rents cars and controllers for the road course.

Sadlers Indoor Racing

325 N. Mur-Len Rd., Olathe, KS 913.768.7700 $ A5 Shawnee: 13110 W. 62nd Ter., Shwn www.SadlersIndoorRacing.com Msn, KS Indoor go-kart course offers fun & thrills.

913.268.7200 $ B3 North: 509 NW Barry Rd., KC, MO 913.268.7200 $ C1 Shawnee Civic Centre www.PowerPlayKC.com Open Gym Enjoy more than 80,000 square feet 13817 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS of rides, laser tag, whirly ball, arcade 913.631.5200 $ B3 games, bowling, go-karts, a toddler www.CityOfShawnee.org area and cosmic golf.

Enjoy climbing toys, toddler sports, ride-on toys, etc. Call for schedule.

kcgoingplaces.com 25

P L AY T I M E

Mercury Gymnastics

 FEATURED LISTING Sky Zone See ad on pg. 23.

6495 Quivira Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.213.5900 $ A4 www.skyzone.com/kansascity Sky Zone is the original indoor trampoline park, bringing unmatched, out-of-this-world and high-flyin’ FUN of the world’s first all-trampolinewalled playing court to the Kansas City metro area! With open jump, a Foam Zone, SkyRobics fitness classes, 3-D dodgeball (when available) and the SkySlam basketball dunk court, this is the ultimate 3-D play experience! 

11958 Roe Ave., OP, KS 913.669.0501 $$ B5 http://ThirstyPalette.com The Thirsty Palette is Leawood’s trendiest painting party hotspot. Sign up for any future party of a painting that you are interested in. That night, the artist of that painting will guide you and your classmates step by step, shape by shape, to create a nearly identical version of it—but with your own flair of course! 

Spring Hill Community Center

817 Jefferson, KC, MO 816.359.1015 $$ C3 http://TheTipsyRedFox.com Entertaining people as a B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Beverage) art and social studio.

613 S. Race, Spring Hill, KS 913.592.3664 Free A5 www.SpringHillKS.com Visit this indoor playground with toys.

Sylvester Powell Community Center Indoor Playground 6200 Martway, Mission, KS 913.722.8200 $ B3 www.SylvesterPowell.com Families enjoy inflatables, tricycles, gym mats and more. Call for schedule.

Thirsty Palette

A Great Place to Create

• Birthdays • Classes • Field trips • Walk-ins

7924 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204 www.kookiedoodlecrafts.com 26 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

 FEATURED LISTING Thirsty Palette See ad on pg. 25.

Tipsy Red Fox

Toddler Town

Roger T. Sermon Community Center: 201 N. Dodgion Ave., Indep, MO 816.325.7370 $ D3 www.ci.independence.mo.us Ride-on toys, slides, ball pit, indoor playground, blocks and toys offer fun for youngsters. Call for schedule.

Urban Arts and Crafts

4165 N. Mulberry Dr., KC, MO 816.234.1004 $$ C3 www.urbanartsandcrafts.com Classes in many favorite arts and crafts, including knitting, crochet, beading, handwork and more.

Walls of Clay

Walls Of Clay Pottery Studio 16625 Midland Dr., Shawnee, KS 913.248.1117 $ A4 Paint your own pottery at this shop.

Westport Roanoke Community Center

Midtown Play Place 3601 Roanoke Rd., KC, MO 816.784.5200 $ C3 www.KCMO.org Enjoy the indoor playground, blocks, gym mats and toys. Call for schedule.

Xtreme Gymnastics & Trampoline

725 NW Commerce, Lee’s Summit, MO 816.347.8008 $ D4 www.XGTKids.com Open play occasionally offered at this 18,000-square-foot fitness facility where children can leap and tumble.

Y.E.S! Kids Fitness

1251 NE Rice Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.246.0058 $ D4 http://YesKidsFitness.com Family nights, a fitwall, fitness classes and parents night out are offered.

 FEATURED LISTING Zonkers See ad on pg. 26.

Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20070 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.393.3535 $ A5 www.Zonkers.com An indoor theme park for families with children of all ages. A diverse mix of arcade games and amusement rides built to scale for indoor use.

In addition enjoy the soft play area and Zonkers Sky Maze. It is a multilevel maze of slides, tubes, obstacle course and other kid-friendly climbing components. 

Zonkers-Arcade

Oak Park Mall: 11149 W. 95th St., OP, KS 913.894.6900 $ B4 www.ZonkersArcade.com A diverse mix of arcade games includes ticket redemption games, prize redemption games, video games, racing games, inflatables and many more.

Outdoor Adventures Adventure Zip KC

12829 Loring Rd., Bonner Springs, KS 913.302.8881 $$ A3 www.AdventureZipKC.com A zipline adventure under trees and through trees to an awaiting 45-ft. tower.

Belton Grandview and KC Railroad

502 Walnut St., Belton, MO 816.331.0630 $ C5 www.BeltonRailroad.org Train rides will appeal to the entire family. Some trips include hot dog trains, ice cream rides and more.

KC Northern Railroad

5940 NW Waukomis Dr., KC, MO 816.746.5663 $ B2 www.KCNRR.com Three 16-inch gauge trains restored and operated by volunteers run on a half-mile track through tunnels that are sure to make your children smile.

KC Timber Challenge 12755 Loring Dr., Bonner Springs, KS 913.747.5053 $$ A3 www.KCTimberChallenge.com A one-of-a-kind natural 5K obstacle course.

Midland Railway 1515 High St., Baldwin City, KS 913.721.1211 $ A5 www.Midland-RY.org Enjoy an inexpensive family outing where you can experience the fun of riding the rails. Take a 20-mile round trip from Baldwin City via Norwood, KS, to Ottawa Junction, KS.

Worlds of Fun 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., KC, MO 816.454.4545 $$ C2 www.WorldsOfFun.com Kansas City’s original theme park with roller coasters, shows and more for the entire family.

For KC’s best party places, log on to

www.KCParent.com and search for PARTY GUIDE.

kcgoingplaces.com 27

N AT U R E

N AT U R E

f un in nature Burr Oak Woods

f

all and winter in Kansas City offer a wide variety of events and festivals that allow families to have fun in nature. Here are a few of my favorites to give you some ideas to try this year.

Most metro nature centers offer Halloween events with a variety of natural and fictional characters. A couple of these include Lakeside Nature Center’s “Magic Woods” in Swope Park, and “Enchanted Forest” at the Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa.

The Magic Woods comes to life on Friday, Oct. 10, 6:00-9:00 and Saturday, Oct. 11, 5:00-9:00. Admission is $5/person. At Magic Woods, hikers will meet Mother Nature and her friends as they stroll along the nature trail.

Eco-Elvis and Eric the magician will entertain at this year’s event (www.lakesidenaturecenter.org).

The Enchanted Forest welcomes visitors on Oct. 23.

Admission is free. Unlimited access to hayrides, inflatables and mini-pumpkin decorating is available with the purchase of a $3 wristband at the information booth. The trail features performances by marionette puppets, magicians and singers (www.ci.lenexa.ks.us).

For something different this fall, try a visit to the Powell or Warkoczewski observatories, which are supported by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City. The Warkoczewski (a.k.a. “Warko”) Observatory is located on the roof of Royall Hall on UMKC’s campus. It is open on clear Friday evenings from May 1 to October 31. Admission is free; 28 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

visit www.askc.org/warko.html for parking and directions to the observatory. The Powell Observatory is located in Louisburg, KS, 25 miles from Kansas City. It is open to the public Saturday nights from May through October. A donation of $6/adult and $4/child is suggested to help support the observatory. A nice fall day trip to the observatory might include a trip to Louisburg Cider Mill, also located in Louisburg.

After the holidays, birding events inject some fun into the winter “blahs.” Two local Eagle Day events are free and a must-see. Smithville Lake’s Eagle Days is Jan. 10 and 11 at Paradise Golf Course Complex. See live eagles on the lake and in person at the eagle shows. On Saturdays, showtimes begin at 9:30 and occur every hour and a half, with the last show beginning at 2:00. Sunday shows have the same schedule except the first show begins at 11:00. Wyandotte Lake’s Eagle Days is Jan. 24 and 25. The event runs Saturday from 9:00 to 4:00 and Sunday from noon to 4:00. There are two locations around the lake for up-close bird viewing, one with eagles and another with other raptors.

If you ever wanted to contribute to a scientific study, here’s your chance! The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual worldwide citizen science event that occurs every winter. This year it runs Feb. 13-16. Participants simply count the numbers and kinds of birds they see on these days. A count can be taken anywhere any time during these days, but must be for at least 15 continuous minutes at a location.

Visit gbbc.birdcount.org to register and turn in your data!

Heather Shields is a local science teacher.

7300 W. Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.795.8177 Free D4 www.Burroughs.org A library and bird watching center complete with guides to identify local birds, binoculars and great viewing areas.

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4) KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission

Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary and Educational Center

Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

3783 Hwy. K68, Louisburg, KS 913.837.5515 $ B5 www.SaveOurSiberians.org A preserve for tigers and a refuge for big cats that are abandoned, neglected or whose owners are unable to care for them.

Animal Attractions

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pg. 7

American Royal Museum

1701 American Royal Ct., KC, MO 816.221.9800 $ C3 www.AmericanRoyal.com Museum is dedicated to agriculture, show animals, a petting zoo and information about the rodeo.

13800 Switzer, OP, KS 913.897.2360 Free/$ B5 www.OPKansas.org 12-acre park with farm animals, a dairy barn, a fishing pond, horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides and more.

Green Dirt Farm

20363 Mount Bethel Rd., Weston, MO 816.386.2156 Free A1 www.GreenDirtFarm.com Tour the farm and learn about grassfed lambs, sheep, milk and cheeses.

Sea Life Kansas City

 FEATURED LISTING Kansas City Zoo See ad on pg. 68.

6800 Zoo Dr., KC, MO 816.513.5800 $ C4 www.KansasCityZoo.org The Kansas City Zoo gets better every year. Visitors now enjoy polar bear couple Nikita and Berlin and riding the African Sky Safari for a bird’s eye view of the world-class African exhibit.

Also enjoy the new Helzberg Penguin Plaza, watch elephants paint or catch a sea lion show. Visit the zoo website for great events all fall and winter long. 

Shatto Dairy Farm

9406 N. Hwy. 33, Osborn, MO 816.930.3862 $ D1 www.ShattoMilk.com Tour the dairy farm and watch milk processing and bottling firsthand.

Plants & Gardens Beanstalk Children’s Garden

Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure

Fleming Park: US 40 & Woods Chapel Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.229.8980 Free D4 www.JacksonGov.org View the 110-acre enclosure where elk, buffalo and deer roam freely.

Screamin’ Oaks Farm

2475 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.4386 $$ C3 www.sealifeus.com Discover over 5,000 sea creatures in 30 incredible displays at Kansas City’s aquarium!

18171 W. 198th St., Tonganoxie, KS 913.845.2775 $ A3 Tours are offered of this working farm where children can learn about animals and farming firsthand.

6917 Kensington, KC, MO 816.931.3877 $ C4 www.KCCG.org Children’s garden features educational programs on gardening and nutrition.

Kauffman Memorial Gardens

4800 Rockhill Rd., KC, MO 816.932.1200 Free C3 www.PowellGardens.org The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is an exquisite garden featuring fountains and sculptures among lush and colorful flowers.

Autumn has arrived and so have fall allergies.

17701 Holmes Road, Belton MO Mon.- Fri. 12 to 6 PM • Sat.-Sun. 9am to 6pm www.johnsonfarms.net • 816.331.1067

Admission:

2 and under FREE

Mon-Thur Fri-Sun

$10

$12

Adults 13-59 $8 Seniors 60+ $6

$10 $8

Kids 3-12

(includes jumping pillow)

All pRicing includes tAx

2 MAZes in

cluded in

14,000 garden

AdMissiOn

Mums in 90 co

lors

small & large gr oup discounts

Birthday party pack

ages

u-pick pumpkin

s, Flowers and Ve

neW Family seas

Call Kansas City Allergy & Asthma today for fall allergy relief.

TIP: FALL ALLERGY cts and insert du ing at he Clean your turning filter before anti-allergy e th r fo on your furnace first time.

ggies

on pass

Visit in October and receive one

FRee box of pumpkin spice donuts (Retail Value $5) Exp. 10/31/14. No photocopies accepted. One coupon per customer per day. No other discounts may be used.

913-491-5501 www.kcallergy.com LEE’S SUMMIT OLATHE OVERLAND PARK

kcgoingplaces.com 29

N AT U R E

Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary

NATURE

N AT U R E

John Barkley Visitor Center

7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.888.4713 Free A4 www.JCPRD.com Local and national parks exhibits, fishing and trails are available to visitors.

Kemper Outdoor Education Center

8201 Jasper Bell, Blue Springs, MO 816.229.8980 Free D4 www.JacksonGov.org See reptile displays, rock and fossil exhibits, a natural resource library and mounted wildlife. The grounds feature nature trails, butterfly and water gardens and an arboretum.

Lakeside Nature Center

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park

5200 Pennsylvania Ave., KC, MO 816.513.7500 Free C3 www.KCMO.org KC’s rose garden features hundreds of roses with a fountain as its centerpiece.

Linda Hall Library Urban Arboretum

5109 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.926.8747 Free C3 www.LindaHall.org Urban garden on UMKC’s campus features a butterfly garden.

Overland Park Arboretum 8909 W. 179th St., OP, KS 913.685.3604 Free - $ B5 www.OPKansas.org Savor beautiful gardens, including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.

Powell Gardens

Burr Oak Woods Nature Center

1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.3766 Free D3 www.MDC.mo.gov One of the largest nature centers in the metro, Burr Oak Woods features hands-on exhibits for children, an aquarium with Missouri fish, live animals and nature trails.

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

12th St. & Hwy. 9, Parkville, MO 816.741.7676 Free B2 www.ParkvilleNatureSanctuary.net Explore the nature sanctuary and hiking trails.

Prairie Oak Nature Center

14701 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 913.681.0902 Free B5 www.Leawood.org/parks The nature center features hands-on activities for children and several live animals, including a king snake.

Prairie Park Nature Center

2730 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 785.832.7980 Free A3 www.lawrenceks.org/lprd/ppnc Investigate animal exhibits, from reptiles to amphibians and birds to mammals.

8701 E. Gregory Blvd., KC, MO 816.547.9679 Free C4 www.CaveSpring.org Visit the nature center and hiking trails.

Ernie Miller Nature Center

909 N. Hwy. 7, Olathe, KS 913.764.7759 Free A5 www.ErnieMiller.com The nature center features animals native to Kansas, hiking trails and educational programs.

F. L. Schlagle Library

Nature Centers

1601 S. Speck Rd., Indep, MO 816.325.7115 Free D3 www.GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org Enjoy programs for children, fishing dock and trails. One of the features is a “Storybook Trail” where you read pages from a giant children’s book as you walk the path.

4750 Troost Ave., KC, MO 816.759.7300 Free C3 www.MDC.mo.gov Explore the nature center, hiking trail, special programs and more.

407 N. Lafrenz Rd., Liberty, MO 816.781.8598 Free D1 www.NatureSanctuary.com Provides engaging hands-on environmental and natural science education for all ages.

Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center

1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO 816.697.2600 $ D5 www.PowellGardens.org Experience 970 acres of botanical bliss, stunning architecture and gorgeous display gardens that change with the seasons.

Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center

4701 E. Gregory Blvd., KC, MO 816.513.8960 Free C4 www.LakesideNatureCenter.org Enjoy an incredible place to enjoy learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish and invertebrates.

Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary

4051 West Dr., KC, KS 913.299.2384 Free A3 www.KCKPL.org Nature library offers trails, nature art gallery, bird watching and classes.

George Owens Nature Park

30 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Lakeside Nature Center

Autumn means fall festivals in Kansas City!

From apples to pumpkins, crafts to carnivals, ethnic festivals and much much more...celebrate everything autumn at a local fair.

Visit www.KCParent.com for a complete guide to Fall Festivals in Kansas City.

word on the street We asked our Facebook fans—local people who know the best of the best in Kansas City—what they love and why they love it. Follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/KansasCityParent.

Q A

Fall – Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch.

Winter – Union Station Science City. ~ Renee McGinnis

What is the best way to spend a Saturday in Kansas City in the fall or winter?

Weston Red Barn Farm!!!!

Apples, pumpkin patch, hayride, warm cider, a pony ride, seeing the farm animals. It doesn’t get better than that! And since you are in Weston, you might as well stop at O’Malleys for lunch! Such a neat place.

Geocaching! ~ Carol Wilcoxen Conley Fall... Apple orchard! Pome on the Range or Louisburg Cider Mill!! Nothing better than picking some apples and enjoying a hot apple cider or watching them make cider and having cider donuts! And if you’ve got the time, head on over to Powell Pumpkin Patch and pick some pumpkins!

Very family oriented, fun and reasonably priced pumpkins!!! In winter, ice skating at Crown Center is always a good time.

~ Terry Lillard Logan

~ Christina Van Aken

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art! The museum is FREE and not only has incredible, world-class art but also many activities to make the experience fun for kids! During the fall you can take a fun stroll outside through the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and see the incredible sculptures and beautiful trees.

Kids love the world-famous Shuttlecocks. ~ Erica Terry Fall festivals. They are the best here. ~ Jenni Hood

Tip: Search “Festivals” on the Calendar on www.KCParent.com for a complete guide!

JOIN THE 15,000 PEOPLE WHO ALREADY ENJOY OUR WEEKLY E-NEWS.

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kcgoingplaces.com 31

i

t’s safe to say that Kansas City has penguin fever!

Since opening last fall, the Kansas City Zoo’s Helzberg Penguin Plaza has been drawing thousands of visitors to enjoy the playful pals from the South Pole.

Did you know that Kansas City offers an array of cool penguin experiences…beyond watching them play at the zoo (which is cool too!)?

A Day on the Mild Side :

Visit the “Coolest Park” in Town Penguin Park (N. Vivion Rd. & N. Norton Ave., Kansas City, MO) is one of Kansas City’s oldest and most popular parks.

Gigantic friendly animals are the centerpiece of the park, where you can climb up through a kangaroo’s pocket, slide down the namesake penguin, explore an elephant playground and bounce and slide on frogs, ducks and more.

The park features a shelter house with picnic tables and playgrounds for all ages that include swings, slides, climbing equipment, merry-go-round, spring animals and more.

A Day on the Wild Side :

Explore the Kansas City Zoo Featuring a dozen Humboldt penguins and nearly 40 cold water penguins, the new Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo (www.KansasCityZoo.org) is a state-ofthe-art exhibit with a 100,000-gallon cool pool for cold water penguins and a 25,000-gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins. With fantastic views, accurate penguin habitats, accessibility for all visitors and educational displays feeding our curiosity about the Antarctic animals, the exhibit is a must-see. If you’re planning a visit to the zoo and you want to get to know the penguins before your visit, check out the zoo’s penguin cam (www.KansasCityZoo.org/PenguinCam), where you can watch the latest (including eggs, baby penguins and penguins at play) in real time. The Kansas City Zoo is open yearround, and this indoor exhibit is a favorite for all seasons.

Tip :

Make a day of it! Pack a picnic, visit the polar bears and explore other great indoor exhibits.

Cool Adventures to Satisfy Penguin Fever

32 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

A Night on the Mild Side:

A Penguin-Themed Vacation 816 Hotel (www.816hotel.com) is the hottest new hotel in town. With rooms specifically decked out in Kansas City themes, a favorite for families is the Kansas City Zoo room.

This theme room is all about penguins! With an icicle border, penguin sheets on the bunk beds, a panoramic photo of hundreds of penguins and a special zoo four-pack for guests (including zoo passes, ride wristbands and penguin souvenirs), this is one super cool family getaway!

A Night on the Wild Side: Sleep with Penguins

For the adventurous, make unforgettable memories with a sleepover in the exhibit! The Kansas City Zoo offers Penguin Pole-ooza Overnights (www.KansasCityZoo.org/ Events/Calendar). Make reservations for a one-of-a-kind overnight the kids will never forget! Guests bring their own air mattresses and slumber bags and spend the night at the zoo, sleeping in the penguin facility (don’t worry, the penguins are in their own climate-controlled exhibit, and human guests get to enjoy a comfortable temperature in the main atrium). Zookeepers lead the overnight with science experiments, animal encounters (with many animals from the zoo), a behind-the-scenes night hike and tour of the facilities and a continental breakfast in the morning.

Kristina Light’s girls will never forget sleeping with the penguins at the zoo… an adventure her family gives a sincere two thumbs up!

kcgoingplaces.com 33

Rozzelle Court at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

By Kristina Light

One-Stop Spots for a Night of

Fun

34 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Y

ou’re ready for a night on the town (with the kids, without the kids, with your friends or a significant other), but you don’t want to spend a lot of time going from place to place in the cold and in a hurry. These venues dish up delicious dinners and fabulous fun for the perfect winter (or any time of year) night out!

Kid-Cool Rock ‘n Roll!

The Doo-Dads at Record Bar (1020 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.753.5207, www.TheRecordBar.com. All ages welcome; enjoyed best by elementary age and younger.)

Seven nights a week, the Record Bar hosts live music groups ranging from favorite local artists to national groups. And once a month (typically on the 3rd Friday of each month), the Westport landmark clears the dance floor for Kansas City kids to enjoy the Doo-Dads, one of our favorite local kids’ rock ‘n roll groups. Parents love the Doo-Dads’ signature throwback sound. The music is not cheesy and campy, but is high-energy rock ‘n roll. At the

Record Bar, the music is cranked, and the kids are invited to dance and sing to their favorite group’s sounds (super moms bring ear plugs to protect young ears from the volume) while enjoying the Record Bar’s much-loved pizza, burgers, fries, drinks, appetizers and fresh popcorn!

The Mystery Train of Kansas City

The Doo-Dads

World Class Art & Fine Dining Rozzelle Court at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak, Kansas City, MO, 816.751.1ART, www.Nelson-Atkins.org.

All ages.)

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is free to visitors yearround and offers one of the finest collections of art in the world. Visiting the galleries is a feast for the eyes and soul.

Complete your visit with a meal at the Rozzelle Court, one of the loveliest settings in Kansas City. The restaurant, at the center of the Nelson-Atkins, offers the ambience of a 15th-century Italian courtyard. With live music and a decadent menu, including selections just for children, this is a great choice for special occasions or a nice evening out.

Enjoy the art gallery before or after your meal and use the “Nelson-Atkins Scavenger Hunt” on www.KCParent.com for a custom treasure hunt to add to your fun!

Super Sleuthing!

The Mystery Train of Kansas City (Various local restaurants, www.KCMysteryTrain.com. Recommended for teens and adults.)

If you love to play the game Clue with your family, you’ll love the Mystery Train! The Mystery Train of Kansas City performs interactive mysteries at Kansas City’s finest restaurants. The mysteries are full of humor and clues, each story written as a piece of historical fiction with Kansas City as the backdrop. The fun begins as you arrive and are greeted by the conductor who explains the evening’s schedule...this character’s job is to ensure “the train is on time.” All guests are provided with “bribe bucks”

to be used at their leisure throughout the show in an attempt to extract information from the suspects. The meal is served between each of the four acts of the live interactive mystery, with appetizers, salad, a main dish and dessert. During these interludes, audience interaction is encouraged, and you’re able to compare notes with other guests at your table to try to determine the solution to the mystery. If you’re looking for a novel idea for your next night out, the Mystery Train may be just the ticket.

A Slice of Magic!

Minsky’s Pizza (Live magic at your table, Fridays, 6:008:00, at Prairie Village location: 6921 Tomahawk Rd., 913.262.6226. Live magician and balloon artist, Saturdays, 6:00-8:00, Leawood location: 12920 State Line Rd., 913.317.9965, www.Minskys.com. Perfect for all ages.)

Minsky’s has been serving gourmet pizza in Kansas City since 1976. Their fresh pizzas are made from scratch with hand-rolled dough topped with generous portions of fresh ingredients. They also make some of the best Buffalo wings in town and offer a gluten-free menu option, as well. Live magicians perform on weekends (see schedule above), dazzling kids with sleight-of-hand tricks. Enjoy Kansas City’s own gourmet pizza and live entertainment—the perfect family night out!

Tip: Read Magical Meals on www.KCParent.com for MORE magic acts at Kansas City restaurants all week long!

Magician Eric Price

kcgoingplaces.com 35

Dream living the

i

on the Disney Dream I don’t enjoy road trips or car travel. Train rides are okay, but a little too slow for my liking. For many years I refused to fly because of a gripping fear. But get me on a boat, and I’m in heaven. The movement of the water is soothing to me, and I feel very relaxed on boats. So why did it take me 44 years to go on my first cruise?

Our ship was departing from Port Canaveral, FL, about an hour outside of Orlando. To ensure we didn’t miss the boat, we chose to arrive the day before we were to board. I wasn’t going to let a canceled or rescheduled flight get in the way of my first cruise! Arriving in Orlando midday, we headed to the Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day. It was just the right amount of time to hit the rides we wanted and get us in the Disney state of mind for our upcoming adventure at sea. The following morning, we met up with a group and boarded a bus to take us to port. Disney makes it so easy to get from point A to point B. Because I had filled out pre-boarding documents online, getting all four of us on the ship was a breeze. As a matter of fact, all of the documents and info they send prior to your trip really smooth preparations.

From the moment we boarded the ship, I knew this was the vacation for me. As we entered, in true Disney fashion the staff read off our names, we walked a red carpet, and team members cheered our arrival. We unpacked, attended the mandatory drill and danced with Mickey, Minnie and the gang at the push-back dance party. Because there was so much I loved about this trip, and because I have a word limit on this article, here (in no particular order) are the top 10 things I loved about our Disney cruise:

36 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

10

Less work for me. I am a planner by nature.

Disney takes care of all the planning for you!

Meals are scheduled; events are scheduled. All I had to do was show up. What a treat to take all of that off of my plate so I could just relax and enjoy the trip.

9

The amount and variety of activities. Want to re-

lax on your vacation? Then hang by the pool? Want adults-only fun? There are clubs, restaurants and pools just for that. Looking for family fun? Play bingo, see a show, sing karaoke—the list is endless. It’s all there, in one place!

of photos in a short time easy-peasy. And, we were lucky enough to be there for a princess gathering. Tons of princesses all in the lobby of the ship. So fun!

3

Food, food and more food. My husband and I

always joke that when it comes to planning a trip, food is a very important consideration for us both.

Fortunately, the folks at Disney feel the same way. Every meal we ate was very good. And, in addition to quality food, there was a great variety. On top of great food and great variety, the ship offered 24-hour self-serve ice cream cones. Need I say more?!?

8

2

7

1

Attention to food allergies. My younger has a severe peanut allergy. This was the first time we were away from a quick call to 911 if anything went wrong.

I needn’t have worried. The entire staff was so attentive to her allergy and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and that her special dietary needs were met.

Visiting Castaway Cay. Leave it to Disney to have

their own private island for the exclusive use of their guests. And let me extend hearty thanks for having a tropical paradise that is not overly crowded and where every activity is up to Disney standards. Biking, snorkeling, water slides, burgers on the beach, sunbathing, etc., etc. Truly a day in paradise! Some cruises make two stops at Castaway Cay, and I’d highly recommend two days there.

6

Amount and variety of kids activities. From babies to teens, all ages have options for fun. Babies and toddlers are well supervised. School-aged children have so many fun activities to keep them busy all day. Tweens have their own special club, as do teens. Not only are these clubs full of fun activities, but they are very well secured. The tween club has an elevator that only a tween’s key card will work. How cool is that?

5

Wave phones in each room. I have a 13-year

old—old enough to want her independence and be on her own, but not quite old enough to have it (in my humble opinion). With two-way wave phones in each room, I felt safe and secure in letting her go out and about on her own. I was able to keep tabs on her, and she was able to have her independence.

4

Availability of Disney characters. Do you fall in the camp of people who like to get photos and autographs from characters? We do, and a Disney cruise is the perfect opportunity to have easy access to the characters. Lines are short, which makes getting a lot

Special events to attend. As if there weren’t enough to do, one night on our cruise was pirate night. The pirate party had a show, DJ and dancing and fireworks. We donned our eye patches and bandanas and partied hearty late into the night. Fireworks on the water were spectacular. Fun fact: After the fireworks are set off, they turn into fish food. Not only pretty, but good for the environment!

Level of customer service. If you have visited Disney World or Disneyland, then you know to what I am referring. If not, you are missing out. Disney employees (cast members) go above and beyond to make your cruise or visit to a theme park a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Example from our cruise: We got to the pool only to find all chairs were taken. I asked one of the attendants about empty seats. He quickly found and arranged four lounge chairs for us—and did it gladly, with a smile. So refreshing!

Two reservations I had going into a cruise vacation were the size of staterooms and motion sickness. Neither turned out to be much of a concern. Was the room small? Yes, but we weren’t in there much, so it didn’t really seem to matter. And the bathrooms are set up so that the toilet is one room and the shower another, which makes all the difference for a family with kids. Luckily, no one had any issues with motion sickness on the boat, although I had trouble when we got off the boat. For about a week after the trip, I still felt the constant motion of the ship. A few dishes were casualties of my post-trip motion sickness, but it cleared up after a week.

The cruise turned out to be the perfect vacation for our family. And with the Disney stamp on it, a Disney cruise is a top-notch way to get away from it all and enjoy time together as a family.

Margaret Sarver dreams of her next Disney cruise vacation from her land-locked home in Lenexa.

Disney has four cruise ships: The Dream, Magic, Fantasy and Wonder. The boats cruise to many locations, including Alaska, the Bahamas, Caribbean, California Coast, Europe and more. Cruises range in length from a few days to a couple of weeks. Visit www.DisneyCruise.disney.go.com and start planning today! kcgoingplaces.com 37

MULTIGENERATIONAL

TRAVEL

f

amily vacations have taken on a broader definition in recent years. Multigenerational travel—typically defined as three or more generations vacationing together—is on the upswing, with grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents and kids taking more group trips. The trend is expected to boom even more in coming years.

So what’s behind this huge increase?

Nancy Schretter, managing editor of Family Travel Network, says that societal and demographic trends are bringing about major changes and growth in family travel.

Here are a few key points that have contributed to the changes:

• Families are living geographically farther apart than at any other time in history, and multigenerational travel is often the key to getting together.

• Baby boomers are retiring and have the time and disposable income to emphasize family travel.

• Blended

families, PANKs (Professional Aunt, No Kids), PUNKs (Professional Uncle, No Kids) and young adults traveling with parents are part of the multigenerational travel trend.

38 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

• “Desire to spend quality time together” is the number one factor influencing travel purchasing decisions, according to a recent Ensemble Travel Group study.

• 67 percent of grandparents say that children are never too old to be treated to a family vacation.

• 40 percent of all leisure travelers have taken at least one multigenerational trip over the last 12 months, and 32 percent of grandparents who are leisure travelers have traveled with their grandchildren.

Shawnee residents Margaret and Ed Jalbert do not have children of their own, but are close to their siblings and their many nieces and nephews. Vacations often include up to 16 family members, with the kids’ ages ranging from 8 to 18. Disney World, Yellowstone National Park and the Mall of America are some of the destinations they have visited in the past few years.

“We enjoy the time we get to spend with our nieces and nephews. We try to spend time with each one walking around or exploring, and we talk about animals, rocks and minerals,” Margaret says of these family trips.

Travel Tips have all travelers choose at least one thing they wish to do on the trip.

Before planning a multigenerational trip, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

• Start small. If your extended family has never been

uild •B

in downtime. “Don’t try to do too much; have downtime so everyone can recharge,” Margaret Jalbert recommends. If you pack activities into every minute of your trip, you’ll likely be dealing with kid meltdowns, frazzled adults and exhaustion all around.

Spending an hour or so each day having some R&R will do wonders for everyone’s attitude and energy.

on a vacation together, it might be best to start with a weekend trip somewhere fairly close, such as Lake of the Ozarks. If that trip goes well, then you can plan a more adventurous getaway for an extended period of time.

• C onsider

ages, health and personalities. Plan a trip that has plenty to do for all ages, from grandparents to the smallest child. Older adults and small children may have trouble standing in line for a long time, so huge theme parks might not be the best choice if your group has wee ones, elderly folks or anyone with health issues. Cruise lines and resorts often have activities for various ages and personalities.

• C apture

• I nvolve everyone. If the trip revolves solely around the kids, adults will likely be bored. Likewise, if the adults are the only ones to have a say in activities, kids will feel left out. Research your destination ahead of time and

your memories. Adults and teens often whip out the phones and cameras to snap pictures, but don’t forget the smaller kids, too. “Consider giving each grandchild a journal and a disposable camera to bring along on your journey,” Schretter suggests. “Kids love taking their own pictures, and it is fascinating to see travel through their eyes.”

Tisha Foley and her husband have a 7-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter who have traveled with grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Multigenerational FUN in KC Grandparents, aunts and uncles don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to have fun adventures with kids. KC has many great places for multigenerational fun:

Crown Center: Kaleidoscope, Sea Life Aquarium, LEGOLAND, Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Ice Terrace, Hallmark Visitors Center, plus numerous shops and restaurants, are just a few of the highlights here.

CrownCenter.com Village West: Great Wolf Lodge, Cabela’s, Schlitterbahn, Legends Outlets, Community America Ballpark, Sporting Park, Kansas Speedway and dozens of restaurants make this a family-friendly destination.

LegendsShopping.com

Union Station: Science City, Arvin Gottleib Planetarium, KC Rail Experience, Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre, restaurants, shops and special events make Union Station a unique experience for the young and old alike. UnionStation.org

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great american main streets of the

magine a leisurely day of shopping and dining at locally-owned businesses where you are greeted with a smile. Does it seem like a distant memory of years gone by? With the revitalization of historic shopping districts in recent years, many areas have been transformed into beautiful places to live, work and play, bringing the Great American Main Street back to life. Hosting farmers markets, girls nights out, holiday events, sales, great boutiques and cafes for an “any day getaway,” these districts make a wonderful day trip, and we’re fortunate to have many right in our own backyard.

Downtown Overland Park

Historic Downtown Overland Park

Jesse James Home, Liberty

40 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Downtown Overland Park (http://DowntownOP.org) is one of the most eclectic districts in the area, with a strong celebration of the arts, including the art deco Rio Theatre (7204 W. 80th St., 913.383.8500), one of Kansas’ original movie theaters, that shows independent films. For lunch, the district boasts diversity, too. The menu at El Salvadoreño (7926 Santa Fe Dr., 913. 871.6165) offers an authentic El Salvadoran feast. Don’t be surprised to walk into Great Day Café (7921 Santa Fe Dr., 913.642.9090) and hear restaurant owners’ playing live music or demonstrating a potter’s wheel…and beyond the entertainment, the food is terrific. You’ll soon discover that many of the shops offer classes, from sewing and scrapbooking to culinary arts, including the Culinary Center of Kansas City (7920 Santa Fe Dr., 913.341.4455), offering more than 450 classes from gourmet cooking to beginning skills for all ages. Other fun shops include Fred’s Train Shop (7327 W. 80th, 913.383.3500) and Penzeys (7937 Santa Fe Dr., 913.341.1775), a spice shop.

Downtown Lee’s Summit In 2010, Downtown Lee’s Summit (www.DowntownLS.org) was awarded the “Great American Main Street Award,” and it’s easy to see why! This shopping district is one of the most vibrant in the area. Start with a discovery of the area’s history at the Lee’s Summit Historical Society Museum (220 SE Main; tickets: free/donations; Sat., 10:00-4:00), housed in a 1905 train depot in the heart of downtown.

The area offers restaurants ranging from upscale to the local diner, but kids’ favorites are Poppy’s Ice Cream (307 SE Douglas, 816.246.4141), serving homemade ice cream, and the Filling Station BBQ (333 SE Douglas St., 816.347.0794), housed in an old Texaco Station, with indoor or sidewalk dining. Girls enjoy full tea service at Henry’s Antiques & Tearoom (401 SE Douglas St., 816.524.3992).

Of course, the day isn’t complete without shopping. Visit KD’s Books (241 SE Main, 816.525.1366), the quintessential bookstore for kids, A Thyme for Everything (229 B SE Main, 816.554.3755), a kitchen shop with a kids cooking section and classes taught by area chefs, Got Art Gallery (18 SW 3rd St., 816.600.5932), where you can learn to paint (classes for all ages) or purchase local artwork, and Shining Light Music (129 SE 3rd St., 816.347.0099).

boutiques, including the unique Queen’s Pantry (510 Delaware, 913.680.1899), selling British goods like fine teas, cookies and delicacies.

Historic Downtown Liberty Historic Downtown Liberty (www.HistoricDowntownLiberty. org) is legendary for history buffs and shoppers alike! The most infamous landmark is the Jesse James Bank Museum (103 N. Water, 816.736.8510), site of America’s first daylight bank robbery. Take a brunch break at Ginger Sue’s Bruncheonette (12 W. Kansas St., 816.407.7707). Visit the James Country Mercantile (111 N. Main St., 816.781.9473), selling supplies for historic re-enactors, including 19th-century gear, clothing, toys, paper dolls, books and more!

Independence Square Independence, MO, is best known as the home of President Truman. But before Truman, the Civil War was raging and, before that, pioneers moving! Step back in time with a mule-drawn wagon ride on the Independence Square (www.TheIndependenceSquare.com), courtesy of Pioneer Trails Adventures (816.456.4991, tickets: $7-25).

Your guide will tell tales of the trails, the Civil War and, of course, Harry Truman. After your tour, enjoy shopping and dining or a movie or game of bowling. Two of the square’s most unique shops are Blue and Grey (106 E. Walnut, 816.252.9909), selling Civil War books and collectibles, and Scandinavia Place (209 N. Main, 816.461.6633), with gifts

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, Leavenworth

Historic Leavenworth Famous for its prisons and the military fort bearing its name, Leavenworth, “the First City in Kansas,” is also a fun and nostalgic day trip courtesy of Leavenworth Main Street (www.LeavenworthMainStreet.com). Begin with a visit to the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum (320 S. Esplanade, 913.682.1331), one of the most whimsical sites in Kansas.

Learn the history of Parker’s carousel business from handcarved horses to the introduction of aluminum animals, and conclude with a spin on a 1913 carousel! Take a historic tour on the Leavenworth Trolley (913.682.1023, Sat., 11:00) and let the kids ring the bell at the end of the ride.

Eat at the Corner Pharmacy (429 Delaware, 913.682.1602), an old-fashioned lunch counter and ice cream shop, or the Pullman Place Family Restaurant (230 Cherokee, 913.682.0200), decorated with railroad memorabilia, including a special glass top table with a model train running inside! The district is also home to many shops and

Pioneer Trails Adventures, Independence from around the world. For a delicious treat, visit Clinton’s Soda Fountain (100 W. Maple, 816.833.2046), the location of the original Crown Drug Store, Truman’s first boyhood employer. Or, dine below street level at the Courthouse Exchange (113 W. Lexington, 816.252.0344), where rock walls create a cozy atmosphere as you enjoy pub-style dining.

Each district in this guide is home to many unique attractions, but this list barely scratches the surface! Read our guide to “Day Trips from Kansas City” at www.KCParent.com for your complete guide to many more attractions in each district and other Main Streets in Missouri and Kansas.

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MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS

Crown Center

a

interactive museums

ll kids learn through various methods, and one of the best is through hands-on and interactive experiences. Luckily for us, Kansas City offers many children’s museums and other destinations with great hands-on activities for kids of all ages. There are more than enough locations to have a field trip each week!

Check out the following hands-on highlights, then explore the calendar of events at www.KCParent.com for more events and ideas Let’s begin with some free locations, because who doesn’t love free? Kidscape at the Johnson County Museum is a great place for kids to roam, play and pretend with various themed rooms. While it’s only free Monday through Thursday, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a fabulous outdoor learning experience where kids can learn about farm animals and days gone by, burn off energy on multiple playgrounds and leave with many fun memories. Ernie Miller Nature Center is another place to let kids roam and explore in nature.

It’s also a great place for a picnic! On its lower level, Crown Center hosts various kids exhibits that change throughout the year. These delightful exhibits are similar to Kidscape as they let youngsters learn through playing and pretending. While you are at Crown Center, make sure to check out Kaleidoscope, where children’s imaginations can run wild. Hallmark offers leftover materials from their manufacturing processes for kids to create their own masterpieces from an ever-changing array of materials. It’s very impressive that all these amazing destinations are free! KC children and parents alike are very fortunate.

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Now if you’re willing to spend a few dollars per person and looking to enjoy the great outdoors, check out Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and the Overland Park Arboretum (free on Tuesdays). Jessi Cole, Overland Park mother of three, says, “The arboretum is one of our favorites! We like the children’s area, but a lot of times we skip it and go on nature walks on the trails. We’ve seen different types of birds, snakes, even foxes. It’s a fun switch up.”

If you’re able to spend a little more time and money, visit Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City or the Kansas City Zoo. One of the newest attractions to the area, the Museum at Prairiefire, is winning rave reviews from local parents. “My son, Hunter, LOVES it! We have been twice already and ended up buying an annual membership since it seemed to make the most sense for the price,” Suzanne Berger, Olathe mother of two, says.

Lindsay Luttrell, Olathe mother of four, says, “I agree the Discovery Room is super cool. The kids loved it!” Sarah Tipton, Overland Park mother of two, chimes in: “Definitely not without some cost, but the Discovery Room was fantastic fun! The timed admission threw us off, so we ended up having to kill time until we were allowed in. The group admissions are at every quarter after the hour.”

With many attractions, if you plan on attending more than once a year, a season pass or annual membership may be the way to go. Then a quick trip here or there is more reasonable, and you can stay in one area for longer and come back to check out the rest at a later date.

Stephanie Loux writes from her home in Olathe and enjoys exploring with her children, Layla, 4, and Mason, 2.

1407 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.949.7100 $ C3 www.sprintcenter.com A one-of-a-kind museum celebrating the enduring legacies of all forms of music, featuring legendary artifacts and interactive displays.

4525 Oak St., KC, MO 816.751.1278 Free C3 www.Nelson-Atkins.org The Nelson-Atkins features art from around the world, from ancient to modern times. Classes, workshops and special tours are also offered.

KC Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

5500 W. 123rd St., OP, KS 913.266.8413 Free B5 www.KCJMCA.org Innovative art exhibitions and related programming to engage the community through art.

THE ARTS

KC Strings

American Jazz Museum

1616 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.474.8463 $ C3 www.AmericanJazzMuseum.com Learn about the history of jazz through fun, interactive exhibits perfect for kids.

Crossroads Art District

Various Galleries in Downtown KC, MO

Free C3 www.KCCrossroads.org Offers more than 100 art galleries, plus tour for free the first Friday evening of each month.

5842 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 913.403.8999 Free B4 www.KCStrings.com Tour the stringed instrument shop and discover how master craftsmen make world-class instruments.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

4420 Warwick Blvd., KC, MO 816.753.5784 Free C3 www.KemperArt.org This art gallery features free modern art exhibits. The colossal spider and block-style “Thinker” delight children.

12345 College Blvd., OP, KS 913.469.3000 Free B5 www.NermanMuseum.org This 41,000-square-foot museum is the largest contemporary art museum in the four-state region.

Stocksdale Art Gallery

500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 816.781.7700 Free D1 www.Jewell.edu Regional and national artists are featured at William Jewell’s campus art gallery.

UMKC Gallery of Art

5100 Rockhill Rd., KC, MO 816.235.1502 Free C3 cas.UMKC.edu/art/gallery-contact.asp The gallery features temporary exhibits on 20th-century American and European art.

Children’s Peace Pavilion 1001 W. Walnut St., Indep, MO 816.521.3033 Free D3 www.KidPeace.org This is a “do touch” children’s museum designed to teach the concepts of peace through creative, fun, childcentered learning activities.

Exchange City & EarthWorks 8300 NE Underground Dr., KC, MO 816.974.6110 Free C2 www.tlekc.org Children learn social studies firsthand as they participate in city government through hands-on activities.

Environmental activities are also presented. Call to book tours.

Kaleidoscope 2500 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.8301 Free C3 www.HallmarkKaleidoscope.com Children create their own unique works of art. Operate a jigsaw puzzle machine, watch paint magically dry, create in a glow-in-the-dark world & more!

3

Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pg. 7

Children’s Museums

Shawnee Mission Parkway & Lackman Road Shawnee, Kansas 66217 913.715.2550 www.jocomuseum.org

Christmas Open House: Dec 6 • Holiday Tea: Dec 14

KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Cemetery Tours: Oct 9-10-11 • Tiger Cub Scout Day: Oct 18 Trick or Treat OFF the Street: Oct 25 • Santa Breakfast: Nov 29

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4)

Grammy Museum Experience

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MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS

Battle of Westport Memorials

4000 Baltimore Ave., KC, MO 913.345.2000 Free C3 www.BattleOfWestport.org The Civil War Battle of Westport was fought Oct. 21-23, 1864. The center of the main battlefield is located at present-day Loose Park. Visit the website for a driving tour map.

Battle of Westport Museum

6601 Swope Pkwy., KC, MO 913.345.2000 Free C3 www.BattleOfWestport.org The museum depicts the history of the famous Civil War battle in western Missouri.

Belton Historical Society & Museum

512 Main St., Belton, MO 816.322.3977 $ C5 www.BeltonHistoricalSociety.org View artifacts preserving the history of Belton, including the story of Carrie A. Nation, the Shawnee Indians and Order No. 11.

Shoal Creek LEGOLAND® Discovery Center

2475 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.4386 $$ C3 www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com Kids enjoy interactive play areas, including 4D cinema, master classes from the LEGO master model builder, exciting LEGO rides, as well as the popular MINILAND exhibit.

Puppetry Arts Institute

11025 E. Winner Rd., Indep, MO 816.833.9777 $ D3 www.Hazelle.org The PAI hosts workshops where students make their own hand puppets or marionettes. Tour the museum for a history of puppets from many countries and watch live shows.

 FEATURED LISTING Wonderscope Children’s Museum See ad on pg. 45.

5700 King St., Shawnee, KS 913.287.8888 $ B4 www.Wonderscope.org Fun, dynamic exhibits and programs that integrate the arts, sciences and literature for children 10 and under, their parents and teachers. Interactive learning experiences with family and friends engage children’s natural motivation to learn and discover their world. 

Historic Sites, Museums and Tours 1827 Log Courthouse 107 W. Kansas Ave., Indep, MO 816.325.7111 Free D3 www.VisitIndependence.com Tour the 1827 log courthouse and learn about the controversial slaveland dispute and westward expansion issues that were resolved there.

1859 Marshal’s Home and Jail Museum 217 N. Main St., Indep, MO 816.461.1897 $ D3 www.JCHS.org One-room schoolhouse, marshal’s home, 1859 jail and museum.

 FEATURED LISTING 1950s All-Electric House See ad on pg. 43.

6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.715.2550 $ A4 www.JoCoMuseum.org Whether you’re a child of the ‘50s or just curious about lifestyles from this nostalgic era, the 1950s All-Electric House offers an eye-opening look at the technology of the times. Showcased inside are futuristic gadgets like a hidden television, electric curtain opener, a garage door opener and the “year round” air conditioner…known as the heat pump. 

44 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Airline History Museum

201 NW Lou Holland Dr., KC, MO 816.421.3401 $ C3 www.AirlineHistory.org The Airline History Museum contains a collection of photographs, artifacts, printed material and audio/visual displays telling the story of flight.

Alexander Majors Home

8201 State Line Rd., KC, MO 816.461.1897 $ C4 www.AlexanderMajors.com Alexander Majors was one of the founders of the Pony Express. The home was built in 1856.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace

223 N. Terrace St., Atchison, KS 913.367.4217 $ A1 www.AmeliaEarhartMuseum.org Tour the birthplace and childhood home of Kansas’ famous female aviator. Atchison tells the legend of Amelia and preserves her story.

Arabia Steamboat Museum

400 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.1856 $$ C3 www.1856.com The steamboat Arabia sank in 1856 in the Missouri River, and the treasures of the shipwreck and their history are on exhibit.

Atkins-Johnson Farm 6508 N. Jackson Ave., Gladstone, MO 816.423.4108 $ C2 www.AtkinsJohnsonFarm.com The museum depicts farm life in the mid-1800s.

Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum

220 Ferrel St., Platte City, MO 816.431.5121 $ A1 This 1881 home is a replica of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. County historical archives and exhibits are housed here.

Berlin Wall Monument

Grove of Regiments on Bundel Rd., Fort Leavenworth, KS 913.682.4113 Free A1 www.VisitLeavenworthKS.com The monument memorializes the historic barrier that separated West and East Berlin during the Cold War.

Bingham-Waggoner Estate

313 W. Pacific Ave., Indep, MO 816.461.3491 $ D3 www.BWEstate.org This 1855 museum depicts the history of George Caleb Bingham, one of Missouri’s most famous artists and politicians, and the mansion in which he lived.

Black Archives of Mid-America

1722 E. 17th Ter., KC, MO 816.701.3590 Free C3 www.BlackArchives.org Call to schedule a tour of the collections featuring the works of black artists, writers, musicians and leaders in Kansas City.

3700 Blue Pkwy., KC, MO 816.513.0700 Free C3 www.KCMO.org This museum is a tribute to the legacy of Kansas City’s early AfricanAmerican pioneers, portraying the artistic, cultural and social history of the African-American experience.

Burnt District Museum

400 E. Mechanic, Suite 203, Harrisonville, MO 816.380.4396 $ C5 www.casscountyhistoricalsociety.com Civil War Museum with exhibits including a diorama of the Battle of Morristown, timelines, first edition print of George Caleb Bingham’s “Martial Law, Order #11,” photo archives and more.

Clay County Courthouse

11 S. Water St., Liberty, MO 816.407.3250 Free D2 www.Circuit7.net A self-guided tour tells the history of Clay County, including stories of Jesse James.

Clay County Museum

14 N. Main St., Liberty, MO 816.792.1849 Free www.ClayCountyMuseum.org

D1

Step into the past in a museum on the historic Liberty Square where the James Gang carried out the first daylight bank robbery in American history, and Civil War soldiers once marched.

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum 320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS 913.682.1331 $ A1 www.FirstCityMuseums.org Learn about Kansan C.W. Parker, the legendary manufacturer of carousels and amusement rides. Tour the museum to learn the history of the carousel and enjoy a ride as well!

Dillingham-Lewis Home 101 SW 15th St., Blue Springs, MO 816.224.8979 Free D4 www.BlueSpringsHistory.org Tour a 20th-century pioneer home to see how early settlers in Jackson County lived.

Ensor Farmsite and Museum 18995 W. 183rd St., Olathe, KS 913.592.4141 $ A5 www.OlatheKS.org/ParksRec/Ensor The Marshal Ensor Park and Museum in Olathe is a seasonal museum devoted to the teacher, craftsman and amateur radio operator and his influence.

Excelsior Springs Historical Museum

101 E. Broadway St., Excelsior Springs, MO 816.630.0101 Free D1 www.ExSMO.com Located in the former Clay County Bank building, the museum allows guests to view historic records and artifacts and learn the history of Excelsior Springs.

Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum

1 Memorial Dr., KC, MO 816.881.2683 Free C3 www.KansasCityFed.org Tour Kansas City’s Federal Reserve Bank and learn about the U.S. monetary system. Children can make their own money and leave with a shredded souvenir!

First City Museum

743 Delaware St., Leavenworth, KS 913.682.1866 $ A1 www.FirstCityMuseums.org Exhibits highlight the history of Kansas’ first city.

Fort Osage

107 Osage St., Sibley, MO 816.650.3278 $ D2 www.JacksonGov.org/FortOsage

Built in 1808, this was the first U.S. outpost in the Louisiana Purchase.

Osage Indian history and early military history are depicted through exhibits and special events.

Frontier Army Museum

100 Reynolds Ave., Fort Leavenworth, KS 913.684.3767 Free A1 www.FFAM.us Fort Leavenworth is the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi.

Learn about the history of the Frontier Army from 1804 to 1916 and Fort Leavenworth from 1827 to the present.

Grandview Historical Depot Museum

1205 Jones St., Grandview, MO 816.761.6271 $ C4 www.Grandview.org The museum, housed in a caboose, preserves Grandview history.

Grinter Place State Historic Site

1420 S. 78th St., KC, KS 913.299.0373 Free A3 www.KSHS.org A trip to Grinter Place isn’t just a look inside the oldest home in Wyandotte County. It’s a step back to the days of frontier life along the Kansas and Missouri border.

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Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center

MUSEUMS

Harris-Kearney House 4000 Baltimore Ave., KC, MO 816.561.1821 $ C3 www.WestportHistorical.com Tour the 1855 house that served as a hotel in old Westport and stands as one of Kansas City’s oldest landmarks.

 FEATURED LISTING Harry S. Truman Presidential Library See ad on pg. 3.

500 US Hwy. 24, Indep, MO 816.268.8200 $ D3 www.TrumanLibrary.org The exhibits in the Library’s museum emphasize the life and times of Harry S. Truman and the Truman Presidency.

Among the permanent exhibits are a mural painting in the entrance lobby

by Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton, a reproduction of the Oval Office as it was during the Truman administration and the office which Truman used in his retirement years. 

Herbert Bonnell Museum 20755 Lamar Rd., Weston, MO 816.386.5587 Free A1 www.WestonMo.com Tour an 1874 working farm and explore the museum.

Historic Liberty Jail 216 N. Main St., Liberty, MO 816.781.3188 Free D1 www.LDS.org Discover the history of the jail and learn the story of Joseph Smith, the Morman leader, who was imprisoned in the jail in 1838 for his beliefs.

Historic Pharis Farm

20611 EE Hwy., Liberty, MO 816.736.8500 $ D2 www.ClayCountyMO.gov Learn about the Pharis farm of 1836, when Fielding Bell, the son of a Revolutionary War veteran, migrated to Clay County, MO, from Mason County, KY.

Irish Museum & Cultural Center

30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.474.3848 Free C3 www.IrishCenterKC.org Discover Kansas City’s Irish history.

Learn about early immigrants to our city, research genealogies and learn the art and culture of Ireland.

Jackson County Historical Society Archives

Jackson County Courthouse, Main & Maple, Independence, MO 816.252.7454 Free D3 www.JCHS.org The archives house Jackson County documents dating back to 1840. Harry S. Truman, frontier trails, the Civil War and local outlaws are the focus.

Jesse James Bank Museum

103 N. Water St., Liberty, MO 816.736.8510 $ D2 www.ClayCountyMo.gov Visit the site of the first U.S. daylight peacetime bank robbery.

Jesse James Farm & Museum

21216 James Farm Rd., Kearney, MO 816.736.8500 $ D1 www.ClayCountyMO.gov Tour the Jesse James home and learn about the famous outlaw and pre-Civil War history in northern Missouri.

John Wornall House Museum

Kansas City Gangster Tour

6115 Wornall Rd., KC, MO 816.444.1858 $ C4 www.WornallHouse.org The 1858 museum offers special events and programs telling the history of Kansas City during the Civil War.

Tours Board at Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.471.1234 $$ C3 www.TheKCTours.com Call to schedule a tour. The Gangster Tour puts you hot on the trail of this city’s most notorious Goodfellas.

Johnson County Kansas Archives

Kansas City Historic Garment District Museum

19310 W. 159th St., Olathe, KS 913.715.0400 Free A5 www.archives.JoCoGov.org Archives of Johnson County, KS, history are open to visitors.

 FEATURED LISTING Johnson County Museum See ad on pg. 43.

6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.715.2550 Free A4 www.JoCoMuseum.org This museum includes permanent and changing galleries, including KidScape, a wonderful hands-on child-size city for kids to explore. The museum is a great place to spend the day learning about Johnson County’s history. Special events for children and families are offered year-round. 

KC Fun Trolley Tours

Tours Board at Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.500.5417 $$ C3 www.KCFunTours.com Tours the popular sights and local favorites aboard an authentic trolley.

801 Broadway, KC, MO 913.205.8520 $ C3 www.KCGarmentMuseum.org The museum tells the story of Kansas City’s garment factories from the 1920s through the 1980s.

KCMO City Hall

414 E. 12th St., KC, MO 816.513.1313 Free C3 www.KCMO.org Tour Kansas City’s City Hall and learn about the inner workings of the city government. Climb the stairs to the top to enjoy the observation deck with a beautiful view of downtown.

Kansas City Museum

3218 Gladstone Blvd., KC, MO 816.483.8300 $ C3 www.KCMuseum.com The museum is currently under restoration. Enjoy restoration tours of the mansion and KC history stories in the Story-Tarium, as well as the annual Fairy Princess visit at Christmas.

 FEATURED LISTING KC Rail Experience See ad on pg. 3.

Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2020 $ C3 www.UnionStation.org The KC Rail Experience is a hands-on journey through the exciting history of the American railroad that shaped the destiny of the Kansas City region and the nation as a whole. Experience sights and sounds from the golden age of rail travel. Personal histories, vintage rail cars and unique artifacts bring to life a great American tradition. 

Korean War Veterans Memorial Kansas City

Washington Square Park: Pershing & Grand Blvd., KC, MO Free C3 www.MoKoreanWarMemorial.org The Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department donated land for the construction of the memorial. It will be funded by private donations and is currently under construction.

Wonderscope Children’s Museum 46 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

11902 Lowell Ave., OP, KS 913.888.2497 Free B5 www.KWVA.org The KWVA Memorial features an engraved wall honoring the fallen and missing soldiers of the Korean War. The rock piles on the site were erected to represent Korea’s battlefields.

Korean/Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wyandotte County Park: 91st St. & Leavenworth Rd., KC, KS 913.596.7077 Free A2 www.WyCoKCK.org America’s first dual war memorial is dedicated to veterans of both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

 FEATURED LISTING Lanesfield School Historic Site See ad on pg. 43.

18745 Dillie Rd., Edgerton, KS 913.893.6645 Free A5 www.JoCoMuseum.org The Lanesfield School Historic Site is a tribute to rural schooling. It consists of a restored one-room schoolhouse, outbuildings and a visitor’s center.

Programs in the schoolhouse feature a costumed schoolteacher who recreates a 1904 school experience. 

Leavenworth National Cemetery 150 Muncie Rd., Leavenworth, KS 913.758.4105 Free A1 www.Cem.VA.Gov This historic cemetery is the burial site for many soldiers, beginning with the Civil War. In 1919, a monument was erected in memory of “Soldiers Who Died for Their Country.”

Leavenworth Trolley Tour 320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS 913.682.1331 $ A1 www.VisitLeavenworthKS.com Tour Leavenworth and learn her history from Ft. Leavenworth to the invention of the American carousel to the stories of its early citizens.

Lee’s Summit Railroad Museum

220 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.525.9440 Free D4 www.LeesSummitHistory.net A collection of local artifacts dating back to the 1890s is housed in an old depot.

Legler Barn Museum

MUSEUMS

Korean War Veterans Memorial Overland Park

14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 913.492.0038 Free A4 www.LenexaHistoricalSociety.org The historic site was believed to be a Jesse James and Quantrill hideout during the 1861 Lawrence raid. The site displays changing exhibits on local history.

Leila’s Hair Museum

1333 S. Noland Rd., Indep, MO 816.833.2955 $ D3 www.hairwork.com/leila Check out this curiosity: 159 wreaths and more than 2,000 pieces of jewelry made of human hair, dating to before 1900.

Lone Jack Battlefield Museum

301 S. Bynum Rd., Lone Jack, MO 816.697.8833 Free D5 www.HistoricLoneJack.org Enjoy this museum and battlefield tour of the Battle of Lone Jack.

 FEATURED LISTING Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm See ad on pg. 43.

1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS 913.971.5111 $ A5 www.OlatheKs.org Visit the only working stagecoach stop open to the public on the Santa Fe Trail. Relive the adventures of early stagecoach passengers. Tour the home, blacksmith shop and farm.

Mahaffie offers many events throughout the year, including hands-on programs for children, stagecoach rides and living history days. 

Missouri Town 1855

8010 E. Park Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.503.4860 $ D4 www.JacksonGov.org/MissouriTown Missouri Town is a reconstructed 1850s farming community. Tour 30 buildings, including a school, church, farm homes, general store and more.

Mount Gilead Church & School

15918 Plattsburg Rd., Kearney, MO 816.736.8500 Free D1 www.JesseJamesMuseum.org Tour a one-room schoolhouse, where school continued to meet through the Civil War, and a historic church.

The Museum at Prairiefire

5750 W. 137th St., OP, KS 913.338.3800 $ B5 www.VisitPrairieFire.com The museum showcases world renowned exhibits.

INSIDE SCOOP: TAMMY WILLIAMS

TRUMAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY Tammy Williams is an archivist and the social media manager on staff at the Truman Presidential Library.

GP: Favorite place to visit with kids?

Tammy: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. It’s free, so you can spend as long or as short a time as you want. If the kids are getting antsy, you don’t feel like you have to stay a certain amount of time to get your money’s worth. They have kid-friendly tour brochures that you can look at, artifacts that are enhanced with further descriptions on their iPod app, and it can serve as inspiration for kids and their creative pursuits when they get home.

GP: Favorite “only in KC” restaurant?

Tammy: Just about any barbecue restaurant! From the well-known places to the little hole-in-the-wall joints, they are all unique, and uniquely Kansas City.

GP: Best date night destination?

Tammy: The Kansas City Culinary Center. It’s an opportunity to learn about different cuisines and cooking techniques. They give you recipes you can take home with you, and you get some great food and great drinks.

GP: Favorite winter tradition in KC? Tammy: Christmas in the Park at Longview. The light displays are always neat, and if you get there right at dusk, the traffic isn’t too bad. Even so, you just fill a few thermoses with hot cocoa, pop some popcorn, get on your comfy clothes and listen to Christmas tunes in the car while you drive through!

GP: Must-see KC attraction for out-of-town guests?

Tammy: The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. It is the ONLY World War I museum in the nation, and there is so much to see and read and learn about in their exhibits. And the view of Kansas City from the courtyard is truly amazing. kcgoingplaces.com 47

MUSEUMS

Strawberry Hill Museum 720 N. 4th St., KC, KS 913.371.3264 $ B3 www.StrawberryHillMuseum.org This Queen Anne-style 1887 home tells the story of immigrants from Eastern Europe. Visit the Russian Tea Room for lunch or brunch!

Thomas Hart Benton Home 3616 Belleview, KC, MO 816.931.5722 $ C3 www.mostateparks.com Tour the home of one of Missouri’s most famous artists. See the artist’s studio and work firsthand.

Truman Courtroom and Office

Science City National Agricultural Hall of Fame 630 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, KS 913.721.1075 $ A3 www.AgHallOfFame.com Learn about agriculture in the Heartland. Enjoy train rides, hayrides, tractor tours, special events and more.

National Frontier Trails Museum 318 W. Pacific Ave., Indep, MO 816.325.7575 $ D3 www.CI.Independence.MO.us/NFTM Features the history of the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails. Learn about local trail history and wagon swales, load a wagon and learn the history of westward expansion.

 FEATURED LISTING The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures See ad on pg. 67.

5235 Oak St., KC, MO 816.333.9328 $ C3 www.ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, formerly the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City, is currently closed for renovations. The museum plans to reopen in early 2015.

The 38-room house boasts the largest collection of nostalgic toys, finescale miniatures and marbles in the Midwest. This specialty museum is just a few blocks south of the renowned Country Club Plaza. The young and young-at-heart will be whisked back in time through displays of the toys that defined generations. 

 FEATURED LISTING National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial See ad on pg. 45.

100 W. 26th St., KC, MO 816.784.1918 $ C3 www.TheWorldWar.org Through original objects and documents, video, recreated trenches and interactive tables, the museum shares a comprehensive history of the First World War with visitors. Limited-run exhibitions tell newly curated stories of the Great War, often drawing from the museum’s comprehensive archives of more than 75,000 objects and documents. 

Oxford Schoolhouse

Rice-Tremonti Home

8801 E. 66th St., Raytown, MO 816.358.7423 $ C3 www.Rice-Tremonti.com Visit the oldest standing frame house in Jackson County, MO.

Rosedale Memorial Arch

35th St. & Booth, KC, KS 913.677.5097 Free B3 www.WyCoKcK.org Inspired by Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, this arch was built in 1923 to pay tribute to WWI veterans. In 1993, a monument was installed under the arch to honor WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans.

Shawnee Indian Mission

Ironwoods Park: 14701 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 913.339.6700 Free B5 www.Leawood.org/Parks Oxford School is one of the oldest schools in the state of Kansas, now offering living history programs where children experience the one-room school day of pioneers.

3403 W. 53rd St., Fairway, KS 913.262.0867 $ B3 www.KSHS.org Johnson County is named for Thomas Johnson, the founder of the Shawnee Indian Mission. Learn the history of the Shawnee and early Johnson County, KS.

Pioneer Trails Adventures

11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS 913.248.2360 $ B3 www.ShawneeTown.org An active, fun place where visitors of all ages learn what it was like to live in Shawnee in 1929. Experience a typical day in and around the farm town.

223 N. Main St., Indep, MO 816.254.2466 $ D3 www.PioneerTrailsAdventures.com Enjoy a mule-drawn covered wagon ride as you learn about the city’s history and famous citizens, including Wild Bill Hickok, General Sterling Price and Harry Truman.

Raytown Historical Society and Museum

9705 E. 63rd St., Raytown, MO 816.353.5033 $ C3 www.RaytownHistoricalSociety.org Museum features a general store, Raytown history and traveling exhibits.

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Shawnee Town 1929

Shoal Creek Living History Museum

7000 NE Barry Rd., KC, MO 816.792.2655 $ C1 www.KCMO.org Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a village of more than 20 authentic 19th-century buildings. Hands-on history is taught through programs and events.

Jackson County Courthouse, Main & Maple, Rm. 109, Indep, MO 816.252.7454 $ D3 www.JacksonGov.org Tour the office and courtroom used by Mr. Truman in his early years of elected politics. Remodeled office opening soon.

Truman Farm Home 12301 Blue Ridge Blvd., Grandview, MO 816.254.9929 $ C5 www.NPS.gov/HSTR Built in 1894, this was Harry Truman’s childhood residence from 1906 to 1917.

Truman Home 219 N. Delaware, Indep, MO 816.254.9929 $ D3 www.NPS.gov/HSTR Tour the home of President and Mrs. Truman where they lived. The apple green kitchen, simple furnishings, untouched calendar and family collections reflect their lifestyle.

UFDC Doll Museum 10900 N. Pomona Ave., KC, MO 816.891.7040 $ B1 www.UFDC.org Museum features exhibits on dolls from around the world and throughout history.

Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Federal Courthouse 400 E. 9th St., KC, MO 816.426.3963 Free C3 www.GSA.gov/portal/content/101540 Tour the Federal Courthouse and learn how the judicial branch of government works.

400 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.268.8000 Free C3 www.Archives.gov Kansas City has one of the 11 branches of the National Archives. The collections include historical, diplomatic, genealogical and military documents, artifacts and exhibits.

Vaile Mansion 1500 N. Liberty St., Indep, MO 816.325.7430 $ D3 www.VaileMansion.org Guided tours are offered of the 1882 Victorian mansion.

Veterans Memorial Park 1025 S. Harrison, Olathe, KS 913.971.6263 Free A5 www.OlatheKS.org/ParksRec/ This 4-acre park honors the men and women who served America in the Armed Services.

Veterans Park

Center & Pawnee St., Gardner, KS 913.856.7535 Free A5 www.GardnerKansas.gov The park features a Veteran’s memorial as well as park facilities: playground, trail, basketball court, etc.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

43rd & Broadway, KC, MO 816.561.8387 Free C3 Dedicated in 1986 to all Vietnam veterans, with a special salute to veterans from KC, the memorial includes a wall with the names of 336 area veterans killed or missing in action.

Watkins Woolen Mill

26600 Park Rd. N., Lawson, MO 816.580.3387 $ D1 www.WatkinsMill.org The mill is America’s only 19th-century textile factory with original machinery.

Tour the home, visitor’s center, farm, and brick mill and see how workers turned fleece into fabric.

Weston Historical Museum

601 Main St., Weston, MO 816.386.2977 Free D3 www.WestonHistoricalMuseum.org From rare Native American moccasins to early physician instruments to vintage clothing displays, the Weston Historical Museum has preserved local artifacts to enjoy today.

Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum

631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, KS 913.721.1078 Free A3 www.WYCoKCK.org Hands-on exhibits and artifacts depict the history of Wyandotte County and Native Americans.

Science Museums and Sites  FEATURED LISTING Gottlieb Planetarium See ad on pg. 3.

Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2020 $ C3 www.UnionStation.org The Gottlieb Planetarium’s 360-degree domed screen and advanced projection system immerse visitors in an experience that is simultaneously entertaining and informative. From a regular presentation about the solar system to the occasional special musical collaboration, the planetarium dazzles with one of the largest dome experiences in the Midwest. 

KU Natural History Museum

1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 785.864.4450 $ A3 www.NaturalHistory.KU.edu Four floors of exhibits help you explore the life of the planet. You will discover the animals and plants of the Great Plains, see a live bee colony and a toothy mosasaur fossil.

Powell Observatory

10297 W. 263rd St., Louisburg, KS 913.837.5305 $ B5 www.askc.org/powell.htm Powell Observatory is home to the largest telescope in a five-state area.

 FEATURED LISTING Science City at Union Station See ad on pg. 3.

30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2020 $ C3 www.ScienceCity.com Hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to outer space, music to optical illusions, medicine and weather. Housed in Union Station, a popular destination drawing tourists who marvel at the Grand Hall’s 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the 6-foot-wide clock hanging in the station’s central arch. See the all new Spark Lab for tons of fun! 

Armacost Car Museum

4200 E. 135th St., Grandview, MO 816.763.9683 $$ C5 www.PetersonCarMuseum.com Two floors of restored vintage cars in a space available for special events.

Chip’s Chocolate Factory

Crown Center: 2450 Grand Ave., KC, MO 816.421.0012 Free C3 www.ChipsChocolateFactory.com Visit the shop and factory where KC’s very own KC Fudge was developed more than 27 years ago.

College Basketball Experience

1401 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.949.7500 $ C3 www.CollegeBasketballExperience.com Hands-on exhibits place visitors in game-like situations.

Hallmark Visitors Center

2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.5672 Free C3 www.HallmarkVisitorsCenter.com Discover the story of Hallmark from humble beginnings in 1910 to the creation of this world-famous company through interactive displays and fascinating exhibits.

Harley Davidson Assembly Plant

11401 N. Congress Ave., KC, MO 816.270.8023 Free B1 www.Harley-Davidson.com Tour the factory and watch the assembly of Harley Davidson motorcycles firsthand.

Kansas City Auto Museum

15095 W. 116th St., Olathe, KS 913.322.4227 $ B5 www.KansasCityAutoMuseum.com A new museum honoring the rich heritage of Kansas City’s automotive manufacturing and collector community.

 FEATURED LISTING Louisburg Cider Mill See ad on pg. 31.

14730 KS 68, Louisburg, KS 800.748.7765 Free B5 www.LouisburgCiderMill.com The entire family will enjoy watching cider and donuts being made firsthand. Then enjoy samples of both.

Special events throughout the year include pumpkin season, Cider Fest and opportunities for group tours. Plus enjoy their extensive gift shop. 

Moon Marble 600 E. Front St., Bonner Springs, KS 913.441.1432 Free A3 www.MoonMarble.com Watch marble making, learn marble games and visit the store with oldfashioned toys.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 1616 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.221.1920 $ C3 www.NLBM.com The museum is dedicated to the history of Negro Leagues Baseball with interactive exhibits for all ages.

The Roasterie Inc. 1204 W. 27th St., KC, MO 816.931.4000 FREE C3 www.TheRoasterie.com Tour the coffee company and learn about cupping, roasting and blending.

Royals Hall of Fame Kauffman Stadium 1 Royal Way, KC, MO 816.504.4222 $ C3 http://KansasCity.Royals.MLB.com An education and entertainment venue that includes artifacts, photos and videos tracing the history of Royals baseball.

Special Interest Museums & Tours Ambiance on the Water

200 Ward Pkwy., KC, MO 816.365.7101 $$ C3 www.AmbianceOnTheWater.com Enjoy a ride aboard one of two custom designed boats for a romantic tour of the Plaza River Walk.

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MUSEUMS

U.S. National Archives

kansas city’s spectacular views

By Micah Moore

The arrival of fall temperatures means many of us will be looking for excuses to get outdoors and enjoy the weather before winter hits. What would be a better way to observe the fall season than to find a new favorite place to view Kansas City? From City Hall to observation decks, Kansas City has a wealth of great views to offer. Check out this list of amazing views in the Kansas City area—from metro views to park views, there is something here for every personality and family.

50 kc going places | fall & winter 2014

City Hall Observation Deck (414 E. 12th St., Kansas City, MO) Your young architect will love this first observation point. The observation deck is on the fourth tallest city hall in the world, which rises into the sky as the third tallest Kansas City building. Don’t let the fact that it’s the third tallest skyscraper scare you away, though— it’s built on a hill and offers amazing aerial views of the city. Be sure to pay attention to the details on the inside of the building as well, like the detailed light fixtures in the lobby. There is no cost to visit this view, making it perfect for a low-cost trip. Picture ID is required to go through security, and the observation deck is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00, weather permitting. While young and old lovers of beautiful architecture will enjoy seeing City Hall, don’t end your trip there. Before you leave, check out the 10-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad on the South Plaza of City Hall.

Kaw Point (8th Street & Jefferson, Kansas City, MO) If your youngster loves planes and picnic lunches, Kaw Point is a perfect destination. This area offers a beautiful view of Kansas City across the Kansas and Missouri rivers. Have a picnic lunch under the trees while watching planes take off and land from the downtown airport.

Kaw Point is a location where Lewis and Clark stopped on their journey west, and this point is marked with a beautiful statue of them. The education pavilion here features signs to help kids learn about the pair’s monumental expedition. Your young explorer will enjoy getting close to nature, as well, by hiking on the gravel trails on the west side of the park.

Liberty Memorial Observation Tower (100 W. 26th St., Kansas City, MO) The Liberty Memorial is one of the best-known landmarks in Kansas City—but did you know there is a special viewing tower on its top? While parking is free, you will have to purchase a ticket to visit the top of the tower. Tickets are $5 to visit the tower, and children under 5 are free. Hours to visit are Tue.-Sun., 10:00-4:15. You will have to climb 45 stairs to see this view, so it is not handicap accessible.

The adjacent World War I Museum is handicap accessible however, and I highly recommend you pay it a visit.

Instead of buying a $5 ticket, you can purchase a ticket for the museum, which also includes admission to the tower. Art lovers will be excited to hear that a Thomas Hart Benton display focusing on how his experience in World War I shaped his art is being shown here until Oct. 12.

Museum hours are Tue. - Sun., 10:00 - 5:00; adult tickets are $14, while students with ID and seniors pay $12. Children from ages 6 to 17 are $8, and children under 5 are free.

Town of Kansas Observation Deck (East end of Main Street, Kansas City, MO) If you are looking for something off the beaten path and not quite as popular but closer to nature, look no farther than the Town of Kansas Observation Deck. From the end of Main Street follow the Riverfront Heritage Trail toward the Missouri River. While the entire trail is 15 miles long, the observatory is less than a 5-minute walk from this starting point. This outlook is a great place to enjoy a view of the Missouri River, and you might even see some birds on the river. If you have an interest in trying new things or shopping, check out the City Market less than a block away (20 W. 5th St.), open on weekends year around. Featuring more than 140 vendors with local produce and crafts, the market offers something for everyone to enjoy.

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SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME ! e m i t w o h S s ’ t I

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Prepare to sing and dance in your seat or get up on your feet! Motown the Musical, which received an average 5 out of 5 rating from its Chicago audience, will be in Kansas City this winter. This high energy production chronicles the life of Motown founder Berry Gordy, the man who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Smokey Robinson. Produced through the Kansas City Broadway Series at Municipal Auditorium Music Hall, Motown the Musical will thrill audiences Dec. 9-14.

4

There are four phenomenal children’s programs running through the Folly Kids’ Series this fall and winter. Treat your children to a memorable experience at Kansas City’s oldest theater, the Folly, originally built in 1900. Curious George, Stella, Four Score and Seven Years Ago and Teacher from the Black Lagoon are your choices!

10,000

Every year, 10,000 children from the greater metropolitan area are involved with the KC Repertory Theatre through education and outreach programs. Various age-appropriate productions, such as A Christmas Carol, are performed at a discounted rate for large groups of children through the Student Matinee Series. Also, Rep on the Road is a unique and meaningful program through which actors bring their expertise to students in their home schools to perform workshops and teach acting skills.

7

A hidden gem in the heart of Kansas City is the Musical Theater Heritage, located on the third floor of the Crown Center Shops. Though this venue is small and intimate, it maintains a history of legendary shows, such as Hello Dolly, Guys and Dolls and Sweeney Todd. Come see Oliver Dec. 4-21 at a theater where you will not sit more than seven rows from the stage!

52 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

KC Repertory Theatre

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If you are looking to introduce your children to live theater in Kansas City, start with the Coterie! With a founding philosophy of using live theater to bring together all races, ethnicities, sexes and social classes, both on stage and in the audience, the Coterie is one of KC’s most highly regarded attractions. So pick a date and take the family to see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer this fall. You have 31 dates from which to choose, from Nov. 4 through Dec. 4. (Also watch for The Cat in the Hat coming next spring!)

15 million

15 million is the number of soundtrack copies of Footloose that have sold since its premiere 30 years ago. And yes, it is coming to KC in January 2015! Although it is unlikely that Kevin Bacon himself will be on stage, you can still enjoy this legendary show to be performed at the Barn Players Community Theatre. Founded in 1955 in an actual barn on Mission Road, the Barn Players define community theater in the KC area. Having often been without a true home in which to perform, the Barn Players persevered and continued to seek out facilities where they could show their talent and delight audiences. Now permanently located in Mission, the company entertains families and audiences of all ages with Barn Players shows, as well as Barn Jr. and Barn Kids productions.

Karen Johnson is an Olathe mom who loves a great show.

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4) KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pg. 7 Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

Dance, Music & Theater American Girl Drama Team

Various locations: Lee’s Summit area 816.204.5702 $ D4 http://AGDT.blogspot.com AGDT is aimed at girls ages 8-12, and a teen class for girls 13 and older. Public performances are held seasonally.

Avila College Goppert Theatre

11901 Wornall Rd., KC, MO 816.501.3699 $$ C5 www.Avila.edu Students offer live theater performances.

Barn Players Community Theatre

6219 Martway, Mission, KS 913.432.9100 $ B3 www.TheBarnPlayers.org Enjoy live community theater performances.

Carlsen Center at JCCC

12345 College Blvd., OP, KS 913.469.4445 $$ B4 www.JCCC.edu Concerts, ballet, live theater, puppet shows and performances from around the world grace the Carlsen Center stage.

Christian Youth Theater

Various locations 913.681.3318 $ www.CYTKC.org CYT is an after-school theater arts program for children ages 5-18.

City Theatre of Independence

201 N. Dodgion, Indep, MO 816.325.7370 $ D3 www.CityTheatreOfIndependence.org Live community theater for all ages includes children’s shows.

Comedy City

The Culture House

Various performance locations 14808 W. 117th St., Olathe, KS 913.393.3141 $ A5 www.CultureHouse.com The entire family can enjoy live theater, dance and musical performances.

Dramatic Truth Ballet

10510 Grandview Rd., KC, MO 816.767.9222 $ C4 www.DramaticTruth.org Local Christian ballet troupe performs live shows for the whole family.

Excelsior Springs Community Theatre

Various performance locations in Excelsior Springs, Richmond and Liberty, MO. 816.637.3728 $ D1 www.ESCTheatre.org Live community theater for all ages includes children’s shows.

3600 Broadway, Ste. #107, KC, MO 816.842.2744 $ C3 www.ComedyCity.cc Improv comedy shows are geared for the entire family. Check schedule for show descriptions.

Folly Theater 300 W. 12th St., KC, MO 816.474.4444 $$ C3 www.FollyTheater.com Live theater and music performances entertain at this venue.

Coterie Theatre

Gem Theater

Crown Center: 2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, KC, MO 816.474.6552 $ C3 www.CoterieTheatre.org The Coterie, a professional Equity theater, is among the top five theaters serving families and young audiences in the United States, according to TIME magazine.

1616 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.474.8463 $$ C3 www.AmericanJazzMuseum.com The Gem Theater features everything from films and live theater productions to dynamic live jazz performances.

Jewish Community Center of Greater KC

5801 W. 115th St., Suite 101, OP, KS 913.327.8000 $$ B5 www.JCCKC.org Live theater and music performances entertain the whole family.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.994.7200 $$ C3 www.KauffmanCenter.org Home to resident organizations, the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony and other innovative programming.

 FEATURED LISTING Kansas City Ballet See ad on pg. 5.

Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity: 500 W. Pershing, KC, MO Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.931.2232 $$ C3 www.KCBallet.org The ballet’s homes, Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, are poised to make KC a true destination for professional dance.

The 2014-2015 season, “We’re going to take you places you’ve never been!” features Alice (in wonderland), The Nutcracker, New Moves and Giselle. 

KC Chamber Orchestra

Various performance locations 816.960.1324 $$ C3 www.KCChamberOrchestra.org Classical music is performed by KC’s chamber orchestra.

Bell Road Barn Players

David Theater at Park University: 8700 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 816.587.0218 $ B2 www.BellRoadBarn.com Live community theater performances.

Big Creek Country Show

110 Veterans Pkwy., Pleasant Hill, MO 816.524.6856 $$ A5 www.BigCreekCountry.com Country musicians and comedians offer shows for the family.

Blue Springs City Theater

2000 NW Ashton Dr., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.0137 $ D3 www.BlueSpringsCityTheater.com Live community theater performances.

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SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME

Mystery Comedy Dinner Playhouse

Various Locations, KC, MO 816.333.5999 $$ C3 www.MysteryComedy.com Live mystery comedy theater is performed at various locations in KC.

Mystery Train

Various Locations 816.813.9654 $$ C3 www.KCMysteryTrain.com Interactive mystery dinner theater enjoyed by teens and adults.

New Theatre Restaurant

9229 Foster St., OP, KS 913.649.7469 $$ B4 www.NewTheatre.com Live dinner theater features famous stars in each performance.

Coterie Theatre KC Friends of Alvin Ailey

1714 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.471.6003 $$ C3 www.KCFAA.org Professional dance group features ballet, modern and jazz dance.

 FEATURED LISTING KC Repertory Theatre See ad on pg. 55.

4949 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.235.2700 $$ C3 www.KCRep.org The premier professional resident theater company of the Kansas City, MO, metropolitan area, founded in 1964.

Each season offers new productions for all ages, including the annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol.

Other shows for the 2014-15 season include The Santaland Diaries and The Iliad. 

KC Starlight Theatre

4600 Starlight Rd., KC, MO 816.363.7827 $$ C3 www.KCStarlight.com Get into the spirit with starry nights, great food and the best Broadway entertainment in Kansas City each summer.

KC Symphony

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.471.0400 $$ C3 www.KCSymphony.org Enjoy professional live classical symphony. The symphony’s Family Series is especially popular with KC kids, as it features fun holiday music and familiar favorites.

KC Young Audiences

5601 Wyandotte, KC, MO 816.531.4022 $ C3 www.KCYA.org Live music, dance, drama and poetry entertain patrons ages 5 and up.

Lee’s Summit Symphony Lee’s Summit High School: 400 SE Blue Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.401.5251 $ D4 www.LSSymphony.org Classical symphony entertains with live performances for the community.

Liberty Performing Arts Theatre

1600 S. Withers Rd., Liberty, MO 816.439.4362 $$ D1 www.LPAT.org The entire family can enjoy live theater performances.

Lied Center of Kansas

1600 Stewart Ave., Lawrence, KS 785.864.2787 $ A3 http://lied.ku.edu/ Celebrating 20 years as the performing arts center at the University of Kansas, featuring world famous live entertainment with theater, concerts and shows.

Lyric Opera

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.471.4933 $$ C3 www.KCOpera.org Attend live professional opera performances.

Martin City Melodrama

9601 Metcalf Ave., OP, KS 913.642.7576 $ B4 www.MartinCityMelodrama.org Live Vaudeville-style theater is sure to leave the entire family laughing!

54 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre

3614 Main, KC, MO 816. 569. 3226 $ C3 http://MetKC.org Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theater providing a full season of shows for the public.

Midland Theatre

1228 Main St., KC, MO 816.283.9900 $$ C3 www.MidlandKC.com Live theater, concerts and other performances entertain guests.

Miller-Marley School of Dance

10448 Mastin St., OP, KS 913.492.0004 $ B3 www.MillerMarley.com Local youth offer live dance performances.

The Murder Mystery Co.

The Tiffany Ballroom: 903 Harrison St., KC, MO www.grimprov.com $$ C3 Show includes three-course meal and interactive murder mystery show.

Music Hall

Northland Symphony Orchestra

Park Hill South High School: 4500 River Park Dr., Riverside, MO Oak Park High School: 825 NE 79th Ter., KC, MO 816.420.3137 $ B2 www.NorthlandSymphony.org Enjoy notable symphony performances.

Olathe Civic Band

Various Locations 913.856.9916 Free-$ B3 www.OlatheCivicBand.org Live musical performances for the community.

Olathe Community Theatre

500 E. Loula, Olathe, KS 913.782.2990 $$ B4 www.OlatheTheatre.org Live community theater is produced for the entire family.

Paul Mesner Puppets

1006 Linwood Blvd., KC, MO 816.756.3500 $ C3 6801 W. 95th St., OP, KS 816.756.3500 $ B4 www.PaulMesnerPuppets.org Puppet shows offered all year to delight young audiences! Audiences from 3 to 93 will enjoy these performances sure to make children laugh.

301 W. 13th St., KC, MO 816.513.5000 $$ C3 www.KCConvention.com Host to live theater in Kansas City since 1936, this facility is known for bringing world class shows and entertainment.

Piccadilly Puppets Various Locations 913.837.3544 $ www.Piccadilly-Puppets.com Touring puppet company performs shows across the KC metro area.

Musical Theater Heritage

Puppetry Arts Institute

Off Center Theatre: 2405 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.5524 $ C3 www.MusicalTheaterHeritage.com MTH presents classic musical theater and revue performances.

11025 E. Winner Rd., Indep, MO 816.833.9777 $ D3 www.Hazelle.org Enjoy puppet shows, make your own puppets and tour the museum.

Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park

7710 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.236.1237 $ A4 www.TheatreInThePark.org Live outdoor theater is performed for the entire family every summer.

Sprint Center

1407 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.949.7100 $$ C3 www.SprintCenter.com Multi-use indoor arena in the Power & Light District.

StoneLion Puppet Theatre

Various Locations 816.221.5351 $ www.StoneLionPuppets.org Live puppet shows are tailored for children.

Theatre for Young America

Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2083 $ C3 www.TYA.org Theatre for Young America provides family shows all year.

We’ve got the

DISH

Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre

12480 S. Blackbob, Olathe, KS 913.254.4444 $ A5 www.TrilogyCulturalArts.com Live theater, dance and musical performances are produced for the entire family.

Kansas City’s Holiday Show Schedule ■

The Coterie showing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Nov. 4, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015, www.TheCoterie.org

■

Theater for Young America Jingle Arrgh the Way! Nov. 25–Dec. 27, www.TYA.org

■

Dramatic Truth performs The Mystery of Christmas on Dec. 5 & 7, www.dramatictruth.org

■

The Culture House showing Twelfth Day Dec. 4-8, www.CultureHouse.com

■

KC Symphony Handel’s Messiah Dec. 5-7, www.KCSymphony.org

■

Miller Marley presents Clara’s Dream on Dec. 6 & 7, www.millermarley.com

■

Legacy School of the Arts The Nutcracker Tea Dec. 6 & 7 www.NutcrackerTeaParty.org

■

Kansas City Ballet showing The Nutcracker Dec. 6-24, www.KCBallet.org

■

KC Repertory Theatre showing A Christmas Carol Nov. 21–Dec. 26, The Santaland Diaries Dec. 6-24, 2014 and Christmas Festival Dec. 18-21, www.KCRep.com

UMKC Conservatory of Music

James C. Olson Performing Arts Center: 4949 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.235.2900 $$ C3 www.Conservatory.UMKC.edu Live musical performances entertain the entire family.

UMKC Theatre

4949 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.235.2702 $$ C3 www.UMKC.edu/Theatre UMKC college students offer live theater performances.

Youth Symphony of KC

Various performance locations 5960 Dearborn, Suite 206, Mission, KS 913.722.6810 $$ B3 www.YouthSymphonyKC.org Area youth offer live classical music performances.

on where your kids EAT FREE IN KC!

KIDS EAT FREE DINING GUIDE AT

KCPARENT.COM kcgoingplaces.com 55

SHOWTIME

Quality Hill Playhouse

303 W. 10th St., KC, MO 816.421.1700 $$ C3 www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com Live music concerts range from classical to jazz.

50

simple pleasures to enjoy in kansas city this season 56 KC GOING PLACES | FALL & WINTER 2014-15

“Whodunnit?” at a live mystery at • Play all day in the Western village at Antioch Park. • Play Holy-Field Winery.

• Take pictures at Kauffman Memorial Gardens.

• Savor your favorite brew at the Roasterie. your cowboy hat and attend the American • Wear Royal Parade. at the National Museum of Toys • Reminisce and Miniatures.

• Ride a camel at the Kansas City Zoo. • Delight in povitica bread at Strawberry Hill.

Chinese New Year at the Nelson-Atkins • Attend Museum of Art. • Munch on Topsy’s popcorn.

• Take a photo from the top of Liberty Memorial.

• Try a new restaurant at Prairiefire.

• Ride a bike across a high wire at Science City.

• Step back in time at the Vaile Victorian Mansion. a phosphate at Georgetown Old Town • Ice skate at Crown Center.

• Drink Pharmacy.

• Make puppets at the Puppetry Arts Institute.

• Celebrate Apple Fest in Weston. at the night sky at the Gottlieb • Marvel Planetarium.

• Race go-karts at Paradise Park. a pedal boat at Shawnee Mission Park Lake for your favorite driver at • Rent • Cheer or Lake Jacomo.

Kansas Speedway.

• Sample cheese at Better Cheddar.

• Sip a Skyscraper at Winstead’s. the family to a production at the beloved • Take children’s theater, the Coterie. a flick at the Alamo Drafthouse movie • Catch theater.

• Sled down Suicide Hill (in Brookside).

• Zipline through the trees at Adventure Zip KC. a carriage around the Country Club Plaza • Ride under the glow of Christmas lights.

• Treat the kids to a show at Paul Mesner Puppets. your favorite children’s book at • Find Reading Reptile.

• Enjoy live jazz at the Blue Room. a stagecoach at Mahaffie • Ride Stagecoach Stop. treasure at the Arabia Steamboat • Discover Museum. your chocolate cravings with gourmet • Curb chocolate from Christopher Elbow.

to live music in the Kansas City Power & • Listen Light District.

• Get lost in the Liberty Corn Maze.

• Dine in a castle at Renee Kelly’s Harvest. the kids to lunch delivered to your table by • Treat model trains at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant.

the link from Crown Center to Union Station • Walk for a great view of downtown.

a treasure for your kitchen at Pryde’s • Find Old Westport.

on food truck specialties and admire art • Feast during a First Friday in the Crossroads.

• Watch cider making in Louisburg.

• Laugh out loud at Comedy City. local barbecue restaurants on a quest to find • Visit • Buy fresh produce at City Market. the best. through Christmas in the Park for some of • Drive See how high you can jump at the indoor the best lights in town.

• trampoline park Sky Zone. a pony at the Deanna Rose • Ride Ride the rails with Santa aboard the Belton, Children’s Farmstead.

• Grandview and KC Railroad.

KCGOINGPLACES.COM 57

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SPORTS

Kansas Speedway

…And, We’re Off—to the Races!

W

e’re pretty big sports fans. Watching our two kids play sports and viewing events like the recent World Cup and the Super Bowl are a regular part of our family time. But, a while ago we had the opportunity to take in a new sport in a very different arena: the STP 400 Race at the Kansas Speedway. We’re glad we accepted the invitation; it was a memorable family outing.

Fast and furious barely begin to describe the race; Matt Kenseth (#20) set a record, averaging more than over 191 miles per hour in the 400-mile race. Watching his victory spin and seeing famous drivers like Jeff Gordon, Danika Patrick, Jimmy Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were highlights, but we enjoyed a whole lot more.

The Kansas Speedway provides plenty of pre- and postrace entertainment, so it’s a full day event. The area around the speedway becomes a mini-city! Racing flags, smoking grills, picnics and games create an electric atmosphere. Arrive 1-1 ½ hours pre-race so you can enjoy some tailgating. Many fans played Frisbee, soccer and horseshoes while their barbecue cooked and again waiting for post-race traffic to clear.

Recommendation: Get a track pass if possible and bring a camera. The passes gain you pre-race access to the infield. Bringing a soft-sided cooler with drinks and snacks can offset this expense.

We enjoyed signing the track (bring a Sharpie), greeting drivers and their families and watching cars pull out onto the track. Wave your tickets or other memorabilia and ask for autographs. Carl Edwards of Columbia, MO, signed our kids’ tickets and shook some hands. That experience made an instant shadow box-worthy memento!

58 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

A live band warms up an anxious crowd. We jostled our way to the front of a trackside viewing line and saw Jimmy Johnson’s sleek black car (#48) roll onto the track. Next, a soloist performed a moving rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by a military band, colorful fireworks and a flyover.

Take Your Seats Entertainment continues once you are in your seats.

Announcers interact with the audience and talk up the race. Know the cars you want to follow before the race begins. The cars’ speed and quick movements can make them difficult to follow. Adjust your earplugs and hold onto your hats as the engines roar and the checkered flag is lowered. The sound and feeling of more than 40 racecars taking off at once is comparable to being near a moving train or a passing tornado.

Track your cars on the electronic pole that shows the top 15 racers and counts the laps. Binoculars help to view the opposite side of the track and the tricky turns. Keep your eyes on the pit crews, too. A yellow flag indicates caution and many cars will make a pit stop then. Watch the crews lift an entire side of the car to make adjustments in a matter of seconds.

The sights and sounds kept all of us engaged throughout the race, but it’s worthwhile to stretch your legs by walking through the arena, viewing displays, food stands and the crowd. Just make sure not to miss the final race lap and, of course, the victory lap.

Kathy Stump, local mom and writer, is always up for an adventure.

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4) KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pg. 7 Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

Bowling Aaron’s Westchester Lanes

1901 W. Mechanic St., Harrisonville, MO 816.380.2920 $ C5 www.AaronsFamilyFunCenter.com

AMF

Strike ‘N Spare Lanes: 13001 E. 40 Hwy., Indep, MO 816.356.1900 $ D3 Pro Bowl Lanes: 505 E. 18th Ave., KC, MO (This location also offers miniature golf.)

816.221.8844 $ C3 College Lanes: 10201 College Blvd., OP, KS 913.451.6400 $ B4 www.AMF.com

Mission Bowl ‘N Olathe

Retro Bowl

1020 S. Weaver St., Olathe, KS 913.782.0279 $ A5 www.Olathe.MissionBowl.com

906 W. Liberty Dr., Liberty, MO 816.781.1998 $ D2 www.RetroBowlFunCenter.com This location also offers batting cages, billiards and more.

Olathe Lanes East 303 N. Lindenwood Dr., Olathe, KS 913.764.4568 $ A5 www.OLEast.com

Park Lanes Family Fun Center 7701 Renner Rd., Shwn Msn, KS 913.248.1110 $ A4 www.ParkLanesKC.com

Pinstripes 13500 Nall Ave., OP, KS 913.681.2255 $ B5 www.Pinstripes.com In addition to bowling, enjoy bocce and bistro.

Premier Bowling & Recreation Center

Sterling Bowl 11216 US 24, Sugar Creek, MO 816.252.2111 $ D3 www.SterlingBowl.com

Strikerz Entertainment Center 18900 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.313.5166 $ D3 www.Strikerz.com Bowling and arcade.

Summit Lanes 803 SW Oldham Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.524.3322 $ D4 www.SummitLanes.com

11400 E. State Route 350, Raytown, MO 816.356.5955 $ C3 www.PremierBowl.com

Ward Parkway Lanes

Ranch Bowl

Z Strike

5604 State Ave., KC, KS 913.287.6000 $ A2 www.RanchBowlKC.com

1523 W. 89th St., KC, MO 816.363.2700 $ C3 www.WardParkwayLanes.com 1370 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.2316 $ C3 www.Z-Strike.com

Indoor Pools Belton Parks Community Center

16400 N. Mullen Rd., Belton, MO 816.348.7400 $ C5 www.BeltonParks.org

Blue Valley Rec Aquatic Center

6545 W. 151st St., OP, KS 913.685.6000 $ B5 www.BlueValleyRec.org

Centennial Pool Plex

903 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.0110 $ D4 www.BlueSpringsGov.com

CoCo Key Water Resort

Holiday Inn KC Sports Complex: 9103 E. 39th St., KC, MO 816.737.0200 $$ C3 www.CocoKeyKansasCity.com The 55,000-square-foot indoor water park features wading pool with slides for little swimmers, water slides, fast tube ride and activity pools.

Gladstone Community Center

6901 N. Holmes St., KC, MO 816.423.4200 $ C2 www.Gladstone.mo.us

Diamond Bowl

218 N. Osage St., Indep, MO 816.252.8003 $ D3 www.Diamond-Bowl.com

Gladstone Bowl

300 NW 72nd St., Gladstone, MO 816.436.2695 $ C2 www.GladstoneBowl.com

Incred-A-Bowl

8500 W. 151st St., Stanley, KS 913.851.1700 $ B5 www.IncredaBowl.com Miniature golf and laser tag also available.

KC Bowl

8201 State Ave., KC, KS 913.299.1110 $ A3 www.KCBowl.com

Lunar Bowl

2001 NW 7 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.220.7722 $ D3 www.LunarBowl.com

Mission Bowl

5399 Martway St., Mission, KS 913.432.7000 $ B3 www.MissionBowl.com Miniature golf is available as well.

Cool Crest kcgoingplaces.com 59

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SPORTS

SPORTS

Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center

6200 Martway St., Shwn Msn, KS 913.722.8200 $ B3 www.SylvesterPowell.com

The View

13500 Byars Rd., Grandview, MO 816.316.4888 $ C5 www.Grandview.org

Rock Wall Climbing The Cave Bouldering Gym

3150 Mercier St., #641a, KC, MO 816.569.5792 $ C3 www.TheCaveBouldering.com Kansas City’s only dedicated bouldering gym is now open.

Emerald City Gymnastics

9063 Bond, OP, KS 913.438.4444 $ B4 www.EmeraldCityGym.com/rockwall Monster Mountain is 5,000 square feet of vertical and horizontal indoor climbing.

Sky Zone

IBEX Climbing Gym Great Wolf Lodge

10401 Cabela Dr., KC, KS 866.640.6353 $$ A3 www.GreatWolf.com Enjoy a four-story interactive tree house, winding lazy river and numerous water slides.

Harrisonville Recreation Center

2400 Jefferson Pkwy., Harrisonville, MO 816.380.8980 $ C5 www.CI.Harrisonville.MO.us

Henley Aquatic Center

1231 Windsor St., Indep, MO 816.521.5377 $ D3 www4.Indep.k12.mo.us/Henley/

Jewish Community Center of Greater KC

5801 W. 115th St., OP, KS 913.327.8000 $ B5 www.JCCKC.org

KC MO Parks & Rec Community Centers with Indoor Pools

Gregg/Klice Community Center: 1600 E. 17th Ter., KC, MO 816.784.1135 $ C3 Southeast Community Center: 3601 E. 63rd St., KC, MO 816.784.3200 $ C3 Tony Aguirre Community Center: 2050 W. Pennway Ter., KC, MO 816.784.1300 $ C3 www.KCMO.org

KC YMCA Locations with Indoor Pools

www.KansasCityYMCA.org Atchison Family YMCA: 321 Commercial, Atchison, KS 913.367.4948 $ A1 Blue Springs Family YMCA: 1300 Adams Dairy Pkwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.224.9620 $ D4 Bonner Springs Family YMCA: 410 N. Bluegrass Dr. # B, Bonner Springs, KS 913.422.9348 $ A2 Indep Family YMCA: 14001 E. 32nd St., Indep, MO 816.254.9622 $ D3 Miami County Family YMCA: 300 11th St., Osawatomie, KS 913,755,3622 $ A5 Olathe Family YMCA: 21400 W. 153rd St., Olathe, KS 913.393.9622 $ A5 Paul Henson Family YMCA: 4200 W. 79th St., Prairie Village, KS 913.642.6800 $ B4 Platte County Comm Center North: 3101 Running Horse, Platte City, MO 816.858.0114 $ A1 Platte County Comm Center South: 8875 Clark Ave., Parkville, MO 816.505.2622 $ B2 Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center: 8601 Parallel Pkwy., KC, KS 913.378.9622 $ A2 Red Bridge Family YMCA: 11300 Holmes Rd., KC, MO 816.942.2020 $ C5

60 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Richard C. Green, Sr. Family YMCA: 10301 E. 350 Hwy., KC, MO 816.737.3744 $ C4 Vivion Road Family YMCA: 1101 NE 47th St., KC, MO 816.453.6600 $ C2

Legacy Park Community Center

901 NE Bluestem Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.969.1550 $ D4 www.CityOfLS.net

Liberty MO Community Center 1600 S. Withers Rd., Liberty, MO 816.439.4360 $ D2 www.CI.Liberty.MO.us

801 NW South Outer Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.9988 $ D3 www.ClimbIBEX.com Challenge yourself on the 32-foot walls, lead cave and bouldering area.

North KC Community Center Climbing Wall

1999 Iron St., North KC, MO 816.300.0531 $ C2 www.NKCCC.org Try the 25-foot indoor climbing wall.

Roller Skating Rinks B & D South Skate Center

13903 E. Noland Ct., Indep, MO 816.252.1084 $ D3 www.BandDSouth.com

Matt Ross Community Center

Landmark Skate Center

8101 Marty St., OP, KS 913.895.6350 $ B4 www.OPKansas.org

701 SW Oldham Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.524.2000 $ D4 www.Landmark2Skate.com

Olathe Community Center and Stagecoach Park

Northland Rolladium

1205 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS 913.971.8563 $-$$ A5

Park Hill Aquatic Center

8152 N. Congress Ave., KC, MO 816.741.7963 $ B1 www.Parkhill.K12.MO.us

Roeland Park Aquatic Center 4843 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS 913.432.1377 $ B3 www.RoelandPark.net

1020 Kent St., Liberty, MO 816.792.0590 $ D2 www.SkateLiberty.net

Rink Ratz

513 SW Keystone Dr, Blue Springs, MO 816.229.7793 $ D4 www.RinkRatzk8.com

River Roll Skate Center

4720 NW Gateway Ave., KC, MO 816.587.0131 $ C2 www.RiverRoll.com

7838 Washington Ave., KC, KS 913.788.7788 $ www.SkateCityLegends.com

A3

Batting Cages & Sports Complexes

Golf Club of Kansas

68’s Inside Sports

9800 W. 62nd Ter., Shawnee, KS 913.262.0711 $ B3 www.SkateCityShawnee.com

9111 Flint, OP, KS 913.894.4752 $ B4 www.68InsideSports.com Indoor batting cages offer fun and practice.

Skate City South

Blackbob Batting Cages

Skate City Shawnee

10440 Mastin St., OP, KS 913.888.6668 $ www.SkateCityKansas.com

B4

Skate Zone KC

Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20070 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.568.2498 $ www.SkateZoneKC.com

A5

Wheel Thing Skate Center 1719 Metropolitan Ave., Leavenworth, KS 913.682.7677 $ www.RollinFun.com

A1

Winnwood Skate Center 4426 NE Winn Rd., KC, MO 816.452.1171 $ www.WinnwoodSk8.com

C2

14570 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.971.6263 $ A5 www.OlatheKS.org Outdoor batting cages and outdoor miniature golf.

Blue Valley Rec Batting Cages

North & Main Batting Cages: 9701 W. 137th St., OP, KS 913.685.6000 $ www.BlueValleyRec.org Hit at outdoor batting cages.

B5

KC Sports Lodge

19310 E. 50 Terr., Independence, MO 816.795.7171 $ D3 www.KCSportsLodge.com The 70000 sq.ft. facility offers youth and adult indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball and flag football.

Mac-N-Seitz Baseball & Softball

13705 Holmes Rd., KC, MO 816.942.9992 $ C5 www.Mac-n-Seitz.com Enjoy two major league-size infields, two full-size bull pens, indoor batting cages, six 70-foot hitting tunnels and party room events.

Martin City Sports Complex

The Fieldhouse of Kansas City

12140 W. 135th St., OP, KS 913.897.4667 $ B5 www.FieldhouseofKC.com State-of-the art basketball, volleyball, and gym facility.

Kansas City Sports Trivia

18145 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 913.888.4894 $ B4 www.GCOfKansas.com Enjoy outdoor batting cages.

1.

1 E. 135th St., KC, MO 816.942.0505 $ C5 www.MartinCitySports.com Batting cages, as well as driving range, miniature golf, volleyball, paintball and more.

Mid-America Sports Complex

20000 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 913.441.2244 $ A4 www.JCPRD.com Outdoor batting cages offer up fun and practice.

Regal Athletic

121 E. 10th Ave., North KC, MO 816.256.2448 $ C2 www.RegalAthletic.com Try out the indoor batting cages and bull pen.

Shoal Creek Driving Range & Batting Cages

5757 NE 96th St., KC, MO 816.734.9595 $ C1 www.ShoalCreekDrivingRange.com Visit the outdoor batting cages and golf course.

Sports City

425 NE Mock Ave., Blue Springs, MO 816.229.1314 $ D3 www.SportsCityKC.com Indoor batting cages, indoor black light miniature golf, throwing tunnels and indoor soccer offer family fun.

He played his full career for the Kansas City Royals as #5 and was the first Royal inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Who is this Royals legend?

2.

In April 2012, what racer set the record for fastest driving at Kansas Speedway at 144.122mph?

3.

In 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl IV against what team?

4.

The first African-American coach in Major League Baseball, played an integral role in the establishment of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, was posthumously awarded America’s highest honor for a civilian—the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Who was he?

5.

Mac the Mav is the mascot for what CHL team?

Answer Key: 1) George Brett, 2) Denny Hamlin, 3) Minnesota Vikings 4) Buck O’Neil 5) Missouri Mavericks kcgoingplaces.com 61

SPORTS

Skate City Legends

SPORTS

Tom Urquhart’s School of Baseball

Cool Crest

7875 Mastin Dr., OP, KS 913.385.2255 $ B4 www.385ball.com Improve your skills at indoor pitching tunnels, batting cages and field.

10735 E. US Hwy. 40, Indep, MO 816.358.0088 $ D3 www.CoolCrest.com Four full 18-hole miniature golf courses, a 7000-square-foot video game arcade, a full pizzeria and restaurant, go-karts, batting cages and more!

Triple Play Baseball Softball Academy

Cosmic Mini Golf

1315 SW 40 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.220.7529 $ D4 Indoor batting cages are available.

The Yard 4802 S. Noland Rd., KC, MO 816.525. 9273 $ D3 http://TheYardKC.com Indoor baseball and softball facility.

Miniature Golf Aaron’s Family Fun Center 17070 Aaron’s Ln., Belton, MO 816.322.0488 $ C5 www.AaronsFamilyFunCenter.com Play outdoor miniature golf and enjoy indoor bowling, outdoor go-karts and volleyball.

Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20080 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.764.5565 $ A 5 www.GlowMiniGolf.com Indoor miniature golf features glowin-the-dark black light effects.

Family Golf Park

1501 SW US Hwy. 40, Blue Springs, MO 816.228.1550 $ D3 www.FamilyGolfPark.com Outdoor miniature golf, arcade, bumper boats and party facilities.

Howl-in-One Mini Golf

Great Wolf Lodge: 10401 Cabela Dr., KC, KS 913.299.7001 $ A3 www.GreatWolfLodge.com Outdoor miniature golf is hosted by Great Wolf Lodge.

Parkville Mini Golf 7 W. 1st St., Parkville, MO 816.505.9555 $ B2 www.ParkvilleMiniGolf.com Outdoor miniature golf course is set on the Missouri River bluffs.

Power Play

Belton (3)

Smiley’s Golf

Jaegers Paintball Park

9300 NE Underground Dr., KC, MO 816.452.6600 $ C2 www.Jaegers.com Underground paintball field and laser tag is set in one of KC’s oldest limestone mines.

Tiki Hut Mini Putt

Ice Skating & Snow Sports

8500 W. 151st St., Stanley, KS 913.851.1700 $ B5 www.IncredABowl.com Indoor mini golf has a tropical theme at the Incred-A-Bowl Family Fun Center.

913-550-1254

Kansas City (31) Kearney (1) Leawood (12) Merriam (2)

7631 E. 104th St. Kansas City, MO. 64112

Mission (5)

816-233-0124

Overland Park (38) Parkville (8) Cass (17) Jackson (54)

13276 Walnut St. Lee’s Summit, MO. 64112 816-904-1675

The KC Going Places Online Guide has over 500+ great destinations— view Google maps, photos, video and reviews at www.KCParent.com/Going-Places/

62 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

811 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, KS 785.841.1884 $ A3 www.DropZonePaintball.com Outdoor paintball fields offer excitement.

10195 Monticello Ter., Lenexa, KS 913.782.1323 $ B4 www.SmileysGolf.com Outdoor miniature golf features beautiful gardens and fun hazards.

Gardner (2)

Lee’s Summit (15)

11611 Hickman Mills Dr., KC, MO 816.767.1650 $ C5 www.280Paintball.com Try out the indoor paintball field.

Drop Zone Paintball

2246 W. 134th St. Overland Park, KS 66221 Atchison (1)

280 Paintball

13110 W. 62nd Ter., Shawnee, KS 913.268.7200 $ B3 www.PowerPlayKC.com Cosmic bowling, arcade games, whirly ball and more.

Kids Camps in KC

Check this out!

Paintball

Centerpoint Community Ice

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.795.7577 $ D3 www.IndependenceEventsCenter.com Enjoy year-round skating at the indoor ice rink.

2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.8411 $ C3 www.CrownCenter.com Kansas City’s only public, outdoor ice skating rink opens for its 41st season in November.

The Ice at Park Place

11565 Ash St., Leawood, KS 913.663.2070 $ B5 www.DestinationParkPlace.com Bundle up. The Ice at Park Place is the only outdoor ice rink in Johnson County.

Linden Square Ice Skating Rink

KC Royals Kauffman Stadium: 1 Royal Way, KC, MO 816.921.8000 $$ C3 www.Royals.MLB.com Visit the K to watch KC’s professional baseball team.

Community America Ballpark: 1800 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.328.2255 $ A3 www.TBonesBaseball.com KC’s independent professional baseball team offers a great family outing.

Line Creek Community Center Ice Rink

Kansas Speedway

6109 NW 63rd Ter., KC, MO 816.249.2600 $ B2 www.KCIce.net Outdoor ice skating rink in the Northland.

400 Speedway Blvd., KC, KS 913.328.3300 $$ A3 www.KansasSpeedway.com NASCAR races, car shows and classic car races offer plenty of excitement.

Lakeside Speedway 5615 Wolcott Dr., KC, KS 913.299.2040 $ A3 www.LakesideSpeedway.net The half-mile dirt track is part of NASCAR’s weekly racing series

Snow Creek Ski Area

MU Athletics

1 Snow Creek Dr., Weston, MO 816.640.2200 $$ A1 www.SkiSnowCreek.com KC’s only ski course, Snow Creek features man-made snow and snowboarding and skiing lessons.

1 Champions Dr., Columbia, MO 800.228.7297 $$ D3 www.MUTigers.com College teams for the University of Missouri, including basketball, football, baseball, cross country, track and field.

Pro, Semi-Pro and College Sports

Missouri Mavericks

KC Chiefs

Arrowhead Stadium: 1 Arrowhead Dr., KC, MO 816.920.9300 $$ C3 www.KCChiefs.com Cheer for KC’s professional football team.

KC Comets

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.478.2255 $$ D3 www.CometsIndoorSoccer.com Kansas City’s indoor soccer team.

KC Renegades

Kemper Arena, 1701 American Royal Ct., KC, MO 816.287.0523 $$ C3 www.KCRenegades.com Indoor Football Team.

125 NE Chipman Rd. Lee’s Summit, Missouri

KU Athletics 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 785.864.2700 $$ A3 www.KUAthletics.com College teams for the University of Kansas, including basketball, football, baseball, cross country, track and field.

The Rink at Burlington Creek

Lea McKeighan Park

KC T-Bones

NE 70th & N. Cherry, Gladstone, MO 816.436.2200 $ C2 www.Gladstone.mo.us The outdoor rink is a synthetic ice surface accommodating between 100 and 120 skaters at once.

5940 NW Waukomis Dr., KC, MO 816.513.0760 $ C2 www.KCMO.org Indoor ice skating rink offers family fun.

great park for kids to burn off energy

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.252.7825 $$ D3 www.MissouriMavericks.com KC’s minor league ice hockey team offers family excitement.

Sporting KC 1699 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.387.3400 $$ A3 www.SportingKC.com Cheer for KC’s outdoor soccer team.

UMKC Kangaroos Various locations $$ C3 www.UMKCKangaroos.com College teams include basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, cross country, track and field and volleyball.

t

he Kansas City area is bursting with fabulous parks and playgrounds for families to enjoy. We at KC Parent Going Places love sharing the best parks in KC with our readers, and you can read about many of them when you search “Best Parks” on www.KCParent.com, where we explore individual parks and share their amenities with you in photo blogs showcasing the creative spaces that make them special!

Quickly earning a place in the hearts of families is the newly renovated Lea McKeighan Park, a top-notch park loved and enjoyed by all ages!

Our Top 10 Favorite Things About Lea McKeighan Park: 1. The

playground is inviting and fun. With so many unique and engaging features, it catches your attention as you drive on Chipman Road.

2. The toddler-friendly area is fun and creative! The animal theme offers great photo ops with a frog and turtle to enjoy.

3. The zip line! Riders sit on a safe zip line seat and enjoy an unforgettable ride across the park—even parents can get in on the fun!

4. The web swing is a favorite hammock swing for children of all ages.

5. Many new parks offer rock climbing features; this park’s is a lion! The one-of-a-kind design is a kid favorite.

6. There is something for everyone! With slides, a merrygo-round, many fun jungle gyms for climbing, swing sets and balance beams, the traditional park play areas are loved by kids of all ages.

7. Skateboarders love the brand new skate park.

8. Sand volleyball is great fun for a Parents Night Out at the park!

9. The shelter house is clean, equipped with lots of picnic tables and shaded—perfect for family celebrations.

10. Lots and lots of families play together at Lea McKeighan—it truly is a community park.

For more great parks to visit with your little ones, log onto www.KCParent.com. kcgoingplaces.com 63

SPORTS

Crown Center Ice Terrace

Savoring

local wines

T

he popularity of locally harvested wines expands every year, and both Kansas and Missouri are home to dozens of vineyards and wineries.

Many of these wineries are within an hour’s drive of Kansas City, making them a great day trip to enjoy tasting the best of the local harvest.

DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY Amigoni Urban Winery 1505 Genessee St., Ste. 100, Kansas City, MO 913.890.3289 www.winery.amigoni.com Tasting Room Hours: Tue.–Thu. & Sat., 11:00–6:00; Fri., 11:00–7:00; Sun., Noon–5:00.

The Amigoni family makes award-winning wines from fruit grown in their vineyards in Centerview, MO. Their urban tasting room is located near Kemper Arena, making it a perfect stop on the way to the American Royal or after a weekend of shopping in the West Bottoms.

NORTH Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery 16905 Jowler Creek Rd., Platte City, MO 816.858.5582 www.jowlercreek.com Tasting Room Hours: Wed.–Sun.,11:00–5:00; free wine tastings.

Special Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Live concerts, Annual Grape Stomp in September, wine tours, craft classes and holiday events are all listed on their website.

This winery uses green technologies such as solar power to make wine on the 6-acre sustainable vineyard.

Pirtle Winery 502 Spring St., Weston, MO 816.640.5728 www.pirtlewinery.com Tasting Room Hours: Mon.–Fri., 10:00–6:00; Sat., 10:00–7:00; Sun., 11:00–6:00.

Winter hours (Jan.–Feb.): Sun.–Thu., 11:00–5:00; Fri. & Sat., 11:00–6:00.

This family-owned and operated winery has been serving award-winning wines since 1978.

The scenic Weston location is especially popular in the fall. For lunch, enjoy the Vineyards, a four-star restaurant located right next door.

Riverwood Winery 22200 N. 45 Hwy., Rushville, MO 816.579.9797 www.riverwoodwinery.com Tasting Room Hours: Wed.–Sat., 11:00–5:00; Sun., Noon–5:00; closed major holidays.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Live concerts, yoga classes and more.

Riverwood produces wines using grapes from their vineyards, as well as grapes and fruits from other local farms. The beautiful vineyards offer great views to enjoy during a picnic and tasting.

Weston Wine Company 519 Main St., Weston, MO 816.935.9481 http://westonwinecompany.com Tasting Room Hours: Sun. & Mon., Noon–5:00; Wed.–Thu., 11:00–6:00; Fri. & Sat., 11:00–7:00; free tastings.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Pairing classes, festivals and book-themed events.

This brand new winery opened summer 2014! You’ll find much to enjoy at this Weston location that serves delicious local wines at a rural winery.

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SOUTH Middle Creek Winery 4353 W. 351st St., Louisburg, KS 913.377.4689 http://middlecreekwinery.com

The winery is housed in a building constructed in 1900.

Originally a children’s home, it is now a winery that hosts events on the property and serves locally produced wines.

Fahrmeier Family Vineyards

Tasting Room Hours: Sat., Noon–6:00; Sun., 11:00–6:00; free tastings.

9364 Mitchell Trail, Lexington, MO 816.633.2150 www.fahrmeierfamilyvineyards.com

Opened in 2010 and selling handcrafted Kansas wines out of a repurposed horse barn, this scenic winery is near Louisburg Cider Mill and Powell Observatory.

Tasting Room Hours: Thu., 1:00–5:00; Fri. & Sat., 10:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m.; Sun., 1:00–5:00.

NightHawk Winery

In 2008, the Fahrmeier family, dedicated to sustainable agriculture, expanded their farm to include vineyards. The converted barn is now the tasting room for the winery.

Lexington is a great day trip from Kansas City, with historic sites and attractions to enjoy.

16381 W. 343rd St., Paola, KS 913.849.3415 www.nighthawkwines.com Tasting Room Hours: Fri. & Sat., 11:00–5:00; Sun., Noon–5:00 (spring–fall).

This rural winery specializes in artisanal locally-produced wines.

Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery 29725 Somerset Rd., Paola, KS 913.294.9646 www.somersetridge.com

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Festivals and concerts.

Stonehaus Farms Winery 24607 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.554.8800 www.stonehausfarms.com Tasting Room Hours: Jan.–March: Sat. & Sun., Noon–6:00.

April–Dec.: Wed. & Fri., Noon–6:00; Thu., Noon–8:00; Sat. & Sun., Noon–6:00.

Tasting Room Hours: Wed.–Sat., 11:00–5:00; Sun., Noon–5:00.

Founded in 1996, Stonehaus Farms Winery makes local wines in the heart of Lee’s Summit.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Live concerts and classes offered.

VanTill Family Farm Winery

This family-owned artisanal winery uses locally grown grapes.

White Wind Farms 21045 K-68 Hwy., Paola, KS 913.557.5700 http://whitewindfarms.com Tasting Room Hours: Thu., Noon–5:00; Fri.–Sun., Noon–6:00 Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Wine tastings, live concerts, tours and festivals. Watch website for info.

13986 State Hwy. C, Rayville, MO 816.776.2720 www.vantillfarms.com Tasting Room Hours: Tue.–Thu., 11:00–5:00; Fri. & Sat., 11:00–9:00 (appointment only during months of January and February). Fri. & Sat. pizza, Noon–9:00.

This rural winery offers beautiful views of the vineyards.

Enjoy a wine tasting and Patio Pavilion pizza baked in a wood-fired oven while you watch.

Open since 2000, White Wind Farms produces four Kansas wines.

WEST

EAST

18807 158th St., Basehor, KS 913.724.9463 www.holyfieldwinery.com

Arcadian Moon Vineyards & Winery 19203 Hazel Dell Rd., Higginsville, MO 816.633.2150 www.facebook.com/ArcadianMoon Tasting Room Hours: Sun.–Thu., 10:00–7:00; Fri. & Sat., 10:00–10:00.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Live concerts.

This rustic winery is beautifully situated among four lakes on 75 acres, and all of their wines are made on the estate.

For lunch, enjoy one of the delicious wood-fired pizzas.

Belvoir Winery 1325 Odd Fellows Rd., Liberty, MO 816.200.1811 www.belvoirwinery.com

Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery

Tasting Room Hours: Mon.–Fri., 10:00–6:00; Sat., 9:30–6:00; Sun., Noon–6:00; free tastings.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Murder mystery dinners, grape picking, live concerts, cooking classes and more.

Award-winning locally grown wines are sold at this rural winery.

Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery 11000 S. Woodland St., Olathe, KS 913.839.2185 http://stonepillarvineyard.com Tasting Room Hours: Wed.–Sun., Noon–6:00

Tasting Room Hours: Sun., Noon–6:00; Mon.–Wed., 11:00–4:00; Thu.–Sat., 11:00–8:00.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Grape Stomp & Harvest in the fall, live concerts, wine dinners and more.

Events You’ll Find on Their Calendar: Murder mystery dinners and paranormal investigations.

The winery, opened in 2010, specializes in hand-picked Kansas wines. kcgoingplaces.com 65

O

100

Union Station Turns

One of Kansas City’s most recognized landmarks is celebrating its centennial on Oct. 30, 2014.

October 30, 1914, Union Station opens to the public. Just after midnight on the morning of Nov. 1, the first train, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Flyer, arrives at Union Station. The station cost nearly $6 million and was part of a $50 million investment by KCTR that also included track additions, switching towers, viaducts and bridges.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION GALA EVENT: OCT. 30

! An unforgettable evening ! Breathtakingly recreated 1914 surroundings ! Cocktail attire and historic Harvey House menu inspiration

! Cocktail reception and formal dinner ! World-class entertainment, befitting such a celebration

Heralded as one of the most beautiful train stations in the nation, Union Station continues to impress. In fact, Union Station still is considered one of the top 23 train stations in the United States.

! After-party, historic Harvey House-style

Union Station functioned as the region’s transportation hub for decades, serving as the gateway to the West for many people traveling through, as well as migrating to other parts of the nation. It also was the station through which the greatest number of soldiers traveled on their way to or home from World Wars I and II. Union Station has been Kansas City’s favorite landmark for decades.

100-YEAR HISTORY EXPERIENCES GRAND UNVEILING: OCT. 31

During the 1960s and 1970s when train travel declined and the station fell into disrepair, citizens from across the region came together to save and restore this historic monument.

In 1996, a historic short-term bi-state tax, along with federal dollars and private donations, raised the funds to fully restore the station to its original beauty. Union Station reopened on Nov. 10, 1999.

Today, Union Station is a thriving civic center for Kansas City, featuring many special attractions and serving as the host site for large community events, festivals, business and education forums. Both visitors and residents also make it one of their favorite destinations. Union Station will celebrate its centennial anniversary with a number of special events the weekend of Oct. 30-Nov. 2.

66 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

Contact Jenn Nussbeck at 816.460.2016 or JNussbeck@UnionStation.org for more details

! Relive Union Station stories ! 100 years of fascinating Union Station history presented in rich, interactive formats

! New 5,000-square-foot permanent exhibition of artifacts and stories

! Cutting-edge virtual history tour created by VML CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: NOV. 1-2

! Rededication and free family activities fill Union Station

! Live music, entertainment, lectures, activities and tours

! Classic movies in Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre ! Vintage trains and railcar display ! Celebratory rededication ceremony and much more!

Source http://www.unionstation.org/100years/

BIG

things are happening at The National Museum

of Toys and Miniatures. Our doors have closed for a

little while in order to make some very important and exciting changes.

In the meantime, view a portion of the fine-scale miniature collection in Highlights from the Collection of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Then check out our website, blog, and Facebook page to learn more!

Sit tight!

We can’t bear it!

5 2 3 5 OA K S T R E E T K A N S A S C I T Y, M O 6 4112 / 816 . 2 3 5 . 8 0 0 0 / TOYA N D M I N I AT U R E M U S E U M .O R G

kcgoingplaces.com 67

EXPLORE KANSAS

CITY ZOO Watch Polar Bears Flip and Splash at Polar Bear Passage, Penguins Waddle and dive at Helzberg Penguin Plaza and much, much more!

Always a new adventure!

2015 FOTZ Memberships AVAILABLE NOV. 1!

OPEN YEAR ROUND kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234

68 kc going places | fall & winter 2014-15

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.