Spend a day at Crown Center enjoying family-friendly attractions, great shops and restaurants. Kaleidoscope is one of the best free, kid-friendly destinations in Kansas City. Imaginations know no limit at this hands-on art center. Next door, you’ll find the free Hallmark Visitors Center, where you can discover the history of the greeting card company, based in KC. The Coterie produces professional children’s theater year-round. This summer, enjoy the free Trivial Pursuit®: A 50-State Adventure Exhibit for young children. Throughout the summer, Crown Center hosts several festivals, including an antique festival, chalk walk, Irish Fest and more. Weekender events throughout the season feature free outdoor movies and live entertainment.
The Country Club Plaza, the first shopping district designed for shoppers traveling by automobile, is the pride of Kansas City. Throughout the year, this district along Brush Creek is home to several festivals and fairs, including Illuminated Waters over Memorial Day weekend, the Dragon Boat Festival in June and the Plaza Art Fair. With shops, restaurants and a movie house where theatergoers can catch new films and even splurge on a VIP experience, this is a favorite attraction for locals and visitors alike. The district is especially beautiful in the spring and summer as flowers are in bloom and the tradition of outdoor concerts in the courtyards resumes.
One of Kansas City’s finest museums is the National World War I Museum and Memorial. After exploring the galleries, take a tour to the top for breathtaking views of the city’s ever-changing and improving skyline. One of the most notable landmarks you’ll see is Union Station, home to Kansas City’s Science City, with loads of hands-on science exhibits for children, and the newly updated Gottlieb Planetarium, one of the largest 360-degree domed screens in the Midwest. Nearby, make a stop at the Money Museum, a free museum where visitors leave with a souvenir bag of shredded cash. While you’re downtown, take a ride on the KC Streetcar to help you explore the area.