Date Night: Urban Explorations
Has it been a while since you’ve been on a good date? Are you tired of the same old dinner-and-a-movie idea? Get “enlightened” with these fun and different date ideas.
On certain Fridays, the Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station hosts laser light shows set to the music of a famous band or artist. On the night we went, they had four shows featuring the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen and Pink Floyd. We opted to check out the Beatles show. Inside the planetarium, you sit in theater-style seats that lean back slightly so you can look up. The show itself is a little bit like a psychedelic fireworks show. It has everything from various types of geometric shapes to firework-type bursts to characters telling a story, as well as strobe effects and smoke. All set to music by the Beatles! About 10 songs were featured, and the show lasted around 45 minutes. It was such a unique and different thing to do. We were glad we went!
Another fun option is the 1950s All-Electric House. Originally built in 1954 as a model home in Prairie Village, the abode was stocked with all of the latest gadgets available to homeowners at that time. The model was open for tours for seven months and then owned and lived in by five different couples. In 1994, the home was opened to tourists and then relocated to the Johnson County Museum in 2016. It features a modern floor plan and innovative electric features, such as a remote-controlled lighting system, electric heat pump and electric curtain openers. It also features a painting above the mantel that slides back to reveal a TV. The museum itself is also very good and gives the history of JoCo, including explaining what the “border war” with Missouri was really about and where the term Jayhawk originated. The museum displays many nostalgic items, from an old rotary phone, TV and Chevrolet Bel-Air to memorabilia from King Louie, Sambo’s, Annie’s Santa Fe and White Haven Motor Lodge. For $5, this place was well worth a visit.
If you are looking for a little “light” exercise, why not go on a walking tour of the Power & Light District? We found a well-written, self-guided tour online that took us to 15 different places downtown. A majority of them are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Muehlebach Hotel (which is named after a brewmeister) and the Kansas City Power & Light Building, Many of the places we visited previously sat vacant for a period of time. Some for more than 20 years. We learned that the Midland was once a bowling alley and that the Folly Theater originally showcased vaudeville, burlesque and striptease performances. The tour offered so much great history on our city that we both highly recommend it. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.