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A Kansas City Spring Staycation

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This spring break, hit up favorite Kansas City tourist hot spots and see the city through the eyes of a visitor.

Destination #1: Downtown

Science City at Union Station is a favorite place to spend a day as a family. Kansas City’s largest, most interactive science museum offers something for visitors of all ages. Little ones especially love three experiential, hands-on exhibitions: “Let’s Play!” designed especially for babies, crawlers and toddlers with multiple sensory and role-playing activities, “Creative Corner where art meets science in a whole new way with cool interactive activities, and “All Aboard” that celebrates Union Station’s rail history, allowing families to discover how steam engines work as they play and explore throughout the exhibit that encourages problem-solving and creativity. Kids also love the classic exhibits including dinosaurs, water, the human brain, energy and more.

Sea Life Aquarium transports guests into an amazing underwater world with up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures! Walk through the 180-degree underwater tunnel, come face to fin with sharks and rescued sea turtles, and explore more than 12 breathtaking exhibits. Stingray Bay, Sea Turtle Rescue Center and Doodle Reef, an interactive exhibit where kids design their own fish, are favorites. TIP: Check out the coupon on KCParent.com!

Next door to Sea Life you’ll find Legoland Discovery Center in Crown Center, a larger-than-life attraction. Begin your journey on a ride into the unknown on laser chariots. Play with the world’s biggest box of Legos. Watch a film in the Lego Studios 4D cinema and explore a miniature Kansas City that highlights 10 of the city’s most popular local attractions in Lego Miniland. TIP: Check out the coupon on KCParent.com!

While Kaleidoscope at Crown Center is not ready to open its doors, you can swing by the Crown Center Shops to pick up some fun Kaleidoscope art materials to enjoy at home! Stop by Crown Center Customer Service (Level 2 of the Crown Center Shops) to pick up a creative sack for your family. Limit 5 per adult; while supplies last.

National World War I Museum and Memorial is not only a Kansas City landmark, but an American landmark. The museum tells the story of the Great War through interactive displays, thought-provoking films and eyewitness testimonies. The museum houses one of the largest collections of WWI artifacts in the world. With family guides and hands-on exhibits, the museum is an educational attraction for all ages.

Destination #2: Midtown/Country Club Plaza

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is one of the most fun and engaging museums in town. The first impression is incredible: A giant rotating spiral of backlit toys greets visitors who delight in finding their own favorites and discovering new ones on the animated real-life collage. Exhibits include a Grandma’s Attic display showcasing toys and presenting their individual stories as treasures to be discovered. Visitors enjoy interactive exhibits, learning more about the process of making both miniatures and toys.

Next, take a stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens. The 2-acre garden features more than 7,000 plants and flowers. This free attraction is part of the Kauffman Legacy Park in the heart of Kansas City.

Just a few miles away, visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, home to one of the largest galleries in the nation. The museum 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.

Top off the day with a nice lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants on the Country Club Plaza.

Destination #3: Kansas City, KS

Located in the heart of Village West, the state of Kansas’ top tourist destination, Legends Outlets is the only outlet shopping destination serving the greater metropolitan region. Legends Outlets is home to more than 75 leading designer and favorite brand-name stores, including Coach, Banana Republic Factory Store, Gap Factory, J.Crew | crewcuts, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, and Under Armour Factory House, among many more, which offer savings of up to 65 percent off regular retail prices. 

Stay at Great Wolf Lodge, or buy a day pass to swim  at the indoor water resort with a four-story interactive treehouse water fort, winding lazy river and numerous slides, including the Triple Twist, a high-speed, five-story drop into a huge funnel followed by twists and turns.

Take in a little sightseeing as well. History buffs will enjoy a tour of Grinter Place, the oldest home in Wyandotte County, for a look at frontier life along the Kansas and Missouri border.

Destination #4: Lenexa, KS

Urban Air Adventure Park is our favorite local trampoline park. Offering much more than trampolines, this is a great place to spend a day! Urban Air gives a generous helping of frenetic fun with attractions like Kidzone and Urban Air Warrior Course. The Sky Rider is an amazing indoor ride where passengers zip across the park in a harness. The ropes course, climbing walls, virtual reality games and tunnel play areas are all great additions to the classic trampoline attractions. Open jump is held daily and perfect for any age, fitness level or athletic ability. Walk-ins are welcome anytime.

Open year-round, the Lenexa Rec Center offers lap lanes for swimming, a warm water wellness pool and two tall water slides. The Gym for Me and Splash with Me drop-in activities for kids ages 5 and under are offered on various weekday mornings as excellent ways to get exercise and have fun during chilly weather.  Lenexa.com

The Lenexa Public Market is home to a variety of local merchants selling fresh food and handcrafted artisan products. Enjoy a meal, purchase goods or take a class while supporting local entrepreneurs. Kids enjoy playing one of the many games around the market—from Jenga and Uno to checkers. LenexaPublicMarket.com

One of the most scenic parks in the area, Black Hoof Park, is beautiful year-round. The 231-acre green space is home to the deep-water Lake Lenexa. The centerpiece of the park is the artistic dam and spillway, perfect for an Insta-worthy photo. Children love the natural play areas and equipment. Lenexa.com

Destination #5: Swope Park

Explore the Kansas City Zoo. With more than 1,700 animals on 202 acres, it's the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages. The new Elephant Expedition exhibit is outstanding, and we’re excited to have two polar bears at the zoo again. Travel all over the world without ever leaving the Kansas City Zoo. Take a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel, ride the train, then continue your journey on the tram to the award-winning Africa exhibit. Fly overhead to get a bird’s-­eye view of giraffes, hippos, zebras and more on the Sky Safari, landing at “one of America’s best chimpanzee exhibits,” as proclaimed by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. Visit Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Discovery Barn and Stingray Bay. Stroll down Tiger Trail and get nose to nose with primates, orangutans and tigers—and be sure to explore Australia too.

Go Ape Treetop Adventure in Swope Park offers guests much more than just a zip line canopy tour. This exhilarating outdoor adventure course features five sections of treetop obstacles, each leading you higher into the forest canopy. Guests will navigate 39 unique crossings, like the Plank Crossing, Yamazoe Steps, two Tarzan swings and five thrilling zip lines, all with killer views. Go Ape Treetop Adventures will provide a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience worth talking about! They also offer outdoor axe throwing experiences!

Lakeside Nature Center is a free urban oasis and home to native animals in need of care. Children will learn about conservation and the needs of the animals. Enjoy hiking trails around the center and coming face to face with birds, reptiles, fish and mammals.

Kansas City mom Kristina Light enjoys taking her girls on adventures all over her hometown.

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