All About Kansas City: August 6, 2009
All About KC is the newest feature on KCParent.com. You ask and we answer your questions about Kansas City! From Family Fun in KC, to Date Night ideas in Kansas City, to the Best Places to take out-of-town guests in KC, to inside tips on local attractions and restaurants, we have the answers! Submit a question for All About KC here. New columns are featured in our eNewsletter!
This Week's Questions:
- Q. Do we have a Magic House in KC?
- Q. Do you have ideas to celebrate starting Kindergarten?
- Q. Where can we find the best BBQ in KC?
Q: Is there anyplace in KC like the Magic House Children’s Museum in St. Louis? ~ Alicia
A: I’m not sure there is anyplace in the world like the Magic House! I have fond memories of visiting it as a child and we plan to visit the Magic House on our family trip to St. Louis this fall. If any of our readers are taking a trip to St. Louis, the Magic House, Grant’s Farm’s Clydesdale Horses, and the Penguins at the St. Louis Zoo are my three top picks. The Magic House is an absolutely spectacular hands-on Children’s Museum… and while KC boasts several great children’s museums, none quite compare.
I do have good news though! The Magic House sponsors traveling exhibits. Most recently, they sponsored “Once Upon a Time, Discovering the World of Fairy Tales.” My daughter adored this exhibit with an interactive Cinderella Carriage, Jack’s Beanstalk you could climb, and much more. The exhibit visited the Central Library winter 2008. We loved it and we’re hoping to see more Magic House visits in Kansas City. I contacted the staff at the Magic House and they said they are currently creating a new traveling exhibit about the environment. They do not have the schedule for it yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that KC is on the map and we’ll be sure to tell our readers once we know!
Meanwhile, in Kansas City my three favorite places for hands-on exhibits for the kids are:
- Paradise Park’s Children’s Edutainment Center (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.246.5224). The exhibits are designed for Preschool and Early Elementary and include a water table, child sized city for exploration, art center, ball pit, and a great outdoor playground with terrific interactive exhibits and toys.
- Johnson County Museum’s KidScape Exhibit (6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS. 913.715.2550). I was thrilled to learn that the KidScape Exhibit is staying through January of 2011! Our kids love the miniature city with a theater, miniature golf, hospital, book store, city hall, and more… all at their size. Best of all, this exhibit is FREE.
- Wonderscope Children’s Museum (5700 King St., Shawnee, KS. 913.268.4176). This museum is also designed for preschool and early elementary. The miniature Grocery Store is my daughter’s favorite. Daddy is partial to the ball room where children race golf balls down wooden tracks. Wonderscope also features an art room, sand play, water play, an Under the Sea Lego exhibit, a doctor’s room, and a room designed for crawling children with an indoor playground just for them.
Q: My son is starting Kindergarten soon and we’d like to do something fun to celebrate the weekend before school starts. Do you have any ideas for a fun place we can go as a family as a treat? ~ Stephanie
A: Everyone says they grow up fast and everyone is right! I think it’s great that you want to mark the occasion with a special family celebration. I’d choose a fun dinner and activity to celebrate. Here are some ideas:
- T-Rex Dinosaur Café at the Legends (1847 Village West Parkway, KCKS. 913.334.8888). For dinosaur loving kids, this restaurant experience is out of this world. The restaurant features animatronics dinosaurs, gigantic aquariums with tropical fish, character visits, and a Build-A-Dino Workshop from Build-A-Bear. The pizza is the most affordable way to go. For fun after dinner, either treat him to his own Dino at their store, or take in a movie at the Legends Theater, or go shopping for a back to school treat at one of the shops.
- Ice Cream Train Ride. Go for a ride on the Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad Ice Cream Train (7pm on Fridays in August). Or take in a regular afternoon ride on the weekends. He’ll enjoy the novelty of the train ride and the treat of Ice Cream. http://www.beltonrailroad.org
- Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant at Crown Center (2500 Grand, KCMO). Fritz’s serves burgers, fries, and shakes… by train. Model trains deliver the food to your table! While you’re there, take him to Kaleidoscope (816.274.8300 for hours) for a FREE afternoon of art creation or play in the fountains. Or take the Link over to Union Station for a film on the Extreme Screen.
- Or visit our Calendar for more great ideas! There are several festivals and fairs taking place in August, including the Missouri State Fair. A day at Oceans of Fun or CoCo Key would be a blast. For FREE fun check out our guide to the best in FREE Summer Fun here!
Q. HELP...we have out of town visitors who are begging for 'authentic' KC BBQ...where should we go??? ~ Elise
A. In Kansas City, you’ll hear a lot of different opinions on that, but I definitely have my top picks! I love Fiorella Jack Stack Bar-B-Q, and my favorite location is the one in Martin City (13441 Holmes Rd., KCMO). The restaurant is decorated with old movie memorabilia and a bit of a western / old-fashioned touch. The service is great and the sauce is perfect! I love their Onion Rings and consider them to be dessert!
If you’re up for “take out” Bar-B-Q, the smoked ribs at McGonigle’s (1307 W. 79th St., KCMO. 816.444.4720) are outstanding and they are on sale on Thursdays.
To keep up with the latest in Kansas City Bar-B-Q competitions and events, check out the Kansas City BBQ Society (www.kcbs.us).
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