Labor Day Weekend in Kansas City

We've rounded up our Top Picks for Labor Day Weekend! From one final dip in your favorite pool, to FREE concerts, to a great day at local amusement parks and attractions, and fabulous festivals... there is truly something for everyone! Always check the KC Parent Coupon page for discounts and deals at favorite venues and remember our KC Kids Eat Free Guide for savings on family dining too!

Worlds of Fun

• The Facts: Worlds of Fun 4545 Worlds of Fun Dr., KCMO. Open Saturday and Sunday (Sept 1 & 2) 10am-10pm, Monday (Sept. 3) from 10am-7pm. 
• Discount Admission "Cans for Coasters": Join Worlds of Fun & Harvesters The Community Food Network in the 4th annual "Cans For Coasters" food drive event and receive a huge discount on admission thru September 3! Bring two canned food items (no glass please) for Harvesters to the Worlds of Fun purchase a Regular Admission ticket, normally $44.99, for JUST $34.99! Each person must have two canned food items to receive discount. Discount not valid on Junior/Senior, Twilight, or Two-Day tickets and offer cannot be combined with any other discount.Since 1979, Harvesters has serviced 60,000 people every week in Greater Kansas City across 13 counties by collecting food and household products, distributing those products to those in need, and offering education programs to increase community awareness to hunger. Last year, Harvesters distributed more than 28 million pounds of food to all ages, children to senior citizens, through its network of food pantries, kitchens, and shelters. Harvesters is Kansas City’s only food bank and is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. For more information, please visit harvesters.org. 
• Why We LOVE It: Worlds of Fun is home to seven world class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world, the Mamba, with a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster with four inversions, all at a top speed of 65 mph. Enjoy a thrill as the entire family rides together on the Spinning Dragons, where the cars freely rotate along the track. Or ride the classic wooden roller coaster the Timber Wolf. Guests of all ages love the live shows including Charlie Brown's Jungle Journey, Hoof 'n Woof, a great dog and pony show, and music performances including retro, country, pop, rock and more! Young children enjoy Planet Snoopy with great rides for kids. And the theme park boasts dozens of thrill rides and attractions for guests of all ages.

Cool Crest

• The Facts: Cool Crest 10735 E US Hwy 40, Independence MO. Kansas City's original mini-golf and arcade family-fun center is offering great discounts and specials all weekend long! Visit http://coolcrest.com/home/specials--promos/ for full details!
• Why We LOVE It: Cool Crest features 4 miniature golf courses with mechanical hazards, water traps, and decorations ranging from the Statue of Liberty to windmills and dragons. The dragon with the opening/closing mouth is always a favorite. Cool Crest also offers arcades, indoor soft play, and Go Karts (another favorite). They have a pizza shop for snacks and sodas after you play. Miniature Golf, Go Karts, and arcades are a great way to relax and enjoy family fun together. Bring the camera!

A Day at the Beach

• The Facts: Kansas City is home to several beautiful lakes with swim beaches, boat rentals and great fishing spots. The local swim beaches close Labor Day Weekend, making this your LAST CHANCE to play in the sand and swim at the lake this year. Read our guide to Kansas City's Lakes to choose the best beach, boat rental, or fishing hole near you!
• Why We LOVE It: We love to visit the local lakes each summer! The kids can play in the sand, swim, enjoy their inflatables (not allowed at most local pools), and picnic. And, it's affordable too! The kids love to play in the sand and build sand castles and swim and play in the water. Best of all, it is zero-entry making it easy for little ones (and due to this year's drought, it doesn't get deep - adults are able to touch almost the entire distance). Life Guards are on duty at all times and the beach is large enough to accommodate a lot of people without getting crowded, making this a great summer fun outing for a break from the pool! Read our TIPS for the Best Day at the Beach before you head out!

Crown Center:Irish Fest, LEGO, Aquarium, Dinosaurs, & MORE!

• The Facts: http://www.crowncenter.com/Crown Center 2450 Grand, KCMO.
• Irish Fest: Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 at Crown Center. Enjoy 30 Celtic rock and traditional Irish bands on 7 stages. Over 20 heritage workshops, exhibits and genealogy. Ticket prices vary. www.kcirishfest.com
• Why We LOVE Crown Center: If you notice GREEN fountains in front of Crown Center, there is a reason! This weekend marks Irish Fest at Crown Center... a favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition in Kansas City. With the opening of LEGOLand Discovery Center, Sea Life Aquarium, and this summer's FREE exhibit Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice (thru Sept. 9... time is running out!) Crown Center is a favorite destination! Read our Tips for the BEST DAY at Crown Center to plan your family fun. 

Pops in the Park:

• The Facts: Pops in the Park, FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT, Monday, September 3 at 7pm at The Theatre in the Park at Shawnee Mission Park 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS.Bring your family and friends, plus blankets and lawn chairs. The parking lot opens at 4:30 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. Instrument Petting Zoo begins at 5:30 p.m. Pre-concert entertainment with the Youth Symphony of Kansas City begins at 6 p.m. 
• Why We LOVE It: We kicked off summer with the Symphony's FREE Concert at Celebration at the Station, now bid farewell to summer with The Kansas City Symphony’s FREE Labor Day concert at The Theatre in the Park at Shawnee Mission Park! All ages enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Pack a picnic and enjoy the holiday with familiar classics — from The Stars and Stripes Forever to Hungarian Dances! 

Apple Picking

• The Facts: Kansas City is home to many great apple orchards, and Labor Day Weekend is the season opening for many of them! Read our guide to Apple Picking in Kansas City for a complete list of Missouri and Kansas orchards.
• Why We LOVE It: It's apple picking season! Kids love taking a trip to local farms. Each of the u-pick Apple Farms on our list is a locally owned family operation designed to provide the best in healthy produce and a great family outing. So, grab the camera and the cooler and take the kids on a trip they won’t forget! Read our Apple Picking Tips before you go to experience the most fun-filled day... AND be sure to call the orchard ahead to verify availability! Our #1 Favorite orchard? Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph, Missouri! Read our Tips for a St. Joseph Apple Picking Day Trip before you go!

Last Chance to Enjoy SOAR: A Symphony of Flight at the Zoo

• The Facts: The Kansas City Zoo 6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. brought a BRAND NEW Free-with-Admission one-of-a-kind Bird Show to audiences this summer, and Labor Day Weekend is your LAST chance to enjoy it!  Take flight with the magic of the birds at SOAR! Did you know that Arthur, the 5-year-old king vulture, recycles? Do you know who left his heart in “Francisco?” Watch as Happy Jack, our featured parrot friend, tries to steal the show each day with his singing, talking, whistling and mimicking. Each show demonstrates the power of birds doing what they do best while they convey conservation messages.Shows are at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. through Friday; and 10:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Kansas City Zoo is open 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays; 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends. Call 816.513.5800, or visit www.kansascityzoo.org for more information. Read our Tips for the BEST DAY at the Kansas City Zoo before you go!
• Why We LOVE It: SOAR is a fantastic show teaching audiences about a variety of birds and their behaviors, while reminding us of our part in caring for them and the environment. After you enjoy the show, visit Nikita our beloved Polar Bear, then head over to Tiger Trail to see the BRAND NEW Sumatran Tiger Exhibit (our kids give it 2 thumbs up!), and ride the African Sky Safari or boats in Africa for amazing views of the animals. The Zoo is one of our favorite attractions year-round, and SOAR is a must see to fulfill your KC Summer Bucket List!

One Last Dip in the Pool

• The Facts: Most local pools close Labor Day Weekend. Visit your favorite pool one last time, or discover a new one with our guide to Kansas City's Pools and Waterparks.
• Why We LOVE It: It only seems appropriate to bid farewell to summer the same way you welcomed its arrival.. .and after one long, hot, dry summer.... the weather is a bit more pleasant making it even more fun to take the family out for a swim!