50 Amazing Ways to Make the Most of Your KC Vacay
Make the most of your time in Kansas City with these favorite local experiences:
- Visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial and grab a free family guide at the entrance with a scavenger hunt for the kids. End your trip with photos at the top of the tower.
- Taste-test burnt ends and ribs at Kansas City’s signature barbecue restaurants and find your favorite.
- Ride coasters and thrill rides at Worlds of Fun during the Great Pumpkin Fest and Halloween Haunts in the fall, and the all new WinterFest over the holidays.
- Get an amazing view of the city from the River Observation Tower, where you can gaze out over the vast Missouri River.
- Ride the free KC Streetcar and fall in love with Kansas City. Stop in the KCP&L District and buy a picnic from Consentino’s Market, then head to the Rooftop Park on top of the store for a great view of the city.
- Learn to sky dive at iFly KC.
- Experience the renewing beauty in every season of the Monet Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum.
- Taste-test freshly grown foods at Powell Gardens’ Heartland Harvest Garden or enjoy their annual Glow: Jack-O’-Lantern Festival in October and Festival of Lights in December and January.
- Hang out at Topgolf, where you can challenge your friends and family to addictive point-scoring golf games.
- Visit 40 acres of sunflower fields at Grinter Farms in Lawrence. This spectacular autumn experience offers breathtaking views of acres upon acres of sunflowers.
- Take a day trip to Weston, MO, and ride bikes or walk the trails at Weston Bend State Park.
- Pack a picnic and explore Waterfall Park in Independence. The 18-acre park, near Bass Pro Shops, is nestled in a wooded area overlooking a lake and waterfalls.
- Learn about jazz through interactive exhibitions and films, visual arts exhibitions at the Jazz Museum.
- Play in KidScape at the Johnson County Museum.
- Watch as apple cider and cider donuts are made from scratch at Louisburg Cider Mill.
- During First Fridays in the Crossroads, enjoy a sneak peak of the Rabbit Hole, the world’s first explorastorium!
- Shop at Crown Center and visit nearby Kaleidoscope, Legoland, Sea Life and the Coterie.
- Visit the big cats at Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary.
- Delight in decadent artisan chocolates from Christopher Elbow.
- Spend the night at the Kansas City Zoo, where they offer overnights in the penguin and polar bear exhibits.
- Learn about Kansas City’s origins on a tour of the John Wornall House Museum or Alexander Majors House.
- Experience pioneer life at Missouri Town 1855.
- Take a photo with the giant spider on the lawn of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Explore Downtown Kansas City and take photos with public art on display.
- Tour the Harley-Davidson Factory and watch as a motorcycle is assembled from start to finish.
- Stroll one of the area’s prettiest main streets with a day of shopping and dining in Downtown Lee’s Summit.
- Reminisce as you discover toys from times gone by at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.
- Discover the mystery of mummies at Union Station with their most recent exhibit. Then, visit Science City and ride the sky bike.
- Take a tour of the more than 200 fountains that embellish beautiful Kansas City.
- Watch the Kansas City Ballet at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts.
- Take a photo with the Pumpkin Princess at Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch.
- Get lost in the new glass labyrinth on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
- Ride the rails with the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad or the Midland Railway, enjoying autumn scenery or Santa rides.
- Relive the 1920s at Shawnee Town 1929.
- Window shop and take photos at the Country Club Plaza, then top off the day by sharing a skyscraper (GIANT ice cream soda) at Winstead's.
- Take a tour of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall and go to the roof for amazing views of downtown.
- Explore the Midwest Genealogy Center, the largest free-standing public genealogy library in the United States.
- Whoop and holler for your favorite rider at the American Royal Rodeo.
- Pick the perfect pumpkin and watch the pumpkin chomping dinosaur at Johnson Farms.
- Visit elk, bison and deer at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure in Fleming Park.
- Celebrate African American baseball history at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Play at a local pumpkin patch. You’ll find the best patches on KCParent.com.
- Watch a retro flick on the big screen at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
- Ride go-karts, climb a rock wall and play at Paradise Park.
- Discover Kansas City’s rich history aboard the trolley.
- Laugh at the live improv comedy at Improv KC or ComedyCity.
- Shop and dine at the Legends Outlets.
- Savor McGonigle's ribs. Since 1951, the market has been selling some of the tastiest meats in the city. The smoker entices customers in the summer with the promise of juicy ribs and barbecue.
- Cheer for the Royals and the Chiefs at Truman Sports Complex.
- Take a free trip to the Money Museum and leave with a bag of shredded cash.
- Visit KCParent.com and search our calendar for more ideas all year long!