An Around the World Adventure in KC

January 26, 2015 10:00 p.m.

Take your family on a global adventure this month as you explore Kansas City’s landmarks. Our art galleries feature masterpieces from every corner of the globe, our zoo offers one-of-a-kind animal adventures from every continent, and local museums present exciting exhibits sharing the history of many cultures. Broaden your horizons this winter with an around the world adventure…all without leaving Kansas City!

Asia

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO, FREE admission) has been curating and exhibiting Chinese art since its opening in 1933 and proudly became the first major gallery in the United States devoted to Chinese art. The collection features more than 7,000 works of Chinese art from Neolithic times to the 20th century. A visit to the museum is a perfect family outing year round, but we especially look forward to the annual Chinese New Year celebration, held this year on Feb. 13 (5:00-9:00). Celebrate the Year of the Horse with family-friendly activities, including special performances by musicians, dancers and acrobats, along with gallery games, art demonstrations and delicious Asian-inspired food.

Antarctica

Featuring a dozen Humboldt penguins and nearly 40 cold water penguins, the new Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo is a state-of-the-art exhibit with a 100,000-gallon cool pool for cold water penguins and a 25,000-gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins. With fantastic views, accurate penguin habitats, accessibility for all visitors and educational displays feeding our curiosity about the Antarctic animals, the exhibit is a must-see. If you’re planning a visit to the zoo and you want to get to know the penguins before your visit, check out the zoo’s penguin cam (KansasCityZoo.org/PenguinCam), where you can watch the latest (including eggs, baby penguins and penguins at play) in real time.

Europe

Local museums celebrate European history. The Strawberry Hill Museum (720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, KS) houses permanent exhibits for Croatia, the Ukraine, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Russia. Visitors see household items from these cultures, from clothing to books and toys, jewelry, linens and more. LEGO, the favorite toy for generations, was invented in Denmark in 1949. Enter the world of LEGO at LEGOLAND Discovery Center (2475 Grand Blvd., KC, MO). In addition to two rides, a 4D LEGO Cinema, and Miniland (a LEGO model city showcasing Kansas City’s most famous landmarks), visitors enjoy a variety of fun ways to play with LEGO bricks. New in 2015, each guest must reserve a time to visit. Details can be found on the website, so be sure to head online before heading to Legoland .

Africa

Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs Feb. 21 at 8:00 at Yardley Hall. For more than 50 years, the voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo have performed the rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. Plus, come and enjoy dinner before the show!

South America

Sea Life Aquarium is home to sea life from around the world, but many of the favorite animals are from South America specifically. Visitors come nose to nose with sharks and enjoy astonishingly close views of everything from starfish and sea horses to graceful rays. A favorite is the tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel. A few of the South American animals who make their home at Sea Life include the cownose stingray, red-bellied piranhas and seahorse.

North America

Rail travel changed the American landscape, and now imaginations run wild as hobbyists display 8,000 square feet of toy trains at Union Station Kansas City's Model Railroad Experience. The free exhibit features everything from tiny N-scale model trains to the big G-scale giants of the model train world.

Australia

The Kansas City Zoo’s Australia exhibit is a favorite for children. Ride the train to Australia and enjoy the red kangaroos out and about. If you’re lucky, you might even spy a joey peeking from its mother’s pouch. The exhibit captures life in the outback as children play in a sheep ranch house, feed the sheep

and enjoy Australian birds, wallabies and reptiles.

Eat Around the World… all without leaving Kansas City!

Modern parents dream of raising children with diverse culinary palates who relish the adventure of sampling new food. Take a culinary trip in Kansas City exploring a variety of new foods and cultures at these local restaurants.

TIP: Some of these restaurants are expensive. To save money and enjoy the experience, follow restaurants on Facebook where deals are often posted, watch Groupon for deals, dine at lunch when meals are less expensive and use coupons from the Entertainment Book.

Asia: Taste Vietnam at the Vietnam Café 39 (2200 W. 39th Ave., Kansas City, KS, 913.262.8552), where they are known for the best pho and spring rolls around. Consistently voted Kansas City’s favorite Thai restaurant, Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop (2030 Central St., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.8424) serves, among other tasty entrees, truly delicious rainbow peanut noodles and fabulous pad Thai.

Europe: For a taste of Germany, visit Werner’s (5736 Johnson Dr., Mission, KS, 913.362.5955). The local butcher shop and grocery is disappearing from the American landscape, but Werner’s preserves the memory with their delicious selection of European delicatessen menu items. You can buy groceries to take home or enjoy lunch at their counter or outside at the picnic table where they serve European-style sausages, sandwiches and Schnitzel, as well as strudel. Opa! Journey to Greece as you break plates at Tasso’s Greek Restaurant (8411 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.363.4776), Kansas City’s original Mediterranean restaurant. Tasso’s is known for its outstanding food and fun atmosphere. Fancy Ireland? Enjoy a delicious meal of fish 'n chips, shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage or Irish stew at O’Malley’s (500 Welt St., Weston, MO, 816.640.5235). The authentic Irish restaurant in Weston is a favorite day trip destination. Enjoy a Czech breakfast at the Kolache Factory (7112 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.851.2253). This spot is only open for breakfast and lunch, but you can purchase bakery kolaches to serve at home for an authentic treat.

South America: Make a trip to Brazil at an authentic churrascaria, where patrons enjoy skewered, fire-roasted meats served by gaucho chefs throughout their meal: Em Chamas in the Northland (6101 NW 63rd Ter., Kansas City, MO, 816.505.7100) and Fogo de Chao on the Plaza (222 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.931.7700).

Africa: Ethiopian cuisine has been served at the Blue Nile Café for 12 years (20 E. 5th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.283.0990). The sambusa, an Ethiopian appetizer pastry filled with veggies, beef and spices, is a favorite dish.

North America: Enjoy delicious Central American food from El Salvador at El Salvadoreño (7926 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS, 913.871.6165), a small restaurant boasting authentic Salvadoran food, including enchiladas, empanadas, plantains, tamales, pupusas, pastels and yucca frita.

Australia & Antarctica: You won’t find many authentic restaurants representing these continents, but you can enjoy a visit to the Kansas City Zoo, where you can see kangaroos (Australia) and penguins (Antarctica) and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Tuxedo Grill.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of Kristina Light’s top picks to cure writer’s block and open the imagination. Add a trip to the zoo or Sea Life to the schedule and you have a perfect winter weekend.