An Around the World Staycation in KC
Looking for a new adventure in Kansas City? An exotic vacation is not in the budget or on the schedule? Here are 5 Ideas for fun family outings without leaving Kansas City!
1. Art from Around the World: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St. KCMO) is one of Kansas City’s treasures. The galleries are perfect for a family outing even on a rainy day and admission is FREE! The kids can explore art from around the world and for added fun, we at KCParent.com have created a Scavenger Hunt the kids will love! Also, children and teens can learn new art forms from Japanese Calligraphy to Chinese Brush Painting through FREE classes offered at the Mid-Continent Public Libraries this fall. Watch the calendar on KCParent.com or visit mcpl.lib.mo.us for more information
2. Animals from Around the World: The Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Drive, KCMO) has wonderful exhibits for both Africa and Australia. Take in a Zoo Keeper chat to learn more about gorillas, watch the elephants paint, or feed the sheep in Australia. Don’t forget to enjoy the all new Tropics Exhibit to watch the animals play ALL around you! Many families forget the Zoo is open DAILY except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. I think the animals are more alert and active in the autumn and winter months when the weather is cool and as a bonus the zoo is less crowded.
3. Food from Around the World: You can take the kids out to eat at a great ethnic restaurant or you can prepare your own multi-cultural feasts at home! You can find great recipes from other countries at KCParent.com! Take a shopping trip at one of these shops for an all new grocery experience:
- The City Market (5th and Walnut, KCMO) is one of the best sources for international groceries! You can visit Al Habashi Middle Eastern Grocery, Hung Vuong Vietnamese Grocery, Carollo’s Italian Gourmet Grocery, or the Crossland International Market while you’re there. Each of these stores sells specialty spices and prepared foods from their countries, including teas and beverages, rice, and treats.For a bit of Russian food, visit The International Grocery: Taste of Russia (7228 W. 79th St in Shawnee Mission, KS 913-385-5609). The store includes a meat shop, cake shop, and Russian groceries. They also have a lunch and dinner spot fit with small table and chairs.
- For cheese from around the world visit Better Cheddar (Country Club Plaza: 604 W. 48th St. KCMO, or Prairie Village: #5 on the Mall at 71st and Mission Rd.)… the best part? You can sample before you purchase.
- Trying to find the perfect spices for that exotic recipe? Visit Penzeys Spices (7937 Santa Fe Dr. OPKS) for authentic Hungarian Paprika, Honduran barbecue spice, Pakistani Ajwain Seed, and truly any spice from any country you can imagine.
4. Music from Around the World: This fall, the Mid-Continent Public Libraries are hosting several FREE musical performances you won’t want to miss! You can enjoy Music from Mexico, Christmas Music from Around the World on the Grand Harp, the Kanyon De Shay Dancers and more. Visit mcpl.lib.mo.us for more information. Another great option is Peter at the Wolf at the Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station (showing Tues-Sat at 10:15am). You may also enjoy music from other countries at the Johnson County Community College’s Carlsen Center. On Sept. 25, Sones de Mexico Ensemble, a Mexican folk group, will perform more than 25 instruments. On Oct. 9 Tommy Emmanuel performs with the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra. And, the local symphonies, orchestras, and operas will be performing as well! Watch the calendar on KCParent.com for more great concerts!
5. Museums:
- The Strawberry Hill Museum (720 N. 4th St., KCKS) houses permanent exhibits for Croatia, the Ukraine, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Russia. At Christmas, the exhibits expand to represent Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Serbia, and the African-Americans as well. Visitors see household items from these cultures from clothing to books to toys (my girls love the Russian nesting dolls!), jewelry, linens, and more. The museum is open noon-5pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Irish Museum and Cultural Center (in Union Station in the lower west wing, 30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO). This museum tells the story of Irish immigration to Kansas City with artifacts, photos and genealogical sources. The Center also offers classes in Gaelic, Irish Music, and crafts. Open Wed- Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm.
Kristina Light loves taking her girls on multi-cultural adventures in Kansas City!