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City Nights

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Standees Entertaining Eatery

When the opportunity arises for a few blissful hours of adults-only time, you want to make the most of the situation.  Disclaimer: If you find yourself in a situation where the kids are out of the house, sleeping reserves the right to trump all options provided in this article. However, if you need to get out and see the world through an adult lens again, here are some fun themed ideas for a (fill in the blank) night out.

Foodie Fun

OPTION 1:  COOKING EXPERIENCE

Plan ahead for this date. Enroll in a cooking experience from one of the following KC resources:

The Culinary Center of Kansas City: You can’t go wrong spending your evening at this culinary gem in Downtown Overland Park. Check out their website for lots of fun and playful classes, such as Cream Pie, Oh My, Cooking for Couples, Art of the Cinnamon Roll and Girls Night Out: Babes on Bourbon Street,  to name a few. The list goes on, and you’ll be sure to find something just right for your needs.

Check out some other options for cooking classes in the KC Metro area:

OPTION 2:  FOODIE’s CHOICE

If you’d rather be waited on and revel in fantastic food, consider one of the “Top 10 Diner’s Choice” winners under the category “Fit For Foodies” from OpenTable.com.

Cinema Lovers Night

OPTION 1:  DINNER/MOVIE COMBINATION 

If you have a babysitter on the clock and want to consolidate your dining/movie experience, consider the following:

OPTION 2:  QUOTE-ALONGS, SING-ALONGS AND COMEDY, OH MY!

You don’t want to miss the greatness that is the Alamo Drafthouse!  Not only does it operate as a standard movie theater (with dine-in options and cocktail availability!), it has a sub-culture of interactive and playful cinema activities. Check out their calendar for events such as Moulin Rouge Sing-Along (hello, girls night out!), Movie Interruption (comedians interjecting during classic movies), Quote-Alongs, Cartoon Cereal Party (classic cartoons) and more! Try a new twist to your movie experience. http://drafthouse.com/kansas_city/mainstreet

OPTION 3:  DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE GOOD OL’ DRIVE-INS

Yes, they still exist, and there are three still operating in the KC area. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the big screen in the great outdoors.

Get more details at http://www.kcparent.com/July-2011/Drive-in-Movie-Theaters-in-Kansas-City/

Best of KC

Pre-Dinner: Take a mini excursion to Kansas City’s timeless Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.  Budget in one hour (excluding travel time) and focus on one exhibition or collection of this giant treasure box just east of the Plaza. Time your outing to enjoy a beverage or dessert served every Wednesday through Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 in the Rozelle Court Restaurant.

Dinner: Your main meal for this theme just has to be KC’s signature food: barbecue. Have fun debating and deciding on KC’s best barbecue joint, then head there for dinner.

Check out visitkc.com/where-to-eat/barbecue-cant-miss-bbq-joints/index.aspx for an extensive list and details to drive your decision.

Post-Dinner: Enjoy a nightcap in the famous 18th & Vine area, known as a jazz mecca. Check out the American Jazz Museum’s Blue Room, which features live jazz entertainment. You can view the schedule at http://club.americanjazzmuseum.org/.

Sporty

OPTION A:  THE OBVIOUS

Book tickets to a KC team’s sporting event. This is always a safe and successful bet for a sporty night out. Besides the Big Two—the Chiefs and Royals—consider some other spins on local sports, such as the T-Bones, KC Sporting, Kansas City Roller Warriors, KC Storm (women’s tackle football), Missouri Mavericks (hockey) or an event at the Speedway. 

OPTION B:  EATING, EDUCATION AND EXERCISE

Pre-Dinner/Dinner:  Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum Located in North Kansas City, just minutes from the Truman Sports Complex, this destination restaurant will satisfy all sports lovers’ cravings. The standout feature of this restaurant is the sports museum within the restaurant. Enjoy browsing floor-to-ceiling sports memorabilia from present day to 100 years old. Then pick from a casual dining menu featuring a half-pound Zagat-rated burger, steaks and other sport’s bar favorites.

Post-Dinner:  Burn off some calories from Chappell’s with a game miniature golf, bowling, batting cages, rock-wall climbing, Frisbee golf, walking trails, a game of tennis or bike ride in your favorite part of town.

Out of This World!!

OPTION A:  HAUNTED HISTORY

Round up your friends for a private, docent-led, lantern-lit ghost tour of the Alexander Majors House. Built in 1856, the house has a long and storied history of the normal and paranormal. You will learn about the strange events and ghosts said to haunt certain rooms. 

OPTION B: BACK IN TIME

Unplug yourself from the KC Metro area and take the hour-long drive to Jamesport, MO. Here you will observe a working Amish community completely independent from all forms of technology, including electricity. Check out the website for list of tours, seasonal events and all that Jamesport has to offer!

And for you tech lovers, yes, there’s an app (several of them). Whether you’re looking for live music or late-night dancing, look into these apps. All have unique features to help you customize your (blank) night out. Better Half, Chef’s Feed, Open Table, Poynt, Local Scout and Yelp.

Enjoy your night out! 

Amanda Doll is looking forward to participating in the Moulin Rouge sing-along with fellow moms and trying out the “sporty” itinerary with her husband this spring.

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