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FREE and Cheap Fun in KC

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Visiting Kansas City or planning a staycation on a budget? The city offers abundant opportunities to explore and enjoy—without breaking the bank!

Stop by one of the city’s many nature centers for a peaceful (and free) escape from reality. If you’re planning a nature-themed staycation, you won’t want to miss Ernie Miller Nature Park (Olathe), Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Center (Liberty), Parkville Nature Sanctuary (Parkville - waterfall pictured above), George Owens Nature Park (Independence), Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (Blue Springs) or Prairie Park Nature Center (Lawrence). You’ll also find the Overland Park Arboretum, with its 300-acre botanical garden, to be a beautiful and peaceful respite from the weariness of day-to-day life. Arboretum admission is $1-3.

Fans of history will have a blast exploring many historical sites! A few unique spots to visit for free include the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum (Leavenworth, $6 per carousel ride), Legler Barn Museum (Lenexa) and Oxford Schoolhouse (Leawood).

Want to enjoy the arts scene without spending a dime? Make your way around the metro on a fountain scavenger hunt—there are more than 200 to find in this “City of Fountains!” The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is free to visit (aside from parking), and the shuttlecocks and maze on the front lawn make this popular spot worthy of an Instagram post or two!

Downtown, you can hop on the KC Streetcar for a free ride from the River Market to Union Station! There are 16 stops along the 2-mile streetcar route where you can disembark and explore the city. If your ride takes you to or from Union Station, plan to spend a little time exploring the beautiful structure that’s been part of KC since 1901. Admission to Union Station itself is free; the additional experiences offered inside will vary in price. The B&B Twin Drive-In movie theater (Independence) is bringing the magic of the movies back with vintage, socially-distanced style! The whole family can enjoy a movie night under the stars ($20/car).

If the kids are touring KC with you, check out the extensive list of parks and playgrounds throughout the metro. Penguin Park (Kansas City), with its giant animal figures, is a must-see for every kid. Meadowbrook Park (Prairie Village) features a treehouse-themed play area that kids love! McCoy Park (Independence) offers a Western town-themed inclusive playground. See if you can find the creek at Charles David Hartman Memorial Park (Lee’s Summit)! And, if the weather ruins your outdoor plans, check out Superkidz Club (Mission) or My Play Café (Lee’s Summit) for indoor play areas that are just for kids (prices vary). The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City is a great educational option ($12).

If you just need a quick break from reality, there are still plenty of free options! Go for a leisurely stroll around the Country Club Plaza, picnic on the lawn by the National World War I Museum and Memorial or take selfies with blooms at the Kauffman Memorial Gardens!

Where will your sense of adventure take you?

Julie McKinley is a single homeschooling mom, freelance writer and theater teacher. She lives with her two cats and two kids in Lee’s Summit.

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