Look Up at the Sky!

April 14 is Look Up at the Sky Day.

Enjoy the daytime sky: birds, butterflies, bugs and the trees above. Take a look at the sky above and enjoy the beauty of nature.

• Bird watching is the best at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (MDC.mo.gov). The conservation center features an indoor bird viewing area with binoculars, bird charts and books, a variety of native bird feeders attracting many species and a knowledgeable staff to educate new bird watchers.
• Powell Gardens, a favorite place to look at flowers on the ground below, also offers beautiful views of the gardens from the silo observation deck overlooking the gardens. On walks through wooded paths and flowering gardens observers will enjoy birds, butterflies and beautiful plants and trees.

Enjoy the night sky: Stop and enjoy the stars above and, perhaps, take an outing to enjoy the night sky beyond the bright lights of the city. The exploration of outer space captivates imaginations young and old, and visitors to Kansas City can share in the wonder at local attractions and unique exhibits.

• Explore the solar system with hands-on science at Union Station’s Science City, where children learn about astronauts and American space exploration through hands-on exhibits. You also can enjoy a show at the Gottlieb Planetarium featuring presentations on the solar system for all ages.
• The Kansas Cosmosphere, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum in Hutchinson, KS (just a few hours west of KC), chronicles the space race through personal stories, displays of real spacecraft, hands-on exhibits, live rocket shows and more.

Enjoy the city sky: These local landmarks offer amazing views of the Kansas City skyline:

• The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is perhaps one of the city’s most recognized landmarks. The museum offers world class history exhibits, and the 217-foot-tall tower offers spectacular views of the city.
• The KCMO City Hall Observation Deck (414 E. 12th St., Kansas City, MO) is on top of the fourth tallest city hall in the world, which rises into the sky as the third tallest Kansas City building. There is no cost to visit this view, making it perfect for a budget-friendly trip. Picture ID is required to go through security, and the observation deck is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00, weather permitting.