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Multigenerational Trip in Kansas City

I love helping families plan unforgettable multigenerational trips!  There is something uniquely special about grandparents and grandchildren playing together, discovering together and making memories together.  The Country Club Plaza in Kansas City is the perfect homebase for your next multi-generation adventure with your family!

The Country Club Plaza comprises 15 blocks of shopping, dining and historic architecture in the heart of Kansas City.  Its location makes it ideal for exploring much of what Kansas City has to offer.  In its immediate vicinity are numerous parks and museums, plus it is convenient to downtown Kansas City.

Places to Stay

The Plaza offers accommodations for any budget and experience.  There are beautiful and historic luxury hotels, such as the Fontaine and the Raphael Hotel, with amazing views of the Plaza and the Kansas City skyline, luxury accommodations and amenities and fine dining options.  For families looking for more space and a more budget-friendly option, the Hampton Inn & Suites and Springhill Suites by Marriott are fantastic options, both located on the Northwest side of the Plaza.

Other unique options include quaint and welcoming bed and breakfast accommodations, such as the beloved Southmoreland on the Plaza, and numerous units on private rental sites like VRBO and Airbnb.

Dining

The Plaza boasts more than 30 restaurants, serving a variety of cuisines and providing a plethora of dining experiences.

Enjoy a nice, fresh farm-to-table meal at Rye, a casual and fun family dinner at Chuy’s or the Cheesecake Factory or a unique Asian meal at P. F. Chang’s.  Grab a snack or treat at Auntie Anne’s - Cinnabon or Cupcake a la Mode, ice cream at Coldstone Creamery or coffee from Starbucks.

For a finer dining experience, try the Capital Grille for a delicious steak or McCormick & Schmick’s for seafood.  Another KC favorite is patio dining on the Plaza, and 0Gram & Dun is a local favorite for fresh air and food!

Things to Do

Kansas City has no shortage of fun and unique experiences for families!  The Plaza area is central to many of these attractions.

Parks

Kansas City is famous for its parks and fountains.  Take advantage of a beautiful spring day and head to Jacob Loose Park, the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden or Robert Gillham Park, all located in the Plaza area.  Grab barbecue to go from Fiorella’s Jack Stack on the Plaza and enjoy a picnic lunch and some outdoor family fun!

Museums

One of my favorite museums in Kansas City, and one that is perfect for families with a wide range of ages, is the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.  This museum, south of the Plaza, is the home of the world’s largest collection of miniatures and one of the largest public collections of historic toys.  Grandparents and children alike will enjoy the nostalgia of exploring toys throughout the decades.

Located just east of the Plaza are the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.  Both museums provide families hours of exploring various styles of art, including larger-than-life sculptures on the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins.

Venturing north of the Plaza, toward downtown Kansas City, are the National World War I Museum and Memorial and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.  These both provide grandparents the opportunity to recall and share some of our nation’s history with their grandchildren.

tomofbluesprings Getty Images

Downtown Kansas City

Yet another way to spend a day in Kansas City is the Hallmark Crown Center in Downtown Kansas City.  On the weekends, parking at Crown Center is free, and, even during the week, parking is free with validation.  Between the Skylink and the KC Streetcar, you can park your car and leave it! 

The Skylink connects Crown Center and Union Station via an elevated pedestrian walkway completely protected from the elements.  The KC Streetcar runs from Union Station to the River Market with 16 stops in between.

Crown Center

Crown Center is a bustling shopping center, containing shops and restaurants.  A local favorite is Fritz’s.  This train-themed restaurant delivers burgers and fries to your table via model trains!

Additionally, Crown Center houses the Coterie Theater that offers shows with a young audience in mind.  It also offers limited-time attractions throughout the year, so make sure to check out the schedule.

Two major attractions located in Crown Center are Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium.  Legoland contains 12 interactive, Lego-themed play zones.  Geared especially for children ages 3-10, the wide range of interactive activities really appeal to the whole family!  Sea Life will transport you to an underwater world, where you can discover the beauty and wonder of ocean life.  Typically, you can purchase tickets to both attractions for a small discount.

Union Station

Just a short walk on the Skylink will take you to Union Station.  Built in 1914, it is a beautiful building with many traces of the Railroad Age.  With the historic background and the numerous entertainment opportunities, you can easily spend an entire day here!

Catch a movie at the Extreme Screen Theater or the Planetarium, explore and interact with the scientific world at Science City, enjoy watching the model trains or even learn about a unique subject from a national traveling exhibit.

TriggerPhoto Getty Images/iStockphoto

KC Streetcar

If the weather is nice, you can even plan on exploring the KC Streetcar route!  Take the Skylink to Union Station and head outside to the streetcar stop.  A streetcar leaves Union Station every 10-15 minutes, so you never have to wait long.

Adventure Awaits

As you can see, Kansas City is the perfect location for your family’s next grand adventure!

Joy Oufnac, a travel specialist with 3D Travel Company, loves planning and embarking on family adventures!  You can contact her at joy.oufnac@3dtravelcompany.com.

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