Penguins in Kansas City
It’s safe to say that Kansas City has penguin fever! Since opening last fall, the Kansas City Zoo’s Helzberg Penguin Plaza has been drawing thousands of visitors to enjoy the playful pals from the South Pole. Did you know that Kansas City offers an array of cool penguin experiences…beyond watching them play at the zoo (which is cool too!)?
A Day on the Mild Side: Visit the “Coolest Park” in Town
Penguin Park (N. Vivion Rd. & N. Norton Ave., Kansas City, MO) is one of Kansas City’s oldest and most popular parks. Gigantic friendly animals are the centerpiece of the park, where you can climb up through a kangaroo's pocket, slide down the namesake penguin, explore an elephant playground and bounce and slide on frogs, ducks and more. The park features a shelter house with picnic tables and playgrounds for all ages that include swings, slides, climbing equipment, merry-go-round, spring animals and more.
A Day on the Wild Side: Explore the Kansas City Zoo
Featuring a dozen Humboldt penguins and nearly 40 cold water penguins, the new Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo is a state-of-the-art exhibit with a 100,000-gallon cool pool for cold water penguins and a 25,000-gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins. With fantastic views, accurate penguin habitats, accessibility for all visitors and educational displays feeding our curiosity about the Antarctic animals, the exhibit is a must-see. If you’re planning a visit to the zoo and you want to get to know the penguins before your visit, check out the zoo’s penguin cam (www.KansasCityZoo.org/PenguinCam), where you can watch the latest (including eggs, baby penguins and penguins at play) in real time. The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round, and this indoor exhibit is a favorite for all seasons. Tip: Make a day of it! Pack a picnic, visit the polar bears and explore other great indoor exhibits.
A Night on the Mild Side: A Penguin-Themed Vacation
816 Hotel is the hottest new hotel in town. With rooms specifically decked out in Kansas City themes, a favorite for families is the Kansas City Zoo room. This theme room is all about penguins! With an icicle border, penguin sheets on the bunk beds, a panoramic photo of hundreds of penguins and a special zoo four-pack for guests (including zoo passes, ride wristbands and penguin souvenirs), this is one super cool family getaway!
A Night on the Wild Side: Sleep with Penguins
For the adventurous, make unforgettable memories with a sleepover in the exhibit! The Kansas City Zoo offers Penguin Pole-ooza Overnights (www.KansasCityZoo.org/Events/Calendar). Make reservations for a one-of-a-kind overnight the kids will never forget! Guests bring their own air mattresses and slumber bags and spend the night at the zoo, sleeping in the penguin facility (don’t worry, the penguins are in their own climate-controlled exhibit, and human guests get to enjoy a comfortable temperature in the main atrium). Zookeepers lead the overnight with science experiments, animal encounters (with many animals from the zoo), a behind-the-scenes night hike and tour of the facilities and a continental breakfast in the morning.
Kristina Light’s girls will never forget sleeping with the penguins at the zoo… an adventure her family gives a sincere two thumbs up!