Family Reunions in the Midwest
Making Memories Across Generations
Families are reuniting once again. Celebrate all ages with a getaway in the heart of the Midwest.
A Nebraska Reunion
Just a few hours from Kansas City, treat the family to a weekend trip to Arbor Day Farm (2611 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE, 402.873.8717, ArborDayFarm.org). The beautiful arboretum is a favorite family adventure. With tree houses and tree exhibits throughout, the attraction’s highlight is the tree house 50 feet in the air with a spectacular view of the nature below. The park features hands-on nature exhibits for children, many tree houses to play in and explore and a Discovery Ride with a tour of the park.
On site, stay at Lied Lodge, a beautiful hotel with comfortable guest rooms all decorated with nature-inspired décor, giving guests a cozy feel. The beautiful pool, hot tub and steam room are a great place to relax, and you can enjoy delicious dining at Timbers Restaurant.
Take a tour of the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, home of the Morton family (famous for Morton salt). Learn the history of Arbor Day and how it began in Nebraska in 1872. The beautiful 52-room mansion, arboretum and Italian terraced garden tell the history of the Morton family, their presidential connections and the history of Arbor Day.
Less than an hour away, continue making memories at Eugene Mahoney State Park, a beautiful park with numerous cabins ideal for reunions, campgrounds and fun activities, including an outdoor waterpark, hiking trails, bike trails, a small fishing lake and more.
Nearby, drive through Wildlife Safari Park (WildlifeSafariPark.com). Drive and hike through the park where you’ll see wolves, black bears, elk and birds. The nature center offers hands-on activities for children.
The highlight to any Omaha-area visit is the Henry Doorly Zoo (OmahaZoo.com). Zoos are one of our top picks for multigenerational getaways. This summer, the highlight is the elephant exhibit. In January of this year, two elephant calves were born, Eugenia (Jan. 7) and Claire (Jan. 30). They are on exhibit for visitors to see as they play with their moms and interact with the herd. In addition to the elephants, the aquarium, butterflies, Desert Dome and rainforest were favorites. Enhance your visit with a behind-the-scenes tour (OmahaZoo.com/visitorexperiences) where keepers take you on a tour of the aquarium, sea lion exhibit (feeding sea lions included) or giraffe exhibit! The chance to hear from zookeepers and learn about the animals one on one is an unforgettable experience.
For the adventurous, head to TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest (TreeRush.com), an incredible outdoor ropes course with obstacles and zip lines. Spectators are allowed to come close to the adventurers and take photos, so grandparents can enjoy watching kids participate. This huge course nestled in the wooded setting of Fontenelle Forest is a hit with kids of all ages!
These are just a few of our tips for a Nebraska getaway. Visit KCParent.com for more details and ideas.
A Kansas City Reunion
The Crown Center District (CrownCenter.com) is ideal for entertaining a variety of ages. If you’re looking for a beautiful hotel for out-of-town guests right in the heart of the city, both the Westin and the Sheraton at Crown Center (CrownCenter.com/hotels) offer beautiful accommodations. Enjoy Sea Life Aquarium (VisitSeaLife.com) where kids love the touch pool and the underwater tunnel or Legoland Discovery Center (LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com) with hands-on fun, 4D films and rides. You’ll find free fun at Kaleidoscope, a hands-on art center for children. For lunch, children love Fritz’s where trains deliver food to your table, but grown-ups may be partial to Unforked, with a delicious menu prepared with locally grown ingredients. After lunch, walk the Link to Union Station (UnionStation.org). Catch a film on the Extreme Screen or visit Science City, an interactive museum exploring many areas of science.
This summer, visit Powell Gardens and experience Fortopia, a playful outdoor exhibition comprised of awe-inspiring forts, inviting explorers of all ages to discover Missouri’s botanical garden. The display encourages outdoor discovery and is a great connection point for all generations as they reminisce over memories of childhood fort building. This year’s fort designers include a team of preschool children, artists, landscape designers, architects and more. In addition to this fun exhibit, you may enjoy the Festival of Butterflies July 21–Aug. 7. The annual event is a celebration of all things butterflies alongside stunning botanic displays.
You may also visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial (TheWorldWar.org) in downtown Kansas City. Tremendous state-of-the-art exhibits tell the story of World War I and, more importantly, the soldiers and civilians of the era—their sacrifices and their journeys. This is one of Kansas City’s most important attractions. The museum provides a free family gallery guide booklet for children, including a map of the galleries, games, puzzles, question and answer sections for various exhibits and a scavenger hunt to complete throughout the galleries.
Spend a day exploring the Kansas City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org). With more than 1,700 animals on 202 acres, it's the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages. Travel all over the world without ever leaving the Kansas City Zoo. Explore the new Elephant Expedition, where the zoo’s beloved pachyderms play in water and enjoy a state-of-the-art habitat. Take a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel, ride the train, then continue your journey on the tram to the zoo’s award-winning Africa exhibit. Fly overhead to get a bird’s eye view of giraffes, hippos, zebras and more on the Sky Safari, landing at “one of America’s best chimpanzee exhibits,” as proclaimed by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. Also, visit Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Discovery Barn and Stingray Bay.
Five Family Reunion Tips
- State parks are ideal for lodging. Many offer cabins, and here’s a tip: Look for cabins on a single road or cul-de-sac, so each household has its own space, but everyone is nearby. You’ll also find a range of outdoor activities to enjoy together.
- Assign each household one meal to host or prepare. They may choose to cook, treat to a restaurant or order carryout. This is easier than having everyone collaborate on each meal, and it gives everyone a few breaks from cooking and planning too.
- Consider activities that everyone will enjoy but give opportunities to visit and interact. We like zoos because all ages can enjoy the animals, and you can visit with your family. Shows, movies and the like are fun but limit the ability to visit and reunite.
- Set aside one night for a family talent show. Purchase cheap trophies on Amazon and have the kids and adults sign up and present their talent. Magic, music, art, comedy, poetry, stunts, juggling and dance are just a few ideas. You can find suggestions on YouTube, as well. This is a great way to learn more about one another, and it’s free entertainment. Present awards at the end, and make sure everyone is included in some fashion.
- Look for coupons and group discounts.
Kristina Light’s family especially loved feeding sea lions at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.