35 Things We’re Looking Forward to Enjoying in KC

December 26, 2019 noon

We’re celebrating 35 years of KC Parent magazine with 35 things we’re looking forward to enjoying with our families in 2020. We hope your families will make these local memories with us!

The big improvement at the Kansas City Zoo in 2020 will be a brand-new elephant habitat with ADA-compliant walking paths, improved viewing areas including the deck at Elephant Overlook, and additional seating and shaded areas so guests can enjoy a break. The elephants are going to love their new home with a pool, waterfall and more comfortable atmosphere. We can’t wait to see our favorite pachyderms at home in their new and improved habitat!
Lace up your ice skates this winter and enjoy the city’s original outdoor rink at Crown Center’s Ice Terrace.
When we’re looking for indoor adventure, rock wall climbing is a favorite. RoKC, the longtime KC favorite with locations in North KC and Downtown, is opening a brand-new location in Olathe. They offer youth programming, bouldering, training and tall walls … excellent options for every climbing enthusiast.
The 58-foot-tall Russell and Helen Means Observation Tower is opening soon at Kill Creek Park. The steel behemoth will offer visitors amazing views from the Kansas Speedway to KU. This Instagram-worthy destination is a must for photographers.
Independence Center is opening a brand new District Jungle with ropes courses, arcades, toddler play spaces and rides as an exciting family-friendly indoor entertainment venue in Eastern Jackson Country.
The Truman Presidential Library is undergoing a world-class makeover and will be reopening to the public in 2020 with all-new exhibits that are interactive, engaging, and present history in a thought-provoking and memorable way.
Last summer, Lake Olathe opened with a beautiful swim beach and inflatable Aqua Park. For landlocked Midwesterners, it’s great to have a place where you can build sandcastles, swim with the family and jump into the water from a giant floating playground.
Tivoli Cinemas, the city’s art house movie theater showing independent films for more than 40 years, has found a new home at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Showing historic, foreign, documentary, art and indie films, the Tivoli continues its tradition at the newly imagined theater with a large film screen, movie quality digital projection and sound systems.
New in 2020, Worlds of Fun introduces an all-new event that’s celebrates the season of easy living like only The Heartland can. Worlds of Fun is firing up the grill and partying with the region’s best live music as they transform the park into an oasis of summer celebration, complete with all the quintessential trimmings of a downhome barbecue.
Mid-Continent Public Libraries just keep getting better! Branches across the metro are being treated to a major makeover, and new locations (Lee’s Summit!) are opening too. The changes mean newly reimagined spaces that create a place for community. With open spaces, comfortable seating, ideal lighting and fantastic programming, the libraries have been reborn as a center of the community. Check out a new location (or two or three) this year.
The Sprint Center is bringing the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world to KC from Jan. 17 to 19 with the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series. The show will feature six different racing, freestyle and skill competitions.
The Country Club Plaza is set to welcome a new entertainment attraction in 2020 with Punch Bowl Social. The venue will offer food, drinks, and games, including duckpin bowling, foosball, Yardzee, ping-pong, arcade games, and karaoke.
Visit the 80-acre Meadowbrooke Park, the newest park in Prairie Village. With an imaginative, nature-themed playground with rope climbing features and slides, pickleball courts, paved nature trails and shelters, this park is a community favorite.
Enjoy live shows at the Carlsen Center. The fun season features a variety of family-friendly performances, including Walk On, the Story of Rosa Parks; Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical, Danú – St. Patrick’s Celebration, Drum Tao 2020 and Piff the Magic Dragon.
Legends Outlets recently debuted the Lawn, a greenspace centerpiece of the shopping center offering live concerts, yoga classes and events throughout the year. In between events, it’s a great place to hang out and enjoy the outdoors with friends.
Celebrate 2020 by experiencing the 1920s at Shawnee Town 1929. This living history site offers a variety of events throughout the year. The site is working toward many new things in the future, including the addition of a state bank, the electric store, dry goods store, drugstore and soda fountain. It will be exciting to experience the 2020s while watching this 1929 historic site expand.
This year, Coterie Theatre is producing several must-see shows. From Jan. 21 to Feb. 9, the production for students ages 12 and up is The White Rose: We Defied Hitler, the story of Sophie Scholl, a student who led a resistance to the Nazis during WWII. Potterheads will be delighted by the Feb. 25-March 22 showing of Puffs, the story of an ordinary American boy being sorted into the wizardry house of Puffs. Young readers will be delighted by the April 17 to May 7 show, Pete the Cat, a comical musical starring the grooviest cat in town. And the summer production of Disney’s Little Mermaid is a modern classic every princess can’t wait to see.
Yell and cheer for Sporting KC, KC Mavericks, Royals and Chiefs as a fan of our city’s sports teams.
This March, Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures at Sprint Center. The magical production showcases beloved Disney tales and songs during the fun-filled ice extravaganza.
The Kansas City Museum, located at Corinthian Hall in the Historic Northeast, is slated to reopen in 2020 and showcase the results of years of renovation and work. The museum will feature all-new exhibits, programs and events telling the story of the city’s history.
Many KC restaurants have been featured on television programs over the years … try one of these nationally recognized eateries found in the story “As Seen on TV Dining.”
The Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a wonderful way to experience history firsthand. On the first Saturday of the month (June-September), they host free family fun days as reenactors bring the 19^th-century village to life.
Read KC Parent magazine each month for more ideas to enjoy with your family.
The Johnson County Museum is home to KidScape, a place where imaginations go free as little ones pretend to live in a child-size village and explore grown-up jobs, as well as exhibits telling the history of Johnson County. The museum also offers traveling exhibits, currently “Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes,” featuring contemporary art by Native American artists.
Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains, boasting more fonts than any city other than Rome. This year, take family pics in front of some of the more than 200 fountains officially recognized by the City of Fountains Foundation.
KC Segway Tours and KC Fun Tours offer one-of-a-kind tours of our hometown, a great way to become more acquainted with the city.
Catch a show at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Sesame Street Live: Make Your Magic! on Jan. 30: When Justin the magician visits Sesame Street, Elmo wants to be a part of the show. But there’s one problem… Elmo can’t do magic!
The Midwest Genealogy Center is a free research facility through the Mid-Continent Public Library system. With thousands of resources and expert research librarians there to assist, you’ll discover new secrets about your ancestors.
Visit Louisburg and tour Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary, which cares for real big cats. On Saturday evenings, attend one of the big cat feeders and keeper chats to learn more about the facility.
Bite into the city’s signature burnt ends at one of our best barbecue restaurants … Joe’s KC, Jack Stack, Q39, LC’s, Arthur Bryant’s, Gates or another favorite local joint.
Kansas City hosts many fabulous festivals all year long! It all starts with the Chinese New Year at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, followed by great spring festivals like the Turkey Creek Festival, summer festivals including Celebration at the Station, Jazzoo, Festival of Butterflies, Dragon Boat Festival and Future Stages. Fall fests include Oktoberfest Lee’s Summit, Ciderfest at Louisburg Cider Mill and Waterfire. Winter celebrations include WinterFest at Worlds of Fun and Overland Park Arboretum’s Luminary Walk. You’ll find seasonal festival guides of these and more on KCParent.com.
Meet an alpaca face-to-face at Manna Meadows, an alpaca farm in Bonner Springs. Take a guided tour of the working farm.
Watch as greeting cards and wrapping paper are made at the Hallmark Visitor’s Center, a favorite free attraction, then participate in hands-on fun as you make a souvenir gift bow with the push of a button. Next door, you can visit Kaleidoscope, a free hands-on art center for children offering family sessions regularly.
Kansas City is a better place to live because of those who give back. There are many great places to volunteer your time. Harvesters collects food for families in need. Historic sites offer volunteer programs. Wayside Waifs and KC Pet Project offer great volunteer opportunities for animal lovers. The Kansas City Zoo offers a VolunTeen program. Choose something you’re passionate about and find ways to help others.
Subscribe to the eNewsletter on KCParent.com for our top pick events every weekend and fabulous giveaways!

Kristina Light is looking forward to ringing in the new year with new adventures and familiar traditions.