Three Summery Ways to Make the Most of Winter in KC

“I’ll finally see a summer breeze

Blow away a winter storm

And find out what happens to solid water

When it gets warm.”

Even our old pal Olaf dreamed of summer on the frozen tundra! If summer can’t get here soon enough for you to enjoy, take a break from winter with one of these outings:

Journey to Oz at Crown Center

Open Feb. 9- May 12. One of the world’s beloved movies turns 80 this year, and Crown Center is celebrating by bringing the magic of the big screen to you!  Families can tour the enchanting world of the Munchkins, follow Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, sneak into the Wicked Witch’s castle and much more.   Open Monday – Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am – 7pm; Sunday, 11am to 6pm.  816-274-8444. 

Go for a Swim

Kansas City is home to many great indoor pools where you can swim the day away dreaming of summer. The Lenexa Rec Center (Lenexa.com) features a warm water leisure pool, lap lanes and water slides. Legacy Park Community Center (CityOfLS.net) in Lee’s Summit features a lap pool, lazy river and hot tub.  Gladstone Community Center (Gladstone.mo.us) offers a lap pool, diving well and leisure pool with zero-depth entry and interactive play structures that include a pirate ship, flume slide, dumping buckets and spray features. These are just a few great indoor pools; you’ll find more in our Going Places guide on KCParent.com.

Visit the Tropics

The Kansas City Zoo’s (KansasCityZoo.org) Tropics Exhibit is the perfect place to warm up on a cold day. Watch as Asian small-clawed otters swim under the see-through foot bridge, take a photo of the African crested porcupine, watch primates like the blue monkey and golden lion tamarind play, and enjoy the beauty of tropical birds. Then, stroll over to the Discovery Barn, Helzberg Penguin Plaza and Polar Bear Passage for more indoor exhibits.