There’s always something to celebrate in Kansas City, and this season our city is rolling out the red carpet in style.
One of our grandest landmarks, Union Station, is celebrating its centennial this year. Originally a major transportation hub right in the center of the United States, Union Station is now home to Science City, numerous shops and restaurants—and it continues to serve train passengers as the rail station for Amtrak. To commemorate the anniversary of the station’s opening, the city is hosting festivities and events throughout the fall.
Across the street, the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I with special events and exhibits.
Kansas City celebrates not only the old, but the new—and improved—as well. Winter 2015 will mark the opening of the newly renovated National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. The city has long been proud of this world-class museum, and we can’t wait to see what new exhibits and displays lie in store for visitors.
This year, the Kansas City Zoo was proud to open the all-new Helzberg Penguin Plaza, where a dozen Humboldt penguins and more than 50 cold water penguins live in a state-of-the-art exhibit. The popularity of the zoo keeps growing. Just last year, a record-breaking 882,194 visitors enjoyed the animals.
I am excited to share favorite traditions with my children as we enjoy pumpkin patches, apple picking, a trip to the cider mill for warm donuts and fall festivals throughout autumn. We will enjoy the holidays with time-honored traditions like KC Rep’s 34th annual production of A Christmas Carol, the KC Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker—accompanied by the KC Symphony at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts—and, of course, the Country Club Plaza lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving.
Welcome to Kansas City! We’re happy you’re here and we hope you love it just as much as we do!