Date your Mate Month: A whole month dedicated to spending quality time with the one you love? Gotta love that! In need of a fresh idea beyond the go-to dinner and movie? Read our guide to “Favorite Dates in KC” for fresh ideas and fun.
National Barbecue Month: As residents of the barbecue capital of America, Kansas Citians never need a new excuse to fire up the grill or head to their fave barbecue restaurant. Whether it’s at Jack Stack or Oklahoma Joe’s—or grabbing smoked meat at McGoningle’s or Fritz’s Smoked Meats—welcome the coming summer with some juicy ribs and tangy sauce.
May 1: Mother Goose Day Head to the Central Library of the Kansas City Public Library (14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO, www.KCLibrary.org), housed in the former First National Bank of Kansas City. The library features a gorgeous children's department where patrons enter through the pages of a book. Find your favorite Mother Goose storybook and cuddle up on a comfy chair for an afternoon of reading.
May 2: Space Day Head to the Kansas Cosmosphere (www.Cosmo.org), a Smithsonian-affiliated museum in Hutchinson, KS (just a few hours west of KC) that chronicles the space race through personal stories, displays of real spacecraft, hands-on exhibits, live rocket shows and more.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo Celebrate at one of Southwest Boulevard’s most notable Mexican restaurants for more than 30 years, Manny’s (www.MannysKC.com).
May 8: Iris Day Visit Powell Gardens (1609 NW U.S. Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, http://PowellGardens.org), where you can enjoy stunning Iris Hill on the east side of the gardens, featuring more than 500 varieties of iris. While you’re there, enjoy acres of beautiful gardens including the Heartland Harvest Garden (an edible landscape) and the Monet Garden.
May 9: Lost Sock Memorial Day If your house is anything like our house, you have a collection of lost socks! Today’s the day to grab some markers and googly eyes and put the lonely mates to good use as puppets…perhaps they can perform a ballad in honor of their missing partners.
May 10: National Train Day Celebrate with Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad in Frank Vaydik Park from 10:00 to 2:00 (train rides will run until 6:00). Cost is just .50 for train rides; all other activities (live entertainment, face painting, inflatables, etc.) are FREE. See www.KCParks.org for info.
May 20: Strawberry Picking Day The first opportunity to pick fresh strawberries typically lands close to this nationally recognized day. Our favorite spot is Gieringer's Orchard in Edgerton (just a 40-minute drive for us in South KC...generally 30-60 minutes from most spots in the metro). Watch their website (www.GieringersOrchard.com) closely for official opening date and hours.
May 26: Memorial Day Visit our KC Calendar for a complete list of festivities and your Kick Off Summer Fun planner!
May 31: Macaroon Day You’ll find the best macaroons in Kansas City at Bloom Baking Co. in the City Market (15 E. 3rd St., Kansas City, MO). Savor every bite of the light, meringue-like cookie with a hint of almond…it deserves its own day!