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10 Top Picks for August in Kansas City: 2011

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  August in Kansas City… the end of the Summer, Back To School Preparation, and many wonderful family outings in KC! Don’t miss these 10 great places to go in Kansas City in August! BONUS: Plan ahead with our Top 10 Picks for September in Kansas City!

 

10 Top Picks for August in Kansas City!

Family Fun at the Toy & Miniature Museum

  • When, Where, What: Toy & Miniature Museum 5235 Oak Street Kansas City, MO. 816.333.9328 www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org. The Toy & Miniature Museum offers many great events all year, but two of our favorite are available in August! First, we love the Adventures in Learning Programs: Every Wednesday this summer, the Museum will host tours, gallery talks, and workshops designed to explore different aspects of the collection. And, we make it an annual tradition to attend FREE Back to School Day on August 27 from 10:00 AM â’ 4:00 PM. Swing into the 1940s at the Toy and Miniature Museum! Story teller, make your own button, costume contest, swing dancing, and a treasure hunt… and FREE ADMISSION!

  • Why We LOVE It: The Toy and Miniature Museum is one of our favorite destinations! The museum, housed in the former Tureman Mansion, captures the imaginations of visitors young and old with its incredible collection of dollhouses, dolls, model trains, marbles and antique toys from around the world. Families will appreciate the special touches throughout the exhibits, including â”touch meâ” buttons with working lights so you can see inside the tiniest of dollhouses, and step stools so little ones can see at their eye level. This is one destination loved by all generations and all agesâ-youâ’ll enjoy exploring childhood memories of years gone by through one of the most fun and magical museums in Kansas City!

Festival of Butterflies

  • When, Where, What: Annual Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens. August 5-7 & August 12-14. Festival pricing: $10/adults, $9/seniors, $5/children 5-12, members/free. 816.697.2600.

  • Why We LOVE It: Our family makes it an annual tradition to attend Powell Gardens’ Festival of Butterflies. Walk through Butterfly habitats and discover hundreds of free-flying butterflies from the tropical United States and Costa Rica, two outdoor butterfly breezeways with native species, many themed hands-on children’s activities, a nature photography exhibit and more. Visit the Powell Gardens website for more information.

Tax Free Back to School Shopping

  • When, Where, What: From August 5-7, save on Back to School Supplies in Missouri with Tax Free Shopping! Details: Section 144.049, RSMo, establishes a sales tax holiday during a three-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at midnight on the Sunday following. Certain back to school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute, are exempt from sales tax for this time period only.

  • Why We LOVE It: Stock up on school supplies and clothes saving 6-8% during Tax Free Shopping. Plus, watch the KCParent MomBlogs for great saving tips from Sara the Savvy Shopper and the Penny Pinchin’ Mama.

Supersized Kidfest at Zona Rosa

  • When, Where, What: August 6 from Noon-4:00 PM, Zona Rosa.Be sure to get your lifetime membership in the V.I.K. (Very Important Kid) program for just $10 at Guest Services or visit www.zonarosa.com for exclusive KidZone stuff, like a t-shirt, store discounts and more! 816.587.8180 www.zonarosa.com

  • Why We LOVE It: If you love Phineas and Ferb you’ll LOVE Zona Rosa’s August KidFest! Youâ’ve seen them rocket into space … travel back in time … and build the biggest roller coaster in the world. Hereâ’s your chance to be like the boys with your own summer-time adventure at Zona Rosa! Join KidZone and the Radio Disneyâ’s Rockinâ’ Road Crew to build a â”Phineas and Ferb lemonade standâ” … play â”Donâ’t be a Doofenshmirtz┠… line up for â”Phineas & Ferbâ’s Most Wanted┠… and blast off with a number of FREE family-fun activities. Faster than you can say, â”Whereâ’s Perry?â” youâ’re going to have a great time!

Missouri State Fair

  • When, Where, What: The Missouri State Fair is held annually in Sedalia. This year it is Aug.11-21. See special promotions for more discounts. 1.800.422.3247 www.mostatefair.com.

  • Why We LOVE It: The Missouri State Fair is fun for the whole family with a live circus under the Big Top, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, animal shows and programs, a carnival, concerts, rodeos, and more! The 11-day event will feature hundreds of free demonstrations and exhibits highlighting agriculture innovation, green initiatives and other timely consumer topics like couponing.

  • Read our Tips for Family Fun at the Best Attractions at the Missouri State Fair.

 

 

 

 

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

  • When, Where, What: Ethnic Enrichment Festival August 19-21 at Swope Park. Friday, 6-10 p.m., Saturday, Noon-10 p.m., Sunday, Noon-6 p.m. $3/adults, Children 12 and under: Free, FREE Parking. 816.513.7553

  • Why We LOVE It: Every year we visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival for a burst of flavor and tradition around the world. Over 60 countries participate each year with booths showcasing food and crafts from each country, and live performances on stage with dance, music, martial arts, and skills demonstrations. You may purchase food from each country creating your own smorgasbord of flavor, sampling many dishes from many cultures. Visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival website for more information.

  • Bonus: Discover more fun in Kansas City for an Around the World Staycation!

Kansas City Aviation Expo & Air Show

  • When, Where, What: August 20 & 21 from 9:00 AM â’ 5:00 PM, Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport. See kcairshow.com for tickets.

  • Why We LOVE It: Featured performers at this yearâ’s event include the U.S. Airforce A-10 Thunderbolt, which lets out a booming roar in a display of low-altitude maneuverability, sheer power, and lion impressions. Not to be outdone by a mechanized counterpart, the U.S. Army Golden Knights carve out their own rays of spotlight with golden parachutes and graceful routines. At ground level, a static assemblage of vintage and military planesâ-headlined by a stately NASA F-18 mission-support aircraftâ-mingles with the crowd and provides nurturing shade with their extensive wingspans.

Sprint Family Fun Days

  • When, Where, What: The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the 3rd Saturday of each month and KC Parent Magazine is proud to be a sponsor! The entire event is FREE and open to the public! It begins at 11 AM in the KC Live Block of the Power & Light District and ends at 3 PM – Rain or Shine!

  • Why We LOVE It: The Sprint Family Fun Series is one of the BEST Family-Friendly events in the metro and it’s FREE! The 2011 Line Up includes:

  • August 20-Back to Nature-puppet show, learn about MO birds and animals, learn how to recycle and more

  • September 17-Bubbles & Balloons-live music with the Doo Dads, Mad Science, Bubble contests and more

  • October 15-Fall Festival-Hayrides, pumpkin decorating, costume contests, pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat (at Power and Light restaurants and shops)

 

 

Superhero Weekend at the Kansas City Zoo

  • When, Where, What: August 26-28, Kansas City Zoo. Admission Applies. 816.513.5800 www.kansascityzoo.org

  • Why We LOVE It:Start with Sunset Safari: An Evening in Africa with Captain America on Friday, August 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. A family outing, an adventurous date night or a gregarious group event; spend the evening in Africa. Enjoy exclusive Animal Keeper Chats, $5 meal specials, live entertainment, and much more! Plus, meet Captain America! Then, enjoy Superhero Weekend: Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spend the weekend with some of your favorite super heroes! On Saturday, August 27, compare your strength and meet Thor? It’s a terrific tail told by our Zoo Docents. How old can the Aldabra Tortoise live to be? Find out this and more! On Sunday, August 28, Spider-Man swings in to sign autographs.Graphic used with permission:

TM & copyright 2011 MARVEL. This advertisement is produced under MARVEL license.

 

 

Farmstead Safety Day

  • When, Where, What: August 27 from 10:00 AM â’ 2:00 PM, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. The checks are free; no appointment needed. $2 admission fee/1 & under free. 913.895.6390 www.opkansas.org/Events/Farmstead-Safety-Day

  • Why We LOVE It: Hop aboard the fire truck, slide into the police cruiser or fly high at the LifeNet helicopter where, for a day, your son or daughter can imagine life as a firefighter, a police officer or a pilot. The Overland Park fire and police departments, the Kansas Highway Patrol, D.A.R.E., and other organizations will be on hand to teach children about safety and equipment. In addition to fire trucks and other safety vehicles, there also will be car seat safety checks by Kansas Safe Kids and State Farm Insurance from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

 

Still looking for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com.

 

Kansas City’s BEST Sandwiches

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  Good old fashioned tuna sandwiches, gourmet paninis, authentic German brats, handmade Irish sandwiches, Greek gyros, and the classic burnt end sandwich served up with tangy KC Bar-B-Q sauce… whatever your sandwich preference, KC’s restaurants dish up the best of the best!

Best Bar-B-Q Sandwiches:

Fiorella’s Jack Stack: Multiple Locations. www.jackstackbbq.com

Fiorella’s Jack Stack is known for more than their scrumptious pit beans, onion rings, coleslaw, and ribs… they also make a mean bar-b-q sandwich. Choose from the Poor Russ, a delicious burnt end sandwich on a sesame seed bun, or a variety of barbecue sandwiches with sliced meats or pulled pork on french rolls. They also offer salmon sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, and delicious hickory smoked prime rib sandwiches served with au jus!

Best Subs:

Jimmy John’s: Multiple Locations. www.jimmyjohns.com

Jimmy John’s serves up delicious 8 inch sub sandwiches on homemade French bread and they do it FAST! Order your favorite toppings from fresh veggies to sliced deli meats and delicious sauces and your sandwich will be ready for you as soon as you’re ready to pay.

Best Peanut Butter:

BB’s Lawnside Bar-B-Q:1205 E 85th in KCMO. 816.822.7427

For a simple update on the original, try the grilled PB&J on the kidâ’s menu at this barbeque favorite. The melt-in-your mouth gooeyness is the perfect way to eat peanut butter.

Best Panini:

The Ingredient: Multiple Locations. www.ingredientrestaurant.com

The Ingredient is known for using only the freshest of ingredients to create delicious salads, soups, sandwiches… and of course, their famous breakfasts! While we love their hot off the grill sandwich offerings and power packed wraps, the panini is our top pick. The toasted sandwiches with deli meat, gourmet cheeses, sauces, and toppings are delish!

Best Gyros:

Mr. Gyros:Multiple Locations. www.mrgyroskc.com

Mr. Gyros prepares authentic Greek sandwiches including classic gyros, chicken gyros, and vegetarian gyros. The restaurant also offers a specialty gyro just for Kansas City with marinated strips of steak seasoned and grilled with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. All gyros are served with homemade Tzatziki sauce, the cool cucumber dip we love.

Best Handmade Irish Sandwiches:

Browne’s Irish Market:3300 Pennsylvania Ave., KCMO. 816.561.0030 www.brownesmarket.com

The Irish Market opened in Kansas City in 1887. It is now the fifth generation in the family carrying on the family tradition. Serving a wide variety of Irish delicacies. Enjoy handmade sandwiches, Irish Potato Soup, Irish Stew, Dublin Potato Salad, and more, as well as Irish souvenirs.

Best German Brats & Specialty Sausages:

Wernerâ’s Fine Sausages: 5736 Johnson Drive in Mission, Kansas WernersWurst.com

Wernerâ’s has been in the area since 1973 and sells specialty sausages including smoked Italian with mozzarella, potato sausage and German bratwurst. Pick out your favorite and have a summer barbeque for everyone to enjoy.

Best Steakburger:

Winstead’s: 10 Locations, www.WinsteadsKC.com

Winsteadâ’s has been a Kansas City staple since 1940. Perfecting the steakburger for generations, Winsteadâ’s serves up flattened patties with crisp crusts of ground steak. Winstead’s also serves tuna sandwiches and grilled cheese. Don’t forget to order a signature milkshake  or ice cream soda for a real diner experience.

Cool Summer Nights in Kansas City

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This summer has been a SCORCHER… but the nighttime isn’t quite as hot (or maybe we’re used to it by then)… so, we’ve been enjoying a lot of family fun in the evenings! Best of all, many of our fun outings are FREE or cheap thanks to great coupons from KC Parent Magazine! Our Favorite Ideas for Cool Summer Nights in Kansas City have been:

 

Kansas City Zoo: Sunset Safaris

  • Kansas City Zoo hosts Sunset Safaris once a month and stay open till 8pm! (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800)

  • Why We Love It: Each Sunset Safari offers a new theme and special features. On August 26, enjoy a Sunset Safari with Captain America! A family outing, an adventurous date night or a gregarious group event; spend the evening in Africa. Enjoy exclusive Animal Keeper Chats, $5 meal specials, live entertainment, and much more! Plus, meet Captain America to kick off Super Hero Weekend at the Zoo!

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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

  • The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is open till 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays and admission is FREE! Regular Hours: Wed, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.; Thurs, Fri, 10 a.m.—9 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Sun, Noon—5 p.m. (4525 Oak, KCMO.

  • Why We Love It: The Nelson is always one of our top picks for a free local outing, but this summer one of the highlights is the exhibit, Monet’s Water Lilies, at the Nelson through August 7. The exhibition brings together the panels owned by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art for the first time in a generation. Visitors will also enjoy permanent exhibits from around the world. This is one outing where you will discover something new upon each visit. Families will especially enjoy the all new FUN Spot, located in Bloch Lobby, where visitors and families to learn what activities are available for them that day to maximize their fun.

  • Tips: Use our Nelson- Atkins Scavenger Hunt on your visit for added fun! We offer two scavenger hunts: one for tweens, teens, and adults that can be a little more challenging and fun for groups and another for young children (even pre-readers… images provided!). You can race against two teams to complete the scavenger hunt, or try to complete one as a family project. And, the hunt for young children features objects found in multiple works of  art. Track how often you find any one thing or try the hunt more than once to discover there is more than one way to solve it.

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop

  • Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop offers Family Nights every Thursday through July from 6-8pm with FREE admission. Special activities like stagecoach rides are $2/person. (1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS. 913.971.5111).

  • Why We Love It: The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm in Olathe offers a wonderful living history of pioneer life. From farming, the blacksmithing, to home life, and of course… Stagecoaches… Mahaffie is a wonderful historic outing to remember life in the 1800s. On Family Nights, the site comes to life with free activities (for example: butter churning, planting seeds, tours of the home) and activities with a small fee (for example: Stagecoach rides, working in the Blacksmith Shop, Grinding Corn ranging from $1-2/ea.) and they vary with the theme each week. Our children were enthralled at the blacksmith shop where they made their own “S Hooks” and the stagecoach ride is a fun historic experience, but watch out for stagecoach thieves!

  • Tips: Read our review of the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop before your visit and bring your camera for some family fun. And, bring some cash for activities.

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

  • Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is open till 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and admission is FREE (Memorial Day-Labor Day)! (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS. 913.897.2360). Regular Admission: Mon.- Thur., FREE; Fri. – Sun., $2/person; 1 & under free. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to Oct. 31.

  • Why We Love it: Every time we ask KC Parent Readers about their favorite family attractions in Kansas City, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead always gets a top mention. The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead features many wonderful attractions to help children learn and appreciate animals, nature, and the outdoors. Children love the dairy barn, fishing pond, petting zoo, goat feeding, chicken coop, and miniature tractor rides. This year, the newest attractions are Alex & Emily’s Ice Cream Parlor where you can purchase hand-dipped ice cream and Vic’s General Store where families purchase souvenirs ranging from old fashioned candy to farmstead themed toys and treats.

  • Tips: Admission is FREE (M-Th). The Farmstead is one of the metro’s most popular attractions, so it is often a bit crowded, but we’ve come to discover that the Tuesday and Thursday evening hours offer the least crowded time of day to visit and most pleasant weather in the summer. Some attractions do charge a small fee, including: fishing, goat feeding, feeding animals in the petting zoo, and pony rides.

Cool Crest

  • Cool Crest is open till midnight or 1am every night all summer! (10735 E. US Highway 40. Independence, M0. 816.358.0088).

  • Why We Love It: Cool Crest features 4 miniature golf courses with mechanical hazards, water traps, and decorations ranging from the Statue of Liberty to windmills and dragons. The dragon with the opening/closing mouth was my daughter’s favorite. The family fun center is also home to gokarts, arcades, a pizza parlor, and a soft play area for young children.

  • Tips:  Enjoy great Cool Crest coupons here, or consider buying a 10 game pass for $36… a nearly 50% savings. Other Deals include Unlimited Miniature Golf, 2 Go-Kart Rides and 10 Arcade Tokens from open – 6pm for only $10 per person on Mondays, and Friday Family Night Specials from 6-9pm… for only $19.99 plus tax enjoy Unlimited Soft Play (4 Guests), 100 Arcade Tokens, Large Pizza, and 4 Drinks. You’ll discover more deals on the Cool Crest website).

PLAY at Kansas City’s Spraygrounds, Parks, & Attractions

  • Kansas City’s Spraygrounds are open till 7 or 9pm (check the local parks & rec listings for exact times for each one) and offer a great FREE way to cool off! Tip: Read our tips for the Best Day at Crown Center.

  • Enjoy one of Kansas City’s indoor play places! Little Monkey Bizness (perfect for toddlers and preschoolers) offers family night from 4-8pm on Tuesdays and Fridays and Monkey Bizness (an inflatable play place for ages 2-14) is open till 8pm Mon-Sat (Bonus: Monkey Bizness Coupons). Leaping Lizards (inflatables for ages 2-14) is open till 7 or 8pm many evenings, check the Leaping Lizards Open Play Schedule for dates (Bonus: Leaping Lizards Coupon). Zonkers (an indoor amusement park) is open till 9pm M-Th, and 10pm Fr-Sat. Paradise Park offers gokarts, batting cages, arcades, rock wall climbing, and the Children’s EduTainment Center and they are open evenings as well! 

  • Worlds of Fun is open late all summer long and Planet Snoopy is a big hit for children (Bonus: Worlds of Fun coupon)!!! And, through July 31 enjoy a FREE Oceans of Fun Pass when you purchase the Beat the Heat Deal: With temperatures expected to top 100 degrees throughout the week, Worlds of Fun will help guests keep cool with a free Oceans of Fun promotion. Through Sunday, July 31, any guest who purchases the “Beat the Heat” Worlds of Fun ticket at worldsoffun.com will also receive an Oceans of Fun admission for free. Oceans of Fun is open daily, 10 am – 7 pm (10 am – 8 pm on Saturdays), and Worlds of Fun is open daily, 10 am – 10 pm (10 am – midnight on Saturdays). The “Beat the Heat” offer is valid through Sunday, July 31. For more details on this promotion, visit worldsoffun.com.

  • Enjoy bowling, gokarts, lazer tag, paintball, or more family fun! See KC Going Places for your complete guide to all of these fun attractions! (Bonus: Mission Bowl Coupon).

  • Swim beaches and boating at the local lakes is great fun. Up for something simple?, We love to simply feed the fish at the Longview Marina (bring stale bread or cereal). Discover local beaches and lakes here.

  • Play at the Park… a new one! Kansas City is home to many fun and unique parks and these are our TOP PICKS for the Best Parks in Kansas City.

Enjoy an Outdoor Show

  • Outdoor theater at Starlight and other local theaters. Starlight is one of our FAVORITE family traditions and my girls are counting the days till Cinderella starts next week!

  • Kansas City’s Drive-In Movie Theaters are a fun and nostalgic way to watch a movie as a family and it’s affordable too! Tip: Read these Tips for the Drive-In before you go!

  • FREE Summer Concerts and FREE Summer Movies at local parks… many outdoor concerts feature our favorite kiddie rockers like Funky Mama and Dino O’Dell, and summer movies at the local parks range from animated favorites to classics!

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