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On Exhibit

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Enjoy these special exhibits on display at local museums this year.

Bridging the Gender Divide: Toys that Build STEM Skills National Museum of Toys and Miniatures thru Sept. 5, 2021. Admission charged; ticket info: attoyandminiaturemuseum.org/visit/tickets/.

About the exhibit: From chemistry to construction, toys have prepared generations of kids to pursue careers in STEM fields. Bridging the Gender Dividealso features engaging interactive elements, including an HO-scale working model train, arcade station and a matching game coloring book highlighting accomplishments by women in STEM over the past 200 years.

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.Union Station, opening June 14, 2021. Admission charged; UnionStation.org.

About the exhibit: Featuring more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs, the exhibition allows visitors to experience artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, including hundreds of personal items—such as suitcases, eyeglasses and shoes—that belonged to victims and survivors of Auschwitz.

Paul McCobb: America’s Designer Johnson County Museum, May 22, 2021-January 7, 2022. Free with museum admission; jcprd.com/330/Museum/.

About the exhibit: Paul McCobb designed mid-century modern furniture and furnishings for post-war America that sold in department stores across the country. With objects pulled from a local collection, this groundbreaking exhibit explores the most famous American designer you didn’t know you knew.

Monet Water Lilies: From Dawn to Dusk Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art thru Jan. 23, 2022. Free admission; Nelson-Atkins.org.

About the exhibit: This exhibition will present the painting with a 10-minute light program that emulates the rise and fall of daylight and plays every quarter-hour. It will be accompanied by nature sounds from Monet’s garden in Giverny. The exhibition also features a short video of Monet painting in his garden at the outbreak of World War I.

Romance Is in the Air…

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Need to rekindle the romance with your significant other? If so, check out these great ideas to help you do just that!

Take a day and visit the Bingham Waggoner Mansion and the Vaile Mansion in Independence, MO. Both have excellent, interesting tours. Plus, the grounds are fun for roaming. Then, treat yourselves to a romantic dinner at Vivilore in the Englewood Arts District. It is one of the great hidden gems of Kansas City. The best part? Their lush courtyard garden out back. Definitely request to be seated out there when you make your reservation. It’s magical. Oh, and be sure to get the bread pudding. Trust me. It’s divine. If you are really enjoying your time in Independence, plan to stay the night at Silver Heart Inn Bed & Breakfast. They not only have luxury guest rooms, they also have guest cottages available for booking. Their gourmet breakfast the next morning will have you ready for another day of sightseeing or for your trip back home. Silver Heart Inn also has monthly murder mystery dinners, if that’s up your alley.

For a romantic and adventurous dinner, try Corvino. They specialize in small plates. And even if you think you don’t like something, I guarantee you will at this restaurant. I am not a fan of mushrooms, and one of my favorite dishes there had oyster mushrooms. Same for caviar. I have dreamed about those dishes ever since. The seaweed donuts are also a must-try, as is the burger. If you are feeling especially adventurous, book their tasting room for a 10-course tasting menu guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. After you fill your stomach, make the 2-minute drive over to Green Lady Lounge for drinks and jazz. It’s dimly lit and speakeasy-ish with a romantic vibe—and the music is top notch.

Another great in-town location is the City Market. For more than 160 years, this place has been a favorite stop for locals and visitors. Open year round, the market offers produce, flowers, local goods, spices, shops and restaurants. Get down there early on a Saturday or Sunday to scout out the good produce and grab some coffee and a pastry from City Market Coffee House. Next, visit the stores and browse the various wares being offered by the local merchants. When your stomach starts feeling hungry, head to Bloom Baking Company for takeout. I highly recommend getting the chicken salad sandwich; it’s one of the best I’ve had anywhere.

A day trip up to Excelsior Springs, MO, is a great romantic outing! Start your day at Willow Spring Mercantile with lunch in their bistro/wine cellar. You can’t go wrong with any of their menu items, but you should definitely try the open-faced curry apple tuna melt. It’s delicious! After lunch, browse their store, which has the largest selection of Missouri wines in the world. They also carry Missouri-made distilled spirits and craft beers, coffee and tea, gifts, kitchen items and gourmet foods. Check out a few of the other stores located in downtown Excelsior Springs before heading to Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery for a wine tasting and wine cave tour. There, you will get to sample more than 10 different wines while learning about their history and their vineyards, as well as the winemaking process. Part of the tasting is done in the underground cave with only candles for light. It’s definitely romantic. I recommend taking another layer with you for the underground portion—it’s quite chilly in there. You might also consider staying the night at Payne Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast. Their three rooms are located in what used to be the old jailhouse back in the late ’20s to early ’50s. The owners love to tell stories about the history of the place.

Parkville, MO, is a little town nestled next to the Missouri River that has charming shops and restaurants and is most certainly worth a few hours of your day. For a delightful lunch, grab some picnic fix-in’s and find a perfect spot to kick back at English Landing Park. Or, if a restaurant is more up your alley, head to lunch at Cafe des Amis, a French restaurant on Main Street. The French are known for love, after all. I recommend sitting on their beautiful patio if the weather is nice. The crepes, quiche and mussels are just some of the many great choices on their menu. After lunch, head over to Parkville Coffee before they close for some delicious coffee or tea.

For one of the best romantic outings, head to the Country Club Plaza one evening and take a stroll to see all the beautiful architecture, including the most famous fountain in Kansas City, the JC Nichols Fountain. After that, walk over to Brush Creek for a gondola ride with Ambiance on the Water. They are generally open from April 1 to Oct. 31, and they have a number of different packages you can choose from. To cap off your night, stop in at one of the Plaza’s many restaurants for a late dinner or a cocktail. If you are down there around the holidays, be sure to take in the 15 blocks of beautiful lights. It is quite a sight to behold!

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.

Bucket List Bonuses

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When you want to add something extra to your KC visit, consider one of these great bonus excursions!

  1. Feed camels at the Kansas City Zoo’s camel feeding deck. Stop by and check out this interactive exhibit, which lets guests drop treats from the deck down to the dromedaries for just a quarter.

  2. Flip for fun at Urban Air – more than a trampoline park. Experience virtual reality games, sail over the park on the Sky Rider and enjoy rock wall climbing.

  3. Hook a fish at Lake Olathe, one of the area’s newest lakes, where you may enjoy boating, kayaking, swimming or a day angling for “the big one.”

  4. Challenge your friends or family as you compete IN a game show in at Overland Park’s Game Show Battle Rooms.

  5. Play a round of mini golf at Art Course, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s mini golf experience on the gallery lawn, with holes inspired by some of the museum’s favorite masterpieces.

  6. Imagine you’re in outer space as you walk a scale model of the solar system on a quest to see the entire Voyage Exhibition, along Baltimore Avenue in downtown Kansas City, MO. Follow a 1-mile path through the Crossroads District and end in front of historic Union Station, discovering our solar system from the sun to Pluto.

  7. Savor the city’s signature burnt ends at one of our best barbecue restaurants …Joe’s KC, Jack Stack, Q39, LC’s, Arthur Bryant’s, Gatesor another favorite local joint. Visit our KC Barbecue Road Trip guide for a map to these favorite restaurants!

  8. When we’re looking for indoor adventure, rock wall climbing is a favorite.RoKC, the longtime KC favorite, has locations in North KC, downtown KC and Olathe.

  9. Design your own custom donut at Donutology in Westport. Mix and match flavors and toppings in this custom donut laboratory.

  10. The 58-foot-tallRussell and Helen Means Observation Toweris opening soon atKill Creek Park. The steel behemoth will offer visitors amazing views from theKansas Speedwayto KU. This Instagram-worthy destination is a must for photographers.

  11. Legends Outletsrecently 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.

  12. Watch as Lost Trail sodas are bottled and apple cider is made from scratch at Louisburg Cider Mill.

  13. Play at the Johnson County Museum, where the interactive KidScape exhibit, a child-size village, fosters creative play.

  14. Explore the ruins of early pioneer cabins at Cave Springs, a 36-acre urban nature center and historic site.

  15. This summer, celebrate baseball with the Kansas City Monarchs, a brand that hasn’t had a home field since 1965, but on Opening Day of 2021, will take the field for the first time in those pinstripes at the Field of Legends.

  16. Learn about historic U.S. aircraft at the Airline History Museum. See the first Lockheed Constellation ever restored, a Martin 404, a DC-3 and a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.

  17. TheShoal Creek Living History Museumis 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 19th-century village to life.

  18. ReadKC Parentmagazine each month for more ideas to enjoy with your family.

  19. Kansas City is known as theCity of Fountains, boasting more fonts than any city other than Rome. Learn the story behind our beloved fountains when you search “Fountain history” on KCParent.com.

  20. KC Segway ToursandKC Fun Toursoffer one-of-a-kind tours of our hometown, a great way to become more acquainted with the city.

  21. TheMidwest Genealogy Centeris 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.

  22. Farmers markets are a spring and summer tradition in Kansas City, with more than 100 markets offering local homegrown and homemade goods. Read our KC Farmers’ Market Guide.

  23. Visit Louisburg and tourCedar 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.

  24. Meet an alpaca face-to-face atManna Meadows, an alpaca farm in Bonner Springs. Take a guided tour of the working farm.

  25. Made-from-scratch European sweet bread is the specialty at Strawberry Hill Povitica, the long-established Kansas City-based Slavic bakeshop with an open kitchen.

  26. Ice-skating isn’t just a winter sport. Lace up your ice skates and enjoy Independence Community Ice, KC Ice Center or Line Creek Arena, some of the city’s year-round indoor ice-skating rinks.

  27. Carousels were once made in Kansas, and now you can visit the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. Learn about C.W. Parker, the founder of a carousel factory in Leavenworth, and ride an authentic 1913 carousel.

  28. Quench your thirst at the Roasterie, where coffee is an artform. Take a 45-minute tour and learn all about their cupping, roasting and blending processes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the factory and experience a manual coffee brewing demonstration.

  29. Trains deliver food straight to your table at Fritz’s restaurant (Crown Center and Shawnee locations), a local icon since 1954.

  30. Ride a bike or scooter available for rent throughout downtown and midtown Kansas City. Enjoy fresh air views of the city’s sites and attractions.

  31. Subscribe to theeNewsletter on KCParent.comfor our top pick events every weekend and fabulous giveaways!

A Kansas City Spring Staycation

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This spring break, hit up favorite Kansas City tourist hot spots and see the city through the eyes of a visitor.

Destination #1: Downtown


Science City at Union Stationis a favorite place to spend a day as a family. Kansas City’s largest, most interactive science museum offers something for visitors of all ages. Little ones especially love three experiential, hands-on exhibitions: “Let’s Play!” designed especially for babies, crawlers and toddlers with multiple sensory and role-playing activities, “Creative Corner where art meets science in a whole new way with cool interactive activities, and “All Aboard” that celebrates Union Station’s rail history, allowing families to discover how steam engines work as they play and explore throughout the exhibit that encourages problem-solving and creativity. Kids also love the classic exhibits including dinosaurs, water, the human brain, energy and more.

Sea Life Aquarium transports guests intoan amazing underwater worldwith up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures! Walk through the 180-degree underwater tunnel, come face to fin with sharks and rescued sea turtles, and explore more than 12 breathtaking exhibits. Stingray Bay, Sea Turtle Rescue Center and Doodle Reef, an interactive exhibit where kids design their own fish, are favorites. TIP: Check out the coupon on KCParent.com!

Next door to Sea Life you’ll findLegoland Discovery Center in Crown Center, a larger-than-life attraction. Begin your journey on a ride into the unknown on laser chariots. Play with the world’s biggest box of Legos. Watch a film in the Lego Studios 4D cinema and explore a miniature Kansas City that highlights 10 of the city’s most popular local attractions in Lego Miniland. TIP: Check out the coupon on KCParent.com!

WhileKaleidoscope at Crown Centeris not ready to open its doors, you can swing by the Crown Center Shops to pick up some fun Kaleidoscope art materials to enjoy at home! Stop by Crown Center Customer Service (Level 2 of the Crown Center Shops) to pick up a creative sack for your family. Limit 5 per adult; while supplies last.

National World War I Museum and Memorialis not only a Kansas City landmark, but an American landmark. The museum tells the story ofthe Great War through interactive displays, thought-provoking films and eyewitness testimonies. The museum housesone of the largest collections of WWI artifacts in the world. With family guides and hands-on exhibits, the museum is an educational attraction for all ages.

Destination #2: Midtown/Country Club Plaza


The National Museum of Toys and Miniaturesis one of the most fun and engaging museums in town. The first impression is incredible: A giant rotating spiral of backlit toys greets visitors who delight in finding their own favorites and discovering new ones on the animated real-life collage. Exhibits include a Grandma’s Attic display showcasing toys and presenting their individual stories as treasures to be discovered. Visitors enjoy interactive exhibits, learning more about the process of making both miniatures and toys.

Next, take a stroll throughKauffman Memorial Gardens. The 2-acre garden features more than 7,000 plants and flowers. This free attraction is part of the Kauffman Legacy Park in the heart of Kansas City.

Just a few miles away, visit theNelson-Atkins Museum of Art, home to one of the largest galleries in the nation. The museum maintains a permanent collection representing art from throughout history and around the world. Visitors enjoy the galleries and, on sunny days, picnic or stroll the landscaped museum grounds and sculpture garden.

Top off the day with a nice lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants on theCountry Club Plaza.

Destination #3: Kansas City, KS


Located in the heart of Village West, the state of Kansas’ top tourist destination,Legends Outletsis the only outlet shopping destination servingthe greater metropolitan region. Legends Outlets is home to more than 75 leading designer and favorite brand-name stores, including Coach, Banana Republic Factory Store, Gap Factory, J.Crew | crewcuts, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, and Under Armour Factory House, among many more, which offer savings of up to 65 percent off regular retail prices.

Stay atGreat Wolf Lodge, or buy a day pass to swim at the indoor water resort with a four-story interactive treehouse water fort, winding lazy river and numerous slides, including the Triple Twist, a high-speed, five-story drop into a huge funnel followed by twists and turns.

Take in a little sightseeing as well. History buffs will enjoy a tour ofGrinter Place, the oldest home in Wyandotte County, for a look at frontier life along the Kansas and Missouri border.

Destination #4: Lenexa, KS


Urban Air Adventure Park is our favorite local trampoline park. Offering much more than trampolines, this is a great place to spend a day! Urban Air gives a generous helping of frenetic fun with attractions like Kidzone and Urban Air Warrior Course. The Sky Rider is an amazing indoor ride where passengers zip across the park in a harness. The ropes course, climbing walls, virtual reality games and tunnel play areas are all great additions to the classic trampoline attractions. Open jump is held daily and perfect for any age, fitness level or athletic ability. Walk-ins are welcome anytime.

Open year-round, the Lenexa Rec Center offers lap lanes for swimming, a warm water wellness pool and two tall water slides. The Gym for Me and Splash with Me drop-in activities for kids ages 5 and under are offered on various weekday mornings as excellent ways to get exercise and have fun during chilly weather. Lenexa.com

The Lenexa Public Market is home to a variety of local merchants selling fresh food and handcrafted artisan products. Enjoy a meal, purchase goods or take a class while supporting local entrepreneurs. Kids enjoy playing one of the many games around the market—from Jenga and Uno to checkers. LenexaPublicMarket.com

One of the most scenic parks in the area, Black Hoof Park, is beautiful year-round. The 231-acre green space is home to the deep-water Lake Lenexa. The centerpiece of the park is the artistic dam and spillway, perfect for an Insta-worthy photo. Children love the natural play areas and equipment. Lenexa.com

Destination #5: Swope Park


Explore theKansas City Zoo. With more than 1,700 animals on 202 acres, it’s the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages.The new Elephant Expedition exhibit is outstanding, and we’re excited to have two polar bears at the zoo again. Travel all over the world without ever leaving the Kansas City Zoo. Take a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel, ride the train, then continue your journey on the tram to the award-winning Africa exhibit. Fly overhead to get a bird’s-­eye view of giraffes, hippos, zebras and more on the Sky Safari, landing at “one of America’s best chimpanzee exhibits,” as proclaimed by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. Visit Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Discovery Barn and Stingray Bay. Stroll down Tiger Trail and get nose to nose with primates, orangutans and tigers—and be sure to explore Australia too.

Go Ape Treetop Adventure in Swope Park offers guests much more than just a zip line canopy tour. This exhilarating outdoor adventure course features five sections of treetop obstacles, each leading you higher into the forest canopy. Guests will navigate 39 unique crossings, like the Plank Crossing, Yamazoe Steps, two Tarzan swings and five thrilling zip lines, all with killer views. Go Ape Treetop Adventures will provide a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience worth talking about! They also offer outdoor axe throwing experiences!

Lakeside Nature Center is a free urban oasis and home to native animals in need of care. Children will learn about conservation and the needs of the animals. Enjoy hiking trails around the center and coming face to face with birds, reptiles, fish and mammals.

Kansas City mom Kristina Light enjoys taking her girls on adventures all over her hometown.

Gems of Kansas City

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Kansas City may be located in “flyover country,” but don’t let that convince you there isn’t a rich cultural history that exists here. From towering memorials, testaments to love and charming green spaces, Kansas City has a little something for everyone. The following are some of KC’s brightest gems.

Top of Liberty Memorial

The Liberty Memorial is one of Kansas City’s most iconic landmarks. Anyone who’s lived in KC is familiar with the sky-high structure that overlooks the entire downtown landscape. Built in 1926, the memorial was dedicated by the U.S. Congress as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. Liberty Tower stands over 200 feet above the museum below and features an observation deck atop. An elevator ride and a climb up 45 stairs will offer a stunning perspective of downtown and miles beyond.

14th Street (between Main & Grand)

Warm weather brings lots of activity to Kansas City’s Power & Light District. On weekends, 14th Street, between Main and Grand is often blocked off to traffic and is opened up to pedestrians. Visitors will find outdoor dining options, live music and plenty of places to sit and enjoy sights and sounds. The two-block stretch is also lined by twinkling lights, creating a lovely summertime ambiance.

Made in KC Trolley Cafe

Made in KC Cafe is everything it says it is. Every bean, donut and breakfast sandwich is made right here in Kansas City. There are multiple locations around the metro, but perhaps the most unique shop is located in the River Market. Locals may be familiar with the old streetcar resting at 426 Delaware St. It served as an interesting bit of Kansas City’s trolley history but over the years became overlooked. MIKC ownership purchased the trolley in 2020 and converted it into a full-service cafe and mini gift shop. They also built a handicapped-accessible wooden patio with tables, chairs and sun umbrellas. Patrons are also welcome inside the trolley to escape the weather. Charm perfectly describes the Made in KC Trolley Cafe, and if you linger there long enough, you’ll see and hear the new KC Streetcar honk and rumble by.

Made In KC Parklet (Baltimore Avenue)

The next-best alternative to downtown cafe charm is the Made in KC parklet on Baltimore Avenue. Located between 12th and 11th streets in the Central Business District, the Baltimore MIKC location features a beautiful outdoor seating area inspired by outdoor dining restrictions this past year. The parklet features several seating options, beautiful plants and the hum of passing traffic. On cooler days, MIKC offers gas-powered heat lamps. One of the most impressive background features is located on the south side of the parklet: One Kansas City Place, Missouri’s tallest building.

Westside Storey

One of Kansas City’s most unique retailers is located in the Crossroads at 1701 Summit St. Westside Storey is full of well-preserved, vintage products that pay homage to Kansas City’s cultural history. From old-school Chiefs and Royals jerseys, to vintage home decor, one can find just about anything to fit wardrobe and home with everything Kansas City. One can also find new threads with a call-back to the past.

Crossroads Murals

The Crossroads is one of Kansas City’s finest artistic gems. A myriad of art galleries occupy the district’s historic blocks, and a broad range of eateries and coffee shops fill the air with a sweet and savory aroma. The buildings in the Crossroads also reflect the area’s creative spirit. First Fridays during the warm weather months are a perfect opportunity to walk the blocks and admire the hundreds of murals expertly painted on building walls. From realism to psychedelic, Crossroads murals cover the gamut of creative expression.

Love Locks Bridge

The Town of Kansas Pedestrian Bridge is located on the north side of downtown KC’s River Market. Nearly 700 feet long, the bridge is friendly to pedestrians and cyclists alike. Along the way, visitors can learn about the early history of Kansas City from the multiple alcoves and informational signs. The nearly 200-yard bridge is capped by a gated outlook, high above the Missouri River. The gate is adorned with hundreds of locks dedicated to loved ones and lovers alike.

RoKC

Rock climbers have plenty of options in the KC area, but perhaps the most unique is nestled north of the river. RoKC is housed in a nondescript building in North Kansas City; the inside, however, is anything but. Climbers of all abilities can scale simple and challenging courses. Not for the faint of heart, RoKC’s tallest wall is 40 feet high. In addition to a myriad of climbing options, RoKC offers a yoga and fitness studio at its North KC location.

Top of KC Library

The Central Library is the crown jewel of the Kansas City Public Library system. Located in the aptly named Library District downtown, Central Library features stunning architectural features, a movie theater housed in an old bank vault and the Missouri Valley Room, filled with local historical artifacts. On nice days, visitors can grab refreshments from the in-house coffee shop and bring them up to the rooftop terrace. The outdoor area includes plenty of seating options, an urban garden, a life-sized chess board and informational signs detailing Kansas City’s architectural history.

Eli Anderson is a Kansas City native and professional photographer with an eye for finding the sparkle in our city’s many gems.

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