Make the most of your time in Kansas City with these favorite local experiences:
1. Get an amazing view of the city from the River Observation Tower where you can gaze out over the vast Missouri River.
2. Learn about Kansas City’s origins on a tour of the John Wornall House Museum or Alexander Majors House.
3. Ride the free KC Streetcar and fall in love with Kansas City. Stop in the KCP&L District and buy a picnic from Consentino’s Market, then head to the Rooftop Park on top of the store for a great view of the city.
4. Experience the renewing beauty of the Monet Garden in every season at the Overland Park Arboretum.
5. Savor McGonigle's ribs. Since 1951, the market has been selling some of the tastiest meats in the city. The smoker entices customers in the summer with the promise of juicy ribs and barbecue.
6. Taste test fresh grown foods at Powell Gardens’ Heartland Harvest Garden or enjoy their annual luminary walk in December.
7. Eat in a castle at Renee Kelly's Harvest in Shawnee. 8. During First Fridays in the Crossroads, enjoy a sneak peak of the Rabbit Hole, the world’s first explorastorium! 9. Shop at Crown Center and visit nearby Kaleidoscope, Legoland, Sea Life and the Coterie. 10. Visit the big cats at Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. 11. Hike Monkey Mountain and other local trails found in the book Hiking Kansas City. 12. Delight in decadent artisan chocolate from Christopher Elbow. 13. Spend the night at the Kansas City Zoo, where they offer overnights in the penguin and polar bear exhibits. 14. Experience pioneer life at Shoal Creek Living History Museum. 15. Take a photo with the giant spider on the lawn of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. 16. Explore Downtown Kansas City and take photos with public art on display. 17. Tour the Harley-Davidson Factory and watch as a motorcycle is assembled from start to finish. 18. Stroll one of the area’s prettiest main streets with a day of shopping and dining in Downtown Lee’s Summit. 19. Reminisce as you discover toys from times gone by at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.
20. Discover the mystery of Ancient Pompeii at
Union Station with their new exhibit coming in November. 21. Head to Moon Marble in Bonner Springs and watch a marble making demonstration. 22. Ride the Mamba at Worlds of Fun and enjoy Halloween Haunts. 23. Take a tour of the more than 200 fountains that call Kansas City home.
24. Watch the Kansas City Ballet at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. 25. Take a class at the Culinary Center of Kansas City.
26. Get lost in the new glass labyrinth on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. 27. Ride the rails with the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad or the Midland Railway and enjoy autumn scenery or Santa rides.
28. Relive the 1920s at Shawnee Town 1929.
29. Window shop and take photos at the Country Club Plaza, then top off the day by sharing a skyscraper (GIANT ice cream soda) at Winstead's.
30. Take a tour of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall and go to the roof for amazing views of downtown.
31. Whoop and holler for your favorite rider at the American Royal Rodeo.
32. Play a round of miniature golf at Cool Crest.
33. Learn about the Santa Fe Trail at Cave Springs Nature Center.
34. Visit elk, bison, and deer at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure in Fleming Park.
35. Celebrate African American baseball history at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
36. Treat the kids to some of Shatto Dairy Farm’s signature ice cream and ice cream “sammiches.”
37. Play at Urban Air Overland Park’s indoor trampoline park.
38. Explore one of the area’s quaint shopping districts located on Main Street in KC’s surrounding suburbs and small towns.
39. Visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial and grab a free family guide at the entrance with a scavenger hunt for the kids. End your trip with photos at the top of the tower.
41. Watch a retro flick on the big screen at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
42. Ride the sky bike, a high-wire bicycle, at Science City.
43. Learn the fine art of butchering at Local Pig, where they offer hands-on classes in everything meat.
44. Ride go-karts, climb a rock wall and play at Paradise Park.
45. Watch as homemade potato chips are sliced and fried in the machine at Price Chopper at 151st & Metcalf, then indulge in a bag of your favorite flavor.
46. Discover Kansas City’s rich history aboard the trolley.
47. Laugh at the live improv comedy at ComedyCity.
48. Dine with dinosaurs at T-Rex Cafe at the Legends Outlets. 49. Take a free trip to the Money Museum and leave with a bag of shredded cash. 50. Visit KCParent.com and search our calendar for more ideas all year long!