Things to do in Kansas City

Kansas City! Smack dab in the middle of America's heartland, Kansas City is the perfect place to visit, especially in these hard economic times. The city offers a plethora of activities, attractions, and entertainment that is perfectly suited for families. From the roller coasters and water slides of Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, there's something for everyone! Here are just a few ideas to help you plan some fun memories in the city of fountains.

Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun
These two parks have a lot to offer to the thrill seekers of any age! Worlds of Fun has 7 monstrous roller coasters that will leave you screaming for more. The Mamba, a 75 mile per hour 5,600 ft long metal coaster, will send you flying over 200 ft into the air. The Patriot will have you soaring through the sky, where you could get a beautiful view of the city skyline- if you could keep your eyes open long enough.

The park also offers a wide array of thrill rides, from the Detonator, which will blast you 180ft upwards and let you free-fail down, to Cyclone Sam's, where you will find out first-hand just what it feels like to be whirling around a tornado. Kids can visit Planet Snoopy and meet the whole Peanuts gang. Of course, there are classic favorites, like the Carousel and Ferris Wheel.

Oceans of Fun is the perfect place to visit on a hot summer day. The gigantic Surf City Wave Pool is fun for everyone! With music playing and innertubes galore, the wave pool is an excellent place to swim, sunbathe, and relax. Captain Kidd's is a pirate themed pool with jungle gyms, water spouts, waterfalls, and a giant bucket that periodically drenches all the souls aboard the ship. For adults, they also have the Castaway Cove, where you can grab a drink and just enjoy the day. Of course, for the more adventurous, there are many exciting water-slides.

One of the best things about Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun is that they allow you to bring a picnic lunch to eat on the lawn! Of course, if you aren't the picnicking type, there are numerous restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat. If you can't decide which you'd like to visit more, you can save money on a Ride n' Slide ticket, which gains you entry into both parks!

Cost: $24.99 (After 4pm) to $56.99 (All Day Ride n' Slide) per person

Local Tip: Compare prices on tickets. Many times, you can buy tickets at Price Chopper or other area stores for a discounted price!

Haunted Houses
If you are visiting around Halloween and you want some scares, you can visit one of many massive haunted houses. The Beast, where you will be thrust into the dense fog of the werewolf forest and try to escape the demons by taking a four story plunge, will give those who enter so many scares it would make even the manliest of men break down into tears. As if that wasn't enough, the purchase of a ticket to The Beast also gains you admission to The Edge of Hell, a five story terror-ridden haunted house that lives up to every letter of it's name.

If you are into a little more sophisticated scares, you may want to check out the Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe. Here, YOU will become the subject of Poe's dark twisted imagination. The Macabre Cinema sends you to take part in scenes from the movies that were the reason you hugged your teddy bear so tight when you were a kid. Both of these attractions donate proceeds to the Children's Charity of Greater Kansas City!

Cost: $36.00-$44.00 per person (for combo tickets)

Local Tip: If tickets are purchased online, there is a $10 fee, which also allows you to jump to the head of the line (which can get REALLY long on popular nights!)

While roller-coasters and haunted houses might not be ideal for the little ones in your family, there are places where they, and the rest of the family, can have some fun (and maybe even learn a little bit)!

Union Station
This massive train station, built in 1914, was the biggest train station outside of Grand Central Station. Despite its critical role in the railroad industry, the station was closed down in the 1980's to train traffic, however, now it holds dozens of exhibits, activities, shops, and restaurants.

If someone in your family is a train fanatic, you can check out the KC Rail Experience, which will send you stepping back into the glory days of Union Station to meet some interesting characters and see just how valuable the railways were in shaping America. The Planetarium offers many shows where you and your family can take a trip through the solar system and see what is out there, up close and personal.Union Station's Science City is a giant playground for curious minds. It offers hands-on learning and experience about everything from the human body to dinosaur fossils to what it's like to be an astronaut! There are also many traveling exhibits that move through Union Station, so it's guaranteed that there will be something there for everyone.

Cost: Around $15.00 per person (Science City + 1 Attraction ticket price)

Local Tip: Make sure you bring a couple of dollars for parking if you plan to use the garage outside of Union Station!

Crown Center
Just a small walk away from Union Station, the Crowne Center offers a chance for even more fun for the family. If shopping is on your list, there are tons of stores to check out, but one of the real attractions here is the special resteraunts! Kids can sip a shake at the Crayola Cafe or have a train for a server at Fritz's Railroad Restraunt. For the adults, Hyatt's Skies Resteraunt will put you on top of the city with a 42nd floor panoramic view that rotates slowly while you eat, to give you the best view of the city.

The Crowne Center Plaza also offers many entertainment attractions that travel through the area, a ground fountain that kids can run through to keep cooled off, an ice-skating rink in the winter time, entrance into the Hallmark Visitor's Center, movies , and more!

Cost: Free to walk in and shop; Price of attractions vary

Local Tip: Check the Crowne Center calendar to see which events are going on, they're always changing!

Steamboat Arabia Museum
In 1856, the Steamboat Arabia trudged up and down the Missouri River, taking passengers and supplies towards the West. Unfortunately, the steamboat sank on the river, taking much of the luggage with it, as people jumped and tried to swim for safety. The Arabia was lost in the mud of the river, not to be seen again until over 130 years later, when a group found! The Steamboat Arabia Museum offers guided tours and interactive exhibits of the steamboat and the treasures that were aboard. This is a must see for history buffs and curious minds of all ages!

Cost: Free for children 3 and under, $5.50 per child between 4 and 12, and $14.50 per adult

Music
Kansas City has always been home to good music, starting with jazz. Now, however, there are tons of great places to listen to music from a local band or your favorite musician. While Union Station and the Crowne Center do offer some concerts, the main venues for touring bands are the Sprint Center, the Midland Theater, and the Independence Center, along with many other smaller clubs. All year long, concerts are going on in Kansas City, so you're sure to find something that pleases even the most picky music-lover.

Cost: Varies depending on show and venue; Free to $100.00+ per person

Local Tip: If you're going to a big concert, give yourself plenty of time to get there. Downtown can get pretty crowded with cars going to popular events!

Shows
With dozens of theaters around town, Kansas City boasts a wonderful selection for those who want to sit down and watch a show. One of the neatest venues is the Starlight Theater, where you can watch shows outside underneath the moon and stars. Every summer, the Starlight Theater puts on several musicals and Broadway shows, as well as occasionally playing host to some traveling bands! If opera or ballet are more your style, check out the Municipal Auditorium, a gorgeous facility that seats over 2,000 people.

Cost: $10.00+ per person at the Starlight Theater

Sports

If you have never visited Kansas City before, you should be warned ahead of time: We take our sports seriously. Very seriously. In fact, for your own protection, it's advised that you wear some red if you go to a Chiefs game at the Arrowhead Stadium. Watching football in Kansas City is a unique experience, even for seasoned fans. Don't forget to bring a good coat and blankets though, the outdoor stadium can get pretty chilly in the dead of winter!

During baseball season, the Royals can be watched at Kauffman Stadium, a beautiful facility with some new renovations, including an hi-def jumbo screen. If hockey is your game of choice, the Missouri Mavericks, a team that got its start in 2009, can be viewed at the Independence Center. Kansas City also offers soccer, tennis, and arena football.

Cost: $30.00+ per person for a Chiefs game

Local Tip: To save yourself the embarrassment, keep in mind that the last line of the National Anthem when sung at Arrowhead Stadium is not "And the home of the brave," but "And the hooooooome of theeee CHIEFS!!"

Kansas City Events Calendar

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers free admission to those who want to explore the beauty and wonder of its exhibits. Located just off the Country Club Plaza, this museum hosts many traveling collections, as well as its own art, including sculptures. It's the perfect place to take in some culture and art on a budget!

Boulevard Brewery Co.
This icon of Kansas City has free tours for those who are 21 and older. They tour by reservation only, so make sure you call ahead! On the tour, you will learn the history of the company and sample several varieties of the heartland favorite!

Fountains
Kansas City is known as the "City of Fountains", with over 200 fountains within the city! Doing a walking or driving tour of these fountains is a great way to spend the day and take in some sights on a budget. To request a free brochure, or to learn the history and some fun facts about the fountains in Kansas City, visit the City of Fountains Foundation.

These are just some of the attractions and events in and around the Kansas City area! For more information about stuff going on in KC, check out VisitKC.com!