KC Going Places Fall/Winter 2013-14

kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

fall/winter 2013-14

KC LOVES FUN!

WORTH A DETOUR « GETAWAY ST. LOUIS & OMAHA « BEST SLICE OF PIZZA

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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Find What You Are Looking For at Johnson County Community College

The Community’s College Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Enjoy one of America’s major contemporary art museums right here in the Kansas City area!

• Visit FREE exhibitions with works by international, national and regional artists.

• Explore one of the nation’s “Big Ten” campuses with public art.

• Groups may request free interactive guided tours.

• Engaging studio classes for children ages 5-11 are offered each semester.

For details on museum programs, visit www.nermanmuseum.org.

Performing Arts Series

Ballet Memphis Wizard of Oz

2013-2014 season includes: • An Evening with Rita Moreno • Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby • World Blues Tour with Taj Mahal • Elisabeth Von Trapp, The Sound of Christmas featuring the Carolian Brass • Ballet Memphis – Wizard of Oz For a list of shows, visit www.jccc.edu/TheSeries or call 913-469-4445.

Credit Classes Be sure to add “take college classes” to your “me time” list of muchanticipated things to do. Classes at JCCC, especially late-start classes, offer a variety of topics and class times that are perfect for busy moms looking to do something rewarding for themselves. Make JCCC your first choice for a valuable, quality education.

For complete information about admission, including how to enroll in classes, visit www.jccc.edu/admissions.

Professional and Career Development Classes JCCC Continuing Education provides professional development and training that spans nearly every functional area of a successful business.

Expert instructors and quality curriculum meet the needs of Kansas City’s most successful individuals, businesses and organizations.

For course details, visit www.jccc.edu/workforce.

12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas 66210 www.jccc.edu • 913-469-8500 2

kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

physicians

lee’s

summit

group

Lee’s Summit Physicians 1425 N.W. Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.524.5600 LSPhysicians.com Raintree Pediatrics 995 SW 34th St. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.525.4700 Raintree-Pediatrics.com Blue Springs Pediatrics 1600 NW South Outer Road Blue Springs, Missouri 816.554.6520 BlueSpringsPediatric.com

Sallie L. Veenstra, MD

trust.

healthcare you can

Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD

We offer pediatric walk-in urgent care seven days a week, medical advice by phone, after-hours on-call physicians and online scheduling!

Bryan L. Phillips, MD Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Cynthia M. Dean, DO

Urgent Care (Pediatrics Only) No appointment necessary!

8:00-11:00 am Mon-Friday 4:00-7:00 pm Mon-Thursday Sat-Sun 8-11 am

Ashley Campbell, DO Danielle Leivian, MD Robin Dyson, MD Lauren Lee, C-PNP Kelly R. Fritz, C-PNP Julie Kirkpatrick, C-PNP Camille Lucitto, C-PNP

Scheduled appointments Mon - Fri 10-12 pm & 1-4 pm Free Prenatal Consults Mon - Fri 10-12 pm & 1-4 pm

Cindy Fieser, C-PNP Sarah Dedrick, C-PNP Angela Stott, C-PNP KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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Kimberly McNerney, C-PNP

the ultimate guide to family fun in KC

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24

61

FEATURES 8

4

Tour the Town Eight itineraries for every interest

12

Less Than a Tank of Gas Top 10 picks for Omaha and St. Louis

20

Worth a Detour Off-the-beaten-path destinations worth a visit

22

Hats off to the Chef Culinary delights at treasured Kansas City restaurants

24

Must-See KC All of the fun you can’t miss this fall/winter

38

Hometown Holidays The story behind Kansas City’s signature holiday traditions

54

Romantic Getaways Three exciting weekend getaways in Kansas City

kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

OUT & ABOUT 16 Kansas City Match-Up 17 Outing Add-Ons: Best Pizza in KC 18 Creative Canvas Shops PLAYTIME 26 5 Fun Ideas Under $5 27 Indoor Fun 28 Insider Tips: Little Monkey Bizness 30 Outdoor Adventures

34 35 35 36

NATURE Fossil Hunting Animal Attractions Plants & Gardens Nature Centers

MUSEUMS Sensational Souvenirs The Arts For Children Historical Insider Tips: Nelson-Atkins 46 Science 46 Special Interest 40 41 41 41 45

SHOWTIME 50 Theater Trivia Challenge 51 Insider Tips: KC Rep 51 Dance, Music & Theater SPORTS 58 KC Sports by the Numbers 59 Bowling 62 Winter Sports 63 Insider Tips: KC Chiefs

Kansas Museum of History

Kansas Statehouse

Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

City of Indep

Discover Topeka’s pivotal role in American history in our museums, statehouse and beyond. Explore our new arts district and the amazing renovation of the Kansas Statehouse. Start your adventure in Kansas’ capital city online or by phone at VisitTopeka.com VisitTopeka.com

800-235-1030

TOP TOPEKA EVENTS RoadRunner Hockey Games Sept 6 - March 29, Kansas Expocentre

Sesame Street Live, Oct. 18 Kansas Expocentre

Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade, Nov. 30 Downtown Topeka

Cider Days, Sept. 21-22 Kansas Expocentre

Dia de los Muertos Festival, Oct. 19 NOTO Arts District

Kansas Day Events, Jan. 29 Kansas Museum of History

Gary’s Fall Festival, Sept 27-Oct 27 Gary’s Pumpkin Patch

Gingerbread Home for the Holidays, Nov. 15-17, Topeka Performing Arts Center

Anne of Green Gables, Feb. 14-23 Topeka Civic Theatre

Global Cardboard Challenge Day, Oct. 5 Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

Winter Wonderland, Nov. 22- Dec. 31 Lake Shawnee

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration & Parade March 17, Downtown Topeka

Apple Festival, Oct. 6 Old Prairie Town

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Dec. 10 Topeka Performing Arts Center

Tulip Time Festival, April KCGOINGPLACES.COM multiple locations in Topeka

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editor’s letter Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Managing Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com

I

grew up in Kansas City and now, as a mom, I love to take my girls on adventures, making memories at many of the same places I cherished as a girl. I remember the thrill of making my own jigsaw puzzle and artistic creations in the magical world of Kaleidoscope.

Visits to the Toy & Miniature Museum discovering the dollhouses and toys were absolutely captivating. And I whiteknuckled my first roller coaster ride on the Zambezi Zinger at Worlds of Fun. I still miss the Zinger, but I love the new rides, and you can’t beat Planet Snoopy and hanging out with the Peanuts Gang.

Visiting landmark locations like the Kansas City Zoo— which simply gets better every year with the recent additions of the African Sky Safari, the Tropics and Polar Bear Passage—wins the hearts of our family. We can’t wait for the penguins to arrive this fall!

Every year we look forward to the American Royal parade and barbecue and to fall festivals, including Louisburg’s Cider Fest and Weston’s Apple Fest. And, of course, Christmas begins with the flip of the Plaza Lights’ switch and a shared Skyscraper soda at Winstead’s. As we sip, we anticipate a season of wonder with The Nutcracker at the Kansas City Ballet and KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol.

Kansas City is rich with wonderful landmarks and family friendly outings, but the thing I love most about Kansas City is the people. We often boast that Midwesterners are the friendliest people in America, and I think it’s true. In Kansas City, you’ll find the culture and excitement of city life amidst beautiful neighborhoods and community. You’ll know you’re home!

Editor Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Art Director Lauren Goldman Lauren@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Lynn Hawkins Advertising@KCParent.com Proofreader Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Margaret Bristow (Kansas City) Jessica Heine (Olathe) Tisha Foley (Belton) Kristina Light (Kansas City) Nate Owens (Kansas City) Margaret Sarver (Lenexa) Heather Shields (Gladstone) Melanie Somogie (Kansas City) Business Office 11936 W. 119th #335 Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone 913.681.5139 fax

Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/KansasCityParent Follow us on Twitter: @KCParent Find us on Foursquare: foursquare.com/kcparent Member of:

Kristina Light, Editor

On the cover: Puppetry Arts Institute • Crown Center Ice Terrace • KC Zoo • KC Ballet 6

kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Circulation verified by:

KC Going Places is published 2 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Going Places’ opinions.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. KC Going Places Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All photography and letters sent to KC Going Places will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially.

KC Going Places often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

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Bring in this ad & receive $1 off single admission.

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KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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fun idea for families: only in kc

seasonal traditions

KC has more fountains than all of Rome.

The BBQ contest is a KC tradition.

country club plaza

american royal

City of fountains, barbecue capital of America, jazz and blues mecca…a visit to Kansas City would be incomplete without enjoying some of Kansas City’s sensational signatures and the landmarks that celebrate them.

Start at 18th & Vine with a visit to the American Jazz Museum (see pg. 41) and take in live jazz at the Gem or the Blue Room.

Kansas City knows barbecue, and that means sweet, tangy sauce dripping from ribs and burnt ends with a side of slaw and pit beans. Every local has a favorite, from Fiorella’s Jack Stack Bar-B-Q to Gate’s to Oklahoma Joe’s .

The Country Club Plaza, modeled after the architecture of Seville, Spain, is one of Kansas City’s most recognized landmarks and home to many of the city’s most beautiful fountains and ideal backdrops for family photos.

Old meets new in the Kansas City Power & Light District, where the greatest in live theater, concerts and shows perform at the Sprint Center, Municipal Auditorium and The Midland. Adding to the city skyline’s beauty, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (see pg. 52) celebrated its grand opening in 2011. Delight in live shows from the Kansas City Ballet (see pg. 52), Lyric Opera (see pg. 52), Kansas City Symphony (see pg. 52) and touring productions in this stateof-the-art facility.

Kansas City is no longer the cow town it once was, but it holds its cowboy heritage dear with many local traditions.

Most notable is the American Royal, which hosts rodeos, agricultural competitions and education through programs and the American Royal Museum (see pg. 35). The American Royal also hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest and an annual parade.

Kansas City sparkles with lights throughout the holiday season, and there are many displays to enjoy (full listings at www.KCParent.com). But the holidays simply wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Country Club Plaza Christmas lights (from Thanksgiving through mid-January).

Children will see sugarplums dancing in their heads after a Christmas candlelight tour at the John Wornall House Museum (see pg. 43) or Missouri Town 1855 (see pg. 44).

Walk through a winter wonderland on a luminary walk at the Overland Park Arboretum (see pg. 36), Powell Gardens (see pg. 36) or the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (see pg. 41).

Call the sites for a schedule.

Every year, the Kansas City Ballet (see pg. 52) performs The Nutcracker to the delight of thousands of visitors. The Kansas City Repertory Theatre (see pg. 52) brings A Christmas Carol to stage, a celebrated tradition in Kansas City for decades.

We’ve got the dish on where kids EAT FREE in KC! Check out the Kids Eat Free Guide on www.KCParent.com

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kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

tour the town! kansas city’s celebrities

kid-sized fun

Atchison has lots to see and do!

Save on a day Make kidsofmeals it and visit on Wed. nights!

Legoland, too!

amelia earhart memorial statue

sea life aquarium

Kansas City was home to the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Learn about his childhood at the Truman Farm (see pg. 45), his humble lifestyle at the Truman Home (see pg. 45) in Independence and his presidency at the Truman Presidential Library (see pg. 43), where visitors participate in interactive exhibits including a replica Oval Office and Truman artifacts.

The First Lady of Flight, Amelia Earhart, was born in Atchison, KS. The Amelia Earhart Birthplace (see pg. 41) tells the story of the legendary lady and her childhood adventures. While you’re in Atchison, make a point to take a trolley ride and enjoy other attractions. See www.KCParent.com for a complete day trip itinerary for Atchison.

America’s most notorious outlaw, Jesse James, grew up in Kearney, MO, where his story is shared at the Jesse James Farm (see pg. 43).

Missouri was home to many famous artists, and you can tour their homes today. The Thomas Hart Benton Home (see pg. 45) and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate (see pg. 42), former home of artist George Caleb Bingham, are two museums sharing the personal histories of two of Missouri’s most influential artists.

Kansas City offers lots of fun indoor play places with fun inflatables, trampolines, indoor gyms and play spaces. The youngest children love Little Monkey Bizness (pg. 29) an indoor play space created with them in mind. Or head to the Kansas City Zoo (p. 35) a favorite year-round destination.

Little ones will enjoy the KidScape exhibit at the Johnson County Museum (see pg. 43), a hands-on child-sized suburban streetscape, where children role-play as community figures in educational environments.

It’s no coincidence that our readers always rate Kaleidoscope (see pg. 41) as one of the best kid-friendly destinations in Kansas City. Imaginations know no limit as kids create jigsaw puzzles, glow-in-the-dark art, crowns and more at this hands-on art center.

Also at Crown Center, visitors enjoy two of the city’s newest attractions, the Sea Life Aquarium (see pg. 35) and the Legoland Discovery Center (see pg. 41). Sea Life features a huge tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel and an enthralling 2- to 3-hour journey from the fresh waters of the Missouri River to the deep, dark abyss of the Atlantic Ocean.

Based on the ever popular LEGO® brick, the Legoland Discovery Center provides a range of interactive play areas, including a 4D cinema, classes, exciting LEGO® rides and one-of-a-kind LEGO® exhibits.

Many of our favorite attractions offer deals, discounts and special events throughout the year! The www.KCParent.com calendar is bursting with family fun ideas every day of the year!

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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tour the town: make it, take it

city nights

Fun shop for creative birthday gifts!

Catch a flick on the Extreme Screen too!

kookiedoodle crafts

union station

Create family keepsakes at Paint, Glaze and Fire (see pg. 29), Ceramics Cafe (see pg. 27) and more paint-yourown pottery shops on pg. 27. Patrons select and paint their own ceramic masterpieces—anything from piggy banks to plates, mugs to picture frames and many holiday pieces, as well.

Kookiedoodle Crafts (see pg. 28) in downtown Overland Park is a one-of-a-kind arts and crafts shop were children purchase kits and make masterpieces all within the store walls— no mess at home, only a take-home masterpiece. Kids will enjoy painting, felt pillow projects, wooden crafts and more.

It seems that every celebrity wears her own signature scent, and now you can too! Perfect Scents (www.PerfectScentsKC.com) stocks more than 250 perfume oils, including essential oils and designer oils. Customers select favorite fragrances to be blended into lotions and oils to create their own “custom scenting.”

BYOB paint-your-own-canvas shops are one of the newest trends across the city, each offering diverse calendars with a variety of masterpieces you can create following simple step-by-step instructions. See pg. 18 for listings and tips to enjoy this new artistic activity.

The glitter of the night sky is best enjoyed at Powell Observatory (see pg. 46) in Louisburg, KS, where visitors view the constellations and planets through the largest telescope in the 5-state area on weekends. Enjoy an incredible view of the night sky in the city at the Gottlieb Planetarium (see pg.

46), then visit Science City (see pg. 46) also home to many hands-on science exhibits. This year, Union Station is also hosting “Real Pirates: Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship,” an interactive historical exhibit telling of the recovery of a real sunken pirate ship from the depths of the sea and its new life as a museum artifact.

Miniature golf, go-karts and arcades are all the rage at Cool Crest (see pg. 61) and Paradise Park (see pg. 29). Couple dinner with games at Dave & Buster’s (www.DaveAndBusters.com), an arcade-restaurant where you’ll find everything from classic to interactive to video.

Enjoy laugh-out-loud fun at a local comedy performance. Comedy City (see pg. 51) is a live family-friendly improv comedy show where every show is clean, funny and one-of-kind. Two comedy teams take suggestions from the audience to create hilarious sketches as they compete to earn your laughs. The Kansas City Improv Comedy Club at Zona Rosa (816.759.5433) features the funniest magicians in Kansas City.

To find the most fun pumpkin patches in town visit www.KCParent.com.

10 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

fun ideas for kansas city families autumn splendor

let it snow

Visit KCParent.com skate free Nov. for day2,trip tips!

6-9 AM

Visit KCParent.com for attraction coupons!

louisburg cider mill

kansas city zoo

Autumn and apples…the two go hand in hand! Kids love taking a trip to local farms to pick their very own fruit, and moms love the prices, which are less expensive than the local grocery store. In the fall, enjoy apple picking at Cider Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, Alldredge Orchards in Platte City, Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph, the Wagon Wheel Orchard in Gardner or the Weston Red Barn Farm in Weston. For a behind-the-scenes apple outing, visit the Louisburg Cider Mill (www.louisburgcidermill.com), where you can watch cider and apple cider donut making while enjoying autumn attractions, including farm animals, a corn maze, the pumpkin patch and country store. For more information on apple picking in Kansas City, including orchard addresses, visit www.KCParent.com.

Enjoy the crunch of crisp autumn leaves beneath your feet at local nature centers (see pg. 36), many of them offering terrific fall events. Make it an annual tradition to attend Magic Woods at Lakeside Nature Center (see pg. 37), where the forest comes to life at night with costumed characters. Take the family for a hayride at Paradise Park (see pg. 29) or participate in an educational program at Burr Oak Woods (see pg. 36). Or take a starry night hike at George Owens Nature Center (see pg. 37).

Sledding, skiing, skating, sleighs… let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Take a spin on the ice at one of the local outdoor rinks, The Ice at Park Place (see pg. 62) and the Crown Center Ice Terrace (see pg. 62).

Sleigh bells ring at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop (see pg. 44), where you can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides on snowy Saturdays throughout the winter. The historic site offers tours and programs all year, including stagecoach rides and a working blacksmith shop.

Meet exotic animals at the Kansas City Zoo (see pg. 35), where Nikita and Berlin, Kansas City’s resident polar bears, especially love winter weather. And this year welcomes the brand new Helzberg penguin exhibit—a much anticipated attraction! The zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, and the animals are more alert and active in the autumn and winter months when the weather is cool—and as a bonus, the zoo is less crowded.

If you’re craving snow but can’t find any locally, you don’t have to drive to Colorado to enjoy snow skiing.

Weston’s Snow Creek (see pg. 62) is a short 45-minute to onehour drive from downtown KC, appealing to skiers and snow boarders alike.

Follow the www.KCParent.com Winter Fun Blog for ideas all winter long!

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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family travel

family getaways less than a tank of gas from kansas city

by Kristina Light

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo

Omaha, Nebraska:

Boasting one of the best zoos in the nation, beautiful state parks, a state-of-the-art air and space museum and affordable attractions, Omaha is a perfect weekend getaway for Kansas Citians.

On the Way: Stop in Nebraska City and visit Arbor Day Farms (www.ArborDayFarm.org), a beautiful 260-acre arboretum and family adventure where visitors climb a treehouse 50 feet in the air and take a discovery ride to learn the history of Arbor Day, the role of trees in conservation and Nebraska history.

12 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Strategic Air & Space Museum

Omaha Zoo

Durham Museum

10 Favorite Omaha Attractions: tip Kansas City Zoo FOTZ members receive 50 percent off admission to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo (www.OmahaZoo.com) is the #1 destination to see in Nebraska. The state-of-the-art zoo is home to numerous world-class exhibits. Favorites include the Lied Jungle, the Scott Aquarium with a 70-foot-long underwater walkthrough tunnel with sharks, stingrays and ocean life, the Desert Dome where you see desert animals in their natural habitats, the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion and much more.

The most fun place to stay in Omaha is CoCo Key (www.CocoKeyWaterRestort.com), an indoor water resort with an Olympic-size pool, beach entry pool, waterslides, Parrot’s Perch, a giant water playground, Dip In Kiddie Pool, a lazy river and more, all housed in a luxurious hotel.

Children love the interactive exhibits at the Omaha Children’s Museum (www.OCM.org), including the Imagination Playground, the Splish Splash Garden and Science and Technology Lab. The hands-down favorite, though, is the giant ball machine, where kids send balls through an exciting maze of contraptions.

The Durham Museum (www.DurhamMuseum.org), housed in Omaha’s restored Union Station with historic exhibits and an authentic soda fountain, offers a great Nebraska history lesson.

Lauritzen Gardens (www.LauritzenGardens.org), a 100-acre botanical garden with an exquisite Victorian garden, an educational children’s garden and model railroad garden, is a beautiful family favorite.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/), known as the park for all seasons, features horseback riding, fishing, marina with paddleboat rental, miniature golf and a driving range. The park is a beautiful place for camping, hiking and sightseeing. In the winter, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding and toboggan runs, ice fishing and an ice skating rink.

Strategic Air & Space Museum (www.sasmuseum.com) commemorates the aircraft of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) with an impressive array of aircraft that helped SAC preserve the peace during the Cold War. Visitors see historic airplanes, artifacts, missiles and robotics exhibits.

History buffs enjoy a royal experience touring the 1903 Scottish-inspired Joslyn Castle (www.JoslynCastle.com).

Old Spaghetti Works (http://omaha.spagworks.com/) has been a local favorite for three decades. Children eat free on Mondays, and everyone enjoys the build-yourown salad bar on the back of a Model-T truck.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park (www.WildLifeSafariPark.com) is a thrilling adventure for animal lovers. Visitors drive through (and walk through some exhibits) the park where bison, wolves, bears, eagles, elk and white-tailed deer roam.

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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St. Louis Arch

St. Louis, Missouri:

tip

St. Louis offers many free and affordable family attractions for all ages, making it the perfect Midwest vacation destination you’ll want to visit again and again!

Search “St. Louis” on www.KCParent.com for even more ideas!

On the Way: Warm Springs Ranch (www.WarmSpringsRanch.com) in Booneville is home to the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. On a behind-the-scenes tour, visitors meet and interact with the Clydesdale handlers and staff, learning about and seeing foals, mares and stallions. Visitors see the stables, watch as horses are groomed and cared for and take photos with a horse. Guests over 21 enjoy free samples of Budweiser beer.

10 Favorite St. Louis Attractions:

1 2 3 14 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

A visit to the top of the Gateway Arch (www.GatewayArch.com) is a bucket list must.

Before your ride, explore the interactive museum at the arch’s base that tells the tale of westward expansion.

Add to your fun with a Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise (www.GatewayArch.com), where you can enjoy lunch or snacks while learning about St. Louis and the role of the Mississippi River in America’s history.

At City Museum (www.CityMuseum.org), parents have as much fun as the kids! The museum transforms junkyard collections into gigantic labyrinths, jungle gyms and people-sized gerbil cages and mazes, creating a fantasy world meant for exploration. It’s all housed inside, around and atop a 600,000-square-foot downtown shoe factory… now known as City Museum.

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

tip Powell Gardens members receive free admission to the Sophia Sachs Butterfly House and Missouri Botanical Gardens.

tip Members of Science City at Union Station receive discounts at Saint Louis Science Center.

4 5 6 7 8 9

tip Admission to the St. Louis Zoo is free, but Kansas City FOTZ members receive discounts on added attractions.

10

City Museum

Six Flags

The Magic House (www.MagicHouse.org) in St. Louis lives up to its name as one of the most magical children’s museums in the nation. Children climb Jack’s beanstalk, enjoy a hair-raising experience as they touch an electrically charged ball, stand inside a bubble, solve a mystery, explore a child-sized village and more. Tip: Receive discounts if you have an Association of Children’s Museums membership.

Visit the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (www.ButterflyHouse.org) to see insects and butterflies up close and personal in the conservatory with 2,000 butterflies in free flight among lush gardens of tropical flowers, a pond and waterfall.

Six Flags St. Louis (www.SixFlags.com) is a favorite Missouri theme park with rides for everyone. With eight roller coasters, 22 kids’ rides, lots of family rides, free live entertainment and photo ops with your favorite Looney Tunes characters, a day at Six Flags is full of fun and adventure for the whole family.

Grant’s Farm (www.GrantsFarm.com), named for President Ulysses S. Grant, is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 different species, including the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. Visitors enjoy tram rides, shows, free Budweiser samples and special events. Admission is free, but there is a fee for parking and some rides and attractions.

A wonderful hands-on museum, the Saint Louis Science Center (www.SLSC.org) is a three-building complex with more than 700 hands-on exhibits. Young children will enjoy the Discovery Room, with activities and exhibits especially for those ages 3-7. General admission is free, but several exhibits (including the Discovery Room) have a fee.

Fitz’s Root Beer (www.fitzsrootbeer.com), a St. Louis favorite since 1947 and home to a signature restaurant in the Delmar Loop since 1993, is a fun place to grab a bite! Delicious burgers, fantastic sandwiches, an unbelievable selection of root beer floats and Midwestern hospitality are enjoyed at the St. Louis classic. The signature of the restaurant, though, is the authentic vintage root beer bottling line.

The refurbished 1940s soda bottling line is fully operational and turns out a bottle of soda every second, right before the eyes of delighted customers. While you’re in the area, be sure to take some photos at the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Inaugurated in 1988, the Walk of Fame honors more than 100 men and women with plaques in the sidewalk over a 6-block area, including Kevin Kline, Chuck Berry, Tina Turner, Tennessee Williams, Charles Lindbergh and Stan Musial.

The St. Louis Zoo (www.StLZoo.org) is a favorite attraction with an Antarctic penguin and puffin exhibit, new sea lion exhibit, Bear Bluffs, where grizzlies, black bears, Malayan bears, polar bears and spectacled bears live in open habitats with waterfalls, pools and bluffs, and a stingray touch pool.

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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OUT & ABOUT

OUT & ABOUT

kc match-up quick quiz to test your kc knowledge

Match the clue on the left with the answer on the right: 1. KC Royal from 1973 to 1990, playing 1,914 games with George Brett and receiving eight golden gloves.

A. Shatto

2. KC landmark and home of the “Skyscraper” – the dessert meant for sharing.

B.

3. The first African-American to play Major League Baseball. His baseball career began in Kansas City in 1945 for the Kansas City Monarchs.

Jazz

C. Kansas D. Winstead’s

4. According to any true Kansas Citian: The last two words of the national anthem.

E.

Missouri

5. Currently the largest manufacturer of boxed chocolates in North America.

F.

Jackie Robinson

6. Where the ‘e’ says ‘uh.

G. The Chiefs

7. Home to Dwight Eisenhower, Amelia Earhart and Superman.

H.

Russell Stover

8. “___washes away the dust of everyday life.” – Art Blakey

I.

Frank White

9. Home of Mark Twain, Harry Truman and Walt Disney.

J. Olathe

10. Where the milk comes from cows not supplemented with rBST. Melanie Somogie is a Kansas City native and die-hard Royals fan.

Answer Key: 1I. 2D, 3F, 4G, 5H, 6J, 7C, 8B, 9E, 10A 16 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

The Best Slice of Pizza Pie Nearby

OUT & ABOUT

OUTING ADD ONS:

Frankie’s Pizzeria located inside Cool Crest dishes up hotfrom-the-oven pizza after a night of miniature golf at a Kansas City original.

D’Bronx Deli and Pizzeria (Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO) is the perfect meal after a day of play at Legoland, Sea Life, Kaleidoscope or Union Station.

After a day of whimsy and fun at the Toy & Miniature Museum, you’ll find Minsky’s nearby (5105 Main St., Kansas City, MO). Minsky’s has been serving gourmet pizza in Kansas City since 1976. Fresh pizzas on hand-rolled dough with generous portions of fresh ingredients make it a local favorite!

Enjoy an autumn classic at Carolyn’s Country Cousins pumpkin patch, or enjoy a day of fun at Amazing Play or Fun Run then stop by Dish Pizza (846 S State Rt 291 Liberty, MO) known for outstanding deep dish pizza and the best nachos in town!

Waldo Pizza (7433 Broadway, Kansas City, MO) is one of Kansas City’s best loved restaurants and just a jaunt away from the Wornall House Museum and Loose Park Rose Garden.

Whether you’re craving traditional hand-tossed pizza, St. Louis-style pizza or even vegan pizza, Waldo’s fresh-baked pizza is delicious and affordable.

After visiting any of Independence’s beloved historic sites, including the Truman Home, Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and National Frontier Trails Museum, grab a slice of pizza at Square Pizza (208 W. Maple Ave., Independence, MO), named both for its location on the Independence Square and the shape of the slices.

Ride a stagecoach at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, then treat the fam to pizza at Spin! Neapolitan Pizza (14230 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS).

In New Longview, on the way to Christmas in the Park, you’ll find a family-owned neighborhood pizza parlor...Next Door Pizza (3385 SW Fascination Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO). On Monday nights, kids eat free, and what makes it even better is that the kids MAKE their own pizzas!

The Art of Pizza (1801 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO) in the Crossroads is an eclectic pizza shop to inspire the artist in you after gallery browsing during First Fridays or antiquing in the West Bottoms.

Kids love playing at KidScape, a free exhibit at the Johnson County Museum. It’s worth the trip (about 10 minutes away) to grab a pizza at Pizza West (5436 Roberts St., Shawnee, KS), one of the best pizza joints in the suburbs. Made-from-scratch crust, sauce and fresh ingredients highlight one of the city’s most delicious pizza buffets.

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OUT & ABOUT

ON TREND:

Grapes & Paints

Creative Canvas Shops Maybe you’ve noticed a Facebook post or two with friends at a trendy shop painting away and enjoying hors d’oeuvres.

BYOB painting classes and studios have been popping up around town offering the perfect chance to get those creative juices flowing and do something out of the ordinary!

How It Works: Each location offers classes you may sign up for individually or with a friend (recommended)—or you may book a party for a group (child or adult birthday parties, baby or wedding showers or just a night out with friends).

Step 1: Decide either to book a party and assemble your group or to participate in one of the shop’s public nights. You may attend by yourself to meet new friends, or bring a friend, spouse or relative to join you. TIP: Some shops offer parent/ child and couple’s nights with a “pair of paintings.”

If you plan a party, you will choose one painting design, and everyone creates the same thing, each selecting her own colors and personal touches to make it unique. If you attend

a public night, visit the shop’s calendar to see samples of the painting choices and choose to attend according to the schedule that works for you and the work of art that inspires you.

Step 2: Visit the company Facebook page, Groupon, Living Social and coupon sites—many of these shops run specials!

Step 3: Make reservations.

Before the Class: Consider the work of art in advance and think about where you’d like to display it and which colors to use. Teachers will help with color selection, but it helps to have some ideas before you begin.

At the Class: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Remember to take a few photos while you’re painting. The instructor helps you choose colors and explains each step in the painting process thoroughly to help you create your own work of art. You may be flexible in choosing your own hues, style and layout for the art.

Kansas City Area Creative Canvas Shops: Colors & Bottles Hosted at various restaurants. www.ColorsAndBottles.com

www.GrapesAndPaints.com

Lush and Brush 809 McGee, Kansas City, MO 816.695.4670 www.LushAndBrush.com

Thirsty Palette 11958 Roe Ave., Overland Park, KS 913.669.0501 www.ThirstyPalette.com

Hook Gallery 1409B Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO 816.531.4665 www.HookGallery.com

Pinot’s Palette 5235 W. 116th Pl., Leawood, KS 913.451.7466 www.PinotsPalette.com

Got Art Gallery 18 SW 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.600.5932 www.GotArtGallery.org

Grapes & Paints 7175 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 913.314.2650

get more!

18 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Follow the Kansas City Fall Bucket List Blog on www.KCParent.com for more autumn inspiration, craft ideas, and family memories!

Grandview

KC Parent asked our readers to share their favorite KC area sledding locations. They provided the following locations all over the Metro. Please remember that sledding can be a dangerous activity and parental supervision is always a good idea. It's also advisable to ask for permission before sledding on private property.

Behind High Grove Elementary School (2500 High Grove Rd.) Meadowmere Park (13610 Byars Rd.) Belvidere Park (6509 E. 147th St.)

Independence

McCoy Park (Off of 24 Hwy.)

KCK

Wyandotte County Lake Park (91st & Leavenworth Rd.)

KCMO

Suicide Hill, Brookside Park (56th & Brookside) Avila University (119th & Wornall)

Loose Park (55th & Wornall) Swope Memorial Golf Course (6900 Swope Memorial Dr.) Arleta Park (77th St. & Prospect Ave.) White Oak Park (89th St. & Crescent) Gillham Park (Gillham Rd. & 39th) Sheffield Park (E. 12th St. & Winchester)

Leawood

Leawood Pioneer Library (117th & Roe) 133rd & Mission Rd. (NE corner)

Lee’s Summit

Across Douglas Rd. from Lea McKeighan Park (120 NE Chipman Rd.)

Liberty

William Jewell College (Hill on campus)

North Kansas City

Waterworks Park (NE 32nd St. & N. Oak Trfwy.)

Olathe

OUT & ABOUT

FAVORITE SLEDDING HILLS IN KANSAS CITY

Next to Lowe’s (13750 S. Blackbob Rd.) 119th & KC Road

Overland Park

Jewish Community Center (115th & Nall) Off of I-435 in Corporate Woods complex Grace Church (159th & Antioch) Behind the apartment complexes (110th & Antioch)

s e k c a i r t i n o g , o d t g n i , p l ive theat p o h u s r re, O indoo r k a s a h nd s e liv Discovery Center: D N A L O LEG For winisteitrcfraomwilnycefnutne ®

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2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108 KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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worth a detour

You’re out and about, exploring Kansas City and some of its more popular attractions. But you wish you knew of more to do while in a certain part of town.

Read on for great stops that are worth a detour to make more of your day out.

Destination: Johnson County Museum Worth a Detour: Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant (13803 W. 63rd St., Shawnee, KS, 913.375.1000, www.fritzskc.com).

Destination: Shawnee Town 1929 Worth a Detour: Shawnee Books & Toys (7311 Quivira Rd., Shawnee, KS, 913.962.1428, http://bookandtoy.net).

This locally owned bookstore is worth a stop for not only a great selection of books, but also its selection of toys.

You’ll find unique and creative toys kids of all ages will enjoy. Be sure to check out their special events, as well as weekly story times on Fridays at 10:30 and 11:30.

Lenexa mom Margaret Sarver finds that a detour off the beaten path often creates the best memories!

20 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Head down the road to find a restaurant that the kids will love! Pick up the phone to place your order and then watch as the meal is delivered by train to your table. Visit website for other KC locations.

Destination: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop Worth a Detour: Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream (11925 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS, 913.393.3500).

The good old-fashioned homemade ice cream dished up at Sylas & Maddy’s is a fave for locals and visitors alike.

The mom and pop atmosphere, the delicious homemade ice cream and great selection make this a fun treat for everyone.

Destination: Kansas City Museum

Destination: Snow Creek Snow Resort

Worth a Detour: Cliff Drive (www.kcmo.org). Scenic Cliff Drive is located in George E. Kessler Park in historic Northeast Kansas City and is part of the KCMO Park and Boulevard System.

Drive through during the week or stop by on the weekend, when Cliff Drive is car free. Get out of the car and explore by walking or biking along the path.

Worth a Detour: Pirtle Winery (502 Spring St., Weston, MO, 816.640.5728, www.pirtlewinery.com). After a day on the slopes, head for an adult night out at Pirtle Winery. Drop in for a tour and tasting (Mon.-Fri., 10:00-6:00; Sat., 10:00-7:00; Sun., 11:00-6:00. Winter hours—Jan. to Feb.—are 11:00-5:00 daily) and then enjoy dinner at the Vineyard Restaurant, next door to the winery.

Destination: 18th & Vine Jazz District Worth a Detour: West Bottoms (750 Wyoming St., Kansas City, MO, 816.221.6536, www.westbottoms.com). Enjoy unique shopping and dining in this historical area in downtown Kansas City. Find a diverse group of retailers and events in the heart of KC!

Destination: Truman Home Worth a Detour: Clinton’s Soda Fountain (100 W. Maple Ave., Independence, MO, 816.833.2046, www.ClintonsSodaFountain.com).

This historic gem on the Independence Square was Harry Truman’s first place of employment. Then the Crown Drug Store, the shop now operates as an authentic soda fountain serving delicious phosphates, ice cream, candy, pastries, coffee and more.

Destination: Alexander Majors House Worth a Detour: McGonigles Market (1307 W. 79th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.444.4720, www.mcgonigles.com). McGonigles has been providing great tasting meat to Kansas City for more than 50 years!

Pick up some steaks or ribs to make at home or choose some of their smoked ribs, brisket and more. Your mouth will water as soon as you enter the building!

Destination: Paradise Park Worth a Detour: Downtown Lee’s Summit (www.downtownls.org).

This quaint downtown district has so much to offer!

Families will enjoy the yummy ice cream at Poppy’s, while adults can head to Ciao Bella for delicious Italian cuisine. Be sure to visit the many unique shops and boutiques, as well. Visit their website for many different events held throughout the year.

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hats off to the chef meet some of kc’s top chefs

A

trio of award-winning Kansas City chefs take us on a culinary tour of Italy, Switzerland and Mexico.

Tour of Italy: Marco Polo’s Italian Market, 1201 W. 103rd St., Kansas City, MO, www.JaspersKC.com; Mon.-Sat., 10:009:00. Prices range from $2.75 to $6.95. Attire is casual.

Since 1954, Jasper Mirabile, his son, Chef Jasper Mirabile, Jr., and now his grandson, Jasper III, have been serving authentic, fine Italian cuisine at two restaurants. Marco Polo’s Italian Market is a family-friendly deli attached to Jasper’s Italian Restaurant.

Everything we sampled was delicious, and Marvin Lewis, the restaurant’s assistant chef, and Jasper III, the current owner, were both hospitable and helpful. I am a fan of fettuccine Alfredo, but I can honestly say that I have never before had fettuccine Alfredo this perfect, rich and flavorful. They did not skimp on the cream sauce or the portion size for that matter. The Marco Polo sandwich with Italian salami and mortadella Italian sausage got a thumbs-up from the hubby. To complete our delicious meal, we enjoyed Jasper’s melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu and a traditional Sicilian cannoli filled with ricotta cheese and candied fruit.

The Italian Market side of Marco Polo’s has cafe-style seating and an outside grill featuring made-to-order Italian sausages and food products, including Chef Jasper Mirabile, Jr.’s Kitchen Cookbook!

Tour of Switzerland: Andre’s, 5018 Main St., Kansas City, MO, www.AndresChocolates.com; Tue.-Fri., 8:30-5:30 and Sat., 8:00-5:00. Lunch is $14.05 plus tax. Attire is casual.

Master confectionery chef Andre Bollier opened his Swiss Confiserie, the first of its kind in the Midwest, in 1955, shortly after immigrating to the United States. Later, Andre’s son Marcel and grandson Rene would join the family business.

Andre’s feels like a Swiss chalet nestled in the Alps. Authentic Swiss dishes are created by current cook Thomas Stad for lunch in the tearoom, served 11:00-2:30 daily. Pastries, coffee, tea and even wine are available before and after lunch until 4:00.

22 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

On a recent visit, I ordered my favorite, the cheese pie, and I fell in love all over again. This is a cheese pie similar to a quiche with bitter, tart and creamy cheeses baked to perfection in a flaky, tasty crust. All lunches come with a unique carrot and tomato salad (which was sweet, crunchy and slaw-like) and chewy, European-style bread rolls. Of course, the pièce de résistance was the confection that comes with your meal for dessert. You are given a choice among many delectable delights, so you can imagine how tough it is to pick just one!

On the bakery side of Andre’s, you can purchase dozens of different pastries, cakes, pies, gourmet chocolates, marzipan and more.

Tour of Mexico: Frida’s Taqueria, 6537 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS, www.Fridas-Taqueria.com; Mon.-Sun., 11:008:00. Prices range from $0.50 to $6.50. Attire is casual.

Diego Rios, a native of Guadalajara and well-known local chef at the upscale restaurant Frida’s Contemporary Mexican Cuisine, has garnered quite a following. Offering a more casual option, they recently opened Frida’s Taqueria. I had to go sample for myself what so many have been raving over.

First of all, I love the decor and vibe of this new little restaurant. I ended up ordering the pollo tamale, barbacoa roja beef soft taco and the pollo empanada. The tamale was made with mildly spicy chicken enclosed in a case of sweet cornmeal, steamed inside a corn husk. The barbacoa roja made with shredded beef and spicy red salsa was another matter. Now, I love spicy foods, but not even I was prepared for the extreme heat hidden inside this innocent-looking soft taco topped with cilantro and diced onions. Delicious, but have your water handy. I really enjoyed the pollo empanada; the cornmeal was crispy and went well with the shredded chicken made with tomatoes and spices. Each dish comes with cilantro rice and refried or black beans and your choice of two toppings and salsa. All the salsas are definitely worth sampling. I look forward to visiting again with the whole family.

Margaret Bristow is a local mom who enjoys discovering gems at Kansas City restaurants. She blogs at www.KCParent.com.

TOP TOURIST TIPS WITH KIDS DOLLAR STRETCHING

1. Check with out-of-town attractions before traveling to see whether they honor reciprocal memberships with your hometown attractions – this is common for zoos, botanical gardens, children’s museums, science centers and national parks.

2. Penny presses at attractions are a favorite inexpensive souvenir. Invest in a booklet to keep souvenir pennies.

3. Set a souvenir allowance before you go and stick to it.

4. Check online for coupons and discount dates – attractions are often more expensive at the gate.

FOOD FUN

1. Call in advance to ask if the site allows outside food. If they do, bring your own water and snacks to stretch the budget and keep fueled with good nutrition throughout the day!

2. If you’re feeding a large group, pizza is often your best bet to get the most bang for your buck. See pg. 17 for our fave pizza places near KC attractions.

3. Ask Facebook pals to recommend the best affordable dining nearby before you go.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Toy & Miniature Museum

ITINERARY PLANNING

1. You don’t want to get in a jam when it comes to parking.

Is parking free or do they charge? Do you need to validate parking? Should you have cash or coins on hand for parking attendants or meters? Is nearby parking available where you can save a bit of money and walk? When in doubt, call and ask the attraction or visit their website for tips.

2. Before visiting historic sites, science museums or educational attractions, read about the topic. Becoming familiar with the subject in advance will make the tour more fun and memorable when you go.

3. Visit attractions at non-peak times if possible. If the attraction is popular with young children, afternoons will be slower.

If the attraction is popular with older children, mornings will be slower. Weekdays are always better than weekends for smaller crowds. You can also call ahead and ask the attraction to recommend the best time.

1. Prepare children with emergency information and tips if they get lost in a crowd. Teach younger children your name and cell number. Also, teach them how to spot attraction employees or find another mommy, the best adults to ask for help if they do get lost.

2. Dress siblings in matching clothes. It is easier to remember and look for one color in a crowd.

3. Smaller children are much easier to spot in a crowd if they are wearing bright yellow rather than gray or white.

KEEPING KIDS IN MIND

1. For newly potty trained tots traveling long distances, consider packing pull-ups on the road (especially if you’re in a rural area with long stretches between rest stops).

2. Let kids bring their own kid-safe camera and snap away.

3. When visiting local attractions, a few short visits are better than one long visit for young attention spans. Consider memberships to save on repeat visits.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL Nov. 22-Dec. 26 at the KC Repertory Theatre (pg. 52).The seasonal favorite returns for its 33rd year, bringing Dickens’ tale to life with a message of hope and redemption. This year, fall in love with the Christmas classic all over again as the Rep adds new magic and sparkle to the tale!

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Jan. 25 at the Sprint Center (pg. 53). Watch unbelievable moves by some of America’s most talented dribblers. The Harlem Globetrotters are legendary for their athletic talent, comic timing and fun-filled shows.

kansas city 8 must-sees in

it’s a not-to-be-missed list for your fall & winter

THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 7 - 24 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (pg. 52). From the magnificent sets and costumes to the acclaimed Kansas City Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s wondrous music, to the glorious dancing by the Kansas City ballet, the Nutcracker has rightfully earned its place as a must-see holiday tradition. The 2013-14 season brings many wonderful performances for all ages, including the timeless classic Cinderella.

REAL PIRATES: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WHYDAH thru Jan. 5 at Union Station (pg. 46). Experience the golden age of piracy aboard the Whydah, one of the most successful pirate ships of her day, and learn about her roots as a slave ship and subsequent takeover and conversion into a pirate ship in the early 1700s. Pirates man the ship every day, making each journey a unique and interactive voyage.

24 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Photo by Jenny Wheat. Courtesy of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

..

HARRIET TUBMAN Feb. 11 at The Folly (pg. 52). This stirring drama set to music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Her courage helped to change the world. Share her adventurous life, the joys, sorrows and challenges faced by this brave woman, in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Jan. 31 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (pg. 41). Celebrate the year of the horse with Chinese performing arts, Tai Chi demonstrations, tea tastings, traditional Chinese music and more.

HELZBERG PENGUIN PLAZA Opening autumn 2013 at the Kansas City Zoo (pg.

35). The exhibit will feature a 100,000-gallon cool pool for cold water penguins laced with snow, and a 25,000-gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins. Each with magnificent views showcasing these extraordinary black and white birds in a recreated southern oceans environment.

WIZARD OF OZ Ballet Memphis presents Wizard of Oz Jan. 31Feb. 1 at the Carlsen Center (pg. 51). Red shoes and witches, poppies and Munchkins, and all of Dorothy’s friends are here for this beloved story.

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P L AY T I M E

P L AY T I M E Fritz’s

5 playful ideas under $5

Date night:

One of Kansas City’s newest businesses, Glace Artisan Ice Cream, is a favorite spot for couples. The greatest challenge is narrowing down your choice! Glace uses only pure, fresh foods and natural ingredients to create their delicious flavors—no artificial flavorings. Locally owned and operated, this Christopher Elbow ice cream shop frequently invents new flavors and shares their creation journey on the Glace Facebook page, where fans are tempted with new tantalizing ice creams. And, with Christopher Elbow chocolates as signature ingredients for many of the flavors, you simply can’t go wrong! Visit one of two locations: 4960 Main St., Kansas City, MO, and 4535 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS.

Fun with toddlers:

Little Monkey Bizness offers an Early Monkey Special of $5/ child before 10:00am on Monday and Wednesday. A favorite place to play and burn off energy, the attraction with a coffee shop for moms is a local favorite play place.

Girls’ night out:

Fun with school-age kids:

Overland Park Arboretum has hiking trails, botanical gardens and a sculpture exhibit that are perfect for children of all ages, but especially for school-age children. Admission is free for kids 5 and under, $1 for ages 6-12 and $3 for individuals 13 and over. Bring a picnic lunch/dinner and enjoy the great outdoors.

Taking the whole family:

Look no further than Crown Center for your day of family fun. Crown Center offers free parking on the weekends and events for all ages. Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope offers free art activities Mon.-Thu., with the first session starting at 9:40 and last beginning at 3:30. Hallmark Visitors Center offers fun and educational tours that are great for the older child or teenager. The month of October brings free puppet shows every Saturday at Noon and 2:00. The Crayola Store offers art stations for the kids to showcase their inner Picasso. Round out the day with dinner at Fritz’s. Hotdogs and hamburgers are

get more!

brought to your table on a train car that circles the restaurant. Prices range from $2 to $4, and the kids will love wearing their own conductor’s hats.

The Country Club Plaza offers tons of fun for your group of girlfriends. Window shop while you make your way over to the Melting Pot Restaurant. Sun.-Fri., 4:00-7:00, the restaurant offers happy hour on the cheese and chocolate fondue.

Grab two friends, and the three of you can share the $12 small, or a group of five can go for the $24 large, transforming the menu to less than $5 a person. Or on a Saturday night, begin your fun with a free visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum, then visit the Melting Pot from 10:00 to 11:30 for Reverse Happy Hour, where the chocolate fondue is once again $12 for a small or $24 for a large.

Having fun doesn’t have to be expensive. Kansas City offers so many amazing activities and events for unbelievably reasonable prices. Get out on the town and enjoy yourselves!

Jessica Heine lives in Olathe with her husband and two young children.

Cabin fever? What to do? Check our calendar on www.KCParent.com for fun-filled outings daily!

26 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4)

Amazing Play

523 N. 291 Hwy., Liberty, MO 816.468.9663 $ C2 www.AmazingPlay.net Indoor play place with laser tag, laser maze, arcades and giant sky maze.

KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pgs. 32-33 Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

Indoor Fun in KC

Blue Valley Recreation

6545 W. 151st St., OP, KS 913.685.6000 $ B5 www.BlueValleyRec.org Play in the gymnastics area with trampoline, hoops, balls, parachute, etc.

Bounce House Moonwalks

360 Gymnastics

431 N. Lindenwood Dr., Olathe, KS 913.782.3300 $ B3 www.KC360Gym.com Open play offered. Call for schedule.

Advanced Laser Tag

2026 E. Santa Fe St., Olathe, KS 913.254.9678 $ B4 www.AdvancedLaserTag.com New laser tag games every 10 minutes, a high-tech video arcade, prize counter, party room and observation deck!

Air Zone

7807 N. Oak Trfwy., KC, MO 816.468.9663 $ www.AirZoneKidz.com

C2

9754 N. Seymour, KC, MO 816.420.0365 $ B2 www.BounceHouseKC.com Children ages 2-12 enjoy this indoor inflatable play zone.

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Oak Park Mall: 11465 W. 95th St., OP, KS 913.307.0328 B3 Zona Rosa: 8640 N. Dixson Ave., KC, MO 816.587.6515 B2 Indep Center: 18813 E. 39th St. South, Indep, MO 816.795.5266 D3 T-Rex Café Build-A-Dino: 1847 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS

913.334.8888 $$ A3 www.BuildABear.com Children create their own stuffed bears and other animal friends at this shop.

Ceramic Cafe

9425 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 913.383.0222 $ www.CeramicCafeKC.com Paint your own pottery shop.

B5

Chuck E. Cheese

10510 Metcalf Ln., OP, KS 913.648.4920 B4 18701 E. 39th St., Indep, MO 816.254.6300 D3 15225 W. 134th St., Olathe, KS 913.390.0815 A5 9196 N. Skyview Ave., KC, MO 816.505.0902 $ B1 www.ChuckECheese.com Pizza, arcade games and indoor amusement rides.

Coffee Playground Overland Park First Assembly of God

Dave & Buster’s

P L AY T I M E

Inflatables, two obstacle courses and jousting coliseum.

PLAYTIME

The Legends at Village West: 1843 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.981.6815 $ A3 www.DaveAndBusters.com Arcade games, shuffleboard and billiards.

Debbie Howard’s Gym

655 N. Somerset Ter., Olathe, KS 913.829.3006 $ A5 www.DebbieHowardsGym.com Open gym time offered for parents to play with their children.

Elite Gym

13600 W. 108th St., Lenexa, KS 913.469.5554 $ B4 www.EliteGymSwim.com Obstacle courses, tree houses, inflatables, zip line, trampoline and gym mats.

Extreme Grand Prix Family Fun Center

7700 W. 75th St., OP, KS 913.432.3281 FREE B4 www.OverlandParkMOPS.blogspot.com Coffee shop where parents can relax while kids play in the gym.

6731 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 816.286.4156 $ C3 www.ExtremeGrandPrix.com High-performance European indoor go-karts capable of 45 mph and on a 1/4-mile road course.

Cosmic Jump

A Flip Zone

12025 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS 913.397.7700 $ A5 Indoor trampoline park.

853 NW O’Brien Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.524.2636 $ D4 www.AFlipZone.com

17701 Holmes Road, Belton MO Mon.-Fri. 12 to 6 PM • Sat-Sun 9am to 6pm www.johnsonfarms.net • 816.331.1067

Daily Piglet Race & Pumpkin Popper Launching KC’S REAL PUMPKIN FARM! Wagon Rides

Admission: FREE for 2 and under; $12 for kids 3-12 years; $10 for teens and adults 13-59; $8 for seniors 60+

$1 OFF

FARM ANIMALS

U-Pick Fall Vegetables Giant Tunnel Crawl Giant Jumping Pillow

included with KIDS $12 ADMISSION

ONE ADMISSION

No photocopies accepted. One coupon per customer per day. No other discounts may be applied. Exp. 10/31/13

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P L AY T I M E

Belton Grandview and KC Railroad

INSIDE SCOOP: HALLEY D.

Little Monkey Bizness Halley D. is a high school student at Christ Prep Academy and employee at Little Monkey Bizness, in Shawnee, where she hosts birthday parties, works the coffee bar and helps keep Monkey Bizness clean for their customers.

GP: Any charitable work you want to share with readers?

Halley: I love to serve at my church and work with kiddos as much as possible. This past summer I ran in the pro-life 5k “Run for Their Lives” at Shawnee Mission Park.

GP: Favorite autumn tradition in KC and why?

Halley: When my brothers and I were younger our favorite fall traditions involved the outdoors, whether it was camping in the fabulous weather, enjoying the fun of leaf piles or toasty bonfires. Years later, school and busier lives have not completely hindered that joy either; we continue to enjoy the gorgeous, cool weather we get here in Kansas with bike rides, cross country meets and much more.

GP: Favorite winter tradition in KC and why?

Halley: When I was younger, we had a tradition to go to the opening morning at Crown Center Ice Terrace every year for free ice skating, donuts and hot chocolate. That was a great one!

GP: Best-kept secret in KC? Halley: Well, a personal favorite for me, off the beaten path, would have to be thrift shops. My mom and I have been hitting thrift stores for as long as I can remember, and I now buy a vast majority of my clothes at thrift stores — they’re the perfect place for vintage clothes. My favorite is the Shawnee Goodwill.

GP: Fill-in-the-blank bests?

Halley: Best Pizza: Gambino’s; Best Ice Cream: Sheridan’s Frozen Custard; Best Barbecue: Oklahoma Joe’s 28 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Occasional open play on the 33-foot obstacle course, tumble track, trampoline and equipment.

Fun Run

1919 Industrial Dr., Liberty, MO 816.781.0386 $ D1 6501a N. Cosby Ave., KC, MO 816.741.0386 $ B2 www.FunRun-4Kids.com Inflatable obstacle course, dual lane slide and bounce houses offer active fun. Enjoy the large toddler area and the Children’s Imagination Village.

Game Zone

20355 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.390.9993 $ A5 www.GameZoneKC.com Indoor arcade with a variety of games for many skills and interests. From popular dance machines to time-tested alley bowlers, there is something for the entire family.

Gymboree Play & Music

Lee’s Summit: 316 SW Blue Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.525.7529 D4 Prairie Village: 22 On the Mall, Prairie Village, KS 913.393.0203 B3 Olathe: 12755 S. Mur-Len Rd., Olathe, KS 913.393.0203 B5 Zona Rosa: 7360 NW 87th Terr., KC, MO 816.505.3344 B2

www.GymboreeClasses.com $$ Gymboree offers open play for members and educational classes for young children.

Irene B. French Community Center Indoor Playground

5701 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 913.322.5550 $ B3 www.Merriam.org Enjoy Step 2 climbers, Little Tykes riding toys and more.

Jumping Jax

15060 W. 135th St., Olathe, KS 913.469.5867 $ B3 www.JumpingJaxParties.com Indoor inflatable play facility and birthday party venue. Parents enjoy the lounge, featuring free coffee, Wi-Fi and a big screen TV.

KC Clay Guild

200 W. 74th St., KC, MO 816.363.1373 $ C4 www.KCClayGuild.org Make your own pottery. Learn to use potter’s wheels and painting techniques.

Kookiedoodle Crafts

7924 Santa Fe, OP, KS 913.387.4065 $ B4 www.KookiedoodleCrafts.com Walk-in arts & crafts studio for children ages 3-12.

Leaping Lizards

11943 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS

Power Play

13110 W. 62nd Ter., Shwn Msn, KS 913.268.7200 $ B3 www.PowerPlayKC.com Enjoy more than 80,000 square feet of rides, laser tag, whirly ball, arcade games, bowling, go-karts, a toddler area and cosmic golf.

Pump It Up

7230 W. Frontage Rd., Shwn Msn, KS 913.236.7867 $ B3 www.PumpItUpParty.com Have fun in gigantic inflatable-filled arenas for open play. Private party rooms available as well.

913.782.5973 $ A4 www.LeapingLizardsParty.com Leaping Lizards is an indoor inflatable party and play destination.

www.MonkeyBizness.com Kids will never get bored of climbing, bouncing, swinging and sliding at this inflatable play place.

Lenexa Community Center “Gym for Me Program”

My Gym

13420 Oak St., Shwn Msn, KS 913.541.0209 $ B4 www.ci.Lenexa.ks.us Preschool toys and activities keep little ones busy. Call for schedule.

8532 W. 133rd St., OP, KS 913.685.9005 $ B5 www.My-Gym.com My Gym Children’s Fitness Center offers classes, parties and open playtime in the play rooms.

Little Monkey Bizness

Paint, Glaze & Fire

12219 Shwn. Msn. Pkwy., Shwn Msn, KS 913.631.7000 $ B3 www.LittleMonkeyBizness.com Little Monkey Bizness is a full-service coffee house overlooking a nearly 4,000-square-foot play area for kids, including a separate arts & crafts room.

Matt Ross Community Center Indoor Playground

8101 Marty St., OP, KS 913.895.6350 Free B4 www.OPKansas.org Three-story “jungle” playground entertains with slides, tunnels and swings.

The Maze Craze

12683 Metcalf Ave., OP, KS 913.661.2529 $ B5 www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net Paint your own pottery, make your own mosaics or enjoy the coffeehouse.

Race slot cars on a 1/24th scale quarter mile drag strip, and a 155’ Blue King road course. Location sells and rents cars and controllers for the road course.

Sadlers Indoor Racing

325 N. Mur-Len Rd., Olathe, KS 913.768.7700 $ A5 www.SadlersIndoorRacing.com Indoor go-kart course offers fun & thrills.

13817 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 913.631.5200 $ B3 www.CityOfShawnee.org Enjoy climbing toys, toddler sports, ride-on toys, etc. Call for schedule.

Skyzone Sports

6495 Quivira Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.213.5900 $ A4 www.skyzone.com/kansascity An indoor trampoline facility with open play hours for all ages.

Space Bound

16509 Cornerstone, Belton, MO 816.331.5867 $ C4 www.SpaceBoundLLC.com Indoor inflatable playground with Wi-Fi for parents too.

Spring Hill Community Center

613 S. Race, Spring Hill, KS

Parkside Coffeehouse at Cedar Ridge Christian Church

Mercury Gymnastics

5 SW 4th St., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.525.9323 $ D4 www.PottersHavenArtStudio.com Paint your own pottery shop.

The Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20080 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.780.2500 $ A5

www.RaytownInternationalRaceway.com

Shawnee Civic Centre Open Gym

1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.246.5224 $ D4 www.Paradise-Park.com Kansas City’s premier family destination has indoor and outdoor fun for everyone.

8839 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS 913.393.3000 Free B4 www.ParksideCoffeehouse.com Coffee shop for parents and indoor play for tots! Gym, indoor playground equipment and ride-on toys.

Monkey Bizness

6133 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 816.353.7568 $ C3

When you see this pizza in this guide, refer to pg. 17 for the best nearby pizza shop.

Paradise Park

8610 N. Dixson Ave., KC, MO 816.587.6293 $-$$ B2 www.TheMazeCraze.com Find your way through our spectacular, mystical Mirror Maze. Climb, crawl and slither your way through the lasers in the Laser Maze!

10551 N. Ambassador Dr., KC, MO 816.880.9996 $ B1 www.MercuryGymnastics.com Mercury Gymnastics offers preschool gymnastics facility for open play. Call for a schedule.

Raytown International Raceway

P L AY T I M E

Cosmic Jump

Potter’s Haven Art Studio

Potter’s Obsession

13035 Holmes Rd., KC, MO 816.941.2555 $ C5 www.PottersObsession.com A pottery and mosaic teaching studio.

360 Gymnastics

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Toddler Town Zonkers-Arcade

Oak Park Mall: 11149 W. 95th St., OP, KS 913.894.6900 $ B4 www.ZonkersArcade.com A diverse mix of arcade games includes ticket redemption games, prize redemption games, video games, racing games, inflatables and many more.

Outdoor Adventures Belton Grandview and KC Railroad

502 Walnut St., Belton, MO 816.331.0630 $ C5 www.BeltonRailroad.org Train rides will appeal to the entire family. Some trips include hot dog trains, ice cream rides and more.

KC Northern Railroad

913.592.3664 Free A5 www.SpringHillKS.com Visit this indoor playground with toys.

Sylvester Powell Community Center Indoor Playground

6200 Martway, Mission, KS 913.722.8200 $ B3 www.SylvesterPowell.com Families enjoy inflatables, tricycles, gym mats and more. Call for schedule.

Toddler Town

Roger T. Sermon Community Center: 201 N. Dodgion Ave., Indep, MO 816.325.7370 $ D3 www.ci.independence.mo.us Ride-on toys, slides, ball pit, indoor playground, blocks and toys offer fun for youngsters. Call for schedule.

Urban Arts and Crafts

4165 N. Mulberry Dr., KC, MO 816.234.1004 $$ C3 www.urbanartsandcrafts.com Classes in many favorite arts and crafts, including knitting, crochet, beading, handwork and more.

Westport Roanoke Community Center Midtown Play Place

3601 Roanoke Rd., KC, MO 816.784.5200 $ C3 www.KCMO.org Enjoy the indoor playground, blocks, gym mats and toys. Call for schedule.

Xtreme Gymnastics & Trampoline

725 NW Commerce, Lee’s Summit, MO 816.347.8008 $ D4

www.XGTKids.com Open play occasionally offered at this 18,000-square-foot fitness facility where children can leap and tumble.

Y.E.S! Kids Fitness

1251 NE Rice Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.246.0058 $ D4 http://YesKidsFitness.com Family nights, a fitwall, fitness classes and parents’ night out are offered.

Zonkers

Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20070 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.393.3535 $ A5 www.Zonkers.com Enjoy this indoor amusement park with kiddie roller coaster, carnival rides, carousel, train, token arcade games and batting cages.

5940 NW Waukomis Dr., KC, MO 816.746.5663 $ B2 www.KCNRR.com Three 16-inch gauge trains restored and operated by volunteers run on a half-mile track through tunnels that are sure to make your children smile.

Midland Railway

1515 High St., Baldwin City, KS 913.721.1211 $ A5 www.Midland-RY.org Enjoy an inexpensive family outing where you can experience the fun of riding the rails. Take a 20-mile round trip from Baldwin City via Norwood, KS, to Ottawa Junction, KS.

Worlds of Fun

4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., KC, MO 816.454.4545 $$ C2 www.WorldsOfFun.com Nowhere else in the Midwest has such a huge collection of awesome rides.

Kids Camps in KC The KC Going Places Online Guide has over 500+ great destinations — view Google maps, photos, video and reviews at www.KCParent.com/Going-Places/

2246 W. 134th St. Overland Park, KS 66221 Atchison (1) Belton (3)

913-550-1254

Gardner (2) Kansas City (31) Kearney (1) Leawood (12) Merriam (2)

7631 E. 104th St. Kansas City, MO. 64112

Mission (5)

816-233-0124

Lee’s Summit (15)

Overland Park (38) Parkville (8) Cass (17) Jackson (54)

13276 Walnut St. Lee’s Summit, MO. 64112 816-904-1675

30 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

kansas city

legends Across 2. Last name of famous Missouri muralist.

11. Former mayor of Kansas City and namesake of the Kansas City Chiefs.

8 ACROSS PHOTO CLUE: Kansas City Jazz Legend

13. Born in KCMO, he is probably best known for his role as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

15. Kansas City’s own Kate ____ is now a famous fashion designer.

17. Johnson County, Kansas, was named in honor of Rev. Thomas Johnson, founder of the ____ Indian Mission.

19. Birthplace of legendary female pilot Amelia Earhart.

Down 1. Alexander Majors was co-founder of the ___ Express, a horseback mail delivery system based in St. Joseph, MO. 2. Last name of famous antebellum Missouri artist and politician known for painting local artwork depicting the border wars between Missouri and Kansas.

3. Nickname of Leroy Paige, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first player to be inducted based upon his play in the Negro Leagues.

4. _____ O’Neil played as first baseman for the Kansas City Monarchs.

5. This Shawnee Mission North alum became famous, appearing on Oprah as her star psychologist.

6. Kansan C.W. Parker is honored at an area museum showcasing his famous _____.

7. The first name of one of the most recognized characters in the world, inspired by a mouse Walt Disney met at Laugh-O-Gram Studios in Kansas City.

9. Beloved Kansas City couple, affectionately called Mr. and Mrs. K. 10. President Harry Truman was famous for saying, “The buck ____ here.”

12. Name of the infamous gang of bank and train robbers from Kearney.

14. Kansas City Royals’ unforgettable #5.

16. On their infamous expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase, they spent three days at what is now Kansas City, where they met French fur traders and mapped the area now known as Quality Hill, calling it “a fine place for a fort.”

18. The material produced at Watkins Mill in Lawson, MO.

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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ANSWERS: Across: 2) Benton 8) Charlie Parker 11) Bartle 13) Ed Asner 15) Spade 17) Shawnee 19) Atchison Down: 1) Pony 2) Bingham 3) Satchel 4) Buck 5) Dr. Phil 6) Carousels 7) Mickey 9) Kauffman 10) Stops 12) James 14) Brett 16) Lewis and Clark 18) Wool

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Johnson County Museum

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Check out KCParent.com for exact venue locations, interactive maps and more!

Shawnee Mission Parkway & Lackman Road Shawnee, Kansas 66217 913.715.2550 www.jocomuseum.org

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Made with QRHacker.com

*Map not to scale.

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Going Places fall 2013 sm_Going Plces Fall 2010 A 8/30/13 11:58 AM Page 1

C

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The Community’s College Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Visit FREE exhibitions with international, national and regional artwork, enjoy free guided tours or enroll in classes (ages 5-11).

Visit www.nermanmuseum.org

Performing Arts Series

2013-2014 season includes An Evening with Rita Moreno, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, World Blues Tour with Taj Mahal, Ballet Memphis – Wizard of Oz, and Elisabeth Von Trapp, The Sound of Christmas featuring the Caolian Brass.

Visit www.jccc.edu/TheSeries 2

Youth Classes, Sports Clinics and Driver Education Learning opportunities for children, pre-teens and teens abound at JCCC. Visit www.jccc.edu/youth

Credit and Continuing Education Classes JCCC credit and continuing education programs offer opportunities for fun, career development and exploring personal interests.

Visit www.jccc.edu/classes

12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas 66210 www.jccc.edu • 913-469-8500 3

D

CINNAMON STICKS • CIDER SPICES • GIFT BASKETS • CUSTOM OR BASKETS TO GO • HONEY • UNIQUE GIFTS

5

C

❤ Lost Trail

Root Beer

& Soda Flavors!

Great Place To Visit!

Our Country Store is open all year. ❤ Natural Cider

For Seasonal Hours, Events & More:

Old-Fashioned Goodness

www.louisburgcidermill.com

❤ Gift Baskets

14730 K68 Highway, Louisburg, KS 66053

Wide Selection of Delicious Treats!

913-837-5202

❤ Creative Gifts From Our Store & Online!

Friends, Relatives, Or Treat Your Boss!

❤ Fresh

Cider Donuts!

• CIDER & SPICE • PEACH BUTTER • HOT’N SPICY SNACK • FRUIT SPREADS •

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HOT TIP: Each listing in Going Places includes the map coordinates to help you find the nearby attractions! For instance, Kansas City Zoo (p. 35) is located at C4 on this map.

Only 20 minutes from Kansas City!

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

DIET ROOT BEER • APPLE CIDER JELLY • APPLE BUTTER • CIDER DONUT MIX • PANCAKE MIX • SPARKLING CIDERS

• MIXES • SEASONING • SPARKLING APPLE CIDER • LOST TRAIL ROOT BEER •

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N AT U R E

fall fossil hunt

T

his time of year, people eagerly seek out the colorful foliage fall provides. While you enjoy the scenery, keep an eye out for fossils. The Midwest was once a sea, and the sediments at the bottom preserved many of these prehistoric creatures. Both Kansas and Missouri have abundant fossils, and I usually find at least one when out in nature.

Keeping an eye out for the right rocks is key to fossil finding.

If you are unfamiliar with different types of rocks, remember the colors light gray, black and sand. Rock colors can differ depending on what minerals and impurities are in them, but these are the most common. Limestone rock is often light gray to white in color and is ubiquitous in this area. Shale rock looks like flat sheets of dark gray to black. Sandstone is made of sand and looks and feels like it. A fossil hunt is also sure to turn up some chert, sometimes called flint. Chert is often peanut butter brown, gray or white.

Finding fossils is relatively easy. Any exposed rock outcropping, rocky bottom stream or even a walk down a gravel road can lead to a discovery. Most fossils will be invertebrate sea creatures like crinoids (sea lilies), bivalves (clams), brachiopods, sponges, corals, bryozoans, trilobites and gastropods (snails).

Rarely, terrestrial fossils, such as ferns and fossilized wood, are found. Crinoids are so abundant in Missouri that it is the state fossil. Kansas has a wide variety of fantastic fossils but no official state fossil. The Kansas Geological Survey has an online guide to fossils (www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/PIC/pic24.html) to help with identification.

get more!

While fossil hunting, be aware that it is illegal to collect fossils and artifacts like arrowheads from many public parks, sanctuaries and other public lands. Always get permission to hunt on private lands. If collecting is not allowed, take a rubbing or picture to preserve the memory just as well. Parks that have access to rivers and rocky streams are easy places to find fossils. Kaw Point Park and Richard Berkley Riverfront Park, along the Missouri River, are worth a look. Fossils can be washed up on the bank and the limestone riprap can also yield fossils.

Other local parks with limestone cliffs such Firefighters Memorial off of 87th Street & U.S. 71 will usually have fossils, too.

Road cuts are often the most sought after places to look for fossils. Interstates 435 and 70, and U.S. 71 and 40 have such places along them popular with hobbyists. Be sure to avoid high traffic places and times. The Kansas and Missouri Paleontological Society (www.ksmopaleo.org) and the GeoKansas site (www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/KSfossils.html) have field trip information on their sites that give specific locations along highways that yield fossils. If you would like to take a longer fossil hunting excursion, the book Roadside Kansas by Buchanan and McCauley details the Kansas geology major highways by mile marker.

Heather Shields grew up in Kansas City with a love for nature and conservation. She now teaches science at Ruskin High, where she shares her passion with students.

Kansas City is home to many FREE nature centers. Log onto www.KCParent.com and click on Calendar to find special events at these centers.

34 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

N AT U R E

NATURE Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for Family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for Family of 4) KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pgs. 32-33 Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

Animal Attractions American Royal Museum

1701 American Royal Ct., KC, MO 816.221.9800 $ C3 www.AmericanRoyal.com Museum is dedicated to agriculture, show animals, a petting zoo and information about the rodeo.

Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary

7300 W. Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.795.8177 Free D4 www.Burroughs.org A library and bird watching center complete with guides to identify local birds, binoculars and great viewing areas.

 FEATURED LISTING Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary and Educational Center See ad on pg. 37.

3783 Hwy. K68, Louisburg, KS 913.837.5515 $ B5 www.SaveOurSiberians.org A preserve for tigers and a refuge for big cats that are abandoned, neglected or whose owners are unable to care for them. On Saturday evenings (summer – autumn) watch as the big cats are fed by trained staff. Special events and tours are offered through the year. 

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

13800 Switzer, OP, KS 913.897.2360 Free/$ B5 www.OPKansas.org 12-acre park with farm animals, a dairy barn, a fishing pond, horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides and more.

Faulkner's Ranch

10600 Raytown Rd., KC, MO 816.761.1234 $-$$ C4 www.FaulknersRanch.com Enjoy hayrides, sleigh rides, trail rides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and more.

Green Dirt Farm

20363 Mount Bethel Rd., Weston, MO 816.386.2156 Free A1 www.GreenDirtFarm.com Tour the farm and learn about grassfed lambs, sheep, milk and cheeses.

 FEATURED LISTING Kansas City Zoo See ad on pg. 68.

6800 Zoo Dr., KC, MO 816.513.5800 $ C4 www.KansasCityZoo.org The Kansas City gets better every year.

Visitors now enjoy polar bear couple, Nikita and Berlin. Visitors enjoy riding the African Sky Safari for a bird’s eye view of the world-class African Exhibit. Also enjoy watching elephants paint or catch a sea lion show. 

Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure

Fleming Park: US 40 & Woods Chapel Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.229.8980 Free D4 www.JacksonGov.org View the 110-acre enclosure where elk, buffalo and deer roam freely.

Shatto Dairy Farm

9406 N. Hwy. 33, Osborn, MO 816.930.3862 $ D1 www.ShattoMilk.com Tour the dairy farm and watch milk processing and bottling firsthand.

Plants & Gardens Beanstalk Children’s Garden

6917 Kensington, KC, MO 816.931.3877 $ C4 www.KCCG.org Children's garden features educational programs on gardening and nutrition.

Kauffman Memorial Gardens

18171 W. 198th St., Tonganoxie, KS 913.845.2775 $ A3 Tours are offered of this working farm where children can learn about animals and farming firsthand.

4800 Rockhill Rd., KC, MO 816.932.1200 Free C3 www.PowellGardens.org The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is an exquisite garden featuring fountains and sculptures among lush and colorful flowers.

 FEATURED LISTING Sea Life Kansas City See ad on pg. 66.

Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park

Screamin’ Oaks Farm

2475 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 16.471.4386 $$ C3 www.sealifeus.com Discover over 5,000 sea creatures in 30 incredible displays at Kansas City’s aquarium! Come nose to nose with sharks in the underwater tunnel. Experience a touch pool where

Lakeside Nature Center

you can hold a crab and touch a starfish. Learn more about sea life through fun talks and feed shows throughout the day every day! 

5200 Pennsylvania Ave., KC, MO 816.513.7500 Free C3 www.KCMO.org KC's rose garden features hundreds of roses with a fountain as its centerpiece.

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Linda Hall Library Urban Arboretum

5109 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.926.8747 Free C3 www.LindaHall.org Urban garden on UMKC’s campus features a butterfly garden.

Overland Park Arboretum 8909 W. 179th St., OP, KS 913.685.3604 Free - $ B5 www.OPKansas.org Savor beautiful gardens including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.

Powell Gardens

1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO 816.697.2600 $ D5 www.PowellGardens.org Set on more than 915 acres, Powell Gardens is a botanical garden with a yearround calendar of special events and classes for the entire family to enjoy.

Nature Centers Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center

4750 Troost Ave., KC, MO 816.759.7300 Free C3 www.MDC.mo.gov Explore the nature center, hiking trail, special programs and more.

Burr Oak Woods Nature Center

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.3766 Free D3 www.MDC.mo.gov One of the largest nature centers in the Metro, Burr Oak Woods features hands-on exhibits for children, an aquarium with Missouri fish, live animals and nature trails.

Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center

8701 E. Gregory Blvd., KC, MO 816.547.9679 Free C4 www.CaveSpring.org Visit the nature center and hiking trails.

Ernie Miller Nature Center

909 N. Hwy. 7, Olathe, KS 913.764.7759 Free A5 www.ErnieMiller.com The nature center features animals native to Kansas, hiking trails and educational programs.

F. L. Schlagle Library

4051 West Dr., KC, KS 913.299.2384 Free A3 www.KCKPL.org Nature library offers trails, nature art gallery, bird watching and classes.

Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary

Autumn means Fall Festivals in Kansas City!

From apples to pumpkins, crafts to carnivals, ethnic festivals and much much more...celebrate everything autumn at a local fair.

Visit www.KCParent.com for a complete guide to Fall Festivals in Kansas City.

36 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Sea Life

George Owens Nature Park

1601 S. Speck Rd., Indep, MO 816.325.7115 Free D3 www.GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org Enjoy programs for children, fishing dock and trails. One of the features is a “Storybook Trail” where you read pages from a giant children’s book as you walk the path.

John Barkley Visitor Center

7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.888.4713 Free A4 www.JCPRD.com Local and national parks exhibits, fishing and trails are available to visitors.

Kemper Outdoor Education Center

kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

fall/winter fall/winter2011-12 2013-14

the ultimate guide to family fun in KC

KC LOVES FUN!

KC Going Places is now available for your iPad, iPhone and Android, read digital editions using the Issuu App.

LET’S PLAY, KANSAS CITY! 500+ Top Kid-Friendly Adventures

kansas city’s #1

to family fun in

& OMAHA ST. LOUIS

Prairie Oak Nature Center

Lakeside Nature Center

2730 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 785.832.7980 Free A3 www.lawrenceks.org/lprd/ppnc Investigate animal exhibits, from reptiles to amphibians to birds and mammals.

14701 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 913.681.0902 Free B5 www.Leawood.org/parks The nature center features hands-on activities for children and several live animals, including a king snake.

Prairie Park Nature Center

FELINE CONSERVATORY & EDUCATION CENTER LOUISBURG, KANSAS

Public Feedings Every Saturday!

Cedar Cove is a non-profit, educational sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of endangered species!

Summer Hours: April 1st - Oct 31st Saturday: 10am - 5pm (Feed at 4pm) Sunday: 10am - 3pm

Open year-round for an educational experience that will grab you!

OF PIZZA « BEST SLICE

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1

12th St. & Hwy. 9, Parkville, MO 816.741.7676 Free B2 www.ParkvilleNatureSanctuary.net Explore the nature sanctuary and hiking trails.

KC

KC S LOVE FUN!

1

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

2013-14 fall/winter 2011-12 attraction guide fall/winter

the ultimate guide

KCGOINGPLACES.COM

407 N. Lafrenz Rd., Liberty, MO 816.781.8598 Free D1 www.NatureSanctuary.com Provides engaging hands-on environmental and natural science education for all ages.

Winter Hours: Nov1st - March 31st Saturday: 11am - 3pm (Feed at 2pm) Sunday: 11am - 3pm

WORTH A DETOUR « GETAWAY ST. LOUIS & OMAHA « BEST SLICE OF PIZZA

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Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary

8201 Jasper Bell, Blue Springs, MO 816.229.8980 Free D4 www.JacksonGov.org See reptile displays, rock and fossil exhibits, a natural resource library and mounted wildlife. The grounds feature nature trails, butterfly and water gardens and an arboretum.

4701 E. Gregory Blvd., KC, MO 816.513.8960 Free C4 www.LakesideNatureCenter.org Enjoy an incredible place to enjoy

IT’S HERE...JUST WHAT YOU’VE ASKED FOR!

learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish and invertebrates.

Kid-Friendly

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Located in Louisburg, KS 20 min. south of KC on Hwy 69

www.saveoursiberians.org KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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Crown Center

I

t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and for Kansas City that means princesses, crowns and thousands of lights adorning her landmarks.

The stories behind some of KC’s Most Treasured Christmas Traditions

Who Needs Santa? The Fairy Princess Gives Presents!

hometown

By Kristina Light

holidays

In 1935, Kline’s Department Store of downtown Kansas City was preparing to celebrate the grand opening of their Toyland. Santa came to other stores. Kline’s wanted to do something original to attract visitors, so they introduced the Fairy Princess.

For 25 cents, children visited the princess, telling her their Christmas wishes. Then, she waved her magic wand and a surprise gift would appear! Over the years, gifts were presented sliding from chutes, appearing on revolving turntables, hiding in fairyland trees or magically opening trunks. The tradition continued, at just 25 cents, until Kline’s closed in 1970.

The Fairy Princess returned in 1987 when the Kansas City Museum brought her back for Christmas. You can visit the “Princess Pavilion” for a photo, princess activities and, of course, a “magically presented gift” for every child. You can call on the Fairy Princess on weekends in December. Visit the Kansas City Museum website for information.

Greeting Cards, Shiny Paper and Special Ornaments Can you imagine a tree without shimmering wrapped packages and special ornaments? Or Christmas without cards’ arriving in the mail? These traditions are celebrated around the world, and they originated in Kansas City.

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In 1910, 18-year-old J.C. Hall came to Kansas City selling postcards out of two shoeboxes (yes, that’s the secret behind the name of the “Shoebox” card line). His brother, Rollie, joined him, and they founded Hall Brothers, a stationery company.

In wartime 1915, Americans desired privacy, so they began to use cards in envelopes instead of postcards. The Halls joined the trend, selling greeting cards in time for Christmas.

Country Club Plaza

In 1917, when the company ran out of solid paper for gift wrap, they began to sell decorated French envelope linings. This inspired J.C.’s invention of modern wrapping paper, and the company began designing and manufacturing gift wrap. In 1928, they changed the name to Hallmark and took the lead nationally in Christmas card sales, a position held ever since.

You can watch as cards are manufactured, enjoy the magic of Halls’ Christmas trees and create your own wrapping paper, cards and decorations for FREE! Take your family to the Hallmark Visitor’s Center. It is decorated for the holidays all month, and each visitor receives a special gift. Visit the Hallmark Visitor’s Center website for hours and more information.

Then, go next door to Kaleidoscope, a hands-on art center for children. Kaleidoscope’s website lists a schedule.

A Nighttime Fairyland Starting in September, workers begin installing thousands of lights. Then, in the middle of the night before Thanksgiving, the lights are secretly tested to ensure every bulb is bright. On Thanksgiving night, the magic begins as Kansas City’s “Nighttime Fairyland,” as it was known in the 1930s, comes to life!

Kansas City’s landmark Country Club Plaza, opened in 1922, is perhaps most famous for its Christmas lights. The tradition began on Christmas Day 1925, when Charles Pitrat, the maintenance supervisor for the Nichols Company, decorated the Mill Creek Building with a single strand of lights and a few small trees. Every year Pitrat added to the display, and now the Plaza boasts more than 80 miles of lights.

Celebrities including Harry Truman, George Brett, Disney characters, local mayors and even American Idol winner David Cook have flipped the switch after the

Kansas City Museum

countdown that leads to the Plaza lighting and a fireworks display over Brush Creek. You can enjoy the Country Club Plaza Christmas lights every evening through Jan. 17.

Kansas City’s Crowning Glory Kansas City is home to the Monarchs, the Royals, the American Royal and Crown Center, so it seemed a perfect choice to decorate downtown with gigantic lighted crowns at Christmas! The crowns were part of the holidays from the 1960s through the 1980s. When Zona Rosa opened as a new shopping district, they chose to restore the tradition, hiring the same family-owned company that designed the original crowns to craft new 17-foot-wide, 2,000-pound bejeweled crowns based on original blueprints. The ornate golden crowns accompany a 14-foot wreath and 50-foot Christmas tree for the Northern Lights at Zona Rosa. You may see the Zona Rosa Christmas lights every evening through mid January.

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MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS

SENSATIONAL SOUVENIRS At the Money Museum (see pg. 42), every guest receives a FREE bag of currency shreds created from authentic notes no longer fit for circulation.

Approximately $165 of unfit currency fills each bag. Continuing the fun of this novelty, they also sell recycled currency pencils and currency pens in the gift shop for $1.49. The pencil is bent into a dollar sign and contains approximately $8 worth of recycled currency.

The pen also contains unfit currency (roughly $6).

The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop (see pg. 44) sells a variety of Western inspired gifts in their gift shop for less than $10. For the person who has everything, you’ll find monogrammed steak brands (all letters A-Z available plus a star and heart shape)—perfect for kings or queens of the barbecue grill. As the holidays approach, the stagecoach ornament is a popular addition to Christmas trees. And children and adults are mesmerized by the Jacob’s ladder, a wooden pioneer toy and puzzle.

The Johnson County Museum (see pg. 43) only sells products made in the USA. Two favorites for children include a wooden train ($14.40) commemorating the county’s history and the museum. Children enjoy purchasing the train, compatible with most children’s wooden railway sets, then playing with it in the museum’s KidScape gallery. The museum also sells 12-piece wooden children’s puzzles ($11.65). Johnson 40 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

County history buffs love the White Haven Motel collectible key chain commemorating the motel sign currently in the museum’s collection awaiting restoration and display in the museum’s new home (Minimum $10 donation. All proceeds go to the White Haven sign restoration fund).

At the Jesse James Farm (see pg. 43), the gift shop honors tradition by selling souvenir rocks, an idea inspired by Jesse’s mother, Zerelda, who sold rocks from Jesse’s grave to visitors and souvenir seekers. When she ran out, she would retrieve more from the nearby creek. Continuing the tradition, the museum sells the rocks for 25 cents in the gift shop. Souvenir seekers also love traditional items like a pack of playing cards ($10), featuring different photos of people, places and items related to the Jesse James saga, and t-shirts ($21).

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (see pg. 41) sells a wide collection of art books and collectibles. Ladies love jewelry, including the Aqua, a gold Chinese calligraphy necklace pendant made by local KC artist Margi Posten ($35). A favorite with kids (ages 8+) are the Piperoids—kits where kids construct robot figurines simply from beautifully colored paper straws ($18.50). And the shuttlecock mug is a Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art classic ($19.99).

Science City in Union Station (see pg. 46) is known for fun science books and gadgets. They also sell classic souvenirs like the 14-oz. latte lab glass ($14.99). Kids love the 17oz. color changing “mood” stadium cup that changes colors with ice cold liquids ($2.99) and the sshaped logo timer ($9.99).

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4) KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission

largest contemporary art museum in the four-state region, hosting 16 temporary exhibitions annually. Ask for a children’s guide at the front desk to enrich your experience. Additionally, the museum houses the 200-seat Hudson Auditorium, Café Tempo, two classrooms, a museum store and a New Media Gallery. 

Stocksdale Art Gallery

Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 816.781.7700 Free D1 www.Jewell.edu Regional and national artists are featured at William Jewell’s Campus Art Gallery.

The Arts

UMKC Gallery of Art

Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pgs. 32-33

American Jazz Museum

1616 E. 18th St., KC. MO 816.474.8463 $ C3 www.AmericanJazzMuseum.com Learn about the history of jazz through fun, interactive exhibits perfect for kids.

Crossroads Art District

Various Galleries in Downtown KC, MO

Free C3 www.KCCrossroads.org Offers more than 100 art galleries plus tour for free the first Friday evening of each month.

KC Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art

5500 W.123rd St., OP, KS 913.266.8413 Free B5 www.KCJMCA.org Innovative art exhibitions and related programming to engage the community through art.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

4420 Warwick Blvd., KC, MO 816.753.5784 Free C3 www.KemperArt.org This art gallery features free modern art exhibits. The colossal spider and block-style “Thinker” delight children.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

4525 Oak St., KC, MO 816.751.1278 Free C3 www.Nelson-Atkins.org The Nelson-Atkins features art from around the world, from ancient to modern times. Classes, workshops and special tours are also offered.

 FEATURED LISTING Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art See ad on pg. 2.

12345 College Blvd., OP, KS 913.469.3000 Free B5 www.NermanMuseum.org This 41,000-square-foot museum is the

5100 Rockhill Rd., KC, MO 816.235.1502 Free C3 cas.UMKC.edu/art/gallery-contact.asp The gallery features temporary exhibits on 20th century American and European art.

Children’s Museums Children’s Peace Pavilion

1001 W. Walnut St., Indep, MO 816.521.3033 Free D3 www.KidPeace.org This is a “do touch” children’s museum designed to teach the concepts of peace through creative, fun, childcentered learning activities.

Exchange City & EarthWorks

8300 NE Underground Dr., KC, MO 816.974.6110 Free C2 www.ECEWKC.org Children learn social studies firsthand as they participate in city government through hands-on activities. Environmental activities are also presented.

Call to book tours.

Kaleidoscope

2500 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.8301 Free C3 www.HallmarkKaleidoscope.com Children create their own unique works of art. Operate a jigsaw puzzle machine, watch paint magically dry, create in a glow-in-the-dark world & more!

 FEATURED LISTING LEGO®Land Discovery Center See ad on pg. 66.

2475 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.4386 $$ C3 www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com A fun, highly interactive and educational indoor experience, ideal for families with children 3-10 years old.

LEGO®Land Discovery Centers provide a range of interactive play areas, including 4D cinema, master classes from the LEGO master model builder, exciting LEGO rides, as well as the popular MINILAND exhibit designed to reflect

the iconic buildings of Kansas City. 

Puppetry Arts Institute

11025 E. Winner Rd., Indep, MO 816.833.9777 $ D3 www.Hazelle.org The PAI hosts workshops where students make their own hand puppets or marionettes. Tour the museum for a history of puppets from many countries and watch live shows.

Wonderscope Children’s Museum

Alexander Majors was one of the founders of the Pony Express. The home was built in 1856.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace

MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS & TOURS

223 N. Terrace St., Atchison, KS 913.367.4217 $ A1 www.AmeliaEarhartMuseum.org Tour the birthplace and childhood home of Kansas’ famous female aviator. Atchison tells the legend of Amelia and preserves her story.

Arabia Steamboat Museum

5700 King St., Shawnee, KS 913.287.8888 $ B4 www.Wonderscope.org Enjoy interactive exhibits featuring science, art, music and technology.

Historic Sites, Museums and Tours 1827 Log Courthouse

107 W. Kansas Ave., Indep, MO 816.325.7111 Free D3 www.VisitIndependence.com Tour the 1827 log courthouse and learn about the controversial slaveland dispute and westward expansion issues that were resolved there.

1859 Marshal’s Home and Jail Museum

217 N. Main St., Indep, MO 816.461.1897 $ D3 www.JCHS.org One-room schoolhouse, marshal’s home, 1859 jail and museum.

400 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.1856 $$ C3 www.1856.com The steamboat Arabia sank in 1856 in the Missouri River, and the treasures of the shipwreck and their history are on exhibit.

Atkins-Johnson Farm 6508 N. Jackson Ave., Gladstone, MO 816.423.4108 $ C2 www.AtkinsJohnsonFarm.com The museum depicts farm life in the mid-1800s.

Battle of Westport Memorials

4000 Baltimore Ave., KC, MO 913.345.2000 Free C3 www.BattleOfWestport.org The Civil War Battle of Westport was fought Oct. 21-23, 1864. The center of the main battlefield is located at present-day Loose Park. Visit the website for a driving tour map.

Battle of Westport Museum

 FEATURED LISTING 1950s All-Electric House See ad on pg. 32.

6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.715.2550 $ A4 www.JoCoMuseum.org Whether you’re a child of the ‘50s or just curious about lifestyles from this nostalgic era, the 1950s All-Electric House offers an eye-opening look at the technology of the times. Showcased inside are futuristic gadgets like a hidden television, electric curtain opener, a garage door opener and the “year round” air conditioner…known as the heat pump. 

6601 Swope Pkwy., KC, MO 913.345.2000 Free C3 www.BattleOfWestport.org The museum depicts the history of the famous Civil War battle in western Missouri.

Belton Historical Society & Museum

512 Main St., Belton, MO 816.322.3977 $ C5 www.BeltonHistoricalSociety.org View artifacts preserving thehis-

Airline History Museum

201 NW Lou Holland Dr., KC, MO 816.421.3401 $ C3 www.AirlineHistory.org The Airline History Museum contains a collection of photographs, artifacts, printed material and audio/visual displays telling the story of flight.

Alexander Majors Home 8201 State Line Rd., KC, MO 816.461.1897 $ www.AlexanderMajors.com

C4

When you see this pizza slice in this guide, refer to pg. 17 for the best nearby pizza shop.

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Clay County, including stories of Jesse James.

Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum

14 N. Main St., Liberty, MO 816.792.1849 Free D1 www.ClayCountyMuseum.org Step into the past in a museum on the historic Liberty Square where the James Gang carried out the first daylight bank robbery in American history, and Civil War soldiers once marched.

MUSEUMS

tory of Belton, including the story of Carrie A. Nation, the Shawnee Indians and Order No. 11.

220 Ferrel St., Platte City, MO 816.431.5121 $ A1 This 1881 home is a replica of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. County historical archives and exhibits are housed here.

Berlin Wall Monument

Grove of Regiments on Bundel Rd., Fort Leavenworth, KS 913.682.4113 Free A1 www.VisitLeavenworthKS.com The monument memorializes the historic barrier that separated West and East Berlin during the Cold War.

Bingham-Waggoner Estate

313 W. Pacific Ave., Indep, MO 816.461.3491 $ D3 www.BWEstate.org This 1855 museum depicts the history of George Caleb Bingham, one of Missouri’s most famous artists and politicians, and the mansion in which he lived.

Black Archives of Mid-America

1722 E. 17th Terr., KC, MO 816.701.3590 Free C3 www.BlackArchives.org Call to schedule a tour of the collections featuring the works of black artists, writers, musicians and leaders in Kansas City.

Clay County Museum

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS 913.682.1331 $ A1 www.FirstCityMuseums.org Learn about Kansan C.W. Parker, the legendary manufacturer of carousels and amusement rides. Tour the museum to learn the history of the carousel and enjoy a ride as well!

Dillingham-Lewis Home

teur radio operator and his influence.

Excelsior Springs Historical Museum

101 E. Broadway St., Excelsior Springs, MO 816.630.0101 Free D1 www.ExSMO.com Located in the former Clay County Bank building, the museum allows guests to view historic records and artifacts and learn the history of Excelsior Springs.

Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum

1 Memorial Dr., KC, MO 816.881.2683 Free C3 www.KansasCityFed.org Tour Kansas City’s Federal Reserve Bank and learn about the U.S. monetary system. Children can make their own money and leave with a shredded souvenir!

101 SW 15th St., Blue Springs, MO 816.224.8979 Free D4 www.BlueSpringsHistory.org Tour a 20th-century pioneer home to see how early settlers in Jackson County lived.

First City Museum

Ensor Farmsite and Museum

Fort Osage

18995 W. 183rd St., Olathe, KS 913.592.4141 $ A5 www.OlatheKS.org/ParksRec/Ensor The Marshal Ensor Park and Museum in Olathe is a seasonal museum devoted to the teacher, craftsman and ama-

Legoland

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center

3700 Blue Pkwy., KC, MO 816.513.0700 Free C3 www.KCMO.org This museum is a tribute to the legacy of Kansas City’s early African-American pioneers portraying the artistic, cultural and social history of the African-American experience.

Burnt District Museum

400 E. Mechanic, Suite 203, Harrisonville, MO 816.380.4396 $ C5 www.casscountyhistoricalsociety.com Civil War Museum with exhibits including a diorama of the Battle of Morristown, timelines, first edition print of George Caleb Bingham’s “Martial Law, Order #11,” photo archives and more.

Clay County Courthouse

11 S. Water St., Liberty, MO 816.407.3250 Free D2 www.Circuit7.net A self-guided tour tells the history of

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743 Delaware St. Leavenworth, KS 913.682.1866 $ A1 www.FirstCityMuseums.org Exhibits highlight the history of Kansas’ first city.

107 Osage St., Sibley, MO 816.650.3278 $ www.JacksonGov.org/FortOsage Built in 1808, this was the U.S. outpost in the Louisiana chase. Osage Indian history

D2 first Purand

early military history are depicted through exhibits and special events.

Frontier Army Museum

100 Reynolds Ave., Fort Leavenworth, KS 913.684.3767 Free A1 www.FFAM.us Fort Leavenworth is the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi.

Learn about the history of the Frontier Army from 1804 to1916 and Fort Leavenworth from 1827 to the present.

Grandview Historical Depot Museum

1205 Jones St., Grandview, MO 816.761.6271 $ C4 www.Grandview.org The museum, housed in a caboose, preserves Grandview history.

Grinter Place State Historic Site

1420 S. 78th St., KC, KS 913.299.0373 Free A3 www.KSHS.org A trip to Grinter Place isn’t just a look inside the oldest home in Wyandotte County. It’s a step back to the days of frontier life along the Kansas and Missouri border.

Harris-Kearney House

4000 Baltimore Ave., KC, MO 816.561.1821 $ C3 www.WestportHistorical.com Tour the 1855 house that served as

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library

500 US Hwy. 24, Indep, MO 816.268.8200 $ D3 www.TrumanLibrary.org The Presidential Library depicts the history of the Truman administration and events surrounding the Truman presidency.

Herbert Bonnell Museum

20755 Lamar Rd., Weston, MO 816.386.5587 Free A1 www.WestonMo.com Tour an 1874 working farm and museum.

Historic Liberty Jail

216 N. Main St., Liberty, MO 816.781.3188 Free D1 www.LDS.org Discover the history of the jail and learn the story of Joseph Smith, the Morman leader, who was imprisoned in the jail in 1838 for his beliefs.

Historic Pharis Farm

20611 EE Hwy., Liberty, MO 816.736.8500 $ D2 www.ClayCountyMO.gov Learn about the Pharis farm of 1836, when Fielding Bell, the son of a Revolutionary War veteran, migrated to Clay County, MO, from Mason County, KY.

Irish Museum & Cultural Center

30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.474.3848 Free C3 www.IrishCenterKC.org Discover Kansas City’s Irish history. Learn about early immigrants to our city, research genealogies and learn the art and culture of Ireland.

Jackson County Historical Society Archives

Jackson County Courthouse, Main & Maple, Independence, MO 816.252.7454 Free D3 www.JCHS.org The archives house Jackson County documents dating back to 1840. Harry S. Truman, frontier trails, the Civil War and local outlaws are the focus.

Jesse James Bank Museum

103 N. Water St., Liberty, MO 816.736.8510 $ D2 www.ClayCountyMo.gov Visit the site of the first U.S. daylight peacetime bank robbery.

Jesse James Farm & Museum

21216 James Farm Rd., Kearney, MO 816.736.8500 $ D1

www.ClayCountyMO.gov Tour the Jesse James home and learn about the famous outlaw and pre-Civil War history in northern Missouri.

Leavenworth Trolley Ride

MUSEUMS

a hotel in old Westport and stands as one of Kansas City’s oldest landmarks.

John Wornall House Museum

6115 Wornall Rd., KC, MO 816.444.1858 $ C4 www.WornallHouse.org Tour the 1858 mansion and learn about its role in the Battle of Westport.

John Wornall was a state senator and civic leader, and his home tells the story of Kansas City’s beginnings.

Johnson County Kansas Archives

19310 W. 159th St., Olathe, KS 913.715.0400 Free A5 www.archives.JoCoGov.org Archives of Johnson County, KS, history are open to visitors.

www.KCMuseum.com The museum is currently under restoration. Enjoy restoration tours of the mansion and KC history stories in the Story-Tarium, as well as the annual Fairy Princess visit at Christmas.

 FEATURED LISTING Johnson County Museum See ad on pg. 32.

 FEATURED LISTING KC Rail Experience See ad on pg. 67.

6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.715.2550 Free A4 www.JoCoMuseum.org This museum includes permanent and changing galleries, including KidScape, a wonderful hands-on child-size city for kids to explore. The museum is a great place to spend the day learning about Johnson County’s history. Special events for children and families are offered year-round. 

Kansas City Gangster Tour

Tours Board at Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.471.1234 $$ C3 www.TheKCTours.com Call to schedule a tour. The Gangster Tour puts you hot on the trail of this city’s most notorious Goodfellas.

Kansas City Historic Garment District Museum

801 Broadway, KC, MO 913.205.8520 $ C3 www.KCGarmentMuseum.org The museum tells the story of Kansas City’s garment factories from the 1920s through the 1980s.

KCMO City Hall

414 E. 12th St., KC, MO 816.513.1313 Free C3 www.KCMO.org Tour Kansas City’s City Hall and learn about the inner workings of the city government. Climb the stairs to the top to enjoy the observation deck with a beautiful view of downtown.

Kansas City Museum

3218 Gladstone Blvd., KC, MO 816.483.8300 $

C3

Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2020 $ C3 www.UnionStation.org The KC Rail Experience is a hands-on journey through the exciting history of the American railroad that shaped the destiny of the Kansas City region and the nation as a whole. Experience sights and sounds from the golden age of rail travel. Personal histories, vintage rail cars and unique artifacts bring to life a great American tradition. 

Korean War Veterans Memorial Kansas City

Washington Square Park: Pershing & Grand Blvd., KC, MO Free C3 www.MoKoreanWarMemorial.org The Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department donated land for the construction of the memorial. It will be funded by private donations and is currently under construction.

Korean War Veterans Memorial Overland Park

11902 Lowell Ave., OP, KS 913.888.2497 Free B5 www.KWVA.org The KWVA Memorial features an engraved wall honoring the fallen and missing soldiers of the Korean War. The rock piles on the site were erected to represent Korea’s battlefields.

Korean/Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Wyandotte County Park: 91st St. & Leavenworth Rd., KC, KS 913.596.7077 Free A2

www.WyCoKCK.org America’s first dual war memorial is dedicated to veterans of both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

 FEATURED LISTING Lanesfield School Historic Site See ad on pg. 32.

18745 Dillie Rd., Edgerton, KS 913.893.6645 Free A5 www.JoCoMuseum.org The Lanesfield School Historic Site is a tribute to rural schooling. It consists of a restored one-room schoolhouse, outbuildings and a visitor’s center.

Programs in the schoolhouse feature a costumed schoolteacher who recreates a 1904 school experience. 

Leavenworth National Cemetery

150 Muncie Rd., Leavenworth, KS 913.758.4105 Free A1 www.Cem.VA.Gov This historic cemetery is the burial site for many soldiers, beginning with the Civil War. In 1919, a monument was erected in memory of “Soldiers Who Died for Their Country.”

Leavenworth Trolley Tour

320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS 913.682.1331 $ A1 www.VisitLeavenworthKS.com Tour Leavenworth and learn her history from Ft. Leavenworth to the invention of the American carousel to the stories of its early citizens.

Lee’s Summit Railroad Museum

220 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.525.9440 Free D4 www.LeesSummitHistory.net A collection of local artifacts dating back to the 1890s is housed in an old depot.

Legler Barn Museum

14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 913.492.0038 Free A4 www.LenexaHistoricalSociety.org KCGOINGPLACES.COM

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1850s farming community. Tour 30 buildings, including a school, church, farm homes, general store and more.

Leila’s Hair Museum

15918 Plattsburg Rd., Kearney, MO 816.736.8500 Free D1 www.JesseJamesMuseum.org Tour a one-room schoolhouse, where school continued to meet through the Civil War, and a historic church.

MUSEUMS

The historic site was believed to be a Jesse James and Quantrill hideout during the 1861 Lawrence raid. The site displays changing exhibits on local history.

1333 S. Noland Rd., Indep, MO 816.833.2955 $ D3 www.hairwork.com/leila Check out this curiosity: 159 wreaths and more than 2,000 pieces of jewelry made of human hair, dating to before 1900.

Lone Jack Battlefield Museum

301 S. Bynum Rd., Lone Jack, MO 816.697.8833 Free D5 www.HistoricLoneJack.org Enjoy this museum and battlefield tour of the Battle of Lone Jack.

 FEATURED LISTING Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm See ad on pg. 27.

1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS 913.971.5111 $ A5 www.OlatheKs.org Visit the only working stagecoach stop open to the public on the Santa Fe Trail. Relive the adventures of early stagecoach passengers. Tour the home, blacksmith shop and farm. Mahaffie offers many events throughout the year, including hands-on programs for children, stagecoach rides and living history days. 

Missouri Town 1855

8010 E. Park Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.503.4860 $ D4 www.JacksonGov.org/MissouriTown Missouri Town is a reconstructed

Nerman Museum

Mount Gilead Church & School

The Museum of Prairiefire

5750 W. 137th St., OP, KS 913.338.3800 $ B5 www.VisitPrairieFire.com Experience cutting edge, world renowned exhibitions and view authentic artifacts from the American Museum of Natural History, one of the most celebrated museums in the world.

Opening Fall 2013.

National Agricultural Hall of Fame

630 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, KS 913.721.1075 $ A3 www.AgHallOfFame.com Learn about agriculture in the Heartland. Enjoy train rides, hayrides, tractor tours, special events and more.

National Frontier Trails Museum

318 W. Pacific Ave., Indep, MO 816.325.7575 $ D3 www.CI.Independence.MO.us/NFTM Features the history of the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails. Learn about local trail history and wagon swales, load a wagon and learn the history of westward expansion.

National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial

100 W. 26th St., KC, MO 816.784.1918 $ C3 www.TheWorldWar.org The Nation’s only WWI museum features interactive exhibits depicting the war. Artifacts, weapons and films explain the history of the war and memorialize the soldiers who served.

Oxford Schoolhouse

Ironwoods Park: 14701 Mission Rd.,

Leawood, KS 913.339.6700 Free B5 www.Leawood.org/Parks Oxford School is one of the oldest schools in the state of Kansas, now offering living history programs where children experience the one-room school day of pioneers.

Pioneer Trails Adventures

223 N. Main St., Indep, MO 816.254.2466 $ D3 www.PioneerTrailsAdventures.com Enjoy a mule-drawn covered wagon ride as you learn about the city’s history and famous citizens including Wild Bill Hickok, General Sterling Price and Harry Truman.

Raytown Historical Society and Museum

9705 E. 63rd St., Raytown, MO 816.353.5033 $ C3 www.RaytownHistoricalSociety.org Museum features a general store, Raytown history and traveling exhibits.

Rice-Tremonti Home

8801 E. 66th St., Raytown, MO 816.358.7423 $

C3 www.Rice-Tremonti.com Visit the oldest standing frame house in Jackson County, MO.

Rosedale Memorial Arch

35th St. & Booth, KC, KS 913.677.5097 Free B3 www.WyCoKcK.org Inspired by Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, this

44 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Puppetry Arts Institute

Shawnee Indian Mission

3403 W. 53rd St., Fairway, KS 913.262.0867 $ B3 www.KSHS.org Johnson County is named for Thomas Johnson, the founder of the Shawnee Indian Mission. Learn the history of the Shawnee and early Johnson County, KS.

Shawnee Town 1929

11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS 913.248.2360 $ B3 www.ShawneeTown.org An active, fun place where visitors of all ages learn what it was like to live in Shawnee in 1929. Experience a typical day in and around the farm town.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum

816.252.7454 $ D3 www.JacksonGov.org Tour the office and courtroom used by Mr. Truman in his early years of elected politics. Remodeled office opening soon.

Duane Hanson, American, 1925-1996 Museum Guard, 1975

Truman Farm Home

Polyester, Fiberglas, oil and vinyl 5 ft. 9 in. x 21 in. x 13 in.

(175.26 x 53.34 x 33.02 cm)

12301 Blue Ridge Blvd., Grandview, MO 816.254.9929 $ C5 www.NPS.gov/HSTR Built in 1894, this was Harry Truman’s childhood residence from 1906 to 1917.

Truman Home

219 N. Delaware, Indep, MO 816.254.9929 $ D3 www.NPS.gov/HSTR Tour the home of President and Mrs. Truman where they lived. The apple green kitchen, simple furnishings, untouched calendar and family collections reflect their lifestyle.

7000 NE Barry Rd., KC, MO 816.792.2655 $ C1 www.KCMO.org Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a village of more than 20 authentic 19thcentury buildings. Hands-on history is taught through programs and events.

UFDC Doll Museum

Strawberry Hill Museum

Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Federal Courthouse

10900 N. Pomona Ave., KC, MO 816.891.7040 $ B1 www.UFDC.org Museum features exhibits on dolls from around the world and throughout history.

720 N. 4th St., KC, KS 913.371.3264 $ B3 www.StrawberryHillMuseum.org This Queen Anne-style 1887 home tells the story of immigrants from Eastern Europe. Visit the Russian Tea Room for lunch or brunch!

400 E. 9th St., KC, MO 816.426.3963 Free C3 www.GSA.gov/portal/content/101540 Tour the Federal Courthouse and learn how the judicial branch of government works.

Thomas Hart Benton Home

U.S. National Archives

3616 Belleview, KC, MO 816.931.5722 $ C3 www.mostateparks.com Tour the home of one of Missouri’s most famous artists. See the artist’s studio and work firsthand.

 FEATURED LISTING Toy and Miniature Museum See ad on pg. 66.

5235 Oak St., KC, MO 816.333.9328 $ C3 www.ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org The 38-room house boasts the largest collection of nostalgic toys, fine-scale miniatures and marbles in the Midwest. This specialty museum is just a few blocks south of the renowned Country Club Plaza. The young and young-at-heart will be whisked back in time through displays of the toys that defined generations. Closing for renovations on Jan. 5.

Truman Courtroom and Office

Jackson County Courthouse, Main & Maple, Rm. 109, Indep, MO

400 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.268.8000 Free C3 www.Archives.gov Kansas City has one of the 11 branches of the National Archives. The collections include historical, diplomatic, genealogical and military documents, artifacts and exhibits.

Vaile Mansion 1500 N. Liberty St., Indep, MO 816.325.7430 $ D3 www.VaileMansion.org Guided tours are offered of the 1882 Victorian mansion.

Veterans Memorial Park 1025 S. Harrison, Olathe, KS 913.971.6263 Free A5 www.OlatheKS.org/ParksRec/ This 4-acre park honors the men and women who served America in the Armed Services.

Veterans Park

Center & Pawnee St., Gardner, KS 913.856.7535 Free A5

Gift of the Friends of Art The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

MUSEUMS

Arch was built in 1923 to pay tribute to WWI veterans. In 1993, a monument was installed under the Arch to honor WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans.

INSIDE SCOOP: DUANE HANSEN

Nelson-Atkins Guard GP: Tell us a bit about what you do.

Nelson-Atkins Guard: Most of the time I’m on duty in the Modern and Contemporary galleries in the Bloch Building. But recently, I spent several months in the Nelson-Atkins Building—first in the early American “Hooper Hall.” I still can’t get over those robin’s egg blue walls.

Just like standing beneath the heavenly firmament.

Then it was on to the elegant, 18th-century English “King’s Lynn Salon.” The view from the window near the bookcase was so peaceful.

GP: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Nelson-Atkins Guard: Years ago, my presence was requested for an important exhibition. I was injured in transit and, upon my return, required considerable care from both Nelson-Atkins object conservators and artist Duane Hansen. Recently, I’ve undergone, shall we say, a little cosmetic refreshment.

GP: What do you know about visitors to the Nelson that they think you do not know?

Nelson-Atkins Guard: You can’t imagine the things I’ve seen and heard! I’ve even stood witness to a marriage proposal! But really what I like best is quietly observing our visitors as they discover the wonders of art.

GP: How long have you lived in KC? Nelson-Atkins Guard: Let’s see…I came to the NelsonAtkins in 1976, so that makes it 37 years.

GP: Favorite KC restaurant and why?

Nelson-Atkins Guard: The museum’s Rozzelle Court!

You can’t find a more beautiful dining room! You’re surrounded by Roman antiquities, the music of a sparkling fountain, sunlight streaming in from above!

GP: Must-see KC attraction for out-of-town guests and why?

Nelson-Atkins Guard: Besides the Nelson-Atkins, I’d have to say the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

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KU Natural History Museum

Powell Observatory

10297 W. 263rd St., Louisburg, KS 913.837.5305 $ B5 www.askc.org/powell.htm Powell Observatory is home to the largest telescope in a five-state area.

 FEATURED LISTING Science City at Union Station See ad on pg. 67.

30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2020 $ C3 www.ScienceCity.com Hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to outer space, music to optical illusions, medicine and weather.

Housed in Union Station, a popular destination drawing tourists who marvel at the Grand Hall’s 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the 6-foot wide clock hanging in the station’s central arch. 

www.GardnerKansas.gov The park features a Veteran’s memorial as well as park facilities: playground, trail, basketball court, etc.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

43rd & Broadway, KC, MO 816.561.8387 Free C3 Dedicated in 1986 to all Vietnam veterans, with a special salute to veterans from KC, the memorial includes a wall with the names of 336 area veterans killed or missing in action.

Watkins Woolen Mill

26600 Park Rd. N., Lawson, MO 816.580.3387 $ D1 www.WatkinsMill.org The mill is America’s only 19th century textile factory with original machinery.

Tour the home, visitor’s center, farm, and brick mill and see how workers turned fleece into fabric.

Science Museums and Sites  FEATURED LISTING Gottlieb Planetarium See ad on pg. 67.

Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO 816.460.2020 $ C3 www.UnionStation.org The Gottlieb Planetarium’s 360-degree domed screen and advanced projection system immerse visitors in an experience that is simultaneously entertaining and informative. From a regular presentation about the solar system to the occasional special musical collaboration, the planetarium dazzles with one of the largest dome experiences in the Midwest. 

KU Natural History Museum

1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 785.864.4450 $ A3 www.NaturalHistory.KU.edu Four floors of exhibits help you explore the life of the planet. You will discover the animals and plants of the Great Plains, see a live bee colony and a toothy mosasaur fossil.

Medicine’s Hall of Fame & Museum

6801 Hedge Lane Ter., Shawnee, KS 913.888.0777 $ B3 www.MedHall.org See examples of many of the tools of the medical trade as you follow the story of various cultures through the centuries and how they dealt with diseases and ailments.

Special Interest Museums & Tours Ambiance on the Water

200 Ward Pkwy., KC, MO 816.365.7101 $$ C3 Enjoy a ride aboard one of two custom designed boats for a romantic tour of the Plaza River Walk.

Armacost Car Museum

4200 E. 135th St., Grandview, MO 816.763.9683 $$ C5 www.PetersonCarMuseum.com Two floors of restored vintage cars in a space available for special events.

Chip’s Chocolate Factory

Crown Center: 2450 Grand Ave., KC, MO 816.421.0012 Free C3 www.ChipsChocolateFactory.com

Weston Historical Museum

601 Main St., Weston, MO 816.386.2977 Free D3 www.WestonHistoricalMuseum.org From rare Native American moccasins to early physician instruments to vintage clothing displays, the Weston Historical Museum has preserved local artifacts to enjoy today.

Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum

631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, KS 913.721.1078 Free A3 www.WYCoKCK.org Hands-on exhibits and artifacts depict the history of Wyandotte County and Native Americans.

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Kemper Museum

Visit the shop and factory where KC’s very own KC Fudge was developed more than 27 years ago.

College Basketball Experience

1401 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.949.7500 $ C3 www.CollegeBasketballExperience.com Hands-on exhibits place visitors in game-like situations.

Hallmark Visitors Center

2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.5672 Free C3 www.HallmarkVisitorsCenter.com Discover the story of Hallmark from humble beginnings in 1910 to the creation of this world-famous company through interactive displays and fascinating exhibits.

Harley Davidson Assembly Plant

11401 N. Congress Ave., KC, MO 816.270.8023 Free B1 www.Harley-Davidson.com Tour the factory and watch the assembly of Harley Davidson motorcycles firsthand.

Kansas City Board of Trade

4800 Main St., Suite 303, KC, MO 816.753.7500 Free C3 www.KCBT.com Tour one of the country’s largest commodities and futures exchanges.

 FEATURED LISTING Louisburg Cider Mill See ad on pg. 33.

14730 KS 68, Louisburg, KS

800.748.7765 Free B5 www.LouisburgCiderMill.com The entire family will enjoy watching cider and donuts being made firsthand. Then, enjoy samples of both.

Special events throughout the year include pumpkin season, Cider Fest and opportunities for group tours. 

Moon Marble

600 E. Front St., Bonner Springs, KS 913.441.1432 Free A3 www.MoonMarble.com Watch marble making, learn marble games and visit the store with oldfashioned toys.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

1616 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.221.1920 $ C3 www.NLBM.com The museum is dedicated to the history of Negro Leagues Baseball with interactive exhibits for all ages.

The Roasterie Inc.

1204 W. 27th St., KC, MO 816.931.4000 FREE C3 www.TheRoasterie.com Tour the coffee company and learn about cupping, roasting and blending.

Royals Hall of Fame

Kauffman Stadium: 1 Royal Way, KC, MO 816.504.4222 $ C3 http://KansasCity.Royals.MLB.com An education and entertainment venue that includes artifacts, photos and videos tracing the history of Royals baseball.

dinner & entertainment The Doo Dads at Record Bar 1020 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.753.5207 www.TheRecordBar.com Once a month, the Westport landmark clears the dance floor for The Doo Dads, one of our favorite local kids’ rock ‘n roll groups. The Record Bar serves pizza, burgers, fries, drinks, appetizers and fresh popcorn!

Standees 3935 W. 69th Ter., Prairie Village, KS, 913.601.5250 www.StandeesEatery.com Standees, new on the KC scene in the past year, is an entertaining eatery fast becoming a local favorite.

Order delicious food from the affordable upscalecasual restaurant, then enjoy a movie in the comfortable theater with oversized leather seats.

Minsky’s Pizza Prairie Village on Fri., 6:00-8:00: 6921 Tomahawk Rd., 913.262.6226, live magic at your table.

Leawood on Sat., 6:00-8:00: 12920 State Line Rd., 913.317.9965, live magician and balloon artist. www.Minskys.com Enjoy Kansas City’s own gourmet pizza and live entertainment—the perfect family night out! Perfect for all ages.

AMC Studio 30 Forks and Screens 12075 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS, 888.AMC.4Fun www.DineIn.AMCTheatres.com AMC offers a one-of-a-kind movie experience for all ages. Fork & Screen® is a casual restaurant in the movie theatre where patrons enjoy upgraded seats, ordering from a full dinner menu and service with the push of a button.

The Alamo Drafthouse Mainstreet 1400 Main St., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.4545 www.Drafthouse.com Located in the KC Power & Light District, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema offers dine-in theater events showing new release films and classic flicks.

Truman Library

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kansas city’s best parks for

fall fun Powell Gardens

A

utumn in Kansas City... the air is crisp, the leaves will be changing, and that means wonderful weather for a day of family fun at the park. Check out our favorite parks for leaf watching, football tossing and marshmallow roasting!

Our Favorite Places for Fall Fun in Kansas City:

Loose Park

51st & Wornall, Kansas City, MO Amenities: The 75-acre park features a playground with a sand pit and small rock wall, a beautiful pond, fields perfect for tossing the old football or frisbee or playing tag, paved trails and an exquisite rose garden.

Why we love Loose Park in the fall: The large fields at Loose Park are perfect for football, tag and other fall fun, but the beauty of the park with the tree-lined walkways surrounding the park, makes an amazing autumn backdrop.

Antioch Park

6501 Antioch Rd., Merriam, KS Amenities: The 44-acre park features two fishing lakes, walking path, tennis courts, picnic shelters, basketball courts, restrooms, playground equipment, a rose garden, paved parking and cookout grills.

Why we love Antioch Park in the fall: The highlight of Antioch Park for children is the Wild West village featuring nearly a dozen small buildings from a general store to a sheriff’s office perfect for imaginative play or hide and seek. This park is perfect for a family picnic and an evening roasting marshmal48 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

lows (the picnic shelters feature grills). The park is wooded, and the lake makes great family fun whether you’re fishing or simply taking a walk... don’t forget the camera!

Harris Park

110 SW Blue Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO Amenities: The 17.9-acre park has one picnic shelter with tables, Summit Waves, Harris Park Community Center, .5-mile trail, small rock wall and a large playground area depicting a castle.

Why we love Harris Park in the fall: This park is full of beautiful trees. For your little princesses, princes, knights and Robin Hood’s merry men, Harris Park is the perfect place to play.

The playground is a gigantic castle with slides, fire poles and climbing equipment.

Waterfall Park

4501 S. Bass Pro Dr., Independence, MO Amenities: The 18-acre park features a fantastic playground, small rock wall, small lake, walking trails, picnic tables, restrooms and the scenic backdrop of a waterfall.

Why we love Waterfall Park in the fall: Waterfall Park is nestled in a wooded area overlooking a lake and waterfalls.

The large shaded playground includes slides, jungle gyms, a small rock wall and picnic space. Playing at Waterfall Park is an escape to the woods right in the midst of the city.

Leawood City Park

10601 Lee Blvd., Leawood, KS Amenities: Large playground, trails, pond, shelter with picnic

tables, restrooms and grills, soccer fields, tennis courts and lots of wide open green space.

Why we love Leawood City Park in the fall: The walk is scenic and pleasant, and the path is dotted with shelters for a picnic, fields for football or frisbee and one of the largest playgrounds for toddlers and young children, with a few dinosaurs kids love to climb. The park is very well maintained and fun for the whole family.

Overland Park Arboretum

8909 W. 179th St, Overland Park, KS, 913.685.3604.

Amenities: 300-acre park with Botanical Gardens, nature trails, picnic spots, and more.

Why we love the Arboretum in the fall: For Kansas City’s most beautiful and abundant botanical gardens outing, the Overland Park Arboretum is the place!

With acres of gardens before you, including a children’s exploration garden, water gardens, the new beautiful Monet garden and many many more, learn about natural ecosystems at the environmental education center and explore the trails.

The arboretum offers educational classes geocaching events, festivals, live concerts and holiday programs.

Read the Overland Park Arboretum Calendar for upcoming events.

Why we love the Powell Gardens in the Fall: Powell Gardens’ Heartland Harvest Garden and nature trails are delightful in the fall. Powell Gardens hosts special events in the fall, allowing visitors to explore monarch butterflies, scarecrows, jacko’-lanterns and Halloween fun!

Longview Lake Parks

Take the Raytown Road exit (Exit 4) off I-470 and turn south.

Go 1 mile.

Amenities: Marina, fishing, paved trails, shelters, fields for play.

Why we love Longview Lake in the fall: Acres of wooded nature trails with bridges, streams, ponds and the lake make wonderful photo ops and great leaf watching! Our favorite trail is at the end of Raytown Road (just past Highgrove).

Sar-Ko-Par Park

87th & Lackman, Lenexa, KS Amenities: Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park has one 2-acre lake, one gazebo/ bandstand, five picnic areas, six reservable shelters, four jogging/walking trails, three soccer 1/2 fields, five playground areas, six open play areas, two sand volleyball courts, four lighted tennis courts, one basketball court, one baseball field, three restroom facilities, two park maintenance barns, one Park Supervisor’s house, community garden, Legler Barn Historical Museum, railroad caboose, restored railroad museum and a restored Strang Line waiting station.

Why we love Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in the fall: This beautiful park is a great place to play, take pictures, have a picnic, or learn a little local history.

Magicians, characters, singers, puppets and more are just part of the fun at Sar-Ko-Par’s annual Enchanted Forest event each autumn.

Powell Gardens

1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, 816.697.2600. Admission charged.

Amenities: Four major gardens, a wildflower meadow, display conservatory, chapel and comprehensive education and events schedule.

Loose Park

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SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME The Nutcracker

Showtime Trivia Challenge 1) Which family holiday show has staged about 720 performances in the last 40 years? a. A Christmas Carol b. A Christmas Story c. The Nutcracker

5) How many hairpins will the costume shop for The Nutcracker use during this year’s performances? a. 600 b. 2,600 c. 6,600

2) Which performer was NOT born in Kansas City? a. Don Cheadle b. Sheryl Crow c. Jean Harlow

6) A concert by which performer was the first event at the Sprint Center, three days after it opened in October 2007? a. Kenny Chesney b. Elton John c. Justin Timberlake

3) This 630-seat theater hosts A Christmas Carol, the classic story of a curmudgeonly businessman who receives visits from apparitions who help him discover the true meaning of Christmas. a. Spencer Theatre b. Midland Theatre c. The Music Hall 4) In 1991, the 1,250-seat auditorium in the Carlsen Center was named for Arthur and Alma Yardley, who gave a $1 million gift to support the performing arts at what local college? a. Johnson County Community College b. Metropolitan Community Colleges – Longview c. Kansas City Kansas Community College

7) How many full-time musicians are in the Kansas City Symphony? a. 80 b. 60 c. 70 8) A Christmas Story: The Musical, which had its world premiere in 2009 at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, was nominated for how many Tony Awards in 2013? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 Belton mom Tisha Foley enjoys the joy and laughter of live shows with her husband and children.

Answer Key: 1=c; 2=b; 3=a; 4=b; 5=c; 6=b; 7=a; 8=c

get more!

Kansas City musicians & entertainers offer free & cheap performances year round. Visit www.KCParent.com and click on “Calendar” for the latest!

50 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4) KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pgs. 32-33 Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

Dance, Music & Theater American Girl Drama Team

Various locations: Lee’s Summit area.

816.204.5702 $ D4 http://AGDT.blogspot.com AGDT is aimed at girls ages 8-12, and a teen class for girls 13 and older. Public performances are held seasonally.

American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center

2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 314, KC, MO 816.842.9999 $$ C3 www.AHTKC.com Take in live professional theater performances.

Avila College Goppert Theatre

11901 Wornall Rd., KC, MO 816.501.3699 $$ C5 www.Avila.edu Students offer live theater performances.

Barn Players Community Theatre

6219 Martway, Mission, KS 913.432.9100 $ B3 www.TheBarnPlayers.org Enjoy live community theater performances.

Bell Road Barn Players

David Theater at Park University: 8700 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 816.587.0218 $ B2 www.BellRoadBarn.com Live community theater performances.

Big Creek Country Show

110 Veterans Pkwy., Pleasant Hill, MO 816.524.6856 $$ A5 www.BigCreekCountry.com Country musicians and comedians offer shows for the family.

Blue Springs City Theater

2000 NW Ashton Dr., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.0137 $ D3 www.BlueSpringsCityTheater.com Live community theater performances.

SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME

 FEATURED LISTING Carlsen Center at JCCC See ad on pg. 2.

12345 College Blvd., OP, KS 913.469.4445 $$ B4 www.JCCC.edu Concerts, ballet, live theater, puppet shows and performances from around the world grace the Carlsen Center stage. Enjoy performances for the whole family. From legendary performers like Rita Moreno, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby to a performance of Ballet Memphis’ The Wizard of Oz, the Carlsen Center offers something for everyone.

Christian Youth Theater

Various locations 913.681.3318 $ www.CYTKC.org CYT is an after-school theater arts program for children ages 5-18.

City Theatre of Independence

201 N. Dodgion, Indep, MO 816.325.7370 $ D3 www.CityTheatreOfIndependence.org Live community theater for all ages includes children’s shows.

Comedy City

817 Westport Rd., KC, MO 816.842.2744 $ C3 www.ComedyCity.cc Improv comedy shows are geared for the entire family. Check schedule for show descriptions.

Coterie Theatre

Crown Center: 2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, KC, MO 816.474.6552 $ C3 www.CoterieTheatre.org The Coterie, a professional Equity theater, is among the top five theaters serving families and young audiences in the United States, according to TIME magazine.

The Culture House

Various performance locations 14808 W. 117th St., Olathe, KS 913.393.3141 $ A5 www.CultureHouse.com The entire family can enjoy live theater, dance and musical performances.

Dramatic Truth Ballet

10510 Grandview Rd., KC, MO 816.767.9222 $ C4 www.DramaticTruth.org Local Christian ballet troupe performs live shows for the whole family.

Excelsior Springs Community Theatre

Various performance locations in Excelsior Springs, Richmond and Liberty, MO.

INSIDE SCOOP: VANESSA SEVERO

KC Rep Vanessa Severo is an actress, choreographer, 11-year KC resident and mother—not necessarily in that order. This year, she’ll be dazzling audiences as Belle (fiancé of Ebenezer Scrooge as a young man) in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s holiday production of A Christmas Carol.

GP: If you are raising KC kids, what is your favorite place to visit in KC with them and why?

Vanessa: I adore Loose Park. You can picnic, fly a kite, play frisbee, feed the ducks, visit the rose garden, the playground and the spray park. The options are endless, and it’s free!

GP: Favorite KC restaurant and why?

Vanessa: Westside Local. The menu is constantly changing. The food is local and amazing, and the service is phenomenal. I’ve gone with my husband on a date or with my entire family, and the experience is always great.

GP: Favorite autumn tradition in KC and why?

Vanessa: The pumpkin patches. They are stunning every year. Blue October skies against those brilliant orange pumpkins…leisurely picking out your pumpkin, carving it, cooking the seeds...watching it glow on your porch on Halloween...perfect!

GP: Favorite winter tradition in KC and why?

Vanessa: A Christmas Carol at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. It wouldn’t be winter without it. Whether you are in it or watching it, you will leave the theater with an overall feeling of joy.

GP: Best date night destination and why?

Vanessa: The Rieger Hotel. The atmosphere is gorgeous, the food is great and you can hold a conversation. Then creep down to Manifesto for a cocktail in a cave.

GP: Favorite tip for theater fans?

Vanessa: We (the acting community) love you. See things that interest you—don’t base your decision solely on a review. Don’t be afraid to see productions at lesser-known venues.

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816.637.3728 $ D1 www.ESCTheatre.org Live community theater for all ages includes children’s shows.

Gem Theater

KC Chamber Orchestra

SHOWTIME

Folly Theater 300 W. 12th St., KC, MO 816.474.4444 $$ C3 www.FollyTheater.com Live theater and music performances entertain at this venue.

816.931.2232 $$ C3 www.KCBallet.org The ballet’s homes, Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, are poised to make KC a true destination for professional dance. The 2013-14 season, “Where beauty takes center stage,” features Fancy Free, The Nutcracker, Dracula, and Cinderella. 

1616 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.474.8463 $$ C3 www.AmericanJazzMuseum.com The Gem Theater features everything from films and live theater productions to dynamic live jazz performances.

Jewish Community Center of Greater KC

5801 W. 115th St., Suite 101, OP, KS 913.327.8000 $$ B5 www.JCCKC.org Live theater and music performances entertain the whole family.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.994.7200 $$ C3 www.KauffmanCenter.org Home to resident organizations, the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony and other innovative programming.

 FEATURED LISTING KC Ballet See ad on pg. 7.

Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity: 500 W. Pershing, KC, MO Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, KC, MO

KC Mystery Train

Yardley Hall at JCCC

Various performance locations 816.960.1324 $$ C3 www.KCChamberOrchestra.org Classical music is performed by KC’s chamber orchestra.

KC Friends of Alvin Ailey

1714 E. 18th St., KC, MO 816.471.6003 $$ C3 www.KCFAA.org Professional dance group features ballet, modern and jazz dance.

 FEATURED LISTING KC Repertory Theatre See ad on pg. 32.

4949 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.235.2700 $$ C3 www.KCRep.org The premier professional resident theatre company of the Kansas City, Missouri, metropolitan area, founded in 1964. Each season offers new productions for all ages, including the annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol. Some of 2013-14 season features include: The Foreigner, The Santaland Diaries, Romeo & Juliet and When I Come to Die. 

KC Starlight Theatre

4600 Starlight Rd., KC, MO 816.363.7827 $$ C3 www.KCStarlight.com Get into the spirit with starry nights,

great food and the best Broadway entertainment in Kansas City each summer.

KC Symphony

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.471.0400 $$ C3 www.KCSymphony.org Enjoy professional live classical symphony. The symphony’s Family Series is especially popular with KC kids, as it features fun holiday music and familiar favorites.

KC Young Audiences

5601 Wyandotte, KC, MO 816.531.4022 $ C3 www.KCYA.org Live music, dance, drama and poetry entertain patrons ages 5 and up.

Lee’s Summit Symphony Lee’s Summit High School: 400 SE Blue Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.401.5251 $ D4 www.LSSymphony.org Classical symphony entertains with live performances for the community.

Liberty Performing Arts Theatre

1600 S. Withers Rd., Liberty, MO 816.439.4362 $$ D1 www.LPAT.org The entire family can enjoy live theater performances.

Lyric Opera

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, KC, MO 816.471.4933 $$ C3 www.KCOpera.org Attend live professional opera performances.

Martin City Melodrama

9601 Metcalf Ave., OP, KS 913.642.7576 $ B4 www.MartinCityMelodrama.org Live Vaudeville-style theater is sure to leave the entire family laughing!

52 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre

3614 Main, KC, MO 816. 569. 3226 $ C3 http://MetKC.org Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre providing a full season of shows for the public.

Midland Theatre

1228 Main St., KC, MO 816.283.9900 $$ C3 www.MidlandKC.com Live theatre, concerts and other performances entertain guests.

Miller-Marley School of Dance

10448 Mastin St., OP, KS 913.492.0004 $ B3 www.MillerMarley.com Local youth offer live dance performances.

The Murder Mystery Co.

The Tiffany Ballroom, 903 Harrison St., KC, MO. www.grimprov.com $$ C3 Show includes three-course meal and interactive murder mystery show.

Music Hall

301 W. 13th St., KC, MO 816.513.5000 $$ C3 www.KCConvention.com Host to live theater in Kansas City since 1936, this facility is known for bringing world-class shows and entertainment.

Musical Theater Heritage

Off Center Theatre: 2405 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.5524 $ C3 www.MusicalTheaterHeritage.com MTH presents classic musical theater and revue performances.

Mystery Comedy Dinner Playhouse Various Locations, KC, MO 816.333.5999 $$

C3

Mystery Train

Various Locations 816.813.9654 $$ C3 www.KCMysteryTrain.com Interactive mystery dinner theater enjoyed by teens and adults.

New Theatre Restaurant

9229 Foster St., OP, KS 913.649.7469 $$ B4 www.NewTheatre.com Live dinner theater features famous stars in each performance.

Northland Symphony Orchestra

Park Hill South High School: 4500 River Park Dr., Riverside, MO Oak Park High School: 825 NE 79th Ter., KC, MO 816.420.3137 $ B2 www.NorthlandSymphony.org Enjoy notable symphony performances.

Olathe Civic Band

Various Locations 913.856.9916 Free-$ B3 www.OlatheCivicBand.org Live musical performances for the community.

Olathe Community Theatre

500 E. Loula, Olathe, KS 913.782.2990 $$ B4 www.OlatheTheatre.org Live community theater is produced for the entire family.

Paul Mesner Puppets

1006 Linwood Blvd., KC, MO 816.756.3500 $ C3 www.PaulMesnerPuppets.org Puppet shows offered all year to delight young audiences! Audiences from 3 to 93 will enjoy these performances sure to make children laugh.

Piccadilly Puppets Various Locations 913.837.3544 $ www.Piccadilly-Puppets.com Touring puppet company performs shows across the KC Metro area.

Puppetry Arts Institute

11025 E. Winner Rd., Indep, MO 816.833.9777 $ D3 www.Hazelle.org Enjoy puppet shows, make your own puppets and tour the museum.

Quality Hill Playhouse 303 W. 10th St., KC, MO 816.421.1700 $$ C3 www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com Live music concerts range from

classical to jazz.

Roving Imp Theater

ECM Building on KU Campus 1204 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS 913.441.2309 $ A3 www.RovingImp.com The Roving Imp Theater is an improvisational comedy troupe.

Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park

7710 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS 913.236.1237 $ A4 www.TheatreInThePark.org Live outdoor theater is performed for the entire family every summer.

Sprint Center

1407 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.949.7100 $$ C3 www.SprintCenter.com Multi-use indoor arena in the Power & Light District.

StoneLion Puppet Theatre Various Locations 816.221.5351 $ www.StoneLionPuppets.org Live puppet shows are tailored for children.

Theatre for Young America Union Station: 30 W. Pershing Rd., KC, MO

816.460.2083 $ C3 www.TYA.org Theatre for Young America provides family shows all year.

Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre

SHOWTIME

www.MysteryComedy.com Live mystery comedy theater is performed at various locations in KC.

12480 S. Blackbob, Olathe, KS 913.254.4444 $ A5 www.TrilogyCulturalArts.com Live theater, dance and musical performances are produced for the entire family.

UMKC Conservatory of Music

James C. Olson Performing Arts Center: 4949 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.235.2900 $$ C3 www.Conservatory.UMKC.edu Live musical performances entertain the entire family.

UMKC Theatre

4949 Cherry St., KC, MO 816.235.2702 $$ C3 www.UMKC.edu/Theatre UMKC college students offer live theater performances.

Youth Symphony of KC Various performance locations 5960 Dearborn, Suite 206, Mission, KS 913.722.6810 $$ B3 www.YouthSymphonyKC.org Area youth offer live classical music performances.

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53

Romantic Getaways

By Kristina Light

Rekindle the romance in your relationship with a fun couple’s retreat in the Midwest.

Kansas City Power & Light District The Kansas City Power & Light District in the heart of downtown (www.PowerandLightDistrict.com) is the ultimate urban getaway for couples who enjoy live music, entertainment, night life and fine dining.

Romantic Lodging: Built in 1926, the Hilton President Kansas City (www.Hilton.com) is one of Kansas City’s most historic and romantic hotels. Currently on the National Register of Historic Places, it is a Four Diamond hotel with a rich history. The establishment served as headquarters for the 1928 Republican National Convention that nominated Herbert Hoover for president and has hosted stellar live entertainment in its Drum Room, including Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman and Kansas City’s own Marilyn Maye. In 2005, the hotel was beautifully restored, renovated and reopened in splendor. In 2009, the hotel won the AAA Four Diamond award and maintains that 54 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Hilton President Kansas City

status, making it one of the most luxurious hotels in Kansas City.

Today’s patrons will find the options at the Hilton President perfect for every need.

The hotel accommodates family travel, business travel and couple’s getaways. Every room is appointed with luxury beds and linens resulting in one of the most comfortable night’s sleep you’ll enjoy. Guests with allergies may request a pure room to meet their needs. For those looking for the ultimate in luxury accommodations, the Presidential Suite features an in-room kitchen, dining room, spacious living room, a king bedroom with a Jacuzzi suite and a marvelous view of the city.

Room service is available, or you may dine in the Walnut Room for a gourmet breakfast buffet, including made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, pastries and a bounty of breakfast dishes and sides. The Providence New American Kitchen in the hotel is a worthy restaurant in its own right for enjoying dinner. Receiving rave reviews consistently from both local media and social media fans for quality and value, the restaurant is fast establishing a reputation for its cozy atmosphere, quality service and unique top-notch presentation of delicious comfort food. The skilled staff, quality furnishings and amenities, spectacular décor and service make this a perfect destination for a weekend retreat, wedding or celebration.

Nearby Entertainment & Attractions: The nine-block Kansas City Power & Light District features 50 unique restaurants, clubs, boutiques and attractions. The Sprint Center (pg. 53) and Kansas City Convention Center are within walking distance. Check out KC Live, an entertainment plaza with two levels of restaurants, live entertainment and concerts. Across the street from the Hilton, you can catch a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse (in the KCP&L District at 1400 Main St., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.4545), one of the city’s most popular destinations for a night on the town.

You walk into the gorgeous movie theater to discover a cool retro vibe throughout. Prior to the film, each guest selects from a menu of appetizers, meals or $6 bottomless popcorn and—as the name implies—a large selection of beers. Wait staff serve you throughout the film. The food is good, and the prices are very reasonable as theaters go. The signature cool factor for the Alamo has to be the preshow, a custom collection of fun clips and footage setting the tone for a truly retro experience.

Country Club Plaza The Country Club Plaza, celebrating 90 years as a Kansas City landmark for charm and elegant architecture, is a favorite romantic destination for couples.

Romantic Lodging: Southmoreland on the Plaza (116 E. 46th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.531.7979, www.Southmoreland.com) is a 100-year-old urban inn and bed & breakfast. Guests enjoy complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, hot beverages and dessert before bed and a gourmet breakfast each morning.

The beautifully decorated mansion offers 12 unique guest rooms decorated with antiques and collectibles in honor of famous Kansas Citians. Choose from amenities including a treetop deck, wood burning fireplace or Jacuzzi. A place to get away from it all, the rooms do not have televisions or radios, but they each offer private baths, luxury linens, telephones, complimentary sherry and apples and a quiet place to relax.

Nearby Entertainment & Attractions: The Country Club Plaza (www.CountryClubPlaza.com) is perhaps Kansas City’s most famous landmark, with many terrific annual events to enjoy. The Plaza Art Fair (held annually on the third weekend of September) draws thousands from across the country. The Plaza Lighting Ceremony (held annually on Thanksgiving) is a Kansas City tradition where the city’s most recognized Christmas light display is lit amidst concerts KCGOINGPLACES.COM

55

Southmoreland on the Plaza and fireworks. Apart from these notable events, the Plaza hosts concerts throughout the week and is home to many of Kansas City’s finest restaurants and stores and one of our favorite theaters: the Cinemark (500 Nichols Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.756.5877). At this venue, adults can make reservations to enjoy a luxury movie experience complete with food service in the VIP Room.

Add to the romance of your weekend with a gondola ride on Brush Creek with Ambiance on the Water (Wed.-Sat., 6:0010:00; 200 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City, MO, 816.365.7101) or a carriage ride with Kansas City Carriages (Nichols Rd. & Pennsylvania, 816.531.1999) or Surrey’s Carriage Company (Nichols Rd. & Wyandotte, 816.531.2673).

In addition to the Plaza, the Inn is also a short distance from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (pg. 41), the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (pg. 41), the Kauffman Memorial Gardens (pg. 35) and the Toy & Miniature Museum (pg. 41).

Weston, Missouri If you’re looking to get away from the city for a weekend, you’ll enjoy the charm and history of Weston.

Romantic Lodging: Weston is home to nine beautiful bed & breakfast inns, each with one-of-a-kind charm. From Victorian homes on Main Street to rustic farm settings, there is something for every personality and interest. Visit http://WestonMO.com for information.

Nearby Entertainment & Attractions: Couples enjoy exploring Weston’s historic Main Street that boasts many boutiques and shops, local farms that offer fresh fall produce and one of the most beautiful state parks in Missouri. Add to all that the many charming restaurants and bed & breakfasts, and you have an unforgettable romantic destination!

Enjoy the best of autumn at Weston’s favorite attractions.

Don’t miss Weston’s Apple Fest on the first weekend in October, where you’ll enjoy small-town charm with a traditional parade, booths and homemade apple treats. Weston Red Barn Farm (16300 Wilkerson Dr., 816.386.5437) sits atop a pic56 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

O’Malley’s Pub turesque hill overlooking farmland and forest. Early autumn brings apples (call ahead for details). The Red Barn Farm is also home to many farm animals: ponies, goats, turkeys, chickens, pigs, cows, ducks, geese and sheep. And, you’ll discover an overwhelming selection of pumpkins in every shape, size and variety at the pumpkin market. On weekends, enjoy a tractor- or horse-drawn hayride or the corn maze. Then, visit the most scenic place in Weston, the Weston Bend State Park (16600 Hwy. 45 N., 816.640.5443).

Foodies enjoy a tour of the Green Dirt Farm (pg. 35), a grassfed sheep farm where 150 ewes are raised making delicious sheep’s milk cheese. Watch as the sheep are milked and the cheese is made in the kitchen—then taste samples!

Afterward, dine at O’Malley’s 1842 Irish Pub (500 Welt St., 816.640.5235). O’Malley’s serves authentic Irish fare in an authentic Irish-American pub complete with Irish music.

Weston’s Main Street is home to many boutiques, shops and restaurants. Discover the history of Weston at Weston Historical Museum (pg. 46), with exhibits including Native American artifacts, local citizens’ memorabilia from the Civil War period all the way through World War II and more. End with a stop at the Nostalgia Store for souvenirs, games, books and oldfashioned candy.

word on the street Beanstalk Children’s Garden

A

Big Q Barbecue (2117 S. 34th St., Kansas City, KS, 913.362.6980)...hidden gem.

Good stuff! ~ Matt Palacios Saturday nights head to Powell Observatory in Louisburg for the BEST view of the stars! Go early and play in one of their parks for a fun family afternoon and evening! ~ Donna Simkins Powell Gardens…a bit outside KC, but great gardens, splash pad and a barn for kids to learn about growing food! ~ Brittany Huffman

We asked our Facebook fans—local people who know the best of the best in Kansas City—what they love and why they love it. Follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/KansasCityParent

Q

Tell us about the best-kept secrets in KC… places you love to visit and want to share with others.

Sandy’s (1428 US Hwy. 40, Blue Springs, MO, 816.295.1325)…kids eat free on Saturday of all days, which is so nice, and my kids are addicted to them after only being there once!! The food is great, and you get a lot for the money!! ~ Adrienne Tyra Celebration Park (32701 W. 159th St., Gardner, KS, 913.856.0936)…per fect place for a picnic, fishing and bike riding on the bike path, and it’s one of the best parks in KC! ~ Andrea Lane Johnny C’s Pizza (11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS, 913.631.3234)...St. Louis-style pizza for a steal! ~ Amanda Jobe

Save on dining out with the family. Visit www.KCParent.com for our Kids Eat Free Guide.

French Bee Bakery (404 East St., Parkville, MO, 816.673.0117)…then head to English Landing to play! ~ Lisa Corley

Kansas City Community Garden’s Beanstalk Children’s Garden (see pg.

35)…a great place to learn about food and connect it with nature—plus visitors can sample seasonal foods growing in the garden. You may not get full, but you will have some healthy treats. ~ Lois Hutchins-Lehman Bike trails around Shawnee Mission Park (7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS, 913.888.4713)...an area to the west has a park bench next to the creek bed. The kids could play in the creek all day! ~ Nicole Peters Cafe Gratitude (333 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.5683)…using organic ingredients from local farmers. Amazing food served with kindness and love. ~ Melanie Werner YES! Youth Fitness in Lee’s Summit (see pg. 30)...For the last two years, my children have faithfully attended three times a week and STILL love it! The different programs are challenging enough for my athletic ones and fun enough for my “couch potato.” ~ Janelle Stuart Gaskell Mud Pie Bakery (1615 W. 39th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.931.4539)...tasty, allergy friendly and cost effective for specialty baked goods and coffee. Plus the kids’ playroom upstairs is a favorite of my toddler son! ~ Jen Morris FüD (813 W. 17th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.785.3454)… great vegan restaurant with amazing mac and “cheese”! ~ Melissa Overton

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SPORTS

SPORTS

KANSAS CITY SPORTS BY THE NUMBERS

20,516 Minutes played by Kerry Zavagnin for the Kansas City Wizards. After arriving in Kansas City in 2000, Zavagnin helped the Wizards win the 2000 MLS Cup. He played for the Wizards until his retirement in 2008.

170

3

mph

In April 2001, Kansas Speedway hosted its first open test weekend. ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Ryan Newman tested his Penske South ARCA car during a test at Kansas Speedway, reaching speeds in excess of 170 mph.

catwalker / Shutterstock.com

23,784,162

Innings pitched by baseball legend Satchel Paige in his last professional baseball game for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965. At the time, he was 59 and had pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1939 to 1947.

Signed by the Athletics for one game against the Boston Red Sox, he was relieved

by Haywood Sullivan in the fourth inning and received an ovation from the crowd of 9,000 people.

The number of fans who have attended Chiefs games at Arrowhead stadium since it was opened for the 1972 season. The largest crowd to ever attend a game at Arrowhead was that same year, against the Oakland Raiders. That game, 82,094 people attended on Nov. 5, 1972, when the Chiefs won 27-14. spirit of america / Shutterstock.com

Local dad and blogger Nate Owens, enjoys sports, video games, and writing.

get more!

Check out the “Giveaways� on www.KCParent.com for your chance to win FREE prizes! New contests every month!

58 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

2001 NW 7 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.220.7722 $ D3 www.LunarBowl.com

Legend: FREE $ (Under $40 for family of 4) $$ (More than $40 for family of 4)

Mission Bowl

KC - Kansas City OP - Overland Park Indep - Independence Shwn Msn - Shawnee Mission

5399 Martway St., Mission, KS 913.432.7000 $ B3 www.MissionBowl.com Miniature golf is available as well.

Grid location (C2, D3) refers to map on pgs. 32-33

Mission Bowl ‘N Olathe

Note: Remember to call ahead for current hours & directions for each facility.

1020 S. Weaver St., Olathe, KS 913.782.0279 $ www.Olathe.MissionBowl.com

Bowling

Olathe Lanes East

Aaron’s Westchester Lanes

1901 W. Mechanic St., Harrisonville, MO 816.380.2920 $ C5 www.AaronsFamilyFunCenter.com

AMF

Strike ‘N Spare Lanes: 13001 E. 40 Hwy., Indep, MO 816.356.1900 $ D3 Northland Lanes: 217 NE Vivion Rd., KC, MO 816.454.2695 $ C2 Pro Bowl Lanes: 505 E. 18th Ave., KC, MO (This location also offers miniature golf.)

816.221.8844 $ C3 College Lanes: 10201 College Blvd., OP, KS 913.451.6400 $ B4 www.AMF.com

Blue Springs Bowl

A5

303 N. Lindenwood Dr., Olathe, KS 913.764.4568 $ A5 www.OLEast.com

Park Lanes Family Fun Center

7701 Renner Rd., Shwn Msn, KS 913.248.1110 $ A4 www.ParkLanesKC.com

Premier Bowling & Recreation Center

11400 E. State Route 350, Raytown, MO 816.356.5955 $ www.PremierBowl.com

C3

Ranch Bowl

5604 State Ave., KC, KS 913.287.6000 $ www.RanchBowlKC.com

A2

Retro Bowl

906 W. Liberty Dr., Liberty, MO 816.781.1998 $ D2 www.RetroBowlFunCenter.com This location also offers batting cages, billiards and more.

Skyway Lanes

5037 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 913.727.6650 $ A1 www.SkywayLanes.com

Sterling Bowl

11216 US 24, Sugar Creek, MO 816.252.2111 $ www.SterlingBowl.com

D3

18900 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.313.5166 $ D3 www.Strikerz.com Bowling and arcade.

Summit Lanes

D4

C3

Z Strike

1370 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.471.2316 $ www.Z-Strike.com

16400 N. Mullen Rd., Belton, MO 816.348.7400 $ C5 www.BeltonParks.org

Blue Valley Rec Aquatic Center 6545 W. 151st St., OP, KS 913.685.6000 $ www.BlueValleyRec.org

B5

Centennial Pool Plex

CoCo Key Water Resort

Holiday Inn KC Sports Complex: 9103 E. 39th St., KC, MO 816.737.0200 $$ C3 www.CocoKeyKansasCity.com 55,000-square-foot indoor water park features: wading pool with slides for little swimmers, water slides, fast tube ride and activity pools.

Gladstone Community Center

Ward Parkway Lanes

1523 W. 89th St., KC, MO 816.363.2700 $ www.WardParkwayLanes.com

Belton Parks Community Center

903 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.0110 $ D4 www.BlueSpringsGov.com

Strikerz Entertainment Center

803 SW Oldham Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.524.3322 $ www.SummitLanes.com

Indoor Pools

SPORTS

Lunar Bowl

SPORTS

6901 N. Holmes St., KC, MO 816.423.4200 $ www.Gladstone.mo.us

C2

Great Wolf Lodge C3

10401 Cabela Dr., KC, KS 866.640.6353 $$ www.GreatWolf.com

A3

1225 US 40 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.9994 $ D4 www.BlueSpringsBowl.com

Broadway Bowl

2201 S. Broadway, Oak Grove, MO 816.625.1111 $ D4 www.BroadwayBowlMo.com

Diamond Bowl

218 N. Osage St., Indep, MO 816.252.8003 $ www.Diamond-Bowl.com

D3

Gladstone Bowl

300 NW 72nd St., Gladstone, MO 816.436.2695 $ C2 www.GladstoneBowl.com

Incred-A-Bowl

8500 W. 151st St., Stanley, KS 913.851.1700 $ B5 www.IncredaBowl.com Miniature golf and laser tag also available.

KC Bowl

8201 State Ave., KC, KS 913.299.1110 $ www.KCBowl.com

A3

University of Kansas Athletics

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Crown Center Ice Terrace

SPORTS

Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center

6200 Martway St., Shwn Msn, KS 913.722.8200 $ B3 www.SylvesterPowell.com

The View

13500 Byars Rd., Grandview, MO 816.316.4888 $ C5 www.Grandview.org

Indoor Skate Park K C Indoor Skate Park

9701 W. 67th St., Merriam, KS 913.262.1234 $ B3 www.KCSkatePark.com Enjoy KC’s indoor skateboard park.

Rock Wall Climbing Emerald City Gymnastics

9063 Bond, OP, KS 913.438.4444 $ B4 www.EmeraldCityGym.com/rockwall Monster Mountain is 5,000 square feet of vertical and horizontal indoor climbing.

IBEX Climbing Gym

Enjoy a four-story interactive tree house, winding lazy river and numerous water slides.

Harrisonville Recreation Center 2400 Jefferson Pkwy., Harrisonville, MO 816.380.8980 $ www.CI.Harrisonville.MO.us

C5

Henley Aquatic Center

1231 Windsor St., Indep, MO 816.521.5377 $ www4.Indep.k12.mo.us/Henley/

D3

Jewish Community Center of Greater KC 5801 W. 115th St., OP, KS 913.327.8000 $ www.JCCKC.org

B5

KC MO Parks & Rec Community Centers with Indoor Pools

Gregg/Klice Community Center: 1600 E. 17th Ter., KC, MO 816.784.1135 $ Southeast Community Center: 3601 E. 63rd St., KC, MO 816.784.3200 $ Tony Aguirre Community Center: 2050 W. Pennway Ter., KC, MO 816.784.1300 $ www.KCMO.org

C3 C3 C3

KC YMCA Locations with Indoor Pools

www.KansasCityYMCA.org Atchison Family YMCA: 321 Commercial, Atchison, KS 913.367.4948 $ A1 Blue Springs Family YMCA: 1300 Adams Dairy Pkwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.224.9620 $ D4 Bonner Springs Family YMCA: 410 N. Bluegrass Dr. # B, Bonner Springs, KS 913.422.9348 $ A2 Indep Family YMCA: 14001 E. 32nd St., Indep, MO 816.254.9622 $ D3 Miami County Family YMCA: 300 11th St., Osawatomie, KS 913,755,3622 $ A5 Olathe Family YMCA: 21400 W. 153rd St., Olathe, KS 913.393.9622 $ A5 Paul Henson Family YMCA: 4200 W. 79th St., Prairie Village, KS 913.642.6800 $ B4 Platte County Comm Center North: 3101 Running Horse, Platte City, MO 816.858.0114 $ A1 Platte County Comm Center South: 8875 Clark Ave., Parkville, MO 816.505.2622 $ B2 Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center: 8601 Parallel Pkwy., KC, KS 913.378.9622 $ A2 Red Bridge Family YMCA: 11300 Holmes Rd., KC, MO

60 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

816.942.2020 $ C5 Richard C. Green, Sr. Family YMCA: 10301 E. 350 Hwy., KC, MO 816.737.3744 $ C4 Vivion Road Family YMCA: 1101 NE 47th St., KC, MO 816.453.6600 $ C2

Legacy Park Community Center

901 NE Bluestem Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.969.1550 $ www.CityOfLS.net

801 NW South Outer Rd., Blue Springs, MO 816.228.9988 $ D3 www.ClimbIBEX.com Challenge yourself on the 32-foot walls, lead cave and bouldering area.

North KC Community Center Climbing Wall

1999 Iron St., North KC, MO 816.300.0531 $ C2 www.NKCCC.org Try the 25-foot indoor climbing wall.

Roller Skating Rinks D4

B & D South Skate Center

Liberty MO Community Center

13903 E. Noland Ct., Indep, MO 816.252.1084 $ www.BandDSouth.com

D2

Landmark Skate Center

1600 S. Withers Rd., Liberty, MO 816.439.4360 $ www.CI.Liberty.MO.us

701 SW Oldham Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.524.2000 $ www.Landmark2Skate.com

Matt Ross Community Center

8101 Marty St., OP, KS 913.895.6350 $ www.OPKansas.org

B4

8152 N. Congress Ave., KC, MO 816.741.7963 $ www.Parkhill.K12.MO.us

B1

Roeland Park Aquatic Center

4843 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS 913.432.1377 $ B3 www.RoelandPark.net

D4

Northland Rolladium 1020 Kent St., Liberty, MO 816.792.0590 $ www.SkateLiberty.net

Park Hill Aquatic Center

D3

D2

River Roll Skate Center

4720 NW Gateway Ave., KC, MO 816.587.0131 $ www.RiverRoll.com

C2

Skate City Legends

7838 Washington Ave., KC, KS 913.788.7788 $ www.SkateCityLegends.com

A3

9800 W. 62nd Ter., Shawnee, KS 913.262.0711 $ www.SkateCityShawnee.com

www.GCOfKansas.com Enjoy outdoor batting cages.

B3

Skate City South

10440 Mastin St., OP, KS 913.888.6668 $ www.SkateCityKansas.com

B4

Skate Zone KC

Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20070 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.568.2498 $ www.SkateZoneKC.com

A5

Watson’s Rolladium Skate Center 513 SW Keystone Dr., Blue Springs, MO 816.229.7793 $

D4

Wheel Thing Skate Center 1719 Metropolitan Ave., Leavenworth, KS 913.682.7677 $ www.RollinFun.com

A1

Winnwood Skate Center 4426 NE Winn Rd., KC, MO 816.452.1171 $ www.WinnwoodSk8.com

Mac-N-Seitz Baseball & Softball

13705 Holmes Rd., KC, MO 816.942.9992 $ C5 www.Mac-n-Seitz.com Enjoy two major league-size infields, two full-size bull pens, indoor batting cages, six 70-foot hitting tunnels and party room events.

Martin City Sports Complex

1 E. 135th St., KC, MO 816.942.0505 $ C5 www.MartinCitySports.com Batting cages as well as driving range, miniature golf, volleyball, paintball and more.

Mid-America Sports Complex

20000 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 913.441.2244 $ A4 www.JCPRD.com Outdoor batting cages offer up fun and practice.

Regal Athletic C2

Batting Cages & Sports Complexes 68’s Inside Sports

9111 Flint, OP, KS 913.894.4752 $ B4 www.68InsideSports.com Indoor batting cages offer fun and practice.

Blackbob Batting Cages

121 E. 10th Ave., North KC, MO 816.256.2448 $ C2 www.RegalAthletic.com Try out the indoor batting cages and bull pen.

Shoal Creek Driving Range & Batting Cages

5757 NE 96th St., KC, MO 816.734.9595 $ C1 www.ShoalCreekDrivingRange.com Visit the outdoor batting cages and golf course.

Sports City

425 NE Mock Ave., Blue Springs, MO 816.229.1314 $ D3 www.SportsCityKC.com Indoor batting cages, indoor blacklight miniature golf, throwing tunnels and indoor soccer offer family fun.

Tom Urquhart’s School of Baseball

7875 Mastin Dr., OP, KS 913.385.2255 $ B4 www.385ball.com Improve your skills at indoor pitching tunnels, batting cages and field.

Triple Play Baseball Softball Academy

1315 SW 40 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO 816.220.7529 $ D4 Indoor batting cages are available.

The Yard

www.CoolCrest.com Four full 18-hole miniature golf courses, a 7000-square-foot video game arcade, a full pizzeria and restaurant, go-karts, batting cages and more!

Cosmic Mini Golf

SPORTS

Skate City Shawnee

Great Mall of the Great Plains: 20080 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.764.5565 $ A5 www.GlowMiniGolf.com Indoor miniature golf features glow-inthe-dark black light effects.

Family Golf Park

1501 SW US Hwy. 40, Blue Springs, MO 816.228.1550 $ D3 www.FamilyGolfPark.com Outdoor miniature golf, arcade, bumper boats and party facilities.

Howl-in-One Mini Golf

624B NE Jones Industrial Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 816.525. 9273 $ D4 http://TheYardKC.com Indoor baseball and softball facility.

Great Wolf Lodge: 10401 Cabela Dr., KC, KS 913.299.7001 $ A3 www.GreatWolfLodge.com Outdoor miniature golf is hosted by Great Wolf Lodge.

Miniature Golf

Parkville Mini Golf

Aaron’s Family Fun Center

17070 Aaron’s Ln., Belton, MO 816.322.0488 $ C5 www.AaronsFamilyFunCenter.com Play outdoor miniature golf and enjoy indoor bowling, outdoor go-karts and volleyball.

Cool Crest

10735 E. US Hwy. 40, Indep, MO 816.358.0088 $

D3

7 W. 1st St., Parkville, MO 816.505.9555 $ B2 www.ParkvilleMiniGolf.com Outdoor miniature golf course is set on the Missouri River bluffs.

Power Play

13110 W. 62nd Ter., Shawnee, KS 913.268.7200 $ B3 www.PowerPlayKC.com Cosmic bowling, arcade games, whirly ball and more.

14570 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 913.971.6263 $ A5 www.OlatheKS.org Outdoor batting cages and outdoor miniature golf.

Blue Valley Rec Batting Cages

North & Main Batting Cages: 9701 W. 137th St., OP, KS 913.685.6000 $ www.BlueValleyRec.org Hit at outdoor batting cages.

B5

The Fieldhouse of Kansas City

12140 W 135th St., OP, KS 913.897.4667 $ B5 www.FieldhouseofKC.com State-of-the art basketball, volleyball, and gym facility.

Golf Club of Kansas

18145 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 913.888.4894 $ B4

Snow Creek

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SPORTS

Kansas Speedway

Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com

The Rink at Burlington Creek

6109 NW 63rd Ter., KC, MO 816.249.2600 $ B2 www.KCIce.net Outdoor ice skating rink in the Northland.

Snow Creek Ski Area

1 Snow Creek Dr., Weston, MO 816.640.2200 $$ A1 www.SkiSnowCreek.com KC’s only ski course, Snow Creek features man-made snow and snowboarding and skiing lessons.

Pro, Semi-Pro and College Sports KC Chiefs

Smiley’s Golf

10195 Monticello Ter., Lenexa, KS 913.782.1323 $ B4 www.SmileysGolf.com Outdoor miniature golf features beautiful gardens and fun hazards.

Tiki Hut Mini Putt

8500 W. 151st St., Stanley, KS 913.851.1700 $ B5 www.IncredABowl.com Indoor mini golf has a tropical theme at the Incred-A-Bowl Family Fun Center.

Paintball 280 Paintball

816.767.1650 $ www.280Paintball.com Try out the indoor paintball field.

C5

Drop Zone Paintball

811 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, KS 785.841.1884 $ A3 www.DropZonePaintball.com Outdoor paintball fields offer excitement.

Jaegers Paintball Park

9300 NE Underground Dr., KC, MO 816.452.6600 $ C2 www.Jaegers.com Underground paintball field and laser tag is set in one of KC’s oldest limestone mines.

11611 Hickman Mills Dr., KC, MO

North KC Community Center

Ice Skating & Snow Sports

Arrowhead Stadium: 1 Arrowhead Dr., KC, MO 816.920.9300 $$ C3 www.KCChiefs.com Cheer for KC’s professional football team.

Centerpoint Community Ice

KC Comets

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.795.7577 $ D3 www.IndependenceEventsCenter.com Enjoy year-round skating at the indoor ice rink.

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO 816.478.2255 $$ D3 www.CometsIndoorSoccer.com Kansas City’s indoor soccer team.

 FEATURED LISTING Crown Center Ice Terrace See ad on pg. 19.

301 W. 13th St. #100, KC, MO 816.513.5630 $$ C3 www.KCExplorers.com Enjoy Kansas City’s world-class tennis team in action.

2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO 816.274.8411 $ C3 www.CrownCenter.com Kansas City’s only public, outdoor ice skating rink opens for its 40th season in November. Make memories on the ice with the entire family this winter!

The Crown Center Ice Terrace offers great events and specials throughout the season. 

The Ice at Park Place

11565 Ash St., Leawood, KS 913.663.2070 $ B5 www.DestinationParkPlace.com Bundle up. The Ice at Park Place is the only outdoor ice rink in Johnson County.

Linden Square Ice Skating Rink

NE 70th & N. Cherry Gladstone, MO 816.436.2200 $ C2 www.Gladstone.mo.us The outdoor rink is a synthetic ice surface accommodating between 100 and 120 skaters at once.

Line Creek Community Center Ice Rink

5940 NW Waukomis Dr., KC, MO 816.513.0760 $ C2 www.KCMO.org Indoor ice skating rink offers family fun.

62 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

KC Explorers

KC Renegades

Kemper Arena, 1701 American Royal Ct., KC, MO 816.287.0523 $$ C3 www.KCRenegades.com Indoor Football Team.

KC Royals

Kauffman Stadium: 1 Royal Way, KC, MO 816.921.8000 $$ C3 www.Royals.MLB.com Visit The K to watch KC’s professional baseball team.

KC T-Bones Community America Ballpark: 1800 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.328.2255 $ A3 www.TBonesBaseball.com KC’s independent professional baseball team offers a great family outing.

KU Athletics

1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 785.864.2700 $$ A3 www.KUAthletics.com College teams for the University of Kansas, including basketball, football, baseball, cross country, track and field.

SPORTS

Planning a day of fun in Kansas City and looking for insider tips to enjoy the best attractions, events, and restaurants in town?

Follow the KC Parent Blogs! (www.KCParent.com/KC-Parent-Blogs/) where local writers share the best of the best with readers every day!

Kansas Speedway

400 Speedway Blvd., KC, KS 913.328.3300 $$ A3 www.KansasSpeedway.com NASCAR races, car shows and classic car races offer plenty of excitement.

Lakeside Speedway

5615 Wolcott Dr., KC, KS 913.299.2040 $ www.LakesideSpeedway.net The half-mile dirt track is part of NASCAR’s weekly racing series.

A3

MU Athletics

1 Champions Dr., Columbia, MO 800.228.7297 $$ D3 www.MUTigers.com College teams for the University of Missouri, including basketball, football, baseball, cross country, track and field.

Missouri Mavericks

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Indep, MO

816.252.7825 $$ D3 www.MissouriMavericks.com KC’s minor league ice hockey team offers family excitement.

Sporting KC

1699 Village West Pkwy., KC, KS 913.387.3400 $$ A3 www.SportingKC.com Cheer for KC’s outdoor soccer team.

Thunder Lake Speedway

5501 Wolcott Dr., KC, KS 913.299.2323 $ A3 www.ThunderLakeSpeedway.com Oval dirt go-kart track features driving classes for all ages.

UMKC Kangaroos

Various locations $$ C3 www.UMKCKangaroos.com College teams include basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, cross country, track & field and volleyball.

INSIDE SCOOP: DUSTIN COLQUITT

Kansas City Chiefs

Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs player, says, “When my team does not get a first down, I punt the ball to the other team. I have been the Kansas City Chiefs’ punter for eight years. More importantly, I am a FUN father to my four (soon to be five!) kids.” Dustin also works with KidsTLC in Olathe. They provide much-needed services to abused and neglected kids, and he is the spokesperson for TeamSmile, which provides dental care to underprivileged kids.

GP: What is your favorite place to visit in KC with your kids?

Dustin: With three of my kids’ being boys, we love LEGOLand Discovery Center. I especially love building with the big Lego blocks. In fact, I love building any kind of Legos with my kids! We also love the zoo. I have a green thumb and am a wildlife lover.

GP: Favorite KC restaurant?

Dustin: First Watch. We go there at least once a week as a family. They have healthy food and my kids love it.

GP: Favorite autumn tradition in KC? Dustin: Deanna Rose Farmstead’s pumpkin hollow. It is just the right size for both the big kids and little kids.

GP: Favorite winter tradition in KC? Dustin: Our annual Colquitt tacky sweater party GP: Must-see KC attraction for out-of-town guests?

Dustin: KC Chiefs games!

GP: Favorite tip for Chiefs fans?

Dustin: Don’t leave your seat on fourth down.

GP: Best-kept secret in KC? Dustin: The Peanut on Wornall. I love their wings.

GP: Best date night destination?

Dustin: Gaslight Grille because of great food, friendly ownership and live music.

UMKC Athletics

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what’s your

KC STYLE?

KANSAS CITY OVERFLOWS WITH UNIQUE DESTINATIONS AND CREATIVE OUTLETS FOR EVERY PERSONALITY AND STYLE! WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? ARE YOU...

S P O R T Y

Sam Bankhead, Josh Gibson and “Cool Papa” Bell are just a few of the remarkable players whose baseball legacies are celebrated at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Pucks fly across the (see pg. 47). ice as the Missouri Mavericks (see pg. 63), KC’s minor league ice hockey team, competes.

One thousand football helmets, dozens of autographed Hall of Fame baseballs and jerseys decorate Chappell’s Sports Museum and Restaurant (323 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, MO, 816.421.0002), home to America’s largest collection of sports memorabilia inside a restaurant.

Race fans cheer for their favorite cars and drivers at NASCAR races at Kansas Speedway (see pg. 63).

Tailgating may have first become a verb in Kansas City, with community barbecues before every game in the stadium parking lots. Do we have more fun grilling hot dogs before the game or trying to catch them from Sluggerrr during the game? Either way, fans know tailgating is part of the KC sports experience.

Your need for speed is fulfilled at Extreme Grand Prix (pg. 27) where you can race high-performance European karts capable of 45 mph on a 1/4mile road course.

A R T S Y

Art lovers mark their calendars each month for First Fridays in the Crossroads when Kansas City’s eclectic shops, restaurants, studios and art galleries welcome the public for free art, entertainment and creative inspiration.

64 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

Tours are offered for free at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (see pg. 41), located on the campus of the Johnson County Community College. The museum hosts 16 Rozzelle Courtyard exhibitions a year! is a favorite restaurant for brunch at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (see pg. 41), the largest art gallery west of the Mississippi.

Yarns, fabrics, jewelry supplies and classes are available at Urban Arts & Crafts (4165 N. Mulberry Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.234.1004), a boutique shop and classroom where novice and adSpider, the 11-foot- vanced artists are tall bronze sculp- inspired to create ture, graces the something new. lawn of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (see pg. 41).

J A Z Z Y

Juicy steaks are served at The Majestic (931 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.221.1888), where the grand bar dates back to 1910. The lower level jazz club was the site of a speakeasy during Prohibition, and the tradition continues with live jazz seven nights a week.

Audiences enjoy live jazz at the Folly Theater (see pg.

52), one of Kansas City’s premier theaters since 1900.

Zoot suits were all the rage when 18th & Vine was jumpin’ with jazz.

Now the district is home to the American Jazz Museum (see pg. 41), where visitors participate in interactive exhibits celebrating Kansas City’s jazz heritage.

Zebras, chimpanzees and giraffes are the guests of honor at the Kansas City Zoo’s annual Jazzoo and Kids Jazzoo fundraisers, where live music and animal experiences are the themes of the night.

“Yardbird” Charlie Parker, jazz saxophonist and composer, is one of Kansas City’s most beloved native sons. An 18foot bronze statue commemorates the musician at the southeast corner of 17th Terrace & the Paseo in Kansas City, MO.

F O O D I E

Function Junction (3rd Floor - Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.283.3033), a Kansas City company since 1977, specializes in “cool cooking stuff” and cooking classes and events for the foodie-in-you to learn new techniques and ideas.

Old-fashioned general store atmosphere with wooden floors and original seed drawers—Planters (City Market District: 513 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 816.842.3651) offers a vast selection of spices, mixes, teas, coffees and vinegars.

Old Westport is home to Pryde’s (115 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.531.5588), a family owned Kansas City original since 1968, that specializes in gourmet housewares and kitchen and home accessories.

Dream Dinners (119th & Metcalf, 913.491.6733) is a make-your-own freezer meal shop where you can prepare healthy and simple freezer meals to enjoy in the weeks ahead.

International food can be hard to find, but 888 International Market (10118 W. 119th St., OP, KS, 913.341.8700) makes it simple as the largest international market in the KC area with authentic grocery items from around the world.

Educational culinary classes are offered at the Culinary Center of Kansas City (7920 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS, 913.341.4455) for all ages, interests and skill levels.

Learn ethnic cooking, baking, basic kitchen skills, gourmet recipes and culinary classics.

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Build a day of play! Amazing Underwater Discoveries! lEGo® Rides lEGo MiNilaNd 4d Cinema Model Builder academy lEGo Shop, Café and Much More!

®

Crown Center Square, 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-471-4FUN (4386) www.lEGolaNddiscoveryCenter.com

www.facebook.com/ldckansascity

Crown Center Square, 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Facebook.com/sealifekansascity

816-471-4FUN (4386)

www.sealifeus.com

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group, ©2013 The LEGO Group.

®

Save up to $20 Off Admission!

Save up to $20 Off Admission!

Save $5 off admission to SEA LIFE Kansas City

Terms & Conditions - Please present the coupon when purchasing tickets. This discount is not valid with other discounts, coupons or offers and can not be used with online or pre-booked tickets. Duplication or sale of this offer is prohibited. No cash value. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Valid until 05/31/14. Reference - 1460

Terms & Conditions - Please present the coupon when purchasing tickets. This discount is not valid with other discounts coupons or offers and can not be used with online or pre-booked tickets. Duplication or sale of this offer is prohibited.

No cash value. Not redeemable for cash or credit.Valid until 05/31/14. Reference - 1461

Save $5 off admission to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City up to a maximum of 4 guests with this coupon.

up to a maximum of 4 guests with this coupon.

Something for Everybody!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Join us all season long to explore and discover: • A nine-foot tall dollhouse • One of the world’s largest marble collections • Toys from die-cast trains to teddy bears • A skeleton smaller than a deck of cards • And much more!

r last u o y iss 14. m t ’ n , 20 Do 5 .

4 y 1 r 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112 n 20 e Janua i n o i toyandminiaturemuseum.org at for v e o b n t i e 816-235-8000 ing r ce to vis o g r chan Unde 66 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14

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Watch as four species of penguins waddle around in their cold and warm weather climates.

kansascityzoo.org | 816.513.5800 The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the 68 kc going places | fall & winter 2013-14 Association of Zoos and Aquariums.