Winter is a season that is filled with beauty and wonder, in the beginning at least. After a few months though, everyone gets tired of it. The unfortunate part is, even when spring officially rolls around in March, many spots are still experiencing leftover winter. Sometimes it feels like you just have to hop on a plane get away to warmer weather, but that’s not always plausible. Luckily there are a ton of fun things to do and activities to be experienced for the whole family right here in Kansas City! It’s easy to forget that this city is a blend of historical and modern attractions. Here are some ideas to help you escape the chilly weather and enjoy a Kansas City Stay-cation.
Find inspiration locally at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The museum is rich with history and the collection it holds goes deep. Even natives of Kansas City can find more intricate things each time they visit. Take your best friends out or discover it at your own pace (or your kids’ pace). Believe it or not, the museum also offers free admission to all, so it’s incredibly budget friendly! This can be your first source of inspiration during your stay-cation. Who knows, you and your family may even be inspired to create your own pieces of art.
Union Station is already a magical place to see for yourself, but when you dive deeper to find Science City, you will be astonished at what you come across. This is a family-friendly interactive science center with incredible attractions. Named one of the country’s 25 best science centers by Parents Magazine, the science center is a place of exploration and wonder. Science City is fully hands-on with their teaching and actually encourages throwing the whole “hands off” concept right out the window. Don’t be surprised if you come across something that has you thinking for the next few days. After all, this place is designed to make jaws drop.
After visiting the Science City, explore Union Station while you’re at it. This architectural masterpiece is a living piece of history. This is the center of Kansas City – where everything seems to connect. Visitors of all ages will find themselves in awe from what Union Station has to offer. Learning about the past of this building is crucial to understanding Kansas City history. The building was almost demolished several different times in the 1900’s, yet it survives even today. It is a symbol of how strong Kansas City is as a whole. Breathing new life after a recent remodel, Union Station is once again a majestic piece of architecture. See it for yourself!
If you feel like leaving the kids at home for the evening, sit back and relax with a nice cold brew at the Boulevard Brewing Company. This will take the edge off and help you really enjoy your stay-cation. At this point it may even feel like a real vacation after all of the discovering with the kids you’ve been doing. Boulevard’s mission is to produce fresh, flavorful beers using the finest ingredients and unique brewing techniques. Exploring the craft beer scene is a neat way to really experience Kansas City. Just make sure you experience it with a few friends and drive responsibly.
Being known as the crown jewel of the Kansas City park system, this 1,085-acre park dominates the park landscape. Swope Park is one of the largest urban parks in all of America. Inside the park, you will find many attractions and gorgeous views that will have you searching for more. This is a fantastic option for either a play date with the kids or if you want to have some alone time.
The Kansas City Zoo focuses on one main goal, to connect people with nature and to the natural world that we all live in. Experiencing these environments, and treating the animals with respect, can really create a unique experience that everyone can enjoy. You and the kids can gain knowledge about the amazing lifeforms we share this earth with. After all, it is very important to learn about other species at a young age, and it can be very fascinating for adults too. Extinction is becoming more common on a massive scale, so teach your children about endangered species and how we can help protect them for an added bonus.
Kansas City has so much to offer for a Stay-cation that the whole family can enjoy. Even just strolling down an unexplored street can lead you to finding many interesting and educational things to do to keep the whole day busy. You may discover something you never knew existed. Either way, enjoy your Stay-cation and relax.