|
|
Post by Merge on Nov 15, 2014 13:01:06 GMT
Hey KC peas - we are visiting family there for all of Thanksgiving week and are looking for some fun, but not super expensive things to do while we're there. Needs to be family friendly but kids are ages 12-16 so not necessarily little-kid friendly. Anywhere in the KC metro area is fine.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by ktdoesntscrap on Nov 15, 2014 15:32:53 GMT
Thanksgiving evening go to the Plaza to see the lights turned on. It is a KC tradition. The Steamship Arabia 1856.com is the best museum in KC. It is so interesting. The scuplture garden at the Nelson-Atkins is amazing... the shuttle cocks are a lot of fun.. great photo opps (terrible picture of it right now) www.nelson-atkins.org/collections/collection-history-DJHSP.cfm Overland Park Arboretum is another favorite of ours. Make sure to get some BBQ while you are there! |
|
oaksong
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,167 
Location: LA Suburbia
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
|
Post by oaksong on Nov 15, 2014 16:21:03 GMT
We thought the WWI museum was very well done and worthwhile. It is the official US National WWI museum. Not that kids that age necessarily think museums are fun, but mine liked it. The exhibits are interactive and realistic.
|
|
|
|
Post by bwife on Nov 15, 2014 17:36:44 GMT
Nelson Art museum, free admission, But you pay to park ( like $6 a car) The sculpture park outside is neat to see too! Sea Life Aquarium is just $11 if you buy tixs online and go after 3pm. www.visitsealife.com/kansas-city/ Lego Land Discovery is also right here.... Price is a bit more though. Crown Center ( where Sea Life is) is a neat place to shop. Very unique shops. Also near crown center is Union Station. They always have some neat stuff going on during the holidays... www.unionstation.org/The Liberty Memorial and World War 1 Museum is just across the way from Union station. Even if you dont go to the Museum, Go to the top of the hill and walk out to the Memorial. Fantastic Views of the city and Union station from there. theworldwar.org/All of the Lights on the Plaza turn on the evening on thanksgiving. The plaza is a shopping district here. Very neat to see all of the lights and this year they are going to be 85% LED. so brighter then ever. the lights turn on nightly from Thanksgiving until mid Jan. countryclubplaza.com/I am sure there is more for me to add. These are the 1st things that come to mind for visitors. I will think about it today and update!  |
|
|
|
Post by coaliesquirrel on Nov 15, 2014 23:45:08 GMT
Another vote for the aquarium and Steamboat Arabia - and if you go Saturday or Sunday morning, you can peruse the City Market just outside as well (OMG - get breakfast at Beignet!!). There's also outdoor ice skating at Crown Center (where the aquarium is). The Plaza is gorgeous when lit, but the madness of the lighting ceremony is more than I've ever been willing to deal with (some people LOVE it and go every year - crowds aren't my thing). Get some BBQ at Oklahoma Joe's/Joe's KC BBQ (preferably the original location at 47th & Mission Rd.). The Legends shopping center in KCK has lots of outlets if shopping's your thing (and they're opening for Black Friday at 10pm Thursday). At Moon Marble in Bonner Springs (10 min from Legends) you can watch them make marbles and it's a good place to shop for stocking stuffers - closed Sunday/Monday, open 10-5 other days. The Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery is cool *inside* as well as out, and I believe it's free entry.
|
|
scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,672
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
|
Post by scrappinmama on Nov 16, 2014 0:11:20 GMT
Another bite for Nelson Atkins (there's an outdoor labyrinth too), and WWI Museum. Sea Life Aquarium isn't great in my opinion. It would take maybe an hour to walk through. I'm not saying don't go. Just don't expect a great aquarium. Discovery Legoland is fun, but it would probably just take an hour there too. Union Station is another option. There is a bug exhibit, miniature trains, Science City, and a big I Max screen. Legends is also a great suggestion. There's a Dave and Buster's there.
|
|
Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,891
Location: Kansas City -ish
|
Post by Anita on Nov 16, 2014 1:05:31 GMT
I'll third skipping the aquarium. It isn't anything to write home about as far as aquariums are concerned. The WWI museum is a great stop. There is so much to see there.
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlotte on Nov 16, 2014 1:10:41 GMT
There is also the Plaza lighting ceremony Thanksgiving night.
|
|
scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,672
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
|
Post by scrappinmama on Nov 16, 2014 1:11:35 GMT
If you do want an aquarium, you could head to Legend's, then stop at Cabela's next door. Their aquarium is free.
|
|
freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
|
Post by freebird on Nov 16, 2014 2:24:17 GMT
Definitely hit Nelson Atkins. Right now they have a plains Indians exhibit but it'll be extra. I went recently for the impressionists exhibit and I swear I almost cried it was so amazing.
I'd go to the plaza to see the lights and shopping but I wouldn't go during the lighting ceremony unless you want to rip your hair out. lol.
We recently went down to Union station and the WWI museum with my inlaws. It was fun, although I really didn't enjoy the museum much.
Look on Groupon/living social for KC and you'll see lots of great deals for off beat things to do and see.
|
|
Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
Post by Loydene on Nov 16, 2014 2:54:33 GMT
I'm going to chime in with the Plaza Lighting Ceremony -- but not the negative part. I've been on the Plaza and find it exciting and fun. This year might be very cold ... and parking is an issue ... and I've never bothered to try to get all the way down to the stage area ... but it is a fun tradition!
The lights at Crown Center and the Mayor's Christmas tree will be turned on the following night -- which might be a good time to see the Crown Center area. There is the Hallmark visitor's center at Crown Center which is an interesting, interactive history of the Hallmark company -- tons of information and it is rather fun ... and free. There are many choices for dining at Crown Center also with a variety of prices.
See Nelson Atkins, window shop the Plaza (if you don't go to the lighting ceremony - window shop around dusk waiting for the lights to go on)
Brookside is a fun area to browse
And as others have said -- Legends out by the speedway -- shopping, movies, Cabela's ... lots of places to eat.
|
|
pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
|
Post by pridemom on Nov 16, 2014 20:53:40 GMT
Good suggestions here. There's also the Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence.
|
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Nov 16, 2014 21:02:38 GMT
Thanks for all the suggestions! Looks like we'll have some fun stuff to do. |
|
