Top 3 Reasons Kansas City, MO should be on your Family Travel radar

When I arrived in Kansas City, Missouri, I expected to find good barbecue joints and plenty of jazz.  What I didn’t expect to find is a lovely metro mecca brimming with opportunities for family travel fun!  Though my time in the city was limited, thanks to the Kansas City xx and TMSKC conference, I was able to experience a good range of activities and local favorites.  During this time, I quickly became convinced that Kansas City, MO is a very cool destination that I’m looking forward to introducing my family to (hopefully) soon! Here’s what I discovered along my journey and why I think KC should be at the top of your family travel plans, too.

A little something for everyone:  With multi-generation travel popularity increasing, the ability to have activities suitable for all ages is truly a top priority.  As you all know I specialize in travel with teens so this is of the utmost importance to me.  Kansas City, MO is a destination well suited for all ages with a wealth of activities from immersive basketball experiences to craft and creativity exploration, there’s a little something to support everyone’s interest.  Some of the must-see destinations include:

• Crown Center Complex – this family-friendly complex is connected to tow hotels and chock full of activities, shopping and dining.  You could easily plan to stay and play at the Crown Center Complex for several days but do plan some extra time to step out and see the rest of what Kansas City has to offer.
• Hallmark Visitors Center and Kaleidoscope – interactive displays and seasonal exhibits at the Hallmark Visitors Center will offers a remarkable look into the history of this fascinating company.  When you are finished exploring, head over to Kaleidoscope where kids (and adults) are invited to explore their creativity with materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes.  Both attractions are free to all visitors!
• SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium – visit more than 5,000 sea creatures in 30 exhibits including sharks, starfish, seahorses, and stingrays. There’s also an interactive Touchpool Experience where you can touch a crab or starfish while learning more.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center – young and old, everyone love LEGO! This interactive and educational center houses hands-on experiences including a 4D cinema, master classes from the LEGO Master Model Builder and an exciting LEGO laser ride.
• The College Basketball Experience – as the name implies, this interactive center is designed to give visitors a hand-on college basketball experience from shooting hoops, practicing drills to calling out play by play highlights of the game. Sports enthusiasts of all ages will love exploring and being a part of the game!

Food, ridiculously good food!  If you are craving barbecue, Kansas City will not disappoint.  Famous for their regional slow smoked meats and tomato-molasses sauce, you’ll find plenty of BBQ stops to enjoy.  What may surprise you, as it did me, you’ll also find a booming culinary scene that includes fresh farm-to-table restaurants, old world Italian and kid-friendly stops including a burger joint that delivers your meals by train!  A few stops that I recommend checking out:

• Lidia’s Kansas City – experience an authentic Italian lunch at PBS chef Lidia Bastianich’s famous KC restaurant, you’ll love every delicious bite!
• Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant – you’ll simply delight in having your meal delivered by a miniature train!  This historic local favorite serves up burgers, sandwiches and some great onion rings, too.
• Cleaver & Cork – if you are looking for a memorable dining experience, this gourmet butcher-driven gastropub featuring fresh, local ingredients and Midwestern influenced offerings developed by chef Alex Pope will completely wow your taste-buds!

Unique educational opportunities.  Like most cities, Kansas City, MO has it’s share of standard museums but there are several distinct cultural opportunities here that will truly enhance your visit and offer unique learning opportunities for families who prefer learn-cations.  Among my favorite discoveries are:

• The Coterie Theatre – this beautiful non-profit theater has a mission of providing professional classic and contemporary performances that offer educational drama programs for the community and special weekend performances for the general public.
• American Jazz Museum – showcasing the sights and sounds of jazz through interactive exhibits and films, the American Jazz Museum is a fun, hip and musical way to enjoy Kansas City legends.
• Negro Baseball Leagues Museum – dedicated to preserving the rich history of African-American Baseball, the museum offers multi-media displays, artifacts and photographs for visitors to explore.
• National Museum of Toys & Miniatures – discover the spirit the of play and the world’s largest collection of miniatures at this lovely museum that chock full of interesting displays and a fascinating trip down your childhood memory toy lane.
• Science City – this huge facility offers more than 50 hands-on science activities.  Plan to spend the day, or at least an afternoon exploring.  From dinosaurs, to trains to electricity, there’s a wealth of hands-on learning experiences.
• Kansas City Zoo – with more than 1,100 creatures on its 200-acre property, you will be amazed by the what the Kansas City Zoo has to offer.  Families can easily spend the entire day exploring attractions, including the new Orangutan Canopy, Polar Bear Passage, Penguin Plaza and African Sky Safari which offers a bird’s eye view zebras, giraffes and rhinos.

Need more ideas for your Kansas City, MO family vacation?  Visit the Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://visitkansascityks.com/ or Visit KC at https://www.visitkc.com/

Have you added Kansas City, MO to your family travel plans recently? What other attractions would you add to my list of top favorites? I’d love to hear your thoughts as I begin mapping out a return trip for my family!