Visiting Kansas City, MO in June. Need travel ideas/coupons/discounts.

[trixkid89]

My Dis family is visiting Kansas City, MO for 3-4 days in June.
We are for sure going to Worlds Of Fun & T-Rex but I would like to know of any "secret" places that we might want to try. Could be entertainment, shopping or restaurants etc. Also needing any discount info. for these places or the area. Thanks!!!

 

[Plantlady]

It is not a secret, but we just got a Legoland Discovery Center and Aquarium at Crown Center.

Of course we have Barbeque. I like Oklahoma Joe's. My husband likes Arthur Bryants.

There is a titanic exibit in Union station. I have not made it, but one of my kids got to go there on a field trip and loved it.

There is a wonderful WWI museum.

I love the Steamboat Arabia museum.

I haven't been in years, but you can see a show at Starlight Theater. I was just looking at ticket prices last night, and it is quite reasonable.

You can go watch the Royals. They will probably lose, but it might be fun anyway.

 

[momto2inKC]

Plantlady had some great ideas! www.visitkc.com usually has some really good printable attraction coupons. There is a lot to see/do over at the Legends, which is where T-Rex is. The T-Bones (minor league baseball) games are usually a blast! And they're pretty good, unlike our Royals We haven't been yet, but there's a Schlitterbahn (I probably totally messed up that spelling!). The new aquarium and Lego Discovery Center have been getting RAVE reviews! Both just opened recently. There are deals for tickets on their websites if you purchase in advance.

 

[Plantlady]

I forgot to mention the Nelson-Atkin's if you like art. it is free. Just $5 to park.
Union Station also has a science city that kids love.
Crown Center has the Coterie Theater, which is also great for kids.
In Independence, you can visit Harry Truman's house.
There is Powell Gardens if you enjoy formal gardens.
There is the Kansas City zoo, which is a decent zoo.

 

[nchulka]

check out the Deanna Rose Children's Farm. It is free Mon.-Thurs. and only 2.00 Fri.-Sun. It is awesome! Tons for kids to do. You can pay 10 bucks per kid for an activity pass that allows each child to do gem mining, feed the baby goats, have a pony ride, take a wagon ride, and go fishing. The fishing is really cute, they give the kids a cane pole and a metal lunch pail of worms. They have a big pond with a bridge that leads to an island in the middle. Kids can fish anywhere and they are extremely easy to catch. We were there last week and all 4 kids I was with caught at least 2 each, some as many as 4-5.

If you go to Crown Center (Lego and Aquarium) check out Kaleidoscope. It is in the same shopping center. They are part of Hallmarks world headquarters and is a FREE art center for kids. They have times each day (40 minute sessions) where kids and parents come in and let their imaginations run wild making all sorts of art projects. It is very cool and my kids love it every time we go to KC.

 

[hsmamato2]

I like the zoo.... and just wandering the downtown area,getting some dinner,there are MANY beautiful fountains,and my kids enjoyed getting their feet wet! (it is HOT)

 

[nchulka]

Just wanted to add, I see you are going to T-Rex, it is awesome!!! Last year we made the mistake of eating a meal there, very expensive! This year we went in the afternoon and ordered their special dessert. 13.99 for a huge plate of ice cream and chocolate cake, enough to feed 4-5 people easy. We had 4 and didn't finish it. They serve it very cool, there is something in the middle that smokes and it's a big production. The kids loved it way more than eating a meal there and we only spent 15 bucks instead of 50+ like last year

 

[4mykidz127]

If you are here on a Wednesday then kids eat for 1.99 at T-Rex from 5-close. Also for Worlds of Fun if you get your tickets online you can get the meal deal which includes an all you can eat BBQ. Total cost for your ticket and meal is 39.99 which is way cheaper than buying at the gate. The gate price is 44.99 for an adult ticket only. Also keep in mind that Worlds of Fun goes by height and not age. If your child is 48 inches and taller then you have to buy an adult ticket, no matter how old they are.

Schlitterbahn is fun too, I think they finally added some more rides but there is Oceans of Fun which is right next door to Worlds of Fun and I think you can buy a combo ticket online as well for both parks.

 

[Butwhyistherumgone?]

Maybe I will see you there
We are going to Legoland and Sealife the second weekend in June. Staying one might at Great wolf.
Love the T rex cafe tip on dessert. I wanted to go but didnt want to spend that much on food when there are so many other yummy places to try!

 

[Minnesota!]

We loved The Truman Presidential Library in Independance.

Also we really thought the food at Summit Hickory Pit (Lee's Summit) was tasty!!

 

[dhop]

There's also the Negro League Baseball Museum. It's actually in the same building as the American Jazz Museum. We went through both last year and really enjoyed it.

 

[pantherlj]

I 2nd Deanna Rose, Crown Center and Science City. All hits with the kids.

If you want an indoor activity, Dave and Busters is near T Rex. Go sign up at their website - it can take a few days to get on the email list. You'll get a coupon for $10 when you buy $10. The $10 lasted us a long time.

If you go to Crown Center like someone else mentioned, check out Fritz's for lunch. Fun experience for the kids- a train brings you your food. Prices are reasonable but line can be long. Moves fast but try to avoid peak lunch hour.

 

[jedijill]

It is not a secret, but we just got a Legoland Discovery Center and Aquarium at Crown Center.

Of course we have Barbeque. I like Oklahoma Joe's. My husband likes Arthur Bryants.

There is a titanic exibit in Union station. I have not made it, but one of my kids got to go there on a field trip and loved it.

There is a wonderful WWI museum.

I love the Steamboat Arabia museum.

I haven't been in years, but you can see a show at Starlight Theater. I was just looking at ticket prices last night, and it is quite reasonable.

You can go watch the Royals. They will probably lose, but it might be fun anyway.

Mmmmm, Oklahoma Joe's. Just went home to KC this weekend and ate there on Saturday. Best BBQ in the world.

Steamboat Arabia museum is awesome! I used to have season tickets to Starlight...the shows are great and it really is reasonable.

Walk around the Country Club Plaza....great shopping and restaurants. First outdoor shopping mall in the US.

I like going to T-bones games instead of the Royals....more fun and way less expensive! If you are going to T-Rex anyway the T-Bones stadium is right there.

Jill in CO (formerly of KC!)

 

[trixkid89]

Thank you so much Dis buddies for all the information!!! There is some really great ideas and since I don't know the area these are all very helpful. I've got my work cut out for me planning!

 

[stitchfan18]

Our favorite BBQ here is Jack Stack BBQ. I second the suggestion to check out the plaza area. That is one of our favorite things to do on dates during the summer. It's basically a more upscale shopping area, but the buildings are beautiful and there are park areas nearby that we like to walk around as well. We usually grab some dinner at Cheesecake Factory or Jack Stack when we go down there (or sometimes dinner at Jack Stack and walk around some before getting dessert at the Cheesecake factory.)

If you are going as a group to WOF, I think you can contact guests services before your trip and get a group discount. We also bring our own lunch since we aren't really a fan of the park food there and it's pricey for what you get. You can't bring food into the park, but there is a picnic area in the parking lot area. There are restaurants nearby that you can go to as well if you want to take a break midday.

Another fun thing that I haven't seen mentioned is Theater in the Park. (http://www.theatreinthepark.org/) It's not professional, but tickets are pretty cheap. You bring your picnic, blankets, chairs, etc. and enjoy dinner while watching the show. Shawnee Mission Park is a great park to enjoy during the day as well!

 

[Timon_n_Pumba]

check out the Deanna Rose Children's Farm. It is free Mon.-Thurs. and only 2.00 Fri.-Sun. It is awesome! Tons for kids to do. You can pay 10 bucks per kid for an activity pass that allows each child to do gem mining, feed the baby goats, have a pony ride, take a wagon ride, and go fishing. The fishing is really cute, they give the kids a cane pole and a metal lunch pail of worms. They have a big pond with a bridge that leads to an island in the middle. Kids can fish anywhere and they are extremely easy to catch. We were there last week and all 4 kids I was with caught at least 2 each, some as many as 4-5.

Speak for yourself, there, Ahab...we took my son's pre-K there last year and it took me forever to catch a fish---and the poor kiddos weren't getting anything. The fish were very adept at slurping the worm off the hook without actually getting barbed by it, however...

The food suggestions are great: especially OK Joes and Jack Stack for BBQ (at the latter, the prime rib bone is absolutely sublime). T-Rex is pretty neat, and there is some kind of "kid's reading" coupon that allows you to get free kid's meals, I think (or there used to be); google it maybe.

Haven't done Legoland yet but I'm sure we will soon (off to the World next week though!). Also, there is a traveling Titanic artifact exhibition at the old Union Station (right near Crown Center and Legoland) that I whole-heartedly recommend.

Have a great time!

 

[KCmike]

May I ask where your traveling from?

Amusement Parks:
Worlds of Fun
Oceans of Fun
Schlitterbahn water park (near T Rex cafe and Legends shopping)

Shopping:
Country Club Plaza - premier outdoor shopping with many fountains
Legends
Zona Rosa

Unique Experiences:
Steamboat Arabia - sunken ship that was recovered, pretty amazing
Liberty Memorial WWI memorial, very well done
Sea Life Aquarium - haven't been yet but heard it might not be worth the cost
Legoland Discovery - same as sea life
Union Station - Titanic Exhibit, Science city for kids


Sports:
KC Royals
Sporting KC - major league soccer

Places to Eat:
BBQ joints - Arthur Bryants, Smokehouse BBQ, Gates, Oklahoma Joe's
Hamburgers - Winsteads, Fritzs (food served by model railroad) its at crown center

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

Thanks for all the great info posted by everyone!! There is so much more to Kansas City than I thought!! My family and I are planning to visit there next weekend and this info is very much appreciated!!

 

[merekc]

Hamburgers - Winsteads, Fritzs (food served by model railroad) its at crown center

If your kids are younger, Fritz's is a good bet. They designed the train system that delivers your food. Very unique experience and kids love it. Food is greasy diner food (not necessarily in a bad way ).

There are actually three locations in KC. One at Crown Center, one in Shawnee, KS and one in Kansas City, KS. The CC and Shawnee ones are newer and in better areas, probably want to go to one of them over KCK. (No offense to KCK).

 

[trixkid89]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful tips, advice and information! You guys ROCK!!!
We are traveling from Cedar Rapids, IA. I think now we may be making a stop in Omaha, NE to to Zoo before heading to KC.
I checked out some of the featured restaurants on the Food Network in KC. Here is a list of a few that I thought looked good:
Johnny's Bar-B-Q
Grinders
Extra Virgin
Westprt Flea Market Bar & Grill
Smokin Guns

I also have one more question for you all (well that I can think of for now. LOL) I have not found any sites that offer coupon deals like B1G1 or $5 off admission prices or kids are free for some of the museums, aquarium and attractions. I had signed up with a news letter that had these for St. Louis so I was hoping for something like that for KC. Any ideas???