KANSAS CITY, MO

By Tim Trudell

Kansas City may be known for its barbecue, sports and shopping, but there is so much to do beyond the trifecta. How about reliving your youth with Walt Disney and a favorite childhood book?

The city refuses to rest on its laurels. Instead, new and unique attractions keep popping up across the metro area.

Disney at 100

Union Station hosts impressive special exhibits, from a somber look at the Holocaust to Marvel superheroes. The historic train depot is currently hosting Disney at 100, a celebration of 100 years of Walt Disney’s innovative animation magic.

Born in Illinois, Disney lived in Marcelline, Missouri, for most of his youth. It was his time in northern Missouri that he developed his talent and foundation for his early creations. His hometown celebrates his life at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum.

He started his career as an animator in Kansas City, so it makes sense to recognize him with the special exhibit, which runs through Nov. 30.

From his early days as an artist to the universe he created, the magic of Walt Disney shines through the exhibit. The exhibit is divided into sections based on a variety of innovations. You’ll find a stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear, props from movies and television series and lots of animated backdrops from movies such as “Cinderella,” “Moana” and “Mary Poppins.” Sing along with some of your favorite Disney songs at a display featuring soundtracks.

KC Wheel

New to the Kansas City skyline, KC Wheel is an enclosed ferris wheel that offers impressive views of the city’s skyline. From the iconic Western Auto sign atop a skyscraper to the beautiful Kemper Hall shell, you’ll view KC like you’ve never seen before.

Open since early 2024, KC Wheel’s cars seat up to eight people, and is climate controlled, so no need to worry about freezing during winter. The attraction also features a miniature golf course.

National World War I Memorial and Museum

Visitors to the National World I Museum and Memorial immediately gain a sense of the tragedy war brings when they cross a glass bottom bridge above a field of 9,000 poppies. Each flower represents 1,000 people who died as a result of the war, which took place 1914-1918.

Providing an accurate historical look at the causes and effects of World War I, the National World War I Museum and Memorial features interactive exhibits and life-size displays. From a look at European economies and political environment leading to the start of the war, as well as the United States’ involvement, it’s easy to become absorbed with all the information. A video presentation midway through the tour engages your senses as you watch, hear and feel the world stepping closer and closer to conflict.

Uniforms, weapons, artillery and other artifacts showcase each nation’s story. The museum also explores the American political scene, from presidential politics to propaganda regarding savings bonds.

Outside the museum, the World War I memorial combines history with an impressive view of Kansas City’s skyline. Sculptures of griffins bookcase the entrance. The plaza includes two small halls which host special exhibits. For a magnificent look at Kansas City, ride an elevator and then climb 45 steps to the observation floor of the Liberty Tower.

Hallmark Visitors Center

Greeting card icon Hallmark shares its story at the company’s visitors center at Crown Center, a short walk from corporate headquarters. The Hallmark Visitors Center traces the company’s history through greeting cards and ornaments.

Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, a Nebraska teen, Hallmark maintains its position as THE greeting card for special occasions, such as weddings, graduations and job promotions, as well as somber moments.

While Hallmark cards are available year-round, the company dominates the holiday season. From its heart-tugging TV movies and greeting cards to heart-tugging commercials, no one captures the emotions surrounding the holidays like Hallmark. The company owns several Emmy awards for its TV specials.

A display showcases Christmas trees decorated each year as a gift to Hall. The tradition ran for about 17 years until Hall’s death in 1982. Each tree features a theme, ranging from folk art to the 12 Days of Christmas. The last tree – Crazy Quilt Tree – was presented in memoriam a few months after Hall’s death.

The Rabbit hOle

Literary favorites come to life through life-size exhibits of children’s stories and fairy tales at The Rabbit hOle. From a breathtaking exhibit celebrating “Goodnight, Moon” to the tales of “Emiline,” a French child raised by nuns at an orphanage. “Frog and Toad” is another popular book turned into immersive art.

With book quotes leading the way on stairs, tunnels and murals, The Rabbit hOle is perfect for an outing with children or grandchildren, or a childhood memory-invoking visit for boomers.

GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo

Running through Dec. 29, GloWild: Legends and Lore takes visitors through adventures and fantasy, with artist-created sculptures showcasing Atlantis, dinosaurs and a fairy garden illuminated nightly at the Kansas City Zoo.

Traversing a path leading through two worlds – adventure and fantasy – visitors are awed by the beauty of the lifelike art pieces. The zoo rotates themes each year.

Consider a daytime visit to the zoo, which has grown in size in recent years, with unique exhibits, such as polar bears, which can viewed from underwater as they swim and play with barrels and other toys.

Brewery Tours

Vine Street Brewing Company

Located in a classic water treatment plant building, Vine Street Brewing Company harkens back to the glory days of 18th and Vine District, home to jazz and blues clubs.

Today, you’ll still find music clubs in the area as well as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Museum of Jazz. A short jaunt away, Vine Street Brewing Company is one of a handful of Black-owned breweries in the United States. Opened in 2023, the brewery features beer produced on site. Tours are offered on Tuesday.

Boulevard Brewing

A Kansas City classic, Boulevard Brewing produces a variety of brews popular in the area, as well as other parts of the Midwest. Tours are offered throughout the week.

Sports

Most people are familiar with the Kansas City Royals baseball team and Chiefs football. The historic teams offer tours of their stadiums.

Kansas City Mavericks

Diehard and casual ice hockey fans will enjoy catching a Kansas City Mavericks game. Professional hockey has been part of the KC sports scene for more than 15 years.

An affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken, the Mavericks play in the East Coast Hockey League, a lower level minor league.

Kansas City Current

Playing at an outdoor stadium specifically designed for women’s soccer, the Kansas City Current are members of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Sporting KC

A longtime member of Major League Soccer, Sporting Kansas City was previously known as the Wizards. Sporting KC routinely sells out is matches, played at Legends mall in Kansas City, Kansas.

Food

Of course, no visit to Kansas City is complete without enjoying barbecue at places such as Jack Stack, Joe’s Kansas City, Gates, Arthur Bryant’s or Q39.

However, KC is also home to other unique dining experiences. From local pizza to southern comfort food, the metro area is a foodies fantasyland.

Minsky’s Pizza has several locations, from City Market to Zona Rosa. It’s pizza style is reminiscent of early Godfathers. Nebraska Cornhusker sports fans will feel at home as the franchise is the area’s Husker gathering hole.

Downtown’s Lula’s Southern Cookhouse combines southern cooking with soul food. Blackened catfish to collard greens and mac and cheese highlight the menu at the intimate restaurant.

Whether you’re a foodie or just enjoy authentic Latino food, the Taco Trail in Kansas City, Kansas, provides an impressive journey through food. From street tacos and freshly-made tortillas at Carniceria y Torterillia San Antonio to breakfast burritos at California Taco Shop, the city is home to more than 50 Hispanic eateries.

Anyone who has often traveled to Kansas City trends to have his or her favorites. But, the neat thing about travel is trying new things, and Kansas City continues to add to its appeal as a Boomer Destination.