Kansas City 2022 Top Things To Do

Kansas City offers a variety of family-friendly attractions that entertain and educate visitors of all ages. Here are the top destinations to explore with kids:

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1. Kansas City Zoo

• Location: Swope Park.
• Highlights: Over 1,700 animals across 200 acres, featuring African Sky Safari, polar bears, and penguins.
• Why Kids Love It: Interactive exhibits, animal feedings, and a chance to ride the train or carousel.

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2. Science City at Union Station

• Location: Downtown Kansas City.
• Highlights: Hands-on science exhibits, a planetarium, and an interactive Maker Studio.
• Why Kids Love It: The Dino Lab, Sky Bike, and the Test Kitchen offer immersive learning and fun.

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3. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

• Location: Crown Center.
• Highlights: LEGO-themed rides, a 4D cinema, and Miniland Kansas City built entirely from LEGO bricks.
• Why Kids Love It: Building and racing their own LEGO creations.

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4. SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium

• Location: Crown Center.
• Highlights: More than 5,000 sea creatures, touch pools, and a walk-through underwater tunnel.
• Why Kids Love It: Interactive touch tanks and the shark and stingray exhibits.

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5. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

• Location: Overland Park, Kansas.
• Highlights: A 12-acre farm with animals, pony rides, fishing, and wagon rides.
• Why Kids Love It: Hands-on activities like bottle-feeding baby goats and petting farm animals.

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6. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun

• Location: North Kansas City.
• Highlights: A combined amusement and water park with rides, slides, and live entertainment.
• Why Kids Love It: Camp Snoopy for younger kids and thrilling coasters for older children.

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7. Crown Center

• Location: Downtown Kansas City.
• Highlights: Shops, restaurants, and attractions like Kaleidoscope and The Coterie Theatre.
• Why Kids Love It: Kaleidoscope offers free creative workshops, and the seasonal Ice Terrace is perfect for winter fun.

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8. Powell Gardens

• Location: 30 miles east of Kansas City.
• Highlights: Lush gardens with seasonal family activities like the Festival of Butterflies.
• Why Kids Love It: The Children’s Garden features hands-on gardening activities and a giant treehouse.

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9. National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

• Location: Near UMKC.
• Highlights: A vast collection of vintage toys and intricately detailed miniatures.
• Why Kids Love It: Nostalgic toys and the chance to see dolls, trains, and action figures from different eras.

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10. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

• Location: Midtown Kansas City.
• Highlights: Free admission and the expansive Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.
• Why Kids Love It: Playing near the giant shuttlecocks and exploring kid-friendly art programs.

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11. Penguin Park

• Location: Northland area.
• Highlights: A whimsical playground featuring giant animal sculptures like a penguin, kangaroo, and giraffe.
• Why Kids Love It: Unique play structures and a family picnic area.




Cass County

1. Kansas City–style barbecue
2. Vaudevillian Orpheum circuit
3. Missouri–Kansas state line

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12. Union Station

• Location: Downtown Kansas City.
• Highlights: Historic architecture with attractions like Science City, the Model Train Gallery, and traveling exhibits.
• Why Kids Love It: Watching the intricate model trains and exploring interactive exhibits.

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13. The Kansas City Public Library

• Location: Downtown Kansas City.
• Highlights: The Central Library’s giant "Community Bookshelf" facade and rooftop terrace.
• Why Kids Love It: Storytime sessions and the children’s reading area.

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14. Lakes and Trails

• Lake Jacomo: Offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and nature trails.
• Loose Park: Features a playground, pond, and rose garden for family picnics.

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15. Starlight Theatre

• Location: Swope Park.
• Highlights: Outdoor performances, including kid-friendly musicals and concerts.
• Why Kids Love It: Magical live shows under the stars.

The Kansas City Chiefs' success, particularly in recent years with their Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVII victories, has significantly influenced the city's culture and economy, creating a lasting legacy. Here's a closer look at how the team has impacted Kansas City:

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Cultural Impact

1. Enhanced Community Pride

• The Chiefs’ achievements have united the city and fostered a strong sense of pride among residents.
• Landmarks like Union Station and the City Hall building are often lit in red during football season, symbolizing the team’s integral role in the city's identity.
• The "Chiefs Kingdom" fan base has become a defining feature of Kansas City culture, with traditions like the Tomahawk Chop and chants of "Home of the Chiefs" during the national anthem at Arrowhead Stadium.

2. Strengthened Sports Identity

• Kansas City is now recognized nationally and globally as a football powerhouse.
• The Chiefs' dynamic play style, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has turned Kansas City into a destination for sports enthusiasts.
• Arrowhead Stadium, the loudest stadium in the NFL, has become an iconic venue for passionate football fans.

3. Boost to Local Traditions

• Game days are celebrated with tailgating culture at Arrowhead Stadium, often described as one of the best in the NFL.
• Chiefs-related traditions, merchandise, and events have become woven into Kansas City’s fabric, influencing everything from local art to food (e.g., Chiefs-themed BBQ items).

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Economic Impact

1. Increased Tourism

• Chiefs games draw fans from across the country, boosting hotel stays, restaurant visits, and other local spending.
• The team’s success has made Arrowhead Stadium a year-round tourist attraction, particularly for events like playoff games and the NFL Draft, which Kansas City hosted in 2023.

2. Job Creation and Revenue

• Home games generate significant economic activity, supporting jobs in hospitality, transportation, and stadium operations.
• A Super Bowl victory alone can infuse millions into the local economy, with parades, merchandise sales, and celebrations creating a ripple effect.

3. Boost to Small Businesses

• Chiefs’ success has benefited local businesses, from sports bars and BBQ joints to Chiefs-themed shops. Merchandise sales skyrocket during successful seasons.
• Chiefs branding on products—from beer to apparel—helps small businesses capitalize on fan enthusiasm.

4. National and Global Exposure

• Media coverage of the Chiefs brings attention to Kansas City’s attractions, such as its jazz scene, BBQ, and cultural landmarks.
• The success of players like Patrick Mahomes has elevated the city's reputation beyond sports, with Mahomes himself investing in local ventures like Whataburger franchises and the Kansas City Current women’s soccer team.

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Social and Philanthropic Impact

1. Community Involvement

• The Chiefs and their players are heavily involved in local philanthropy. The Mahomes Foundation (15 and the Mahomies) supports children’s initiatives and community development.
• Team-led events and charitable contributions have helped address local challenges, from education to health.

2. Strengthened Civic Pride

• The Chiefs’ success has unified a diverse population, fostering civic pride and strengthening Kansas City's identity as a premier sports city.
• Victory parades bring the community together, with hundreds of thousands gathering to celebrate.

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Future Prospects

• With the Chiefs' continued dominance in the NFL, Kansas City is poised for sustained economic and cultural growth. Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will further enhance the city's global profile, thanks in part to the Chiefs’ visibility.

The Kansas City Chiefs have become more than just a football team—they are a cultural and economic powerhouse that has reshaped the city’s identity and inspired national and global recognition.