KC Fun

The National Frontier Trails Museum highlights experiences discovered by travelers along the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails.

A Journey Through the National Frontier Trails Museum

Independence, Missouri, has always held a special place in the story of westward expansion, and visiting the National Frontier Trails Museum felt like stepping onto a launchpad of American history. As we pulled into the parking lot, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Here we were, about to walk the same metaphorical […]

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Cockrell Mercantile is a rustic stop on the outskirts of Kansas City.

Cockrell Mercantile: Missouri’s Tastiest Hidden Treasure

Tucked away on the outskirts of Lee’s Summit, Cockrell Mercantile is the kind of place you hear about in whispers. Those “you’ve-gotta-go” recommendations from folks who know where to find the good stuff. With its creaky wooden floors, vintage architecture, and shelves brimming with gourmet goodies, this charming mercantile feels like a step back in

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The statue of Rube Foster is located within the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Honoring The Past At The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Nestled in the historic 18th and Vine District, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum holds tales from the past. This Kansas City attraction is located at 1616 E 18th St, on the Missouri side of the city. It connects to the American Jazz Museum as a cultural cornerstone, setting the tone for a deeply enriching experience.

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A homeowner watches as people are forced from the farms during General Order No. 11.

The Battle of Lone Jack: Echoes of Conflict

The crackling of flames and the distant wails of the displaced filled the air as homeowners watched helplessly. Families were being torn from their farms. Their lives were reduced to smoldering ruins under the ruthless enforcement of General Order No. 11. It’s a stark image that encapsulates the deep scars left by the Civil War

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A 1950s automobile inside the Johnson County Museum.

Changing Times – Johnson County Museum

The Johnson County Museum, located at 8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas, offers visitors an immersive look into the region’s vibrant past. Housed in a historic landmark, this museum is a treasure trove of stories, artifacts, and interactive exhibits that highlight the evolution of Johnson County. From its tumultuous Civil War history to the suburban

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A display of jazz legends who visited Kansas City.

Exploring the American Jazz Museum: Step Into The Rhythm

Tucked in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District, the American Jazz Museum, at 1616 E 18th St., is where music history comes alive. From the moment we walked in, the energy was electric—photos of jazz greats lined the walls, the soft hum of saxophones filled the air, and interactive exhibits invited us to dive

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A collection of colorful glass spheres at Moon Marble.

Moon Marble: A Timeless Treasure in Bonner Springs, Kansas

Moon Marble Company has become a must-visit destination for families, collectors, and nostalgia seekers. This unique shop, nestled in Bonner Springs, Kansas, offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of marbles and classic games. We’ve been drawn to the store for its vast selection and the live marble-making demonstrations. Stepping inside Moon Marble is like

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Día de Muertos celebration in KCK draws crowds to Central Avenue.

Vibrant Spirits & Colorful Souls: Experiencing Día de Muertos in Kansas City, Kansas

Every fall, as the cool October air begins to settle over Kansas City, Kansas, something truly magical takes place in the heart of the city. Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, transforms Central Avenue into a vivid celebration of life, memory, and tradition. Amid a backdrop of city vibes, soulful music, and

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Pinstripes is an entertainment and dining experience in Overland Park.

Pinstripes: Overland Park’s Ultimate Entertainment Destination

Tucked into the Prairiefire complex, at 13500 Nall Ave., is a family-friendly activity center. Pinstripes is not just a venue—it’s an experience. This unique entertainment destination offers a unique blend of bowling, bocce, and dining. With its chic, modern design and inviting atmosphere, Pinstripes is the perfect escape from daily life. After a morning of

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Museum at Prairiefire is a boutique science center designed with hands-on experiences.

Hands-on Fun At Museum at Prairiefire

We consider ourselves blessed to reside in a city with many diverse attractions. Museums are one of our favorite destinations, and the Museum at Prairiefire fits a specific niche in this category. The museum is inside the Prairiefire neighborhood at 5801 W. 135th Street in Overland Park, Kansas. The building is the first in North

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Perfume bottles decorate an exhibit at Arabia Steamboat Museum.

Preserving History at the Arabia Steamboat Museum

When we think of the Wild West, visions of chuckwagons, cattle drives, and lonely cowboys play out in our minds. The steam engine, invented in the early 1800s, impacted the path of history. As the country raced to build railroads across the wide expanses, the age of steamboats arrived. Living on the confluence of two

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You'll see plenty of sports memorabilia during a visit to Chappell's Restaurant.

Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum – Eating Up History

What do you get when you combine delicious food and an astonishing collection of sports memorabilia? Located in North Kansas City, Missouri is Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum. This sports fan Mecca opened in 1986 and has drawn visitors from far and wide. Notoriety has come from many directions, including lots of the top sports

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Life in the Trenches – National World War 1 Museum

The National World War 1 Museum and Memorial is not a memorial to the war. This national treasure is a reminder of the human spirit and the never-ending fight for peace. Life in the trenches was filled with short periods of sheer terror followed by long spans of boredom. Stretching across the horizon, these muddy, rat-infested trenches

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The Kansas City Museum offers a chance to see one of the city's most impressive estates.

Kansas City Museum – A Renewed Purpose

For decades, schoolchildren from around the metropolitan region made the annual field trip to the Kansas City Museum. I remember visiting during the time that it focused primarily on our hometown’s history. It also featured hundreds of taxidermized animals in lifelike settings. In 2008, the museum was closed for a complete renovation and repurposing. When

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The attention to detail is incredible in the pieces displayed at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

National Museum of Toys And Miniatures – Releasing My Inner Child

I have to admit that there’s a little kid in me that can come out at the most inopportune moments. To limit the silliness from becoming too rampant, I find it best to shower my inner child with periodic visits to kid-friendly attractions. Kansas City just happens to be home to quite a few of

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A Fall display welcomes guests to Missouri Town 1855.

Missouri Town 1855 – Welcoming Fall

As Autumn descends on the Midwest, people will find an abundance of harvest-themed festivals. Welcoming Fall brings a change in the air, that signals the shortening of daylight hours. We find ourselves trying to savor every moment. Scanning the Kansas City calendar of events, we noticed the annual Fall Festival at Missouri Town 1855. Since

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The burned out ruins of Ha Ha Tonka Castle are a sight that many Midwesteners are familiar with.

Sunshine and Social Distancing – Ha Ha Tonka State Park

As I sit and write this article, we are currently under self-imposed isolation called “social distancing”. While the subject is near and dear to everyone at this stage, I have to wonder what readers will think when they return to this particular article in two or three years. How will our daily interactions change, once

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A war horse and soldiers armor make for an imposing display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.

Seeing The Details – Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Variety keeps life from becoming boring. You can imagine what it would be like if every museum was exactly the same. Each would hold the same static displays and spout the same factoids. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Each history museum has its own approach to telling stories from the past. We also have a

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The welcome sign at the entrance to the Kansas City Ethnic Festival.

See The World at The Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival

Way back around 1980, a little annual event started up to celebrate the rich diversity found in Kansas City. We are sure that the organizers of this festival were hopeful that it would continue, but wonder if they could have imagined that it would achieve its current level of success. Here we are 39 years

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A Story Of Passion Extinguished – Vaile Mansion

Kansas City is a metropolis filled with countless tales. Every corner of the city has its urban legends, myths, and tall tales. Somewhere along the way, many of these began with an inkling of truth and were merely stretched with passing time. Not long after the Civil War ended, many pioneers would pass through Independence

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Why We Enjoy Places Like Miami County Historical Museum

There are varying opinions on the amount of enjoyment one can get from visiting a localized history museum. Some shy away from them, believing that they are dull and boring. Others, like ourselves, find that there are a multitude of personal stories just waiting to be uncovered. In Paola, Kansas we visited the Miami County

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What We Learned At The Osawatomie Museum Complex

A day trip to Osawatomie, Kansas was less than an hour drive from Kansas City, but landed us in a different era. This itinerary was designed to showcase a variety of historic sites in Miami County. The Osawatomie Museum Complex, located in the downtown, was one of our stops. This locally oriented twin museum tells

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10 Reasons To Head To Santa-Cali-Gon Days Every Year

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial start of Fall, which means tons of festivals. Santa-Cali-Gon Days celebrates the extended weekend with entertainment, local vendors, and live music. This multi-day event takes place on the square in historic Independence, Missouri. While limiting this list to just ten things is difficult, these are the most popular reasons

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