http://www.kcrenfest.com/

If you haven't had a chance to make it out to the festival yet this year you better hurry!  This event has been around since I was a little girl and is fun for kids of all ages. 

I personally enjoy the festival more in a large group of friends rather than a date activity.  Its a wonderful family event, and I tip my hat to all the people who muscle a stroller through it.  Be prepared with solid shoes to walk a lot through woodchip paths, and they do let you bring in your own water bottles.

There is always lots of food and all types of beverages.  The beer and wine are reasonable at around $4.00.  A must have is always an enormous turkey leg dinner by hand!  This year I tried a scotch egg (boiled egg surrounded by bacon or sausage and fried) compliments of a friends suggestion, which I'll probably pass up next year. 

There are lots of craft and goodies shops to puruse.  You can buy great incense and herbs at some of the street carts.  There are costume shops for big and small patrons.  Games and swords are always for sale as well.  Bring lots of money if you have a little one and don't want to hear them beg for a princess hat or shield

The festival always has daily events scheduled and they give you a listing at the door.  Be sure to look through it to not miss events or shows that you want.  The magic shows are always entertaining and of course you have to cheer at the daily joust!

http://www.kcrenfest.com/

See you there!

www.bluekoikc.com

I ate dinner there a couple nights ago with my lovely mother.  After opening up the undeniable blue doors, we walked in to a very upscale, but quiet, urban style decor.  We sat at a table somewhat close to the entrance, but given the open environment, there really wasn't a bad seat in the house.  There is also a lovely, and rather large, outside patio that seemed very cosy.

The service was very pleasant and prompt.  I indulged in the shrimp with curry sauce (which was mouthwateringly savory but not spicy) while my 'date' had the ginger basil chicken with rice.  The chicken was a little on the bland side but the ambiance and the service made up for it.

Bubble tea is very popular here as you can even get it spiked!  I'd hold out for a glass of the plum wine but only after dinner to satisfy your sweet tooth.  Oh who are we kidding, you're going to get green tea ice cream anyway LOL.

Dinner ranges in price from $10-$13 which is easily affordable for the area.  Starters were a bit pricey but could be substituted as a meal. 

Great date joint, good adult conversation, not so much kid friendly (more teenager friendly).   If you can't make it to Overland Park for this delight, the other location is in Westport.  Check the website for directions.

See you there!

www.bluekoikc.com

1. Worlds of Fun-  For those little adventurers and thrill seekers, Worlds of Fun is a must! For the brave kids, they can enjoy five of the wildest roller coasters and an assortment of amusement park rides any park has to offer. Including the brand new Patriot, the longest and tallest inverted roller coaster in the region. For the younger, less adventurous of the bunch, they can play in Camp Snoopy and meet all of their favorite Peanuts characters.

 Located off the East loop of I-435 at exit 54 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, directions, and ticket prices go to http://www.worldsoffun.com or call 816-454-4545.

2. Oceans of Fun- What could be better than a world of fun? How about Oceans of Fun! Located conveniently behind Worlds of Fun is a water-lovers paradise. There's something for everone from the 18 water slides, kids water attractions, a wave pool, sun deck, and even a pool side bar for the adults. If the water gets to be too much, get the Ride and Slide ticket deal and hop between both parks for the day. 

For more information go to http://www.worldsoffun.com  or call 816-454-4545.

3. The Kansas City Zoo- So many kids want to go on trips around the world, so on your next trip to Kansas City stop by Africa and Australia. The Kansas City Zoo is now featuring a Koala exhibit. Miimi and Nariah, two cute and cuddly koalas on loan from the San Diego Zoo, can be seen until Labor Day Weekend.

If you need a break from the summer heat, check out the air conditioned Discovery Barn and see the exotic animals. Also, for the kids, there's Peek-A-Boo Tree, a treehouse that they can climb and play like animals in the wild. There are also various animal shows daily.

Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Located in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, KCMO off I-435 and US-71 Hyw. For more information, ticket pricing, and events go to http://www.kansascityzoo.org or call 816-513-5700.

4. Kaleidoscope- Every child has a little artist in them waiting to shine through, and there's no better place to unleash the Picaso in them than at Kaleidoscope. The best part is it's free!!

Your child will be able to make whatever their little heart desires using melted crayon, shiny paper,  cardboard, polka dots, and ribbons...just to name a few. Kaleidoscope is the the perfect place to let them create, discover and explore their own imaginations.

Located at 2408 McGee in the Crown Center complex. Open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Go to http://www.hmkaleidoscope.com/ or call 816-274-8300 for the calander of events and information on their Family Art sessions (adults and children of all ages) and Independent Art sessions (children 5-12 years old).

5. Deanna Rose Childrens Farmstead- Just outside of Kansas City about 20 minutes in Overland Park, there is another free attraction for children. The Deanna Rose Childrens Farmstead is a 12 acre park full of an farm animal you can think of, birds of prey, and vegetable and flower gardens.

What makes this park stand out from others is that they have a one-room country schoolhouse for children to experience the "old school" education setting, a Kanza Indian Encampment (a large tee-pee with Indian artifacts inside), and a fishing pond stocked with bluegill and catfish that children can catch with an old fashioned cane fishing pole and worms (catch and release of coarse!).

They have also added a large dairy barn equipped with a mini theater where you can sit in your tractor seat and learn the entire cow milking process. Then, once the film is finished you can go and test your milking skills on the cow milking simulator. It is definitely a unique park. 

Located at 138th and Switzer and open April 1 through October 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, directions and more attrations go to http://www.opkansas.org/_Vis/Farmstead/index.cfm or call 913-897-2360.

6. Science City-  One of the best kid attractions that is also educational is Science City in Union Station. Right now Science City is featuring their Dino Lab, an actual lab that lets you watch real paleontologists as they unearth real dinosaur bones and make casts of them. While you are there you can check out the other attractions Union Station has to offer, such as the rail exhibit featuring ventage rail cars or see a planetarium show.

Located inside Union Station at 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Call 816-460-2020 or go to http://www.sciencecity.com/ for ticket packages and pricing.

7. Children's Museum of Kansas City- Remember playing doctor or actually getting excited about grocery shopping as a child? At the Children's Museum of Kansas City, your little rug rats can get the ultimate make believe experience. In this hands-on learning enviornment they can play and pretend while developing social, emotional, and physical skills that will help them in their continuing growth and maturity.

The safe, child-sized exhibits include: 

         a supermarket   
         a hospital 
         stage and puppet area
         construction area 
         music and optics area 
         a special "Tree and Me" area for toddler exploration
         a fire safety exhibit
         an art studio - Creation Station

 The best part is the Children's Museum encourages adult-child interaction, so you can participate in the playing too!  Located across the Missouri state line in Kansas City, Kansas. It's in the lower level, Southeast corner of Indian Springs Marketplace at 4601 State Ave. They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and prices call 913-287-8888 or go to http://www.kidmuzm.org/.

8. Royals Game- The smell of hot dogs, the crowds roar, and the summer sun, nothing can top the experience of a major league baseball game!! Regardless of who your hometown team is, children and adults alike can still have a blast at a Royals baseball game!

You will definitely hit a homerun with your kids, both young and old, if you take them to the Little K before the game. There they will get to experience the major league experience by playing on a miniature-sized field, testing their fast ball and batting abilities, and even have a chance to win a free ticket to another game on the Putting Diamond!  

Don't forget, after the games on Sundays, fans of all ages are invited to go run the bases on the field. Kauffman Stadium is located on I-70 and the Blue Ridge Cutoff. For tickets, schedules and more information go to http://www.royals.mlb.com/.

9. Puppetry Arts Institute- Looking for a little old fashioned fun? Children can explore the world through puppetry. Here they will get to make their own puppets and then put on a puppet show in an adjacent theater. There is even an educational expericence waiting for them, since they can learn about the countries of the world through puppets.

Located at 11025 E. Winner Road in Independence and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 816-833-9777.  

10. Jaegers Subsurface Paintball- After listing so many activities for the younger children, I will devote this last one to the older kids. Jaegers offers kids 10 and up the opportunity to play the fast paced game of paintball. They offer a year around underground facility and during the summer they have outdoor fields as well.
Located in Kansas City's famous underground limestone caves at 9300 N.E. Underground Drive, near Worlds of Fun.  Open Monday through Friday 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 8 p.m. For more information and pricing go to http://www.jaegers.com/ or call 816-452-6600.

Not only can you get a wee bit of Irish in you with their authentic Irish cuisine and variety of imported Irish beers and whiskeys, you can also listen to cheerful Irish music in a truly unique atmosphere.

As soon as you walk through the door, it's as if you have been transported to a pub in Ireland . It could be the beautiful Irish murals painted on the ceiling and walls, or it could be the bar, woodwork, and chairs that were imported directly from Ireland .  

As far as food goes, you can't go wrong with their traditional Fish-n-Chips, Irish Stew or Shepherd's pie. Feeling a little more daring? Try a Guinness Beef or Corned Beef Boxty. My personal favorite is the Beamish Wings. For those of you less adventurous, they also have a full menu of American pub food as well as a kid's menu for those finicky wee ones.  

O'Dowd's also offers the only rooftop patio on the Plaza and live music nightly. One of the crowd favorites is Irishman, Eddie Delahunt. Every Wednesday and Sunday night he gets the crowd singing along to traditional Irish tunes. However, don't let this quaint pub fool you. It transforms into a dancing hotspot on the weekends and usually packs the house with bands like Drew 6 and The Jeff Jenkins Trio.

If the visual arts aren't your thing, take in the live music and delicious food the fair has to offer. The restaurants of the Plaza get to hit the streets and serve their culinary masterpieces in booths scattered throughout the fair. For you drinking enthusiasts, there will be beer, wine, and cocktails to sip on as well!  

Adults and children alike can enjoy the festive atmosphere while taking in the Spanish architecture, beautiful fountains and sculptures of the Plaza. Have a pet and a leash? This is a dog friendly event, so bring your pet for a leisurely stroll. It is truly a wonderful experience for the whole family!  

2007 Plaza Art Fair schedule:

Friday, September 21^st         5 pm to 10 pm

Saturday, September 22^nd   10 am to 10 pm

Sunday, September 23^rd      11 am to 5 pm  

In spite of their losing record, Royals baseball games are enjoyable. One really learns to appreciate the value of a win when you are fortunate enough to see one. Even more special is the fireworks display after Friday night home games (even if they lose!), Slugger the walking lion-like mascot, the beautiful stadium where they play, and the digital limbo game and kiss cam on the jumbo-tron. You may pop-up and be expected to participare, or else you may be the one getting booed.

Tonight marks the beginning of a three-game home series against the Indians, followed by another three-game home series this weekend against Seattle, and they will finally round out their nine-game home series next week with the Orioles. Games are held at Kauffman Stadium just east of downtown off Interstate 70 and times and tickets for each game can be found on the website. You can also buy tickets at local area Hy-Vee grocery stores. I suggest checking the schedule to find out when the "Buck-night" promotions run as you will be able to get sodas, hot-dogs, and peanuts all for only one dollar each! Otherwise plan on bringing deep pockets or a full stomach. One beer alone is something like $6.50. Whoa!
Royals fans have put up with a lot over the years, but those who have stood by the Royals win or lose have a deep love for the game and a true loyalty to their city. The dedication of a true, blue Royals fan is really something to admire. Go Royals!

And while the prospect of seeing ancient pieces of paper written in a foregin language sounds a little less than thrilling, it is actually quite educational, and many of the artifcats here are on display for the first time in the United States. Wow! It was even entertaining enough to keep my eight-year old brother from finding a way to break in to the display cases and using the words of the Lord as kleenex.

More information about these ancient historical documents can be found on the exposition website. Enjoy!

Situated just North and East of downtown Kansas City, the park is essentially one big circle, making it easy to stop at each ride on your journey through the park. And what a journey it is! Each corner of the park is dedicated to a different corner of the world. So for example, as you pass through Scandinavia you find rides like The Flying Dutchman, The Viking Voyager, and the Octopus. Well, maybe not all rides can find their place in a specific part of the world. In Africa, you will discover the Boomerang, the Fury of the Nile, and the Mamba which is by far the best roller-coaster in the park and offers the coolest views of downtown Kansas City from the top of the first hill.

Finally, in Asia, you will discover Worlds of Fun's newest additions to the park The Spinning Dragons and The Patriot. Why The Patriot is in Asia, I will never know, but while it is, perhaps, misplaced, it is one of the most unique roller-coasters in the park. This red, white, and blue thrill ride will take you down hills, over twists, and upside-down all while your feet hang freely in the air.

There is a minimum height requirement of 48" for most of the big rides and roller-coasters, but Camp Snoopy offers a fun alternative for smaller guests. Even if thrill rides and roller-coasters aren't really your thing, there are plenty of games and family-oriented rides which offer a slightly more relaxing experience. Be careful! Most games and several rides charge an additional fee to play or ride. The price to play is often simply not worth it. Same goes for the price to eat. My suggestion: pack a lunch before you head to the park and keep it in your car until you're ready to eat. There are several picnic benches in shaded areas just outside the park gates. All you need to gain re-admittance to the park is the black-light hand stamp they give you on the way out.

Worlds of Fun is now open on weekends from 10A.M. to 10P.M. on Saturdays and 10A.M to 7P.M. on Sundays. In May and June, they will begin their extended hours schedule which includes weekdays. Check the website for a complete list of times and events. Also, local area Price Choppers often sell all-day passes to Worlds of Fun for almost $10 less than purchasing them at the gate.

Worlds of Fun can be an exciting experience for the whole family, but it is important to always follow park rules, wear comfortable shoes, and keep an eye out for your children when spending the day in the park. Have Fun!

P.S. - In June, cool off at Oceans of Fun next door for a wet and wild adventure!

In this blog I hope to keep you posted on exciting events taking place in our city, delicious menus being served up in our restaurants, and some of the best places to get a bargain on your shopping spree while visiting KC.

Standby and prepared to be informed!