American Jazz Museum & Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City

Did you visit a museum for FREE on Saturday 9/29/12?  This year we decided to go to the American Jazz Museum.  This is a great museum with lots of interactive exhibits.  Connor is already asking to go again!

And since Arthur Bryan'ts Barbeque Restaurant is right down the street, we decided to have lunch there.  As a native of Kansas City, I am ashamed to admit that this was my very first time to eat at Arthur Bryant's but it definitely will not be my last!!  (For my KC readers, don't be too shocked or horrified by this admission, I have enjoyed Arthur Bryant's sauce purchased at the grocery store for years.) 

Connor loved it!  He said "There is nothing like a giant meat sandwich for lunch!"

 

If you don't live in the Kansas City area & you are drooling after looking at these pictures, Arthur Bryant's sauces and seasonings are available to purchase online.

 

Truman Day in Independence, MO 5/5

This Saturday 5/5/12 is Truman Day in Independence, MO. 

Here is the schedule of events:

• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. “Buck Day” at all historic sites. Admission to any of our historical sites for only $1. Participating sites include: Truman Library, Truman Home, Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate, National Frontier Trails Museum and the 1859 Jail, Marshal’s Home and Museum.
• 10 a.m. Shriner’s parade on the Square (Same route as Halloween Parade)
• 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.Shopping and dining on the Square
• 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.Free tours at Trinity Episcopal Church – (Where Harry and Bess were married)
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Truman Trolley rides for $1
• Noon – 1 p.m. Truman marionette show at “Wild About Harry”
• Noon – 2 p.m. Historic re-enactors and Truman-themed movies at the Pharaoh Theater
• 1 – 3 p.m. Cake and punch served at the Chicago & Alton 1879 Depot

FREE Admission to the National World War I Museum 5/7

On Monday 5/7/12 from 10:00am-5:00pm the National World War I Museum will be open and FREE to the public, thanks to the generosity of Waddell & Reed in commemoration of the Kansas City company’s 75th anniversary.

Thanks Brandy!

Scavenger Saturday for Families at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art 3/17

This Saturday 3/17/12 from 10:00am - 4:00pm is Scavenger Saturday for Families at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

Admission to the Museum & Parking are FREE!

The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is located at:
4420 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 753-5784

From their website:Hone your art detective skills and discover something new about contemporary art at the Kemper Museum. The third Saturday of each month is Scavenger Saturdays for families. Children with adults may pick up a self-guided activity at the Visitor Services Desk and follow the clues on this “ART-astic” adventure. When finished with the activity, children may pick up a take-home, art-making activity kit. No reservations are required.

The Moon Marble Company

If you live in or near the Kansas City area then you need to make a trip to the Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs, Kansas.    This is a great activity for families or even a Homeschool field trip.

Moon Marble Company

600 East Front Street

Bonner Springs, Kansas

(913) 441-1432

We got to watch an artist actually make a marble.  It takes about 15 minutes to make a glass marble by hand & it is a fascinating process!

There is also a whole wall full of marbles that you can purchase!  Sorry, the pictures aren't that great because the sun was shining directly into the window behind the marbles.

Not only do they sell marbles but there is also a huge toy shop with lots of fun & even some educational toys.  The prices are reasonable and there are lots of unique toys to choose from.  There are also "Demo" toys located throughout the store and children are encouraged to play with these toys.  Of course, there are many marble toys available.

Worlds of Fun Printable Coupon

If you are planning on going to Worlds of Fun's Howl-O-Fest or Halloween Haunt this October then go here to print a coupon for up to $15.00 off admission!  The coupon is is for $3 off Friday Fright Nights, $10 off on Saturday or $15 off Scare-Free Sundays.  The coupon is valid for up to 4 admissions.  If you don't live in the Kansas City area use zip code 64155 to find the coupon.

Field Trip Friday: Powell Gardens

 Powell Gardens

1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50

Kingsville, MO 64061

(816) 697-2600

Last September we were able to get a membership to Powell Gardens for half price so we decided to try it.  We have really enjoyed visiting the garden during each season (even winter) to see how it changes.  Last weekend we went to the Festival of Butterflies and it was a fun learning experience (you know, one of those times when your kids are learning & they don't even know it!). 

There are lots of special events & classes at Powell Gardens so make sure and explore their website.  There is also information on becoming a Friends of Powell Gardens member.

 This weekend 8/12/11 - 8/14/11 is the last weekend for the Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens.

Those are the biggest catepillars I have ever seen!

Field Trip Friday: Truman Farm Home in Grandview, MO

We have visited the Truman Home in Independence and the Truman Library & Museum and last week we visited the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, MO.

Truman Farm Home

12301 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Grandview, MO 64030

(816) 254-9929

The Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri is open for tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tours are available from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The home is open by guided gours only.  Tour tickets are sold on a first-come basis & group size is limited (6 max.).  Cost is $4.00 for adults (16+), children 15 & under are free.  Group reservations are available upon advanced request.

The farm home where future president Harry S. Truman spent fourteen years of his youth and early adulthood is preserved today in Grandview, Missouri.  His experiences on the farm forever shaped his character and prepared him for the many challenges that he faced as 33rd President of the United States.

"...riding one of these plows all day, day after day, gives one time to think.  I've settled all the ills of mankind in one way and another while riding along seeing that each animal pulled his part of the load."
-Harry S. Truman

Resources we have used to study Harry S. Truman:

 Childhoods of the Presidents: Harry S. Truman

 Harry S. Truman: Thirty-Third President of the United States

A&E Biography: Harry S. Truman

Kansas City Tour of Fountains 6/12-6/18

The past 2 weekends we have been out & about in Kansas City exploring fountains.  We had a great time, learned a lot of KC & fountain history and discovered fountains that we did not even know were there!

Starting Sunday 6/12/11 I will be presenting a week long series on Kansas City Fountains that will include the locations of many Kansas City fountains with pictures & even some video. 

The number of fountains in the Kansas City area is overwhelming so unfortunately I will not be able to include all of them.  If you have a favorite fountain you would like to see included leave a comment on this post or send me an e-mail (a picture would be great if you have one).

Here is a schedule of  the Kansas City Tour of Fountains:

Sunday 6/12/11: 

• Introduction
• Splash Fountains

Monday 6/13/11:

• Fountains in the Crown Center/Union Station Area

Tuesday 6/14/11:

• Downtown Fountains

Wednesday 6/15/11:

• North of the River Fountains
• Kauffaman Stadium Fountains

Thursday 6/16/11:

• MidtownFountains
• Fountains on the Kansas Side

Friday 6/17/11:

• Fountains on the Country Club Plaza
• Fountains in the Surrounding Plaza Area
• South of the River Fountains

Saturday 6/18/11:

• Our Top 10 Favorite Kansas City Fountains
• Linky to share a picture of your favorite fountain in any city!

There are 2 resources that I have relied on for our Kansas City Tour of Fountains:

1.  Kansas City: The City of Fountains by Rea Wilson (available at Mid-Continent Public Library)

2.  KCfountains.com



Here is a sneak peek at some of the many fountains that we visited.  Can you name any of them?