Part of the fun of family life is finding activities that go beyond just mere fun for fun’s sake. You can learn something, too — yes, even the parents — and Kansas City is particularly great at blending entertainment and education.
Here are four ideas for museum activities in KC that are great for the whole family and make the case for how KC is such an interesting and intriguing place to live or to visit.
American Jazz Museum
As the established birthplace of this truly American style of music, Kansas City has a great home for all things jazz. The American Jazz Museum is truly alive with the sound of this music and with visuals that will truly give you the impact that jazz has had on its country of origin.
The museum includes permanent exhibits such as listening stations, interactive displays and visual exhibits. This includes both paintings and artwork as well as a film archive. If you want to see some of the clothing, instruments or other items from jazz greats of the 20th century, this is a great place to do it. There is also a listening room on-site with regular shows that let you hear what’s happening in KC jazz right now. Find more details at americanjazzmuseum.org.
Arabia Steamboat Museum
Another slice of Kansas City’s unique history is on display at the Arabia. Going beyond just talking about the 1900s in this area, the Arabia shows it with the actual cargo rescued from that steamboat, which sank in 1856 and was buried underground until 1988.
That’s when a group excavated its wreck site and brought back tons of treasures, including china, tools, toys and — yes, it’s true — the world’s oldest preserved pickles. You can take a self-guided tour through all of this and more as part of the charm of the Arabia. Find out more about it at 1856.com.
Science City
As part of the Union Station complex, Science City is a true experiment in the flesh. Through interactive exhibits as well as specific programs, this museum is a destination for all things scientific.
There’s also the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium as part of the Science City programing. Children and adults alike can also take advantage of a maker studio and test kitchen to get some first-hand experience in what makes science inform all of the arts. Learn more at sciencecity.unionstation.org.
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
You can learn a lot about a culture from its pastimes and that truism is on full display at this fun palace. This museum features hundreds of toys from throughout the years in its displays, dating back to the 18th century and includes some possible favorites from your own childhood.
The miniatures selection is also a stunner, with 1:12 scale object displays that run the gamut in style. They include American mansions and Italian renaissance studios that are sure to impress in the areas of creativity and talent. See more at toyandminiaturemuseum.org.
Managing short- and long-term rentals the right way
We love sharing what’s so great about life in Kansas City. As the premier property management service in the city, we know well what makes it such a distinctive place to live.
We also know about short-term and long-term rentals. We not only manage both with a variety of services, but we also know when it would make sense to convert your property either way. There are advantages to both short- and long-term renting in today’s climate. Don’t worry — we know how to guide you in making the most informed decision for your situation.
To find out more about what we can offer you, go to our website.
