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10 Things to Do in Kansas City During the Winter

Trying not to get cabin fever? Look no further than this winter guide to a memorable time in Kansas City.

Anna Kropov

Jan 12, 2021

Ohio University

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10 Things to Do in Kansas City During the Winter

Anna Kropov

Kansas City- the underrated, often forgotten gem of the midwest. Home to jazz, civil war history, underground bars from prohibition times, the WW1 museum, and more, it has a lot to offer year-round! For my third trip to Kansas City, I went during COVID-19 and the winter, yet still managed to have a blast! Here are my suggestions on how to make the best out of a pandemic-friendly trip. Especially while the museums are all half-empty.

1. WWI museum

Anna Kropov

The WW1 museum is a must-see. It encompasses a huge exhibit of military uniforms, a timeline of the war, two video documentaries about life in the U.S. during this time, helicopters, makeshift trenches you can walk into, and more. Their special exhibits also change every so often. When I was there during the summer, the spotlight was on the Vietnam War. Honestly, I've been here three times and I learn so much with every visit. Cannot recommend it enough!

2. Christmas in the park

Anna Kropov

Located in Longview Lake, the entire area is decked out to be a Christmas wonderland. It is a depiction of Christmas day at the North Pole: elves holding presents, Santa barbecuing, (because this is Kansas City), reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh, snowmen singing Deck The Halls, plus life-sized Christmas trees. This is a drive-through park only open for about 2 months, so hop in your car and get cozy for a display that will blow you away!

3. Union Station

Anna Kropov

During the winter, Union Halls gets DECKED OUT for Christmas! The entire building is decorated from top to bottom, and even has a Christmas wonderland exhibit you can tour. This consists of giant life-size ornaments hanging from the ceiling, big Christmas trees forming an entrance, mini lego towns set up in display cases with toy trains riding on the mini tracks, and so much more! Be sure to ride the elevator up to the top floor to get an aerial view of the place, it'll take your breath away!

4. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Anna Kropov

The Nelson-Atkins has a huge selection of art, costumes, sculptures, and exhibits from every part of the world; so take your pick if you want to visit Egypt to check out the mummies and hieroglyphics, Asia for Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, or Europe for Christian iconography. I'm not someone who is interested in art, but this place changed my mind! It teaches you a lot of history about the various continents and cultures, so I highly recommend it!

5. The Sandbar

For those 21+, head over to Sandbar in Lawrence, about 45 minutes outside of downtown Kansas City for some tropical drinks, good music, and a wild time. They have a spin-the-wheel of $1 shots and even put beach animal toys like sharks in your drinks! It's a super fun place, so definitely go if you're looking for some Florida vibes and a crazy night!

6. The City Market

Anna Kropov

Located in downtown Kansas City, the city market is a great place to go and try various types of food and drinks from all over the world! When I went there with my best friend, we walked out with five different types of tea. They've got a bunch of cool shops, great cuisine and a perfect location in downtown! There is so much to see in this area.

7. The country club plaza lights

Anna Kropov

The Plaza is your go-to place for entertainment, food, and drinks. They've got great views, awesome restaurants and during the winter, their Christmas lights go up! Bundle up for an evening walk and you won't be disappointed. Street artists play on the sidewalks, setting the mood for a mellow and cheery night to get you in the mood for Christmas. There really is so much to see, it's beautiful! Definitely go!

8. The Johnson County History Museum

Anna Kropov

Located in Overland Park, about 45 minutes outside of Kansas City, this local museum provides a timeline of an important county in Kansas during the Civil War. It talks about the meaning behind KU's mascot, the Jayhawk, along with how Kansas and Missouri differed in their positions on slavery. Definitely a hidden gem!

9. Pinstripes Bowling Alley

Anna Kropov

Need a break from being a tourist? Look no further than Pinstripes Bowling Alley in Overland Park. It's far enough away from downtown for you to get a break from the city, but also still in a suburban area that has a lot to. So lace up, grab a ball and start bowling! They even have interactive score screens for you to customize, so that Angry Birds, Jingle Bells or a haunted house will display the leadership board! Super funny. Plus, they have a bar, so if you're 21+ you can have cocktail or two while playing or sit down for drinks later.

10. Scheels

Anna Kropov

Need a place to get your souvenir, black Friday, or Christmas shopping done? Look no further than Scheels in Overland Park. The pillars at the entrance are literally a mini aquarium, with fish swimming around and an occasional employee scuba diving in there to clean the glass. It is honestly hilarious. Plus, they have random animal statue exhibits like the one pictured above, and a Ferris wheel in the center of the store! It's like a park in there.

While there are an endless amount of things to do in this epic city, I think this best summarizes ways one can make out the best out of a COVID-friendly trip! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to come! (Lord knows we need 2021 to be better than 2020.)

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Recommended for you

10 Things to Do in Kansas City During the Winter

Trying not to get cabin fever? Look no further than this winter guide to a memorable time in Kansas City.

1. WWI museum

2. Christmas in the park

3. Union Station

4. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

5. The Sandbar

6. The City Market

7. The country club plaza lights

8. The Johnson County History Museum

9. Pinstripes Bowling Alley

10. Scheels

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May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

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2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

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