South of Omaha about 3 and a half hours worth.
Kansas City is Omaha's favorite getaway place. Kansas City is full of wonderful restaurants, shopping malls/centers, and neighborhoods like the Plaza and Westport that can make you forget about Omaha for a while.
The Kansas City Art Museums
Kansas City has hosted art exhibits that other cities just couldn't guarantee a crowd for. The King Tut exhibit was a rare opportunity for many of the Midwest to see ancient gold.
The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (4420 Warwick Blvd.) 816-753-5784 and the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum (4525 Oak Drive) 816-751-1ART both are exemplary in what they have in resident and what they bring to Kansas City. Starting in summer of 2002, the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum allows visitors to see the permanent collection for free, the same as The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. When in Kansas City, how can you pass this up?
Kansas City Shakespeare Festival
Each year for about a month (last part of June-first half of July), KC has a great Shakespeare festival in the parks. If you are in, near, or can make it to Kansas City when the festival is going on, you should take advantage of this opportunity to see first class performances at a price that cannot be refused, meaning free. The Kansas City Shakespeare Festival website gives full details.
Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoological Park (6700 Zoo Drive) is known to be a Midwest favorite. Admission: $14.50 for adults, $13.50 for Seniors, $11.50 children * 816-513-5700
Worlds of Fun
Worlds of Fun is worth skipping work for. With over 235 acres of entertainment rides, thrills, and entertainment, it is one of the Midwest's largest entertainment complexes. Each year, the park adds a new feature or two, maintaining repeat customers throughout the Midwest. Check the Worlds of Fun website for the latest details; 816-454-4545
Oceans of Fun
The Oceans of Fun is the sister part to Worlds of Fun, and right next door. This is the largest water park in the Midwest (60 acres). Check the Oceans of Fun website for the latest details; 816-454-4545
Union Station/Science City
The Kansas City Union Station (30 W. Pershing Road) is an important attraction to not miss. The restored train station contains exhibits, movies, shops, restaurants, and especially the Science City exhibit. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this attraction, although don't deny any kid the priviledge of taking part in the offerings. 816-460-2000.
Powell Gardens
About 30 miles southeast of Kansas City on highway 50 (1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville) is the area's beautiful botanical gardens. They don't stop with lush floral or plant life; they celebrate life with music, large displays (dinosaurs), and in July, they even have fireworks. If you are anywhere near the Kansas City area you will want to visit this magnificent area, and if you plan it right, some event could be going on that will add to the enjoyment. Once you check out the Powell Gardens website you will see why you will want to make plans for this visit. 816-697-2600
Shopping
Kansas City has multitudes of choices for shopping. The Country Club Plaza is a favorite as is the Crown Center Shopping Center attached to the Westin Crown Center Hotel. Kansas City has fantastic shopping centers in the suburbs surrounding Kansas City. Midwesterners from 6 to 8 hours away go to Kansas City for major shopping sprees.
Country Club Plaza (4745 Central) 816-753-0100
Crown Center (2450 Grand Blvd.) 800-721-7829
The Hallmark Cards Visitors Center
The Hallmark Cards Visitors Center is considered to be part of Crown Center. You can learn the history, see a film, see the work in process, and even make your own Hallmark bow. Hallmark Cards Visitors Center website.
Sports
Kansas City is the home of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs for when you need to catch a professional sporting event.
The Missouri River
Kansas City is another city that started on the river. Kansas City started where two rivers joined together, the Missouri River and the Kansas River. The Kansas River drains large portions of Kansas and even parts of Nebraska. The Missouri River flows south into Kansas City from several states to the north. The Missouri River continues on to the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The Missouri River splits Kansas City into the Missouri and Kansas state parts on the northern part of town down to the point where the Kansas River joins in. At that point, the state line is a direct line south. The Missouri River provides an easy means of shipping products to and from the gulf.
The Restaurants
What compares to Kansas City barbecue? It was a nice addition to potato chip flavor but there is nothing like the original Kansas City Barbecue. Of course being a part of the Midwest, Kansas City has some of the best steak restaurants. A favorite of mine was Baby Does with the mule grazing out front along with the chickens and other animals. Eventually the restaurant closed due to impending sliding off of the hillside, other restaurants have to fill the shoes. While there are no others like Baby Doe's, Kansas City has lots of other themes.
Nightlife
Go check out Westport, especially Kelly's Bar on the corner. If you are lucky enough to be in the area on St. Patrick's Day, Kelly's is the place to be or be near. Sometimes you can't get inside as the bar is overflowing out into the street, which is blocked off just for the occasion.
If you need the best of the blues, check out the Emporium. Also, discover even more KC blues.
Kansas City Links 
For more information about Kansas City, check out these related websites:
- Kansas City Union Station (30 W. Pershing Road) 816-460-2000
- Science City at Kansas City Union Station (30 W. Pershing Road) 816-460-2000
- Crown Center (25th and Grand) 800-721-7829
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (4420 Warwick Blvd.) 816-753-5784
- Nelson-Atkins Art Museum (4525 Oak Drive) 816-751-1ART
- Hallmark Cards Visitors Center
- Visit Kansas City
- Kansas City (City website)
- Kansas City Star (newspaper)
- Kansas City Visibility Live Webcam
