There's No Place Like Home

Living in Kansas City has been a bittersweet experience for me. On one hand, it’s an amazing place to grow up, but on the other hand, you run out of things to do pretty fast. The weather here is so crazy that you can never truly store away your winter coats or summer shirts. There aren’t many outdoor activities like hiking or going to the beach, but there are still improvisations and other things to do. We have fake beaches, like Longview Beach, which are basically just a man-made lake with some sand. You can’t hike through any beautiful mountains, but a nice stroll at The Arboretum or a park is gorgeous enough. Along with these outdoor activities, there are also many other exciting things to do in the city. Even when the Royals weren’t in their prime, going to their baseball games was always a blast. There are always live concerts going on at different, unique venues with a variety of different artists performing; some of my favorite memories are outdoor summer concerts. The Kansas City Zoo is another fun, family activity that you can do any time of the year. Walking and shopping around on The Plaza is always a great time, no matter what the weather.  We also have many different festivals and carnivals throughout the year that are super fun to attend. When the temperature starts getting colder, there are still fun things to do in Kansas City. We have the only World War I museum in the United States, and we have The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Both of these museums are great places to visit on a rainy, or snowy, day. Union Station can also be a great indoor place to visit. It has many attractions including Science City, a movie theater, and different traveling exhibits. When all else fails and you have nothing to do in Kansas City, food is always a go-to option. Not only do we have amazing barbecue, but we also have great Mexican food. Kansas City is well-known for its barbecue, that’s no shocker, but we also have a place that my family and I like to call “Little Mexico” where there is an array of delicious Mexican restaurants. My personal favorite place is called Manny’s. Although nothing can beat the joy and freedom of summer, Christmas in Kansas City is truly a beautiful sight. From the Plaza lights to Crown Center, the city transforms into a winter wonderland. Being on The Plaza when they turn the lights on is an amazing experience. They have live bands, food, and thousands of people. Crown Center has a large Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink. I guess all-in-all, Kansas City isn’t such a bad place to live after all.