46. Hallbrook
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: What Hallbrook lacks in maturity—the area was developed just over two decades ago—it more than makes up for in sheer glamour. Its villas and minimansions lean toward Spanish and country French in design. Look for one jaw-dropper that’s based on Tara from Gone with the Wind.
47. Mission Hills
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This lovely drive is another blessing from landscape architects and builders who let the lay of the land determine where streets and houses should be placed. Roads dip here and there, jogging gracefully around streams and skirting ancient trees. And the homes caught up in all this natural glory are simply magnificent. As you drive southwest you’ll pass Mission Hills Country Club and Kansas City Country Club golf courses on the west.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
49. Westwood Hills
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Although this is one of the smaller cities in both size (less than 1 square mile) and number of residents (around 390), it’s earned the right to its nickname, “the Prettiest Little City in Kansas.” Darling cottages and elegant estates are sprinkled along roads that dip and twist, and massive trees cross the streets to create overhead umbrellas. Be sure to stop in for a mango-flavored Jet Tea at the Hi Hat Coffee Shop (5012 State Line, 913-831-0341); there’s enough ginseng in this golden-yellow smoothie to power your trip back home.
50. City Hall Observation Deck
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (816) 274-1444
Address: 414 E. 12th St.
Description: The only place to get a better look at the city is from an airplane. Our stunning art deco–style City Hall provides a breathtaking view from its 30th floor open-air deck 425 feet above downtown. And while you’re waiting for the elevator, check out the friezes and celestial-themed lighting fixtures in the lobby. The art continues outside with 16 panels just above the sixth floor that depict major events in our city’s history. This steel and limestone stunner, designed by architect firm Wight & Wight, was completed in 1937 at a cost of $5 million. The deck is open Mon through Fri from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. To reach it take the lobby elevator to the 28th floor, and then take the stairs. There’s no charge.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
53. Deanna Rose Children’S Farmstead
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (913) 897-2360
Description: Let’s see: Old McDonald had a pig, and a cow, and a goat . . . and a bison? You’ll find them all, along with chickens, sheep, and owls, at this fun-for-all 12-acre farm in south Johnson County. It opened in 1976 and in 1985 was named to honor Deanna Rose, an Overland Park police officer killed in the line of duty. It’s always a fun excursion but especially so in spring, when newborn animals are popping up like daffodils. Although it’s fun to watch them be bottle-fed, it’s a positive giggle fest to feed the goats from your hands. New to the area are a dairy barn, log fort, a country schoolhouse circa 1900, and a Kanza Indian encampment, complete with earthern lodge and tepees.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 6800 Zoo Dr.
55. Kansas Speedway
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1333 Meadowlark Lane
Description: “It’s purrrty,” drawled NASCAR legend Richard Petty when he first saw this $260 million ICS-owned facility that opened in June 2001. It’s also biiiig. In fact you could fit both Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums and their parking lots in the racetrack’s infield. And while size does matter, this 1 1⁄2-mile tri-oval track was designed for the comfort and convenience of the fans and racing. One example is the infield Fan Walk that gives racing fans an up-close look at the garages, inspection stations, and Victory Lane.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1609 Northwest U.S. Hwy. 50
57. Boulevard Brewing Company
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (816) 474-7095
Address: 2501 Southwest Blvd.
Description: Since 1989 John McDonald has been single-handedly (well, actually he has helpers now) resurrecting Kansas City’s 150-year-old tradition as a brewery town. That’s when he rolled out his first barrel of Pale Ale, and he has since added brews like Unfiltered Wheat, Dry Stout, and Bully! Port, which won a gold medal at Chicago’s Real Ale Festival. You can get a mini-lesson on brewing on the Web site. Better yet, hop to it and attend a tour, Wed through Sun by reservation only. You can also purchase some great merchandise with the company’s cool logo at the brewery, online, and by phone.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 11401 N. Congress
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 201 Westport Rd.