Last week we decided, based on the whining and pouting performed by the tall blond in the family, that we should go to Kansas City and see Union Station and Crown Center. Look how happy everyone is to be out of the house, no work, no school, no farm chores. Such bliss!
You can rent a Segway to view all the sights.
We chose to pretend we were riding a Segway and if you’re riding a pretend Segway…
you can do lots of extreme tricks…
without worrying about falling off your Segway.
Look Ma! No hands!
Look Ma! No brains!
Pretend Synchronized Segway Dancing…it’s all the rage. Just look how impressed our audience is. Uh? Seth? Hello? We just preformed a bunch of extreme pretend Segway stunts. Did you see them? Hello?
Pretend Synchronized Segway Dancers get no appreciation.
There weren’t many people at Union Station. I told the kids I had called ahead and reserved the entire space for our family. One time Ellen and I went to a late movie on a weekday night, we were the only people there. I told her I reserved the theater just for us, and she believed me.
We paid a few bucks to park and strolled around inside and outside the building. The kids loved it.
Then we bought tickets to the 3-D Imax theatre. It was that show about the flies that go into space..I can’t even remember the name of the movie. I fell asleep three times during the show, it was a terrible movie. The 3-D was cool, but I had a headache and felt like I needed to puke after viewing the whole thing with those weird glasses.
The only thing our kids asked for was to get some fudge.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not one to say No to fudge. We got four slices and shared amongst us.
The model trains were being built for display. It was fascinating, even thought it wasn’t fully operational.
All the tiny details were astounding. I want to take the kids back over Christmas to see it all working.
We headed over to Crown Center through the elevated walkway aptly named The Link. I practiced my Vegas Showgirl poses, just in case I ever find myself in a situation where I need to use these skills. You never know, Coal Creek Farm might be bought out by some fancy schmancy casino and then what will I do? It’s best to be prepared.
Oh, calm down Mom, I’m just kidding!
About the casino, I’m still going to practice the poses.
This is the spot where Clay and I stopped and sang, “Kansas City….Kansas City here we come…” because we were the only people in The Link, so why not? Although, I’m pretty sure we would have sung if there would have been people.
All the crowds were over at Crown Center for the Irish Fest. We enjoyed a guy playing his bagpipes and another gentleman putting on a concert and then we ate at Fritz’s Railroad Restaraunt where you order your food with a telephone that’s in the booth and a model train drops your food down onto the table. My boys were beside themselves with anticipation for that train to bring our food.
And everybody gets a conductor’s hat!
So we paid for parking, Terrible Movie tickets, Fudge and Dinner at Fritz’s. It was about $100, not bad for a day in the city with a family of six. Then we headed over to Liberty Memorial and viewed the sights from there, so beautiful…I have no photos of that to share, but it is amazing.
And that was our $100 Staycation! Just enough time away to have fun and not think about any of our responsibilities waiting for us back home and most importantly…it was affordable!
Need a Chicken Doctor?
Contact 
You vacation like we do! Looks like fun to me.
Hmmm…maybe I should do a post on the staycation Danny and I had on Friday when we dropped the kids off at the home football game…or maybe not. It was less expensive, though. We’re thrifty like that.
Now, for family friendly entertainment, please let us know when and where your family will be appearing next. That show is sure to be a crowd pleaser because you all are hilarious.
I cannot believe you didn’t post a photo of the train delivering your food. My train addicted nearly 3-year-old would demand this be our next trip if he knew…
A whole day of fun on a hundred bucks? Can’t ask for much better. And I personally think Pretend Synchronized Segway Dancing should be an Olympic sport.
Very cool, being a Missouri gal, we tend to always head to St. Louis for random days of urban exploring. I’m not too familar with Kansas City, but perhaps I need to consider it for a change.
WOW such cool pictures, looks like you had a blast. Nothing like family time is there?
So, did you have to leave a tip since a train brought your food?
Sounds like a great day!
-FringeGirl
next time let me know and I will fix dinner and we can have a fire in the fire pit! Hey it’ll be fun for us!
It’s all about who your with and not where you are…right? Looks like you guys had a great staycation!! Great pics!
We live in KC and go to Union Station a lot. I have 5 yr old that adores trains. Great fun for a little $! Love Fritz’s too! Glad you enjoyed yourself!
Come back. Come back for the trains. I have hundreds of photos of our visits to the trains. Some are even pretty good. I’ve spent hours there in that lobby. And–I’ve even taken the real train to Chicago and back. All from Union Station, KCMO.
Let us know when you’re coming back. Maybe a lunch in Harvey House or something, too.
Thank you for such an encouraging post! I love the whimsy of you and yours.
We are central Missourians. I feel we’ve totally neglected the Kansas City area. I’ve never been to their Union Station OR Crown Center, and I’m 49 years old.. for Pete’s sake
I guess we’ve mostly traveled in an easterly direction to St. Louis, but that may change now. Thanks for the great post. It’s true, you don’t have to go far from home or spend a lotta dough to have a great vacation. -Tammy
Am I the only one who is amazed at the green water in the fountain? And I feel very guilty for being sorta happy that you didn’t get to go on the Segways. I wanted to do the DC Segway tour but they said my son was too young. Pout. You really seem to have had a great time and for a family of 6 you didn’t break the bank.
On my son’s fifth birthday, it snowed. We live in Texas so this is an extremely rare occassion. I told him I called God and asked him to make it snow for his birthday and he said “OK”. My son was very impressed and amazing well behaved for about six months since I had such an in with the big man
Y’all are crazy. :-]
We need to get away – haven’t had a vacation or stacation or any kind of cation in eons. But I enjoyed yours immensely! Thanks for sharing – looks like y’all had a blast!
http://thebutterflymind.com/ramblings_0130_BeingPrepared.htm
April, looks fun! I do love me some Union Station – trains, fudge and all. I once took high heels off in that glass “Link” because my feet could NOT make it to the other side. I should have used my barefoot time to practice showgirl poses. See what we learn from you?
I like the sound of that restaurant.
I saw your title and thought to myself… hey… my staycation was cheaper than that… 63$ But then I realized you actually went somewhere and had fun. I installed 63$ worth of shelving. You got more bang for your buck!
Billie
It looks like you guys have fun no matter where you are – you make it ALL fun. To have fun together – THAT is truly a blessing! The pictures are great!
I would say that your “Staycation” was well worth the money! IT looks like the entire family had a good time doing everything. I am jealous, though, about the restaurant with the food delivered by the train. How cool is that?
Best use of $100 bux. Family, fun, and Kansas City. You’ve gone about as fur as you can go!
Work that showgirl pose! I have to say, Imax tickets must be a lot cheaper in your area. There’s no way a family of 6 could do that in Dallas for under $100. The restaurant sounds adorable!
I love Union Station and Crown Center. Every time I go in Union Station, I stand there staring like a big dork. It’s just so pretty! I am very excited to take my son to see the model train this year! (Though… I wish this vacation was only going to be $100….)
How fun! The green water freaks me out a little. It’s like green katchup, it just shouldn’t EVER be that particular color.
maybe you should teach your sister and her family how to eat for under $100. I’m so impressed that you got a movie, dinner AND fudge for 6 for only $100. That is impressive bugeting.
Even though I was born in KC, we moved away when I was 5. My husband, 2 kids, & I visited KC last summer & had a wonderful time. Loved Fritz’s, Crown Center, Union Station, the homes near Swope Park. It’s a beautiful city. We can’t wait to go back someday. Loved your singing and dancing (see, honey, we aren’t the only ones!)