ReRoll Tavern
ReRoll Tavern in North KC: every great adventure begins in a tavern.
Viking adventures at ReRoll Tavern
“Every great adventure begins in a tavern.”
Where to go in North Kansas City for nerdy fun? ReRoll Tavern (and its sister bar Vignettes next door) are great places to find adventure.
I’m so excited to have been hosted to share about this local gem! I look forward to sharing more in the future as we continue this partnership! My show the Medieval Medicine Show will be performing at ReRoll 6/24/24.
What to do at ReRoll?
ReRoll Tavern has an extensive library of games to play onsite. Pay at the door and have access to countless board games. It’s also a great place to relax with friends or on your own.
There are tons of special activities to join. Check out their monthly calendar and social media for fun offerings like: Tuesday night ladies night (no cover), crafts, Legos, miniature painting, themed parties, cocktails and coloring, chess, knitting, trivia, music performances, ReRoll After Dark (karaoke and other after party activities), board game socials, and cosplay.
If you have a reservation at the Vignettes Pop-Up Bar next door, come in to ReRoll for some fun before or after your reservation.
It’s a great location for an ongoing game of Dungeons and Dragons or other roleplaying games. Join a party or bring your own. (Ask about their Dungeon Master incentive program).
Book their private room for your party, book club, or gaming session.
Themed Parties
I love a good costume themed party. You can expect a good crowd at a themed night with themed drinks and activities like trivia and costume contests. My husband and our friends have enjoyed dressing up for two Letterkenny Super Soft Birthday Parties. Manu, my partner from the Medieval Medicine Show, and I had a blast being hosted at their Spring Viking party in preparation for the Kickoff of Vikingfest. Other themes have included Parks and Recreation, Shrek, What we do in the Shadows, Pokémon, 90’s Cartoons, Post-Apocalyptic, Star Wars, Pajama Party, Cyberpunk, and many more!
Lindsay and Manu from Medieval Medicine Show exploring our Viking side with friends from Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival.
The Medieval Medicine Show Party and Performance
Saturday, August 24 at 4pm, be sure to catch my Renaissance Festival Show, Medieval Medicine at ReRoll Tavern! We are so excited ReRoll is bringing us in to have a big performance and party with our 75 closest friends and fans! Be sure to save the date!
Tavern Food and Drink
ReRoll Tavern has tasty fresh made pizza and other tavern snacks like nachos, soft pretzels, and burgers. No tavern is complete without drinks to quench the thirst of an adventurer. ReRoll has a signature cocktail and shot menu, specialty themed menus, beer, seltzer, and cider. At the Viking party they offered mead. The Phoenix Down is a very tasty shot. They also have soda, coffee, and juice (including a bottomless soda and coffee option).
Membership
Phoenix Down Shot
Be part of the ReRoll Community and enjoy unlimited access, free friend passes, discounts, and more. Memberships are monthly, yearly, or lifetime for individuals or families.
Looking for more nerdy adventures? Don't miss my posts about Epic Nerd Camp and the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival, Central MO Renaissance Festival, and Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.
ReRoll Tavern Location
2368 Armour Road, Kansas City, MO 64116
On Armour Road/210 in up and coming North Kansas City.
Links
The Castle of Muskogee: Oklahoma Renaissance Festival
The Castle of Muskogee: Oklahoma Renaissance Festival gateway to another world.
Lindsay and Jo at the Queen’s Tea
“Your gateway to another world.”
*This was a hosted visit. We got free tickets to go have a blast at this event, but we would have gone even if we didn’t get the free tickets.
2024 Season
6 Weekends: April 27th to June 2nd
Saturdays & Sundays (plus Memorial Day)
10:30am - 6:00pm, rain or shine
Top-notch Adventure!
OKRF (The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival), officially known as The Castle of Muskogee, is truly impressive and so much fun. Droves of Renfest fans drive to OKRF each year, and now I know why. You may recognize me as the RN (Renaissance Nurse) from the Medieval Medicine Show. I took this opportunity to take a vacation from musical medicine to visit Castleton. Memorial day weekend, my college roommate, Jo, and I were so thrilled to be hosted at this amazing festival for the chance to write this blog. OKRF was definitely worth the drive. You’ll find so many thoughtful features in this larger, established festival that boasts over 25 years in operation. The cast and other performers are clearly having a blast, too.
Realm
The extensive grounds of Castleton are split into different regions: Bavarian Forest, King’s Highway, Village Centre, Tournament Arena, Castle Keepe (air conditioned), Celtic Quarter (including the air conditioned Cave with bar and stage), Italian Piazza, Castleton Harbour, and The Woodlands. The structures are substantial, some reaching 3 stories, and shade and benches are plentiful. These themed areas feature tons of delightful drinks, stages, and shops.
The King Enjoying the
Pub Sing
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Jo and I adored the interactive Courtly Dance at the Maypole. Dancing was one of the things that made me a diehard Renfest fan in high school. At OKRF they will help you find a partner and teach you the dance! You can also watch or participate in wrapping the Maypole.
The Human Combat Chess Match gives you the chance to see all your favorite characters fight.
If you came dressed to impressed, try your luck in the Costume Contest or just come and watch.
Be sure to catch the afternoon Joust at 1pm or the Joust to the Death at the end of the day.
We enjoyed fighting one another with realistic, foam weapons at the Sword Master’s Challenge.
In the Royal Quest, children can get stamps on their official warrant throughout the festival and bring it back for a late afternoon audience with the King and Queen.
The Wheel of Death
Tons of stages provide exciting entertainment: music, comedy, juggling, family friendly shows, and more bawdy ones. For incredible feats check out The Wheel of Death, Bob the Incredible Juggler, and Crazy Boy Coy. Laugh with the Washing Well Wenches. For music, check out sämäs, The Jolly Rogers, Wolgemut, Ez ‘n Dil, and cool down in the air conditioned Cave area with Tartanic and Music the Gathering. There were even more groups we didn’t get to see. It was fun recognizing some overlap with Kansas City. Check out the Daily Schedule for current groups, show times, and locations.
There are many exciting vendors to tempt you if you have the shopping bug or want to buy some presents. Jo bought a beautiful new outfit at The Highland Kilt Company and a laurel crown at McNoodles.
There is so much to taste from chimney cakes and funnel cakes to bacon wrapped venison poppers from the Pauper Eatery. There are, of course, turkey legs. We returned to the Cappuccino Inn 3 times in 2 days for refreshing drinks: I loved the Pickpocket (frozen lemonade/iced tea combo), and Jo loved the smoothies.
We purposefully planned our visit to include Memorial Day. This is a popular day with KC visitors. The 3 day weekend allows more time for driving and more days of fun. On Monday, be sure to experience the very moving veteran and family member parade and ceremony honoring Memorial Day.
Schedule and Special Events
OKRF is held for 6 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) in the spring including Memorial Day from 10:30am - 6:00pm, rain or shine. Confirm current dates, weekend themes, and times on their website.
Castleton really shines with special events. Be sure to buy tickets in advance online, and line up early for the best seats.
Excellent Shopping
Queen’s Tea: as a tea aficionado, I truly enjoyed the 2pm Queen’s Tea. This is a full afternoon tea with 3 tiers of tea sandwiches and desserts. A variety of entertainers will delight tea ticket holders. Queen’s tea was high on my list of experiences at OKRF.
Smoker: a raunchy, rowdy 21+ event hosted by the ladies of the Scarlet Pillow and buccaneers of the harbor for drinks, cigars, and bawdy songs, jokes, games, and pickup lines. (Bring your ID.)
Pub Crawl: have a grand time visiting pubs and being entertained throughout the festival. Keep your commemorative stein. (Bring your ID.)
Castleton Tastings: 21+ event with different tastings like wine, mead, or whiskey on different days; check the website for dates. (Bring your ID.)
Explore the Torture Chamber and Catacombs beneath the Castle and the Ultimate Maze near the May Pole.
In addition to events during the festival day, you can buy tickets to special evening events like The Masque Ball, Pirate’s Feaste, and Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee).
The Castle of Muskogee has events at other times: Fireworks, Halloween Festival, Castle Christmas, and Time Traveler’s Ball (New Year’s Eve).
Festival Tickets
RN and Jo seek an audience with the Royals
Confirm current pricing online. Tickets are $5 cheaper if you buy them online. Children, seniors, and students can also get a reduced price. In addition to a one day pass, you can buy a weekend pass, or season pass. This festival is extensive. I would be sure to at least get a weekend pass! 2 days wasn’t enough for me.
If you visit the festival often, consider the limited availability Friends of Festival premier season pass which includes extra features like a private pub, reserved pavilion, special discounts, events, and preferred parking.
Human Combat Chess Match
Tips
Bring cash so you don’t have to spend time at the ATM. Be sure to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their shows (more is always welcome). Some shops take credit cards, but many tasty food booths do not.
Castleton has its own coins of the realm, real coins that can be used throughout the land. Trade US currency back and forth for these coins at the “Bank of London”. You can also keep them as a souvenir. Angus, featured on the 1 coin, can sell you an extra special coin, if you find him near the petting zoo.
No pets or firearms are allowed at this festival. All blades must be peace tied (so you can’t draw them).
Buy a printed program at the gate for $1 (free online). The Daily Schedule grid in the middle is handy. Identify a few key things you want to see and plan your shopping and eating around that schedule. Make sure not to miss any ticketed events you’ve bought. Aimless roaming is especially fun if you have several days to explore.
Costumes are not required but are encouraged. Most guests at OKRF were in at least some costume or a funny t-shirt. If you don’t have an outfit, you can buy or rent one there. Dress for the weather. By the end of the season at OKRF it can be quite warm. Look for the metal Castleton Medallion to distinguish performers from well-dressed guests.
Prepare to spend a joyful day walking outside: comfortable shoes, layers, sunscreen, bug spray, and even a parasol are recommended.
Stay hydrated! I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can buy these onsite or a stein is included in the pub crawl ticketed event). There are drinking fountains across the grounds of Castleton for free water.
While this festival has more infrastructure than many, you should still expect the terrain to be a little uneven. The sweet spot is footwear that is both comfortable and stylish.
Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds.
I love that smoking is only allowed in designated areas of the festival. However, if you are looking for some raunchy entertainment with drinks and cigars, the 21+ Smoker event is for you. First-time visitors can look forward to special treatment. You might want to prepare a Limerick or joke. You can still participate in the Smoker event as a non-smoker or non-drinker, but you must be at least 21 years old.
You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
Consider supporting a music group and get some music for the ride home. Buy a CD after a show or from an official download site, like Bandcamp.
Stick around at the end of the day for a pub sing and closing ceremony.
Location
The Castle of Muskogee
3400 W Fern Mountain Rd, Muskogee, OK 74401
4 hours south of Kansas City
3 hours from Wichita, KS
3 hours from Springfield, MO
40 minutes southeast of Tulsa
Jo was able to fly in to Tulsa, and we stayed in Muskogee. There are hotels available near the festival. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.
Parking at the festival is free or for $10 get VIP parking. I suggest you arrive early for the opening to avoid traffic. Consider VIP parking if you arrive later or want to run shopping out to your car. Get a stamp to return the same day.
*Huge thanks to Jo for helping take photos and videos!
**We were thrilled to get free access to the festival, Queen’s Tea, and Smoker to be able to write this post.
Links
Huzzah!
Treehouse on the Magic Land (Missouri)
The Enchanted Treehouse on the Magic Land
Treehouse with firepit and hot tub!
Visit the “Enchanted Treehouse on The Magic Land and restore your soul!”
Unplug in nature. Connect, explore, and play.
Do you ever go on a busy trip and need a vacation to recover from your vacation? A stay at the Enchanted Treehouse is a true vacation, where you can let yourself relax.
On some vacations you feel guilty taking naps; you are missing all the sights and activities you should be packing in, but when you stay in an enchanted treehouse, napping is a great way to really enjoy the treehouse experience and the swaying of the trees. Relaxing in the treehouse is exactly what you should be doing. After almost 15 years of marriage, my husband and I really needed this chance to rest, recharge, and reconnect. Book your escape today.
Why Visit
While there is room for a crowd of close friends or family (which would be a blast), my husband and I booked it as a romantic getaway for 2. Perfect also for a girls getaway, celebrating a birthday, family getaway, bachelorette, boys trip, spiritual renewal, or even a solo retreat.
View of the kitchen table from the top of the ladder to the second floor. Note the live tree trunk!
Enchanted Treehouse
This two-story treehouse is nestled in a magic forest of tall pine trees. The treehouse is built around two of the trees but also on stilts allowing the trees to sway in the breeze with only gentle movement of the structure. All of the essentials are there: indoor plumbing with sink, toilet, shower, refrigerator, air fryer toaster, hot water pot, coffee, propane stove, and propane fireplace. Plenty of cozy spaces for your whole group to sleep: a bunk bed on the main floor, up a sturdy ladder find beautiful views and several beds and hammocks, including a comfy queen size bed, heaters, and window a/c.
The creaking of the timbers reminds me of being on an old wooden sailing ship. You can hear the dogs, roosters, and geese on the property. If you are a light sleeper, you may want earplugs, but we were able to sleep very deeply. The queen size bed was very comfortable.
There are so many cute decorative touches. You’ll continue to find more hidden delights each day.
Watch this quick video tour of the inside here! More photos in the gallery at the end of the post.
Fire and Other Fun
Relax in plenty of seating with chairs and tables around the central firepit and an old time tin hot tub: a large animal trough over a fire. This is a fan favorite. Fill the tub up with the hose, build a fire (you can buy wood onsite), let the water heat for 2.5-3 hours. Put out the fire and soak away your cares under the stars! It heats up faster on future nights if you reuse the water.
Explore the woods, enjoy sitting by the water (provide your own fishing poles), relax in a hammock, read a book, play with the animals, and connect with nature. You can add additional experiences to your stay, like individual, family, and couples coaching, massage, or a farm tour.
Friendly Dogs
Animal Friends
There’s a whole group of friendly dogs that are eager to greet you and hang out: Daphne, Skeeter, Barnaby, Velvet, Whistle Pig, and the giant neighbor dog: Davey. They will keep you company outside but don’t come into the treehouse. You can also feed the chickens. The geese are best admired from a distance. The dogs will lead you on expeditions into the forest and help with any dog-safe leftovers.
Food
Make sure to order the amazing big country breakfast at least one morning (or all of them). Laura Lynne, your host, makes the best breakfast potatoes. It is delivered to the treehouse with a parade of dogs and a cowbell.
There are lots of tools onsite to prepare your own food. Regular grill, fire skewers, a camp grill that goes over the fire as well as all the kitchen tools. We used a cooler to transport our cold items from home, but once there, there’s a refrigerator and freezer, or you can shop on the way there. We didn’t leave the property to check out any of the surrounding area since we had what we needed there.
Relax and listen to the wind in the trees
Tips
Bring cash or have Venmo/PayPal/Cash App for extras: firewood and breakfast for sure and any other extra services you might book.
Think through all your food. We got so excited bringing steaks, Italian Sausage, and hotdogs, and s’more makings that we forgot to bring side dishes except a bag of carrots and an orange.
You may want to bring a few paper plates if you don’t want to be washing dishes as often.
Bring a small firewood axe to chap the firewood up into some smaller pieces. There are lighter sticks, but if you want charcoal for the grill or firepit, bring your own.
Bring a couple pairs of shoes. Slippers/socks for inside, shoes that are easy to slip on and off to hang out by the fire, and sneakers/hiking boots to wander the grounds. You may even want rubber boots to tromp through the creek.
The main entrance is a steep set of stairs (much easier than a ladder) and the main level does have a bunk bed. There is a ladder to the second level, so if steep stairs are a challenge for your group, this might not be the best fit.
Download the gps map of the area in advance as signal can be intermittent in the area. You’ll get a comprehensive Magic Land Booklet that includes directions.
Bring a few of your favorite board games or card games (there are some there, too). There’s no wifi or tv, but you’ll appreciate the chance to unplug and stare at the fire and talk with friends, family, and nature.
There are plenty of outlets and charging cables for your essential devices in case you can’t entirely unplug. Keep your phone charged take some photos and communicate with your host by text. Signal can be a little iffy, but we didn’t have a problem. You can also walk down the hill to the main house.
Bring a box of plain Cheerios for feeding the chickens and dogs (the dogs will not eat carrots but love hotdogs).
Stop at Hermann
We were delighted to discover that stopping in Hermann, MO (the jewel of German Wine Country) on the way from Kansas City is only about 10 minutes off the direct route! Stop and pick up a few bottles of wine, enjoy a wineslush on a patio, or grab a meal on your way there and back. You could combine trips and spend Friday and Saturday in Hermann then move on to the the Enchanted Treehouse for a week or a few days to recharge. Read my Hermann post here to make the most of this opportunity.
Stop at the Central MO Renaissance Festival
Grubville, MO, where the treehouse is located, is a 2 hour drive from the Central Missouri Renaissance Festival near Columbia. Why not add a stay at the Magic Land before or after your weekend at the festival. Learn more about this truly fun festival in my CMRF post here, and check the dates.
Location
Located in Grubville, Missouri, the Magic Land is
1 hour from St. Louis
1 hour 15 minutes from Hermann
2 hours from Columbia
4 hours from Kansas City
The four hour drive from Kansas City is worth it. My husband, Brad, and I downloaded a playlist of tunes and a bunch of stand-up comedy to make the miles fly by. We also had the delightful stops in Hermann each way to stretch our legs.
Links to learn more
Learn More and Book the Treehouse on the Magic Land on airbnb
My Facebook Reel of the Interior of the Treehouse
My post on Central MO Renaissance Festival
Restore your soul on the Magic Land
BRKTHROUGH
Team up for a fun time, and test yourself with 40 in-person challenge rooms.
Take a team photo to commemorate the night.
“Challenge Accepted!”
Have you ever done an escape room and found yourself bored when your team got stuck? That won’t happen here. BRKTHROUGH has a ton of fast-paced challenges that can be played in any order. You won’t be bored here.
Challenge Rooms
Explore 40 unique challenge rooms across 20,000 square feet. Test your physical, skill-based, and mental abilities in quick 3-5 minute games.
Green light, go!
How it Works
Come up with a team name. Teams can be as small as 2 people (think date night). They can accommodate parties up to 200 people. Your wrist band will give you access to the challenge rooms and track your team score. Up to 4 teammates at a time can play in each challenge room. Your team works together to figure out how to play the room. Challenges can be played in any order. If there’s a green light on the door, the room is available to play. The label will identify if it is a physical, mental, or skill challenge (or a combo). It will probably take a few tries to figure out the goal of the challenge and figure out your approach. Keep at it! If you are the competitive type, you can view your team’s progress on the leaderboard (we just played for fun).
Gotta love a self-serve drink wall
Food and Drink
Refuel with the self-pour beer and wine wall with 20 drinks on tap. Grab a snack or quick meal between games.
Tips
Wear shoes that work for for climbing and jumping
Free lockers are available, but you’ll want to be able to pay for your refreshments and take photos (pockets are a great idea).
Pre-book a 2 hour or 4 hour time slot (most people go for the 2 hour)
Try to arrive on time, so you don’t waste any of your time slot
Bigger groups are a blast for birthdays, girls night out, bachelor/bachelorette, team building, family reunion, work parties, etc.
Save time by pre-signing your waiver
Challenge room time starts when the door to the room opens
Don’t worry about getting paired up with a stranger, you’ll be paired up with your team
If no one else is waiting, you can re-enter the same room multiple times in a row to figure it out and improve your score
Gift cards are available
Over 50% of the games are wheelchair accessible
There’s a handy drink rack outside the challenge room doors
Those aged 13 or under must have their parent/guardian with them at all times
Location
6403 W. 135th St. Suite E4
Overland Park, KS 66223
BRKTHROUGH is located in Overland Park, KS on the southern part of the Kansas City metro just south of 135th between Metcalf and Nall.
Complimentary parking is readily available.
Links
Central Missouri Renaissance Festival
Central Missouri Renaissance Festival is boisterous fun!
Lindsay entering CMRF
“Most enjoyable mayhem and merriment.”
2024 Season
April 27th & 28th, May 4th & 5th, Oct 19th & 20th
Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 6:00pm, Rain or Shine
A truly fun festival!
The Central Missouri Renaissance Festival is a joy to attend. It’s a great place to perform as well. Small enough to have a true community feel, Central MO doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s easy to see that everyone is having a great time. As a more established festival, CMRF (Central MO RenFest) has a mixture of permanent stages and permanent structures with temporary vendor tents.
Realm
Experience the 1550 A.D. village of Carlingford, Ireland filled with artisans, musicians, pirates, and more. The Cast and Royal court are a hoot. They bring a ton of joy to the festival.
Closing Pub Sing
5 stages provide exciting entertainment: music, comedy, family friendly shows, and more bawdy ones. There are several food options including tasty baked goods and sometimes a pasty (hand-held British pot pie) food truck. There are many exciting vendors to tempt you if you have the shopping bug or need to buy some holiday presents.
Schedule
Central MO RenFest is held one weekend in the fall when it has cooled down around the 8th weekend after labor day (after the Kansas City Renaissance Festival is done). There are also 2 weekends in the Spring, often the last weekend in April and the first in May. Confirm dates on their website or social media. These dates provide an opportunity to wear the fun cloaks, armor, and layers that are less practical at summer Renaissance Festivals.
Tickets and Festival Hours
The gate opens at 10am and the closing ceremony is at 6pm.
Confirm current pricing online. At the time of writing: Festival tickets are a great deal at $15.00 at the gate for adults, children from age 6 to 12 are $10.00, and children 5 and below are admitted free. Season pass: $78.
For those 21+ “Shots Fired with the Queen” Tickets at $30, include festival admission and a very bawdy drinking event with the Queen, including a shot glass. Make sure to bring a designated driver or stay at the faire long enough to recover. Be safe!
Sometimes specials are available: past deals have included discounted tickets available if you bring non-perishable food items for the Fulton United Methodist Food Pantry or Military/EMS/State of Missouri Employee discount.
You can buy your tickets in advance and print them out or purchase at the door.
The Medieval Medicine Show loves CMRF
Tips
Explore the Forest including a Children’s Area
Bring cash. As of now, there are NO ATMS. It’s only proper to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their shows (more is always welcome). While you can buy some things with credit cards at shops, cash is easier for smaller vendors and is accepted everywhere.
Dress up to maximize the fun! It’s not required, but I love to dress up. If you don’t have an outfit, you’ll be able to buy one there. Renaissance Festivals are typically rain or shine, so dress for the weather. You may want to take into consideration using a porta-privy when planning your outfit.
Be sure to check out the schedule of events for show times. In my obviously biased opinion, be sure to see me as the Renaissance Nurse in The Medieval Medicine Show. Plan your shopping and eating around what you want to see. Eating during less peak times will mean shorter lines and more time for fun.
Dogs are allowed if certain guidelines are followed (see website).
Prepare to spend a joyful day walking outside: comfortable shoes, layers, sunscreen, definitely bug spray, and maybe even a parasol are in order.
Stay hydrated! I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can buy these onsite). You will need to purchase drinks as running drinking water is not available.
Consider bringing sanitizer and wet wipes although there are handwashing stations.
The faire is set in open grassy fields and a delightful forest. The terrain can be a little uneven. I found I had some seasonal allergies related to the forest area, so you may want to bring allergy medicine.
Bug repellant, especially for ticks, is also wise. Do a tick check when you are done for the day.
Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds.
You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
Use this great opportunity to buy unique gifts and treat yourself.
Consider supporting a music group and get some music for the ride home buy CD after a show or from an official download site, like Bandcamp.
Stick around at the end of the day for a pub sing and closing ceremony.
Location
4274 County Rd 220, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
Kingdom City is under 2.5 hours east from Kansas City, less than 30 minutes east of Columbia and less than 2 hours west from St. Louis.
I-70, 144/Hatton Exit, South just under 2 miles to the Fairgrounds.
Complimentary parking is located around the festival and is mostly on grass. As with all festivals, be prepared to walk a distance from where you park. Also be prepared for mud if the weather is wet.
I have made the trip from KC as a daytrip several times, but if you can make it work, stay over at a local hotel and make a weekend of it.
Links
Huzzah!
Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival (St. Joseph, MO)
Huzzah for an enchanting new Renaissance Festival!
The Duke who hosts the Festival
“Step back in time”
2024 Schedule
Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19th from 10am-6pm.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!
Assuming that “Merry” is great shopping and shows! The Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival started in 2022 with a stellar first season.
Activities
The Medieval Medicine Show
Find here all the activities that you love in Renaissance Festivals: turkey legs, festival food favorites, drinking, jousting, sword fighting, shopping, engaging characters, music, shows, and historical reenactment all in the festival grounds surrounding the Castle. There is a convenient inside bar area and restroom inside the castle out of the sun. Outside you’ll find many food trucks, shopping tents, and the expected port-a-privies.
This RenFest (Renaissance Festival) isn’t set in a particular time of history but covers a wide range of times including fantastical additions like faeries and dragons.
It’s fun to play like a kid: enjoy boffer games (foam sword fighting), a catapult, warhorse rides, axe throwing, and archery. Interact with larger-than-life characters. (Real kids enjoy these features, too I suppose).
I’m entirely biased, but be sure to catch The Medieval Medicine Show! (I’m the Renaissance Nurse or RN in this 2-woman musical, medical comedy show coming to Bluffwoods for 2024!). Your ticket gets you in both days, so no excuses. Laughter is the best medicine (unless you have diarrhea…)
War horse rides are for all ages!
Every RenFest Needs Turkey Legs
Tips
Watch exciting shows
Amazing pricing! Tickets are $15 and function as weekend pass, so try to make time for both days. Kids 5 and under are free.
Buy your tickets in advance on the website to save time waiting in line.
Dress up to maximize the fun! It’s not required, but I love to dress up. If you don’t have an outfit, you’ll be able to buy one there.
Bring cash. It’s only proper to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their show (more is always welcome). While you can buy some things with cards, cash is easier for smaller vendors and is accepted everywhere.
Be sure to check out the schedule of events for shows and joust times. Plan your shopping and eating around what you want to see.
Prepare to spend a day walking outside: comfortable shoes, layers, sunscreen, bug spray, and maybe even a parasol are in order. Stay hydrated! I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can buy these onsite).
While there are a few paved areas the majority of the faire is set in open grassy fields in true festival style.
Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds because it’s a long walk back to the car.
You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
Use this great opportunity to buy unique gifts and treat yourself.
Stick around at the end of the day for a closing ceremony.
Location
Castle Bridge Event Center
8403 US-59, St Joseph, MO 64504
St. Joseph is located just over 40 minutes North of the Kansas City International Airport, 30 minutes North of Weston, and about 1 hour North of the River Market.
To find the entrance by car, keep an eye out for the Castlebridge Event Space sign and drive back past the Bargain Barn Antique Store.
Complimentary parking is located around the festival and is mostly on grass. As with all festivals, be prepared to walk a distance from where you park.
Links
Blufwoods Renaissance Festival Website
Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival Facebook
Blufwoods Renaissance Festival Instagram
Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival TikTok
Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival Twitter
St. Joseph, MO Official Travel and Tourism Website
The Medieval Medicine Show Facebook
Huzzah!
J. Rieger and Co.
This distillery has it all, including a slide!
The slide is the most unique feature here!
“O! So Good”
There’s a Slide
Need I say more? The first thing you have to know about J. Rieger and Co. is that you can slide from the top floor to the main floor down a free, spiral slide! Do this as many times as you like. Taking the stairs back up to slide again balances out the calories of your food and drink, right?
Distillery Tours and Spirits Tastings
Enjoy an hour-long tour of the distillery including history and behind-the-scenes access followed by a tasting of Premium Wheat Vodka, Midwestern Dry Gin, Kansas City Whiskey, and Caffè Amaro.
An immense selection of barrels for selfies.
Bars, Restaurant, and More
The Tasting Room is where the tour ends and is a great place to grab a cocktail. Check out the J. Rieger wallpaper. Monogram Lounge is a restaurant upstairs where we shared appetizers for a meal. We made reservations. The Electric Park Garden Bar is open seasonally. The Hey! Hey! Club is an underground cocktail experience. Don’t miss the gift shop and historical exhibit.
Tips
Leave time for a cocktail and appetizers upstairs.
How do you pronounce Rieger? Ree - gur. Not Rye - gur.
Tours are currently offered 7 days a week, and advance booking is a must as tours sell out.
Any guest under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21+.
Closed-toe shoes are required for the tour.
Make sure to check in for the tour at the front desk 15 minutes early. No refunds if you are late.
Bring your Photo ID. You’ll also sign a waiver digitally using your phone.
You will be walking/standing for about 30 minutes during the tour. Fortunately, the distillery is ADA-accessible. We managed just fine with a wheelchair.
The barrel rickhouse and production floor are NOT climate controlled, and thus may be warm or cold depending on the season and the weather. We went in the winter and returned our coats to the car because it was warm enough inside even in the rickhouse. It may get quite warm in the summer. The tour will explain why those temperature changes are part of the process!
There are membership options if you can’t get enough.
There are many great locations for private events from wedding receptions to corporate events.
Location
2700 GUINOTTE AVE KANSAS CITY, MO 64120
Distillery is located in the Electric Park neighborhood of Kansas City. (NOT at 1924 Main St. the historic Rieger Hotel building.
Allow extra travel time as the location is next to active train tracks. Follow the Electric Park detour signs should you get stuck at a train crossing.
Complimentary parking is located on the west side of the building.
Did I mention the slide?
Adventure Café (now closed)
Adventure Café in Lee’s Summit has everything you need to game.
Lindsay at Adventure Café in Lee’s Summit
Update: Unfortunately this lovely cafe has closed. Check out Pawn and Pint or ReRoll Tavern.
Grab your adventuring party, fuel up with provisions, and “roll for initiative” at Adventure Café in Lee’s Summit.
Coffee, Tea, and Games
Adventure, tea, games, and good company. These are a few of my favorite things. They can all be found at the Adventure Café in Lee's Summit. This coffee shop, gaming space hybrid has everything you need to experience a world of adventures from the comfort of your seat.
The Adventure Café has a library of games with handy color-coded dots helping you find the perfect game as well as reference books. You can pay $5 per table to play the collection of games or buy a membership.
Grab a coffee and a pastry at café tables in the coffee shop area, the semi-private section with sofas, or one of three private rooms you can book (for your next campaign or book club).
In addition to enjoying a delicious café beverage (I had the understandably popular, lavender chai), you can shop their inventory of unique, nerdy merchandise. I added a stylish box set of giant, pink dice.
See you soon in Lee's Summit, MO at Adventure Café.
Looking for more nerdy adventures? Don't miss my posts about Epic Nerd Camp and the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.
Game Library with color-coded dots
Location
Adventure Café Entrance
1211 NE Rice Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Just off 291 in Lee’s Summit, MO just outside Kansas City.
Links
Sail Away Wine
“Kansas City's Self-Service Wine Bar. Taste the world one sip at a time.”
Lindsay self-serving a taste of Moscato
“Kansas City's Self-Service Wine Bar. Taste the world one sip at a time.”
Self-service Wine
Need I say more? Just in case you want more details, read on. I love customizing my experiences, and of course, I can always get behind a nautical adventure theme. At Sail Away Wine, you get to choose your own adventure.
This is the perfect place to try out wines without feeling judged if you don’t already know what you like. If you are already a wine connoisseur, you’ll find new favorites. A great place to bring friends or a date.
When you check in at the counter, you get a personal wine passport card to use and retain for future visits. The wines are organized in different glass-fronted cases of 8 different bottles in broad categories with detailed description cards above (keep the tasting card if you find a favorite).
Your personalized Wine Passport
Grab a glass (you can get a new one for each taste if you are feeling fancy or you can reuse the same one). Insert your wine passport card into the slot in the case. Pick the wine you’d like to taste and the size pour. There’s a sample size, a medium size, and a glass size. The price, which varies by wine, is listed above the buttons, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Grab your card, return to your table, and enjoy your wine. Whenever you are ready, go back for more of the same wine or move on to try a different one. Don’t forget your wine passport each time.
They also have a food menu to accompany the wines. Don’t miss the seasonal specials. We had a delicious big pretzel and a fabulous flatbread to share (which includes a gluten-free option). Spirits are also available. Check out the vintage refrigerated case for beers and non-alcoholic drinks (buy one for your designated driver). When you are all done, bring your passport to the bar to pay your balance.
Tips
Bring your passport back for your next visit. It is reusable, but if you forget, they’ll print you a new one.
Your receipt will include a list of all the wines you tasted which is handy to keep for future reference.
Make sure the spigot is properly pointing into your glass!
I adore this quote on the wall! Glorious Adventures ahead!
You can also buy bottles of your new favorite wines to enjoy at home. (If you buy a bottle to drink there though, it is quite a bit more expensive. Fortunately, the prices are well-marked.)
Check out live music and trivia nights.
Don’t forget happy hour discounts.
With all the card swiping for your samples, don’t forget to pay before you leave.
Visit again for fresh selections.
Make sure to read the inspirational quote on the wall on the way back from the restrooms: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Go forth and plan your next glorious adventure!
Location
309 Armour Road, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Exciting places to go are popping up everyday in North Kansas City. Sail Away Wine is in the heart of downtown North KC. Angled street parking is available.
Links
Epic Nerd Camp
Epic Nerd Camp: “Geek Summer Camp for Grownups”
Lindsay and her husband doing combat archery
As an adult, do you wish you could go to summer camp? Now you can! There are now a variety of summer camps for adults with different themes. Epic Nerd Camp is a chance for adults to spend a long weekend doing nerdy activities at camp.
I heard about Epic Nerd Camp years ago and was intrigued. Unfortunately, for several years my schedule didn’t align, and then there was a pandemic. My husband and I finally got to go in August 2022.
Epic Nerd Camp is 5 days and 4 nights jam-packed with nerdy activities.
Activities
Before camp, you get to register for all the activities you want to try. I filled up my whole schedule with a variety of activities. My husband signed up for some of the physical activities and also left lots of open times to nap, relax, swim, and play games.
Epic Nerd Camp has a huge host of activities. 2022 Activities included:
Physical Activities: combat archery (foam tip archery tag), boffer (foam sword) games, swimming (including mermaids and water Quidditch), longswords, lightsabers, axe throwing, LARP (Live Action Role Play with costumes called Encaros). Don’t worry about your level of physical fitness. Even if you haven’t been hitting the gym, you’ll be fine.
Lindsay’s feet overlooking the pool during Cosplay Karaoke
Crafts: Fimo clay, leather, shrinky dinks, chain mail
Team Mental Activities: escape room, spaceship bridge simulator, board game room, water balloon battleship
Evening Group activities: cosplay karaoke by the pool, house cup competition, dance, and trivia.
My favorite activities were combat archery, the board game room, all the crafts (how did I not know how amazing shrinky dinks are? I have found my new hobby), and Cosplay Karaoke. My group completely failed at the spaceship bridge simulator, but that was still fun and would be more fun if I’d played a few more times.
My husband and I signed up for some of the same activities and did some on our own.
Dining and Drinking
We were impressed with the quality of the cafeteria-style food. Camp includes three meals a day. They also can accommodate a variety of dietary needs.
The self-serve fountain drinks, coffee, tea, water, and ice are all accessible throughout the day.
Epic Nerd Camp (ENC) is only for those age 21 or older, so you are welcome to bring your own alcohol to share and to drink (and the fountain drinks are convenient mixers).
Map of Epic Nerd Camp (from the Epic Nerd Camp Website)
Housing
Housing is authentic summer camp-style. You can stay in the group cabins or bring your own tent. Bathrooms and showers are indoors per cabin and there’s no a/c. Electric outlets are available in the rooms and camp-style cubbies for your stuff. Bring your own sheets and towels. It’s several steps up from camping which is another available option (bring your own tent). The community feel of camp means cabin doors don’t lock and people can leave their possessions in their cubbies. Typically you share cabins with other campers. You can request to stay together with friends/spouse.
Don’t Panic and Bring a Towel: What to Bring to Camp
Bring a reusable drink container with a lid (open containers are not allowed in the game room). I brought a water bottle and a hot tea thermos which also doubled for making mixed drinks.
Hand soap to leave in the bathroom. Sunglasses. Sunscreen, bug spray, and sanitizer.
Bring your own twin sheets, pillow, blanket, and towel (2 if you can fit them). Bring shower shoes and something to hold your shower items into the shower.
You may want to bring a wallet/small bag or another way to carry your essential items if there’s anything you don’t want to leave in your communal room.
Bring some plastic bags of various sizes (ziptop, grocery, and trash). This is especially useful for wet swimwear/towels or muddy clothes/shoes if it rains.
Crafts: make your own chainmail d20 keychain
It is always appropriate to wear nerdy t-shirts or random “garb” or costumes around camp, so pack a few flexible costume items. Check out the all-camp evening activities if you want to be able to dress to match. If you do the LARP “Encaros,” people typically dress for their characters across multiple days.
“Swaps:” if you’d like to trade some little items (typically handmade pins, keychains, etc) that represent your favorite nerdom, bring them with you to camp.
See the link at the bottom of this post for more suggestions on what to bring from ENC website.
Tips
Registration: Register as soon as you know you can attend because registration is cheaper the earlier you register with the first price increase at the end of December.
Activity Registration: Keep an eye out for the activity registration date. There are a few activities that have a max number of participants for a specific time slot.
When planning your alcohol, you want to bring a cooler (ice is available) or drinks you can drink warm, serve on ice, or mix with the fountain drinks. There isn’t refrigerator access. Glass isn’t allowed around campus, especially the pool, so something like box wine or pouring mixed drinks into other serving containers is a must.
Join the Team: If you want to get more involved or are looking for a more affordable option, you can teach an activity or help in other ways.
Internet: Mobile data coverage varies across the campus. Wifi is available, but you have to pay for it (it didn’t cover my cabin but was available in the main areas).
Location
Camp Ramblewood
2564 Silver Rd, Darlington, MD 21034
A former summer camp turned event venue.
Travel
You will need to plan the legs of your travel (unless you are close enough to drive). Epic Nerd Camp is 1 hour from Baltimore or Philadelphia. Looking at the train schedules with the BWI Airport, we decided to rent a car because the return trains didn’t match our flight schedule. It’s always a little frustrating to rent a car that just sits for several days, but it was worth it for us. If you do take the train from the airport, you still need to take an Uber or Lyft or another ride the last of the way.
Links to learn more
Epic Nerd Camp: "Geek Summer Camp For Grownups"
