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"
Historic Weston, MO
“Visit Historic Weston: and make a little history of your own!”
Enjoying some Wine at Weston Wine Company, our favorite spot in Weston with the Owner, Hannah.
Weston is the best short, day trip outside of Kansas City. We’ve enjoyed visiting for many years. This first post will be an overview, and I’ll feature some of our favorite spots in more detail in future posts.
Getting to Know Weston
We first encountered Weston through O’Malley’s 1842 Pub a truly remarkable Irish Pub. Hang out in the cellar bar 60 feet underground with live music. It is packed for the annual Irish Fest.
Next, we went to a birthday party snow tubing at Snow Creek Ski Area.
But where we really found our home is Weston Wine Company. Hannah puts on a ton of fun events in a great setting with delicious wine. For us, an event at Weston Wine Company is usually the spark for a visit to the broader Weston Area.
Dining
A relaxing time at the Upstairs Tea Room
For dinner, we usually eat at the American Bowman over O’Malley’s for Irish Food, Tin Kitchen for BBQ, or The 640 Pizza and Pints. If you call ahead 24 hours or more, you can get a truly bountiful tea at the Upstairs Tea Room over the Main Street Galleria which provides tea to spare at a great price. Weston Wine Company also has tea parties from time to time among many other special events. Green Dirt Farm Creamery has excellent lunch with a variety of sandwiches.
Weston Stagecoach
To really see all the sites, The Weston Stagecoach Party Bus is the best way to see it all in style and safety. Book early as they often sell out! Stops include: Weston Wine Company, Riverwood Winery, Historic Weston Orchard and Vineyard, Holladay Distillery, Pirtle Winery, Green Dirt Farm, and Main Street Weston. I had a great birthday riding the Stagecoach with friends in 2022.
Book the Weston Stagecoach to take you around town!
Weston Main Street
Main Street
Find plentiful shopping on the quaint main street. Get 25 cent vodka tastings at McCormick on Main (they close early, so plan your day). Stop for cocktails at the Royal Deluxe and gelato at Root Sellers Market both in the Saint George Hotel (a great place to book a room to make a weekend of it). Do a whiskey tasting or buy a bottle or a drink at the Whiskey Snug in the back of the Celtic Ranch store.
Weston Wine Company Location
540 Main St, Weston, MO 64098
Travel and Parking
Weston is a quick 30-minute drive from the north part of Kansas City and 40-45 minutes from the heart of KC.
Some venues have their own parking like O’Malley’s, Green Dirt Creamery, and the Weston Orchard, and the wineries and distillery further out, but most parking is street parking which can fill up during busy times. You can find a parking lot on Thomas Street off Main Street across from the 640 Pizza and Pints.
Links to learn more
Weston Brewing Company (Home of O’Malley’s 1832 Irish Pub, the St. George Hotel, the Inn at Weston Landing, Mandrake Place, and Root Seller’s Market)
O’Malley’s 1842 Pub and American Bowman Restaurant
Tin Kitchen Southern Smokehouse
Main Street Galleria and Upstairs Tea Room
The Royal Deluxe, Root Sellers Market, and The Saint George
The Celtic Ranch and The Whiskey Snug
Historic Weston Orchard and Vineyard
"Visit Historic Weston: and make a little history of your own…"
Lotus Hot Pot and Grill
Lotus Hot Pot and Grill an eating experience to share with friends
Lindsay and friends eating at Lotus Hot Pot and Grill
An eating adventure to share with friends.
Hot Pot
Lotus Hot Pot and Grill was my first hot pot experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it before. It makes eating your meal a fun adventure. You get to pick the ingredients that go into the soup that you make in a large hot pot on your table. The soup cooking pot has a divider down the middle so you can have two different soups. They also have a barbecue option that I have not tried yet but sounds exciting.
You get to choose your broth type, your vegetables your meat, and your toppings or sauces (which can be kept separately and added per bowl for varying tastes in the group). As a picky eater, I love to customize my food.
The raw vegetables and meat come on individual plates and you cook them in hot broth. I recommend not using the same utensil to put the raw meat in the boiling soup broth you use to eat your food.
We also shared a delicious order of fried pot stickers and an order of edamame. Both the hot tea and the iced tea were good. The time I went with one other person and the time I went with two other people, we had enough food to take home leftovers in plastic soup containers. The veggie combo included a very large amount of veggies.
I haven't had to wait to be seated on either visit. This is perfect for a group of two to four people. They may have tables for larger groups, but my groups of two and three were perfect for the standard table.
I appreciate that they have a sense of humor in their decor.
Location
6591a N Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118
There is ample parking in the lot next to the restaurant. Lotus Hot Pot and Grill is in a shopping strip called Little Saigon Plaza.
Links
Lotus Hot Pot and Grill Facebook
wikiHow to Eat and Cook Hot Pot read this for what order to cook the meat and vegetables!
YMCA of the Rockies and Estes Park
YMCA of the Rockies: “Colorado's Affordable Family Resort with more activities than anywhere else!”
Lindsay on the Aerial Tramway
The rugged beauty of Estes Park, Colorado makes an excellent setting for a wedding.
YMCA of the Rockies
YMCA of the Rockies is a sprawling camp surrounded by the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Similar to Silver Bay YMCA already featured, this is not your local YMCA limited to a swimming pool and some fitness classes. The YMCA of the Rockies has all the fun activities you expect from a traditional camp setting. Activities included in your stay include: roller skating, indoor pool, mini golf, dog parks, basketball, hiking and biking trails, disc golf and more. Activities that have additional fees and require registration include: archery, axe throwing, arts and crafts, escape room, horseback riding, and dog sledding. Day camp is available for youth ages 5-17.
The campus is large enough that it was a lot easier for people who had a rental car to move between the various cabins. For those who are not used to the higher elevation, a hike to a cabin with all your luggage can be a little taxing. Staying hydrated is essential.
It was the perfect setting for an August wedding. I came in on a Thursday and went home on a Sunday. I wish I’d been there longer to enjoy more of the activities, but I didn’t have enough PTO left from work.
Estes Park Activities
There is a free shuttle that will take you to activities in nearby Estes Park. We had an amazing time riding the Aerial Tramway up to the top of the mountain for stunning views and chipmunk feeding. (Check that it is operating during your visit using the link below). We did a little shopping and ate lunch next to a lovely little river in the town. Uber is not available in Estes Park. I was fortunate to get the phone number of the local rideshare: (970)682-9985 to get a ride to dinner for the bachelorette party at The View Restaurant at Historic Crags Lodge. Otherwise, I would have been hard-pressed to get there without a car. Cell service and mobile data can be spotty.
Lindsay on the Front Porch overlooking the YMCA Campus
Lodging
YMCA of the Rockies has a variety of housing options including private cabins, lodge rooms, camping, and even yurts. I stayed one night in a hotel-style lodge with the traditional basics including a private bathroom and bunk beds. Then I moved into the wedding cabin. It was one of several large reunion cabin spaces equipped with many rooms and a common living area, kitchen, and shared bathrooms.
There is a sister campus at Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, Colorado.
Food
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available to buy in the dining hall. Food is buffet style. There is also a counter service cafe-style option with extended hours. If you have a cabin, the kitchen allows you to prepare your own meals.
YMCA of the Rockies Location
2515 Tunnel Rd, Estes Park, CO 80511. It’s about a two-hour shuttle ride from the Denver Airport through the dramatic Rocky Moutain Landscape. I took the Estes Park Schedule booked in advance (info below) to the YMCA and rode back to the airport with a local.
Links to learn more
https://www.facebook.com/ymcarockies
Weddings at YMCA of the Rockies
https://www.estesparkshuttle.com/
https://www.visitestespark.com/
The View Restaurant at Historic Crags Lodge
YMCA of the Rockies: “Colorado's Affordable Family Resort with more activities than anywhere else!”
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska: Worth the Trip!
Feeding Lola, the adorable, bottomless pit, I mean giraffe
I can’t believe it took me this long to go to Omaha. We spent a beautiful girls’ weekend in October and had an amazing time. We enjoyed delicious food and drink and saw the sights.
Omaha Zoo
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is rightly famous. Don’t miss the “kingdoms of the night” nocturnal exhibit under the desert dome (can I get a dessert dome?), the butterfly pavilion, and the jungle. Most of all, feed Lola at the giraffe encounter in Africa (open Saturdays and Sundays weather permitting). That was the highlight of the trip.
You could spend days at the zoo, but we spent a great four hours.
Don't miss the tapir in the jungle. Looks like a panda-elephant-pig combo to me…
Food and Drink
The best cheesebread ever. Eat it now!
How I love good food! Omaha did not disappoint.
I had the best cheesebread of my life at Noli’s Pizzeria
Delicious mini-shell, smoked gouda mac and cheese with shrimp at Jams in the Old Market
Heavenly breakfast potatoes at Good Lookin’
Fun at Proof: whiskey bar and craft cocktails.
(links below)
Lindsay and friends enjoying whiskey, craft cocktails, and friendly staff at Proof
The Old Market
We spent an enjoyable afternoon exploring the old market. Hollywood Candy is worth a visit. We were pleased with how welcoming Omaha appears to be to the LGBTQ+ community, especially in The Old Market.
Bob the Bridge and Lewis and Clark
We enjoyed a beautiful morning walking along the Missouri River, crossing “Bob” the Pedestrian Bridge crossing between Nebraska and Iowa, and checking out the Lewis and Clark National Park Service Visitors Center (another check on my friend’s national park list).
Lodging
We found great lodging at an Airbnb in Little Bohemia. We picked our spot for its great location, affordable price, and ample space for playing board games at the dining room table and in the spacious living room area. We will have to check out the nearby Omaha Dog Bar next time.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Location
3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107
Travel and Parking
Omaha is a three-hour drive from Kansas City. Directions include “keep going north for 113 miles”. We rocked out to some good road trip tunes from Spotify.
The zoo has plenty of free parking. The Old Market has paid parking: parking map here. Our other stops had street parking with or without meters (check both sides of the meters for various payment options like coin, card, or app). Our Airbnb had a designated spot out back and street parking. We took an Uber to Proof.
Links to learn more
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Visitor Experiences at the Zoo (feed Lola the giraffe!)
https://www.facebook.com/visitomaha
Pet-friendly Airbnb (good for playing board games)
Noli’s Pizzeria (for the best cheesebread ever)
Jams: an American Grill (Old Market location for delicious gouda mac and cheese with shrimp)
Proof Whiskey Bar and Craft Cocktails
Good Lookin’ (for the best breakfast potatoes)
Hollywood Candy: More than a Store, It’s an Experience
Omaha: Worth the Trip
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival
Huzzah and Cheers for 45 Years of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival
The entrance to the KC Renaissance Festival
I have been going to the KC Renaissance Festival since I was about 5. I was lucky my parents like to go, and we would dress up. Once I really got into it in high school, we would get season passes. I met my husband there, and I have been part of a musical comedy show, The Medieval Medicine Show for over 7 years. You probably get the picture that I enjoy the Renaissance Festival. Adults getting together and playing make-believe with costumes, food, shopping, entertainment, and the outdoors. I look forward to it every year and spend about 14 days there each fall. Read more to learn how you can make this your next glorious adventure.
Dates and Hours
7 Weekends Starting Labor Day, 10am-7pm. Special event tickets are limited, so buy them in advance. There are always deals going on for discounted entry tickets, and they are cheaper online, so check out the website (link at the bottom). If you think you’ll make multiple visits, go ahead and get a season pass.
Experience
Spend a few hours or days exploring the village of Canterbury during the Renaissance. Escape from the modern world and enjoy all the fun parts of Renaissance England. For the best experience, I encourage you to dress up (even just one costume item starts the fun, and there are plenty of places selling costumes there). Each weekend has a theme you may want to consider when planning your trip and outfit. While there are benefits to going on your own (getting to see what you want when you want), the festival really shines when shared with friends and family. If you really get into it, there are many ways to join the festival.
Knightwings: Birds of Prey is one of many shows you can watch
Shows
There are stages set throughout the festival with a constant rotation of 30-minute shows. You’ll find comedy, music, magic, combat, dance, and more. Check out the Children’s Realm for entertainment for children and the pub crawl or happy hour (special tickets needed) for 21 and over bawdy humor. A few shows that you’ll typically find from year to year include: the Jolly Rogers, Dr. Dumpe, Bob the Incredible Juggler, Robin Hood Swill Pond Show, Clearly Guilty, Misti Bernard, Gaelic Brass, Knightwings: Birds of Prey, Maxwell the Magnificent, Bonny Way, and Bawdily Harm just to mention a few. There are always new acts showing up and acts visiting from other festivals. Get a program at the gate to find out when and where to find the different acts. There’s a daily human combat chess match, and check out the Pub Sing at 5:45pm to see highlights from different music groups. There is usually a scenario featuring the Royal Court that starts at the opening gate, runs throughout the day, and ends at the closing gate. You’ll find costumed characters throughout the lanes that would love to interact with you. Ask them about their day and their life.
Entertaining shopping
Special Events
Make sure to check out the Special Events listing for things like the joust, costume contests, tasting events (special tickets needed), Queen’s Tea, and daily parade. Many ticketed special events sell out during the later part of the season, so buy tickets online in advance (see link below).
Shopping
There is no shortage of things to buy from jewelry to mugs, swords to leather, toys to costumes, scented oil to candles, pottery, and more. While many larger booths do accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to bring cash. It also helps the vendors avoid credit card processing fees. Many booths will hold your purchase for you until the end of the day (don’t forget to go back for it!) or you can run it out to your car. Just make sure to get a hand stamp to get back in.
Food and Drink
A knight reaches for a cold flagon during a joust from horseback
Eat, drink, and be merry! Don’t miss a turkey leg (big enough to share) and all the expected fried foods and foods on a stick. From kettle corn and crepes to chicken and chips or a Scotch Egg, you’ll find all your favorite festival foods. There are plenty of spots to buy adult beverages as well from beers and wine to mead, cider, seltzer, and cocktails. All of the ticketed Royal Events include food or drink (and can sell out).
Games and Rides
You’ll find swings and games of skill like axe throwing and archery throughout the festival as well as camel rides. These all have an additional cost requiring cash.
Lindsay and her mom during Lindsay’s first visit to the KC Renfest
Kids
The festival is a magical place for children. Make sure to see the King and Queen and explore the Children’s Realm and Enchanted Forest. Also, make note of the restrooms and food and give plenty of time to get through lines at the busier, later part of the season. Stay hydrated.
Weddings and Special Events
Consider this fun venue for a theme wedding, anniversary, family reunion, or corporate event.
So many great photo spots
Tips
Bring cash for actual tips. It’s customary to tip a few dollars for each show you watch. Many of the food booths also only accept cash. Bring more than you think you’ll need and avoid long ATM lines and ATM fees.
Come earlier in the season before it gets crowded. You will wait in many more lines the last 2 weekends compared to the first 5. The trade-off is hotter weather.
Dress for the weather. The festival is rain or shine. Be prepared for sun, mud, bugs, and even cold weather depending on the day.
The terrain is rough (no paved sidewalks yet in the Renaissance), so prepare for quite a bit of walking.
You can register and bring your dog, but make sure he/she can handle the extreme stimulation (costumes, kids, animals, food) and novelty and all the little pieces of turkey leg on the ground you may not want them eating. Also, prepare your pet for the weather and provide water and a chance to get away from the crowds. There is a “cannon” at the start and end of the day your pet may prefer to avoid.
Location
633 N 130th Street, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Parking
Free parking at both the King’s Gate at the front and the Queen’s Gate at the rear. Don’t be surprised if you are parking on grass or gravel. GPS may take you to the Queen’s gate at the rear of the festival. Make note of where you parked.
The parking is shared with Sandstone Amphitheater (by whatever name it is going by from year to year).
Links to learn more
Kansas City Renaissance Festival Website
Daily Ticketed Events (Queen’s Tea, Pub Crawl, Mead Tasting, etc)
KC Renaissance Festival Facebook
KC Renaissance Festival Instagram
KC Renfest: eat, drink, and be merry!
GloWild Festival, KC Zoo
GloWild Lantern Festival at the KC Zoo
The entrance to the GloWild Lantern Festival
Check out this amazing lantern festival in KC! these are not your typical lanterns. You don’t want to miss this.
Dates
Sept. 1-Dec. 1, 2022
Tickets are limited, so buy them in advance.
General Admission $18-25. (link at the bottom)
Experience
Spend about an hour and a half walking along a mile loop of paved paths through the Kansas City Zoo at night moving from one glorious display to the next.
These exquisite lanterns are like nothing I’ve seen before. You don’t want to miss this opportunity.
Lanterns
Most of the lanterns (each one taller than you are) are of the animals you can find at the zoo as well as some plant life and a KC section. See more photos in the gallery below.
Amazing detail on these huge lanterns
Don’t miss the acrobat performance
Performance
Be sure to plan your time to catch the heart-stopping balancing of the Chinese Acrobats at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, or 8:30pm. They are located in front of the penguin exhibit midway through the route (although you can also cut across to watch them first before starting the route if that timing works out better.
Location
6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132. In Swope Park.
Parking
Free parking at the zoo, but you may need to tell parking gate attendants you are there for the zoo if they are charging for Starlight Theatre parking.
Links to learn more
GloWild “the largest event of its kind in the Midwest!”
