The world headquarter of Hallmark Cards, Crown Center is an 85-acre entertainment complex that includes live theatre, museums, shops, restaurants, hotels and some of Kansas City's most enjoyable fountains. At Christmas, Crown Center is home to the Mayor's Christmas Tree, often the largest live tree in the United States. During the winter, the city's only outdoor skating rink is the focal point of the complex.
Best and Worst Times to Visit Crown Center
Crown Center is especially beautiful during the Christmas holidays. On weekends in December, parking is almost impossible, so come during the week, if at all possible. This is also where the city's Irish Fest is held on Labor Day weekend, another fun time to visit, if you don't mind the crowds.
Must See/Do at Crown Center
- Watch fudge being made at Chip's Chocolate Factory.
- Have lunch delivered by a choochoo train at Fritz's Railroad Restaurant.
- Tour the Hallmark Visitors Center and make a free bow.
Admission to Crown Center
Crown Center and many of the activities here are free to the public, but other activities, such as the SeaLife Aquarium or shows at The Coterie Children's Theatre require admission. Neighboring hotels often offer packages or discounts. Check the Crown Center website for best deals.
Parking and Public Transportation to Crown Center
Crown Center includes a multi-level parking garage with more than 1,000. Parking is free if you have your ticket stamped by a merchant. Crown Center is also a stop on the city's Metro bus route. Taxi service is also plentiful in the city.
Food at the Crown Center
More than two dozen restaurants are located within Crown Center, as well as ice cream and bagels. Popular with the kids is the Crayola Café or Fritz's Railroad Restaurant. For fine dining, the American Restaurant at the top of the crown is one of Kansas City's best.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Crown Center
For an authentic souvenir of Kansas City and Crown Center, visit Customer Service on the second floor and ask for the Mayor's Christmas Tree ornaments. Created by Hallmark artists with the wood from each year's Mayor's Christmas trees, the sale of these ornaments provide a happy holiday for those with less means in Kansas City.
Author's bio: Diana Lambdin Meyer is a travel writer based in the Kansas City area. Follow her travels at www.mojotraveler.com.
Boulevard Brewing Company, also known as "Kansas City's Pride," annually brews 600,000 barrels of craft beers. Several tour options of the brewing facility are available. Valid ID required. The Tasting Room is open to the public every day, serving a complete selection of Kansas City's hometown beers.
Tours at Boulevard Brewing Company
Three types of staff-led tours are offered:
Free public tours
Walk through the production facility in this 40-minute tour that covers the company's history, philosophy and brewing process. End up in the Tasting Room for samples of Boulevard beers.
On Monday and Tuesday tours start at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Wednesday, they start at 12:30 p.m. and 2 pm. Friday tours start at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. On Saturday tours start every 45 minutes beginning at 10:15 a.m. Sunday tours start at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Smokestack tours
Smokestack tours feature the equipment and processes for making Smokestack Series beers, as well as the inspiration behind them. The tours end with guided tasting sessions that also include advice on which beers go best with which foods. Visitors on these 90-minute tours must be at least 21 years of age, wear close-toed shoes, be able to climb three flights of stairs without help and sign a release. Tours start at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Unfiltered tour
Unfiltered tours are last an hour and a half and are limited to 20 visitors and start on Sundays at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The tours take visitors to areas of the brewery not allowed on public or smokestack tours. Taste a variety of beers along the way and receive a token of appreciation from the company. Visitors on these 90-minute tours must be at least 21 years of age, wear close-toed shoes, be able to climb three flights of stairs without help and sign a release.
When to go to the Boulevard Brewing Company
Weekends are the most crowded, and tours fill fast.
Admission to the Boulevard Brewing Company
Public tours are free. The Smokestack and Unfiltered tours cost $20 each. Admission to the Tasting Room is $5, which includes four 4-ounce samples of year-round and seasonal beers, Smokestack brews, and sometimes test beers. Visitors younger than 21 are allowed only on the public tour, and no samples are offered to them.
How to get to the Boulevard Brewing Company
The brewery is on the east side of Southwest Blvd. There's plenty of parking in front.
Food at the Boulevard Brewing Company
Boulevard Brewing Company has no on-site restaurant, but there are lots of restaurants on Southwest Boulevard within a mile of the brewery.
Insider tip for visitors to the Boulevard Brewing Company
Free first-come, first-served tickets for public tours go on sale at 10 a.m. daily for that day only. They go fast, so get there early. Reservations for the Smokestack and Unfiltered tours open on the first Monday of the previous month. They fill up fast, so book early. If you can't get a tour, visit the Tasting Room for a chance to sample some of the beers.
Author bio: Mary-Lane Kamberg is a professional writer and editor and a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area.