If you’re looking to wring the most from your money, to really stretch that inelastic travel dollar, you could do lots worse than book a flight to Kansas City. First off, KC is a significant focus city for Southwest Airlines. Enough said.
That said, when you touch down there are loads of things to do that won’t cost you anything at all. Here are three favorites:
Tour Harley-Davidson’s Vehicle and Powertrain Operations. Tours are on tap Saturdays, from June 5 through Sept. 11. The visit starts with a film to get you oriented. Next stop: the factory floor where men and machines weld, laser-cut, bend, polish and mold metal into go-fast motorcycles. You’ll have to be at least 12 years old to take the tour, and even then there will have to be an adult along for the ride. If you want to see how an American icon is manufactured, this is a KC must-see.
Another all-American favorite is the Hallmark Visitors Center. It’s open six days a week, everyday except Sunday. See how one of this planet’s most creative companies turns cardboard, ink and imagination into lasting memories. The Timeline exhibit is extraordinary. It’s there that you’ll see how historical artifacts reflect the tone and trends of the time. See how society, and its sentiments, evolved during the 20th and 21st centuries.
Save this one for last, a trip to Boulevard Brewing Company. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, this is the home of one of the Midwest’s favorite brews. The brewery is located in a turn-of-the-century brick building on KC’s historic Southwest Boulevard. Although tours are free, you’ll have to call ahead for reservations: 816-474-7095.
Don’t let anyone tell you the Midwest is flyover country. There are plenty of airports down there, lots of them linked to some surprisingly cool cities. Kansas City gets our vote as one of the best.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Hallmark Visitors Center)
