Where to Play Before the Royals Play Ball

Start today's visit to Kansas City by stepping into the past, September 1856, to be specific. That's when the the steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City with 200 tons of cargo bound for towns in the west. In 1988, the Arabia excavation began, resulting in the astonishing discovery of pre-Civil War artifacts now on display at this incredible museum.

Enjoy an unforgettable view of Kansas City from atop Liberty Memorial, then learn more about the "War to End All Wars" at the National World War I Museum, which is located beneath the iconic tower.

You don't have to have an art degree to know this place is flat-out amazing. The Nelson-Atkins currently maintains collections of nearly 40,000 works of art, all of which provide the opportunity to create new connections and unique experiences at every turn. The outdoor sculpture park is a regional favorite.

There's no better primer for a day at the ballpark than this museum, which pays tribute to the Negro Leagues, which were established in 1920 and played a role in the development of several baseball hall of famers.

Looking for a fest for the senses? Check out the Museum of BBQ, full of interactive exhibits where learning and fun come in the same serving size, with everything from a pit of beans to jump into, to a walkthrough of barbecue's history and culture.

One step inside the 30,000-square-foot Legoland Discovery Center and you’ll feel as though you’ve just jumped into the world’s biggest box of Lego bricks – more than two million. Legoland offers a fun, highly interactive and educational 2-3 hour indoor experience, ideal for families with children ages 3-10. Legoland provide a range of interactive play areas.

Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium transports you into an amazing underwater world. Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from humble starfish and seahorses to graceful rays. To get any closer you’d have to get wet. Watch more than 5,000 sea creatures, in 30 incredible displays, including a 180-degree tunnel, in 260,000 gallons of water. They have an interactive touch-pool, plus fun talks and feed shows throughout the day.

No day in Kansas City is complete without sampling barbecue, and Gates has been a staple of the city's dining scene since 1946. Go for the burnt ends. You'll be glad you did.

Beer and baseball go hand-in-hand, so it makes sense that you'll want to visit Kansas City's largest brewery before you head to Kauffman Stadium. Boulevard offers free, 45-minute tours of the brewery and yes, there are samples at the end for those ages 21 and older.

End your night with smooth jazz at the Green Lady Lounge. Green Lady Lounge features Kansas City Jazz musicians in the rich Kansas City tradition.

This entertainment district has reenergized downtown, creating an entertainment, retail and dining hot spot for visitors and conventioneers. It transforms itself from a unique lunch and retail destination by day, to an exciting dining and entertainment experience in the evening. Offering more than a half million square feet, the Power & Light District is one of the Midwest’s prime entertainment areas, with more than 50 unique restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues, including the Sprint Center.