Kansas City’s Best Excursions

Best Place to Relive Your College Years [1]: One of the main thoroughfares of the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Jayhawk Boulevard [1] offers a scenic stroll and a taste of campus life.

Best Shopping [2]: Boutiques, breweries, and book shops line Massachusetts Street [2], a thoroughfare so appealing it’s like a smaller Lawrence-style version of the Magnificent Mile.

Best Way to Learn on Vacation [3]: The interactive exhibits and collection of personal artifacts at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics [3] in Lawrence make learning about local government and politics anything but dull.

Best Architecture [4]: Built solely for foot traffic, Omaha’s cable-stayed Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge [4] is an impressive work of architecture, and is even more picturesque when it’s illuminated after dark.

Best Local Attraction [5]: Wear comfortable shoes if you want to see all that Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo [5] has to offer in one day. Duck into the IMAX theater to recharge your batteries.

Best Photo Opportunities [6]: Brick-lined streets, converted warehouses, horse-drawn carriages — the Old Market [6] in Omaha is like a picturesque postcard in perpetual motion.

Best Recreational Activity [7]: You won’t find any white-water rapids on this river, but the Missouri River Boating Tour [7] is an interactive and one-of-a-kind way to see the river and surrounding valleys and bluffs near Rocheport. Get ready for an upper-body workout, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Best Blast from the Past [8]: The building may be small, but the Friends of Rocheport Historical Museum [8] boasts an extensive display of local memorabilia that makes for an interesting — and educational — stop.

Best Reason to Rent a Bike [9]: Even if you don’t want to bike the Katy Trail [9]’s full 225-mile length, heading out from Rocheport for a quick five-mile ride is still a great way to experience the historic trail and enjoy prime views of the Missouri River.

Best Spot for Souvenirs [10]: Stock up on old-fashioned candy, lye soap, and other nostalgic favorites at the Rocheport General Store [10], also a great spot for a game of checkers or a live music performance.