What’s open and closed in KC for Memorial Day weekend with COVID restrictions easing
There are no Kansas City Royals games to go to, where a crack of the bat at Kauffman Stadium the weekend before Memorial Day might be the perfect start to the summer. There will be no annual Celebration at the Station, where the Kansas City Symphony entertains tens of thousands along with fireworks every year.
With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling numerous events outside, some key symbols of summer are gone. Locations for family outings that remain closed include Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, the Great Wolf Lodge at the Legends in Kansas City, Kansas and Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park. In addition to the postponement of sporting events, casinos in Kansas City also remain closed.
But with Missouri, Kansas and KC re-opening to the public, there are things to do in-person during the holiday weekend.
Meet new animals
Both the Kansas City Zoo and Sea Life KC aquarium reopened this week and will be open through Memorial Day weekend. They are taking extra precautions before and during your visit.
At the zoo, guests must reserve an entry time online in 15 minute increments. There is a limit on the number of tickets and times, so it’s best to secure your spot sooner rather than later.
The aquarium is taking similar steps while abiding under KC’s “10/10/10” rule. Some attractions are also closed, including interactive dive logs. Other safety measures will include directional markings and sanitization throughout the aquarium.
Parks abound
Kansas and Missouri state parks are open to the public, from the Lake of the Ozarks to Kanopolis State Park. Whether it’s camping, canoeing or hiking on trails, there are endless ways to enjoy the outdoors as the weather warms.
Of course, even though it’s the outdoors, park officials still recommend maintaining social distancing.
Reservations and fee payments should be made online. Aside from keeping a minimum of six feet between other folks on land, there should also be social distancing on the water. That might mean anchoring individually instead of tying boats to other vessels.
Entertainment venues
With restaurants and bars able to re-open in KC, live music and stand-up comedy have resumed at Knuckleheads Saloon and The Comedy Club of Kansas City.
Knuckleheads will hold open jam sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Capacity is limited for social distancing purposes.
The Comedy Club of Kansas City is hosting shows throughout the weekend, including a special event dubbed “The Veterans of Comedy” on Saturday. Instead of individual tickets, the club is selling tables and heavily limiting seating.
Hit the courses
Golf courses in the Kansas City area have been open for weeks, albeit with social distancing and other restrictions. Check with your local course for specifics.
In the name of mental preparation, you can also read about the “KC Dream 18” — the best golf holes in the KC area.
Relive history
For those history nuts, there are some sites you can visit, though most museums are still closed or re-opening after Memorial Day weekend.
Fort Osage Historical Landmark in Sibley is open, though a mask is required to enter. Elsewhere, the John Wornall House and Alexander Majors House are both open and located within KC borders. Guided tours aren’t available, but there is the self-guided option. The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence remains closed.
Science City and the planetarium at Union Station remain closed through June 10. The National WWI Museum and Memorial is closed until June 1 for members and June 2 for the general public. While the Union Station Memorial Day fireworks are canceled, the Kansas City Symphony’s “Best of Bank of America Celebration at the Station” will air on KCPT at 7 p.m. May 24 and 8:30 p.m. May 25.
Take a stroll
Starting Wednesday, Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, opened with restricted access and will continue to do so on Memorial Day. The garden is located east of Lee’s Summit at 1609 U.S. Highway 50 in Kingsville.
Like other venues, there will be precautionary measures taken. No buildings aside from public restrooms will be open, and the tram service is suspended. Purchasing tickets at timed intervals will also be the only way to enter. Some areas will be open for picnics.