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The field trip is one of the most beloved events of the school year — a chance to get away from the walls of the classroom, the confinement of desks, and the view of white boards.
As kids, though, did we really appreciate the opportunity to hear from experts at museums, historic spots, nature areas and cultural treasures? Especially because, as adults, we don’t all have time in our busy schedules to go learn for learning’s sake.
So KCUR put together a few ideas for “Adult Field Trips” that can get us all out of the office or house, and see aspects of Kansas City through an entirely different lens. And yes, kids will likely enjoy some of these activities too.
Whether you’ve got a group looking for enrichment and bonding, or want to just explore more on your own, check out these options in a variety of fields. Keep in mind that some experiences have associated costs, and most need to be scheduled in advance.
Go behind the scenes
Getting to peek behind the curtain and learn how a business or system works can be fascinating.
Where does our water come from and where does it go? KCWater offers three types of tours: Water Plant Tours (ages 12+), Wastewater Plant Tours (ages 14+), and Green Infrastructure Tours.
Learn about the process of treating water, and various sustainability measures. Each walking tour is about an hour long and requires at least three weeks’ advanced notice. To see about availability, email water.education@kcmo.org, and check the website for additional information and considerations.
How did my package arrive just hours after I ordered it? It may have shipped from Kansas City, Kansas’ MKC6 Amazon Fulfillment Center. With advanced registration, you can take a 60-90 minute guided tour of the facility most weekdays, starting at either 9:30 a.m. or 1:40 p.m. (typically, Wednesdays are reserved for private tours). Marvel at the high-level logistics while you learn how products get from anywhere in the world to your doorstep. Tour booking availability is posted about a month in advance.
Can I visit an actual field during my field trip? Absolutely. You can tour the most famous field in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium, typically home of the Chiefs but also a home for concerts and the recent FIFA World Cup.
Public guided tours are about 90 minutes long. You’ll visit the locker room, Hall of Honor, press box, club level, broadcast, Founder’s Club and yes, the field! There are also gameday tours and private tours available. Ticket prices fluctuate based on what type of tour you want, and the day and time.
You could also hop next door for a tour of Kauffman Stadium, current home of the Kansas City Royals. They offer a range of tours from late March until October 31, from a 75-minute classic option to the two-hour-long “MVP Tour” (each level is at a different price point, also affected by day and time). See areas of Kauffman Stadium that are not open to the public, or maybe even catch batting practice, before the stadium gets retired in a few years.
Here are some more opportunities to learn about the culture and architecture of Kansas City:
- Tour the Moshi Safdie-designed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to learn about this iconic addition to the skyline.
- Originally built in 1906 as the First National Bank, Kansas City Public - Central Branch hosts tours of the building, re-designed and re-opened in 2004.
- Take a tour of the Arboretum at The Linda Hall, home of 16 “champion trees” in the heart of midtown Kansas City.
- The TWA Museum at 10 Rogers Road at the Kansas City Downtown Airport offers docent-led tours every half hour, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Food and drink field trips
Some of Kansas City’s best loved homegrown brands offer behind-the-scenes experiences into the making of their product.
Best known is Boulevard Brewing, which has been doing tours since their Westside brewery opened in 1989. In 2016, they cut the ribbon on a brand new Recreation Center adjacent to the original brewery. There are three types of public tours, from a one-hour overview ($20 base price/person) to a two-hour deep dive ($40 plus taxes and fees). You can also book private tours.
With a look at the history of the company, the science of brewing, the bottling facility and some samples in the tasting room, Boulevard is a popular choice for locals and visitors. Plus you can follow up your tour with a visit to the public beer hall for snacks and a lovely view of downtown.
Just down Southwest Boulevard is the headquarters for the Roasterie, founded in 1993. The 45-minute tours walks you through the coffee-roasting process, includes a sampling of hot and cold coffees, and a demonstration of brewing. Starting at just $5 a person, this is one of the more affordable field trip options, and private tour groups can also be arranged.
Christopher Elbow Chocolates hosts the Cacao Experience at the Crossroads location on McGee Street at selection times on Thursdays and Fridays. There are only 12 spots available for each. Participants get a guided tour of the facility and samples of the famous chocolatier’s sweet treats. Tours are 40 minutes long and cost $10/person. But also note: A tour ticket will get you a $5 store credit for the day of your visit, and $5 from the cost of each tour goes to “an organization dedicated to supporting sustainable cacao production and farmers directly,” according to the website.
If you are curious about how liquor is distilled, you are in the right town! Many of the area distilleries offer tours and tastings: Tom’s Town Distilling Co. (Crossroads), Union Horse Distilling Co. (Lenexa), Holladay Distillery (Weston), J. Rieger & Co. (East Bottoms), West Bottoms Whiskey Co. (West Bottoms). Check with your distillery of choice to see availability and pricing.
Explore more Kansas City favorites with tours of these businesses:
- KC Bier Co. in Waldo has brewery tours every Saturday at 1 p.m. and every Sunday at 12:30 p.m., limited to 20 tickets a tour.
- Green Dirt Farm has tours at their Weston location and tastings of their sheeps milk cheeses on Sundays and Thursdays.
- Andre’s Confiserie Suisse offers tours seasonally, though these often sell out quickly.
- Fence Stile Wine Cave Tours take a look below ground with a tour and tasting, but the vineyard has many events, including acoustic live music in the caves and grape stomping (during harvest season).
DIY workshops
Field trips also give you a chance to try a new skill with hands-on experiences.
For the carnivore-forward foodie, Local Pig offers workshops on Sundays taking on different aspects of meat preparation, from their “Whole Hog” class where you break down a side of pork, to a make-your-own-charcuterie course.
In a similar vein, in November you can take taxidermy workshops through Oracle Natural Science in the Crossroads, given by New York City-based Divya Anantharaman of Gotham Taxidermy.
If you are interested in a less sinew-y artform, consider flower arranging. In Lee’s Summit, check out Bel Fiore Co., where you can harvest flowers from the source and learn to arrange them, or create an arrangement and learn how to paint a watercolor of it.
If you are agro-tourism curious, check out YaYa’s Alpaca Farm, where you visit the farm, meet some alpacas, and learn how their fleece is turned into fiber.
Plan your next Adventure around Kansas City!
It’s not difficult to find something interesting to do in Kansas City! Here are a few KCUR Adventures! that may just inspire your next great adult field trip.
- Kansas City is keeping heritage crafts and historic art forms alive. Here's where to learn them
- Sci-fi fever dreams and money robots: How to explore Kansas City's more offbeat museums
- At these 6 Kansas City craft shops, you can handmake holiday gifts — or keep them for yourself
- These Kansas City tours are a great way to start exploring the city, its neighborhoods and history
