The Museum at Prairiefire celebrates natural history and culture with traveling exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The building's exterior features Kansas limestone and multi-colored dichroic glass first developed by NASA for use in satellite mirrors.
Best and worst times to go to the Museum at Prairiefire
For a full experience, avoid the intervals when the Exhibition Gallery closes for changing exhibits. However, kids will enjoy the Great Hall and Discovery Room any time. Closed Christmas Day
Must see/do at the Museum at Prairiefire
Area kids call this site the "Dinosaur Museum" because of the huge cast of the first discovered Tyrannosaurus rex displayed in the Great Hall. Also in the Great Hall, the ALIVE activity lets visitors design a dinosaur by choosing colors, stripes or spots, fur or feathers and other features and then see it animated on a large screen in the foyer. Kids ages three to 12 will enjoy a 45-minute session in the hands-on Discovery Room, where they can reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton, try on masks from other cultures and learn about tracking animals.
Admission to the Museum at Prairiefire
An all-access day pass, which is available when an exhibition is open, is $22 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $15 for children (ages 3-12). Access to the Great Hall and its exhibits is free for all visitors. The Exhibition Gallery costs $14 for adults and $8 for children. Access to the Discovery Room is $8 for adults and $7 for children. Children under three are free. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more with advance reservations. Minimal walking is involved in touring the museum, and all areas are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
How to get to the Museum at Prairiefire
From 135th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas, go west about one block to Outlook Street. Go south on Outlook Street. The museum is on the right. Free valet parking is available across the street from the museum. Or, park in the Entertainment District Parking Garage one block east of the museum or along the street on Prairiefire Blvd. A few spots for people with disabilities and eco-friendly vehicles are available on the east side of the building. The Johnson County public transportation service, The JO Bus 556, Monday through Friday. More information at www.thejo.com.
Food at the Museum at Prairiefire
The Fresh Market Cafe features salads, sandwiches, pizza, snacks and beverages at prices comparable to fast food restaurants. Nearby restaurants include Paradise Diner for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Newport Grill for steak and seafood, Pinstripes, a combination bistro and bowling alley, the Talk of the Town Grill just east of Prairiefire, and Winstead's, Kansas City's premier steakburger place is just 0.3 mile east on 135th Street.
Insider tip for visitors to the Museum at Prairiefire
On weekends a shuttle runs every 15 minutes between parking near the Church of the Resurrection at 13720 Roe Avenue and the museum.
Author's bio: Mary-Lane Kamberg is a professional writer and lifelong resident of Kansas City. Along with books for adults, she writes nonfiction books for school libraries. She earned a bachelor of science in journalism with an emphasis in anthropology from the University of Kansas.