WOOD: It's a great time to see KC

It is indeed a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The weather is just right, the birds are not so annoying, the breeze is utterly refreshing and the sun has a sweet feel to it. Ah, this weather is great to embrace.

Even a little sweeter is the recent drop in gas prices. Let’s take advantage of these prices and nice weather and take a little trip to Kansas City this weekend.

With a lull in events around town until next weekend, now is a good time to visit a great city so close to us. We are in the Kansas City metropolitan area and part of its visitors association, so we should find out more of what it has in store. Kansas Citians come and visit us often, so maybe we should see what they have in their backyard.

One of the most talked about recent exhibits is Bodies Revealed at Union Station Kansas City. Though admission is pricey, the exhibit is truly unique and, most likely, a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s leaving after Labor Day, so this weekend would be a great time to go and see what all the buzz is about. Union Station is a true gem of a building. It’s the second largest train station in the United States, second to Grand Central in Manhattan, and well worth a visit. Details are available at www.unionstation.org or call (816) 460-2020.

A true national treasure across the street from Union Station is the Liberty Memorial, which also houses the new World War I museum. Though the Memorial was dedicated in 1926, it remains the only public memorial and museum dedicated to the history of World War I. The museum is a great trip through history and inexpensively priced. For a nominal fee, you can take a ride to the top of the memorial and get a great view of the city. For details visit www.libertymemorialmuseum.org or call (816) 784-1918.

While in town, check out the historic Kansas City River Market near the Missouri River on Second and Main streets. You can enter the market’s main gate by foot. Parking is available around the market in several lots. We went last weekend and I had a wonderful time.

 While the local farmers market is a great benefit to our economy, sometimes going to a big city market offers unique variety and experiences.

The attendance at the city market is large and very diverse. In addition to the regular fare of market goods, I was entertained by a violinist, a magician, a puppeteer and a guitarist while shopping with a fist of small bills and my market bag. Each corner brought entertainment, children and adults of all ages.

There are several places you can sit for lunch —a Vietnamese restaurant, a Middle Eastern café, an Italian market, Minsky’s Pizza, Bo Ling’s, a brewery, a place serving hamburgers, hot dogs, polish sausages and those huge turkey legs. There is also a wine market on the outer edge.

But why drive all this way for some turkey legs and wine? It’s the experience of a bustling market on a Saturday, and the great deals.

There’s nothing like buying a huge watermelon for $5; Rainer cherries for $3 per pound; red/yellow peppers, three for $2; radishes, four bundles for $1; mangoes, three for $1; strawberries, $1.50 per package; lemons, four for $1; limes, five for $1.

The market offers fresh produce like grapes, oranges, artichokes, celery, cherries, blueberries, bundles of fresh flowers, potted plants, wicker furniture, honey, fresh spices for $1 per scoop and nuts for very little per pound. It’s an experience that is as unique and fun as going to Worlds of Fun. At the market, there are so many cultures from which you can purchase exotic fruits and vegetables.

My bag was bustling with exotic fruits and vegetables I couldn’t wait to try. I don’t know what tomatillos taste like, but I will after I make them.

Closer to home is the weekly market at the Orschlen’s Parking lot 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The Second Street market also is open 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Kansas City does have so many museums it’s impossible to touch upon them for one column.

At the Visitors Center, 2011 E. Logan St., we have information on many museums you can see at any time. You also can visit its Web site at www.visitkc.com .

Since we are a member of the Kansas City Association, you can find Ottawa and Franklin County on the site as well as our own site, www.visitottawakansas.com .

Stay tuned in next week for a busy weekend in Franklin County. We have a lot in our backyard Labor Day weekend. So this time around, take a trip if you like and, next weekend, discover all that Franklin County has to offer.

Amber Wood is marketing and events director for the Franklin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.