Start your visit to Blue Springs by spending a couple of hours at the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area, where you can exercise and connect with nature. There are five different trails that will take you through restored glades, established prairies, savannas, woodlands and ponds. Everyone in your family will find something out there that is captivating—be it birds, other wildlife or endless panoramas. Stay outside for a while and check out Lake Remembrance, a 55-acre public lake where you can boat, fish and even give your pet an afternoon of socializing at the dog park. There is no fee for putting a kayak or canoe in the water, and if you want more exercise, the hiking trails will give you a workout as you circle around the lake.
If you have had enough outdoor time, then head over to the National World War I Museum. It’s one of the largest repositories of World War I artifacts in the world, and many of the exhibits are interactive. You should reserve at least four hours to see the museum, and your tickets are good for two days if you wish to split the time up.
For something lighter than a world war, check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, considered by many to be one of the finest art museums in the nation. The permanent collections include art from Africa and Japan, and include paintings, photography, decorative arts and a sculpture park. Financed completely by donations, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a spectacular building that is worth a visit even if you aren’t going to see a show. The venue’s two performance spaces (a separate theater and concert hall) offers ballet, symphony and opera performances year round.
There is something about shipwrecks that appeals to the thrill-seeker in everybody, and the Steamboat Arabia Museum doesn’t disappoint. You can walk through a replica of the historic steamboat Arabia to check out original photographs, documents and artifacts. The ship features a 171-foot top deck with the original anchor, boilers and engine, as well as dozens of personal belongings from the boat’s passengers.
Blue Springs provides visitors with a beautiful environment in which to have a home base for exploring the area. Choice Hotels gives you a great place to stay while you take in the outdoor attractions of town.