Kansas City or Omaha Zoo?

My family will be flying into Kansas City in late May. I have 2 boys, 11 and 13. We will be driving to visit relative in Omaha but also spending several days in Kansas City before we fly home. Hopefully some of you have been to both zoos. If we have to choose one over the other which would you choose and why?

Also, what else would you recommend in the area? We are planning to see the Strategic Air museum while we%26#39;re in Omaha but have no other plans so far. Maybe the Science/Planetarium in KC or would the boys be too old for that?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give us!

Kansas City or Omaha Zoo?

It%26#39;s been years since my daughter and I visited the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. I wouldn%26#39;t hesitate to plan to visit again and now that I%26#39;ve seen this post, I think I%26#39;ll plan a trip to Omaha to take my grandson! :)

If you must pick one over the other, go to Doorly in Omaha, but if you can do both, why not? I%26#39;ve never been impressed with the KC Zoo, although they have made SIGNIFICANT improvements over the years and continue to do so.

My best recollection is the Doorly Zoo simply offers more than KC - most notably the Scott Aquarium %26amp; the Lied Jungle. The exhibits are more modern as well. Looks like they%26#39;ll be opening a new ride ';Skyfari'; but I%26#39;m not sure if it will be operational in May. Also, Omaha has the Simmons Conservation Park %26amp; Wildlife Safari - not connected with the zoo.

In KC, your children may also enjoy ';Science City @ Union Station'; (interactive displays that highlight science), KC Rail Experience @ Union Station (if they like trains), Kaleidoscope @ Hallmark Cards (arts %26amp; crafts), Crayola Cafe @ Crown Center (Crayola-themed restaurant), Worlds of Fun (amusement park w/ lots of rides %26amp; rollercoasters, located about 30 min. North), Air Zone (airzonekids.com), Tunnel Town (tunnelvoyage.com), or Paradise Park (paradise-park.com).

Kansas City or Omaha Zoo?

The Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the finest zoos in the world. KC%26#39;s is not at the same level.

When you go to the SAC museum, there is a nearby drive through zoo. The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is part of the Doorly.

It depends on your boys, but I think Science City is geared pretty young.

Unique local places that I would recommened: Steamboat Arabia Museum at the City Market, National World War One Museum, Negro Leagues %26amp; Jazz Museums (they may be a little young).

The boys will love you if you take them to the T-Rex Cafe in Kansas City, KS. While you are on that side of the state line, visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm and Deanna Rose Children%26#39;s Farmstead in Overland Park. The drive would be an easy loop.

The orignal Fritz%26#39;s Railroad Restaurant in Kansas City, KS is also cool http://www.kansastravel.org/ftitzrailroad.htm

I%26#39;ll be spending a few days with my 13 year old son in KC soon. I%26#39;ll be sure to post again afterwards to let you know what he did and did not like. Our plans include the Steamboat Arabia Museum, the Money Museum, World War I Museum, Truman Library %26amp; Museum, Crown Center for the Oz exhibit, and the Harley Davidson factory tour (minimum age is 12 for this.) We plan on staying near the Legends at Village West because it looks like a good area with plenty of restaurants for the evenings (T-Rex, Dave %26amp; Buster%26#39;s, Famous Dave%26#39;s). We%26#39;ve been to Science City and Kaleidoscope, but are skipping them because he is probably too old. We also considered staying at one of the indoor waterparks, but he didn%26#39;t want to. If we were going in the summer, we would definitely go to Worlds of Fun. Another place to consider is the Basketball Experience, but mine doesn%26#39;t like sports.

Hello GAscrapper! I live in KC and I have been to both the Henry Doorly Zoo and the KC Zoo. FYI the Henry Doorly Zoo is a 3 hour drive from KC and I have vowed to never go to the KC Zoo again with such a superp alternative just hours away. The Zoo in Omaha blows the KC Zoo out of the water. In Omaha you can get right up near the animals, at the Kansas City Zoo you will need to bring binoculars to see many of the animals. The Scott Aquarium is phenonmenal! Now you%26#39;ve made me want to take a road trip to Nebraska. Enjoy your trip!

Omaha Zoo. I went when I was 11 years old, and I specifically remember that it was one of the best zoos I have ever been to.

Kansas City Zoo - not so good.

Henry Doorly for now, but keep an eye on the KC Zoo, as I hear we now have Henry Doorly%26#39;s former director. The KC Zoo is good for a local zoo, but not on the same level as Henry Doorly, which is worth traveling to.

I have to agree with the other posters. The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is far better than the one in KC, though the KC zoo has improved immensely over what it was when I was a kid (back in the dark ages!).

I particularly liked the Desert Dome at Henry Doorly. Unfortunately for me, the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit was not yet open when I visited in 2002. From the web site, it looks very interesting.

Have fun!

Cindi

Thanks to everyone who responded. We%26#39;ve decided, thanks to your input, to see the zoo in Omaha. I%26#39;ll plan on posting a review once we return. Again, thanks for your insight - I%26#39;m sure the kids will LOVE the zoo!