In 1856, the Steamboat Arabia sank in the Missouri River. In 1988 modern treasure hunters excavated its cargo, which was headed for general stores in 16 towns in the West. Hats and boots, tools and doorknobs, beads and buttons, foodstuffs and fine china, along with passengers' personal belongings (including a tiny Frozen Charlotte doll) are now on display. The museum holds the interest of children and adults third grade and up, but it's OK for younger ones, too.
Best and worst times to go the Arabia Steamboat Museum
The museum is open seven days a week, except Jan. 1, Easter, Thanksgiving and Dec. 24-25. The museum closes an hour early on July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day. If possible, avoid the last week in April and the first week in May, when area schools schedule field trips. In general, Mondays are good, because other area museums are closed. Tuesday is the slowest day, so go then if you'd like a quieter visit.
Must see/do at the Arabia Steamboat Museum
With 200 tons of artifacts on display, workers are still preserving another 60 tons of treasure. Watch them work in the on-site preservation lab. You can also smell perfume found on the boat and buy a replica bottle with the same scent in the gift shop. Kids especially like the skeleton of the sunken boat's only fatality: a mule dubbed "Lawrence" by museum staff.
Admission to the Arabia Steamboat Museum
Children three and under are free. Older children are in the six dollar range, and adults in the $15 range, with senior (60 and older) and military discounts available. Group rates for 25 or more adults with advance notice. There is plenty of free parking on site. The museum is fully ADA compliant, and service dogs are welcome. Viewing the exhibits requires only minimal walking.
How to get to the Arabia Steamboat Museum
The museum is located off Interstate-35 north of downtown. From the south, take Exit 2D, "Main Street." Get in the left lane as you approach the ramp, which becomes one-way 6th Street. Go two blocks to Grand Boulevard and turn left, then two blocks to 4th Street. From the north, take Exit 2F, "Oak/Grand/Walnut" north to 4th Street. The Max Line bus stops right in front.
Food at the Arabia Steamboat Museum
The Opera House Coffee and Food Emporium runs the museum snack bar, which offers sandwiches in the $7 range, specialty coffees, shakes and smoothies in the $2 to $6 range, a variety of baked goods around $3, plus a full bar. The museum is located in the historic City Market, with a large diversity of ethnic restaurants within walking distance, including Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Mexican and more.
Insider tip for visitors to the Arabia Steamboat Museum
A family member of the excavation team often stops in to greet visitors and answer questions after the guided tour and film.
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 frequently visits the Arabia Steamboat Museum and enjoys taking out-of-town visitors there.
