COUNTDOWN: the 75 best things to do in Kansas City

51. A slew of Mexican restaurants sit on Southwest Boulevard, and they're really good

50. Make an impact on yourself, a child and the world at the Peace Pavillion in Independence, Mo.

49. Listen to authors read their work at the Writer's Place in Midtown

48. Romp around at the KC Zoo

47. Peruse the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

46. An outdoor show at Starlight Theatre is cheap and supremely entertaining

45. Stuff your face and tummy with doughnuts at Lamar's

44. Ski at Snow Creek in Weston, Mo. in the winter. Only $30 on Sunday nights

43. We aren't called a Cowtown for nothing: watch a rodeo at the American Royal

42. The Mutual Musicians Foundation jams after midnight on the weekends at 1823 Highland

41. Play Frisbee golf or regular golf at Swope Park

40. Window shop on the Plaza

39. Go to Royals opening day

38. The Westport Coffee House is always offering cheap entertainment. They regularly put on concerts, shows and art exhibitions

37. Pub crawl in Westport

36. Eat some good, cheap Italian at Cascone's Grill in River Market

35. Score student rush tickets for cheap at the Lyrica Opera downtown

34. Stroll through two museums on 18 and Vine street. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum reside in one of the most historical and least recognized areas of Kansas City

33. Chill out at the I-70 drive-in

32. Watch a movie that's probably nowhere else in Kansas City at the Tivoli Theater in Westport

31. Laugh at Comedy City in River Market

30. Decipher a classic play by Shakespeare at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival in the summer

29. The Holiday Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum is enchanting. Hundreds of candles are set up along a path that leads to waterfalls, a forest and a bonfire

28. Grinders in the Crossroads has pretty decent pizza, but they also have some neat sculptures outside, regular beer tastings and concerts from time to time

27. Watch a free movie in "The Vault" at the downtown library

jburche@unews.com