Get Outdoors and Explore

Fall is a special time in the Midwest. From fiery autumn sunsets in the Flint Hills of Kansas, to golden fields of sunflowers, to crisp red apples begging to be picked … you can enjoy the best of autumn with these local ideas!

Tall Grasses of Kansas

Autumn in Kansas means beautiful tall prairie grasses glistening in the sun. Visit the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in Kansas where the motto is “Tall in the Fall”—the grasses reach their maximum heights in September and October.  The preserve is home to nearly 11,000 acres of wide open spaces where tall grass, wildflowers, wildlife and bison live. The scenic vistas overlook a historic ranch and one-room school with limestone buildings. Visitors are invited to hike or bike ride through the prairie. This national preserve is considered the jewel of the Kansas Flint Hills. Plan your visit with tips at NPS.gov/tapr/planyourvisit/index.htm.

Orchards and Overlooks in Weston, MO

Weston is a favorite fall day trip destination. We love visiting the Weston Orchard & Vineyard (OrchardWeston.com) for fall apple and pumpkin picking. The farm offers hayrides, jumping pillows, a zipline and beautiful views of the rolling hills of Weston. In addition to the orchard, Weston visitors enjoy exploring historic Main Street, home to many quaint boutiques and restaurants. The Weston Bend State Park nearby features paved trails for biking or hiking and is also a great place for a fall family campout. The trails lead to an overlook with views of the Missouri River, or you can head to the old Tobacco Barn where you’ll see a bit of local history.

Early Autumn Sunflowers

Take a signature fall family photo at a local sunflower field. Two of Kansas’ most loved sunflower farms are Grinter's Farm (24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence) and Berry Hill UPick Farm Sunflowers (5950 Southeast Croco Rd.,  Berryton, KS). Both farms update fans with their blooming status on Facebook. If you visit Grinter’s in Lawrence, spend some time at Prairie Park Nature Center. Enjoy hands-on nature exhibits for kids and scenic nature trails. Berryton’s is near Topeka, where kids love visiting the Kansas Discovery Center, one of the best hands-on children’s museums in the region, and the Topeka zoo, where feeding giraffes is a favorite activity.

Hand Picked Vegetables, Apples and Pumpkins

Johnson’s Farm (JohnsonFarms.net) in Belton is one of our favorite local pumpkin patches and family farms. In the fall, families enjoy picking apples and fresh vegetables, in addition to visiting the pumpkin patch. The farm features beautiful multicolored sunflowers, a wide range of fall produce you can pick from the garden (including peppers, tomatoes, lettuces, squash, zucchini and more) and their famous mums. Johnson’s Farm is a fantastic fall destination for all your landscaping and produce needs, in addition to being one of the most fun pumpkin patches in the area.

Fresh Apple Cider

The Louisburg Cider Mill (LouisburgCiderMill.com) is the quintessential fall destination. Apple cider is processed at the mill, where visitors are invited to watch the process firsthand. (A glass viewing area protects the cider press.) Watching the making of cider donuts is another mouthwatering experience. The mill is also home to a country store that sells a variety of tasty treats and decorative items. Adjacent to the mill and store you’ll find the family farm and pumpkin patch where visitors enjoy hayrides and fall family fun.

Try a New Trail

Kansas City boasts many beautiful trails for fall hiking. A few of our favorites:

• Parkville Nature Sanctuary (100-198 E. 12^th St., Parkville). This wooded trail leads to a beautiful waterfall.
• Black Hoof Park (9053 Monticello Rd., Lenexa). This paved trail goes around Lenexa Lake and over the beautiful Lenexa Lake Dam with it’s beautiful cascading layers of water. The scenic trail winds through woods and around the lake.
• Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit (1501 NE Legacy Park Dr., Lee's Summit). The park features paved trails through woods and around a pond.
• Indian Creek Trail. The 26-mile trail heads are at Blue River Greenway Trail just south of East Bannister Road (Kansas City, MO) and Hampton Park at South Warwick Street. (Olathe). The paved trail is one of the most popular walking and biking trails in the metro. It crosses creeks, urban areas, and goes through wooded terrain.
• Berkley Riverfront Park (1892 River Front Dr., Kansas City, MO). Enjoy amazing views of Downtown Kansas City, as well as the architecture of the downtown bridges and the mighty Missouri River. You may rent bikes on this trail.
• Shawnee Mission Park (7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee). The park is home to a variety of nature trails. You can explore woods, prairie and the lake on foot or on a bike.
• Blue River Greenway Trail (East Red Bridge Road & Blue River Road). The paved trail is ideal for walking, biking and even wheelchairs. Explorers will find love locks on the Old Red Bridge, historic ruins, the Alex George Lake and, of course, the Little Blue River.
• Burr Oak Woods Nature Center Trails (1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs). You'll find paved and unpaved trails for walking and hiking. The main trail around the center also features the Discover Nature Classroom for kids.
• Carl Chinnery Trail at Unity Village (1901 NW Blue Pkwy., Unity Village, MO). This 2.6-mile gravel trail features a natural bridge and leads to Unity Lake and Little Cedar Creek.
• Jerry Smith Conservation Area Trail (139^th & Prospect Avenue, Kansas City, MO). The beautiful trail (fairly even but mostly gravel, not smooth for wheels) goes through the prairies of Missouri.
• Loose Park (5200 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO). The park, rightfully dubbed the Jewel of Kansas City, is home to a spectacular rose garden, lovely duck pond and beautiful paved trails for a stroll through the city's prettiest urban park.
• Longview Lake Trails (9898 Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO). If you park at Shelter 14 (near the marina), you can rent bikes from BikeKC. The view around the lake is beautiful, and the kids enjoy going through the tunnel and in the woods.
• Rock Island Trail. There are two official trailheads: 98^th Street (12600 E. 98^th St., Kansas City, MO) and Hartman Park (700 SW Pryor Rd., Lee's Summit). The trail is fairly smooth and covered in chat gravel, making it ideal for walking and biking. A favorite spot on the trail is the Vale Tunnel (a former railroad tunnel) that is closest to the 98th Street trailhead.

Kristina Light loves fall most of all and looks forward to apples, pumpkins and trail time with her daughters.