Enjoying the Great Outdoors with the Family
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it’s time to get outside and enjoy fresh air, exercise and family memories. These are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy spring in Kansas City:
Ride a Bike
Take a photo safari on a bike trail! These are just a few of Kansas City’s nicest bike trails. Discover more local trails at KCBike.info/KCTrails. You can rent bikes throughout the city at KC.Bicyle.com. Use the BCycle App to access bike locations and details for this super simple way to enjoy a bit of exercise while you explore the city!
- Trolley Trail: This 6-mile paved trail connects the Country Club Plaza, Brookside and Waldo in southern Kansas City, MO, at Volker Boulevard/US 56 and Brookside Boulevard and E. 85th Street and Prospect Avenue. This is a great urban ride with many super lunch stops and shops along the way.
- Swope Trails: Built for mountain bike enthusiasts, the 13.5 miles of trails wind through the woods at Swope Park. Local volunteers and the KC Parks system continue to improve these trails for athletes. These trails are designed with adventure in mind. From beautiful limestone bluffs to wooded paths, the trails offer nature in the heart of the city.
- Smithville Lake Trail: This 4-mile (and growing) off-road trail is great for mountain bikers. Smithville Lake offers a scenic view for the rider to get out and enjoy nature.
- Mill Creek Streamway Park: One of the nicest paved trails in Johnson County, this 10-plus-mile byway runs along the creek from the Kaw River, south through Shawnee Mission Park, to 119th Street in Olathe. This popular trail offers a variety of scenery along the way.
- Shawnee Mission Park: The park offers mountain bike trails connecting to Mill Creek Streamway Park trails. Lake, woods and shelters make this a great choice for nature lovers.
Enjoy KC’s Best Outdoor Attractions … Virtually
Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo brings the zoo to you with incredible cameras that allow you to watch the animals live in action in their zoo habitats!
- Penguin Cam
- Orangutan Cam
- Otter Cam
- Educational Videos: The zoo offers a collection of educational clips featuring their resident animals. Visit YouTube.com/user/kansascityzoo.
Worlds of Fun
You can enjoy your favorite rides from Kansas City's number one theme park with great point-of-view videos! Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride ... from the comfort of your own home: KCParent.com/spring-in-kc/worlds-of-fun-experience-the-rides-at-home/.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Follow Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead on Facebook to watch their live Goat Cam: Facebook.com/DeannaRoseChildrensFarmstead/.
KC Royals
Relive great baseball memories, connect with players and learn more about our home team with new content from the Kansas City Royals every Thursday. YouTube.com/royals.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Enjoy the beautiful weather and head outside to one of the city’s prettiest gardens. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple picnic at the park, a relaxing stroll or time to sit and read, or a full day exploring acres of botanical paradise, our gardens offer something for everyone.
Note: The opening dates and procedures for each of these venues will be changing throughout the month of May and the summer. Visit their Facebook pages for the most up-to-date info.
- The Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St., Bucyrus, KS) is a 300-acre garden, home to a Monet garden, a whimsical train garden, beautiful trails, prairie and ponds to explore. https://www.facebook.com/OverlandParkArboretumandBotanicalGardens/
- Kauffman Memorial Garden (4800 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO) is a small free botanical garden near the Country Club Plaza and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where something new is in bloom all year long. With fountains, scenic places to sit and read, and paths to stroll, this is an urban oasis. https://www.facebook.com/KauffmanMemorialGarden/
- Loose Park (5100 Wornall, Kansas City, MO) is one of the city’s most beautiful parks, with a rose garden, a beautiful pond, walking trails, tennis courts, a playground and a spray park. https://www.facebook.com/kcmoparks/
- Antioch Park (6501 Antioch Rd., Mission) is home to a rose garden, a beautiful scenic pond with stepping stones, paved trails and an imaginative Wild West-inspired play space. https://www.facebook.com/AntiochPark/
- Powell Gardens (1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO) is a great day-trip adventure. The 970-acre botanical gardens are home to the Heartland Harvest Garden, the nation's largest edible landscape, and the Island Garden and Waterfall Garden. In the summer, kids love playing in the sprayground fountain where they can cool off on a hot day. https://www.facebook.com/PowellGardens/
Go on an Art Hunt
Local cities and towns are recognizing the importance of public art more and more. Did you know that Liberty is home to a giant pencil? Or that Merriam is home to a sculpture of a bear family playing in a fountain? Spring is the perfect time to discover the most unique art in the area, and these municipalities have made it easier than ever:
- Liberty: The city funds a rotating sculpture program, with three new works on display annually. Learn more: LibertyMissouri.gov/2505/Public-Art---Sculptures.
- Merriam: The town is home to many beautiful murals portraying the region’s history, as well as public sculpture including our favorite, Motherhood, a water fountain featuring a mother bear and her cubs (pictured above). Learn more: ExploreMerriam.com/760/Art.
- Blue Springs: The City of Blue Springs prepared a treasure hunt for visitors to discover their public art: BlueSpringsGov.com/1758/Public-Art-Treasure-Quest.
- Olathe: This city’s public art collection is eclectic, ranging from modern pieces to art that tells the story of Olathe’s history. Learn more: gis.OlatheKs.org/maps/sculpture/.
- Lee’s Summit: Murals and sculptures decorate historic downtown Lee’s Summit. Learn more: CityofLS.net/cultural-arts/public-art.
- Independence: This city celebrates its heritage as the head of the California, Oregon and Santa Fe trails, as well as its hometown hero, President Harry S. Truman, through much of their public art. Modern pieces are included in their collection as well. Learn more: ci.Independence.mo.us/ArtCommission/Gallery.
- Lenexa: Lenexa’s pieces are both two- and three-dimensional, housed inside public spaces, as well as outdoors. Learn more: Lenexa.com.
- Overland Park: There are hundreds of pieces of public art in Overland Park. You’ll find traditional and modern outdoor sculptures celebrating the city’s history, nature, and whimsy. Use this map to visit OP’s public art: https://bit.ly/3kwnUSp
These are just a few ideas to inspire your family’s spring adventures. You’ll find even more at KCParent.com/spring-in-kc.
Kristina Light loves discovering works of art on her many urban adventures and looks forward to backyard picnics every spring.