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100 Summer Date Ideas in Kansas City

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Looking for inspiration for a date night? Here are 100 romantic summer ideas to experience in the Kansas City area.

Outdoor

  1. Ride the Zambezi Zinger at Worlds of Fun and try all of their world-class roller coasters. Then, make waves at Oceans of Fun—all for the price of one ticket!
  2. Check out one of our Six-Stop Tours where you can enjoy six experiences in the same local neighborhood!
  3. Go on a stargazing date at Warko Observtory on the UMKC Campus (free on Friday nights May-Oct) or Powell Observatory in Louisburg (affordable on Saturday nights May-Oct) or the Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station (year-round).
  4. Pack a picnic and explore Kauffman Memorial Gardens, Powell Gardens, Overland Park Arboretum or Loose Park Rose Garden.
  5. Attend a free outdoor concert.
  6. Experience an animal encounter at Tanganyika Wildlife Park.
  7. Try the ropes course, zipline and axe throwing at Go Ape.
  8. Watch a free (or cheap) summer movie.
  9. Attend a Kansas City area Festival.
  10. Spend a day at a local beach (rent a stand-up paddleboard, peddle boat, kayak, canoe, or pontoon boat, or build sand castles and swim).
  11. Visit stingrays, polar bears, kangaroos, tigers, penguins and giraffes at the Kansas City Zoo.
  12. Explore one of the best parks in Kansas City.
  13. Ride the KC Streetcar and participate in our Streetcar Scavenger Hunt on KCParent.com.
  14. Go fishing.
  15. Explore at Lakeside Nature Center, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center,  Prairie Park Nature Center, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center or Ernie Miller Nature Center.
  16. Pack a picnic at one of Five "Secret" Places to Picnic in Kansas City.
  17. Visit bison and elk at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure at Fleming Park.
  18. Spend First Fridays in the Crossroads exploring local art galleries.
  19. Swim at a local pool or waterpark.
  20. Watch a fireworks show.
  21. Go mini-golfing.
  22. Go camping.
  23. Catch a movie at the local drive-in movie theater.
  24. Attend the Missouri State Fair in August.
  25. Play Pickleball.
  26. Ride bikes together, our top pick is Trolley Trail.
  27. Create and send a message in a bottle at the lake.
  28. Go to a sporting event together.
  29. Get an amazing view of the city from the River Observation Tower as you gaze out over the vast Missouri River or Kill Creek Park Observation Tower in Olathe.
  30. Fly kites together.
  31. Photograph one another in front of one of Kansas City’s 200 fountains.
  32. Enjoy one of KC's Best FREE Hiking Trails. For instance, walk the trail around Lenexa's legendary dam at Black Hoof Park, discover the natural bridge at Carl Chinnery Nature Trail, or find the waterfall at Parkville Nature Sanctuary.
  33. Bring binoculars for bird watching at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary.
  34. Visit Waterfalls in the Midwest.
  35. Get a great view of the city at Rooftop Park on top of the building that houses Cosentino’s Market in the KCP&L District.
  36. Take a wagon ride aboard Pioneer Trails Adventures and learn the history of Independence, Missouri.
  37. Play volleyball or ride a bike at Berkley Riverfront Park (then visit the nearby City Market and purchase a fun lunch or fresh produce on weekends).
  38. Watch outdoor theater at Starlight Theatre, Shawnee Theatre in the Park, Gladstone Amphitheater, Shakespeare in the Park or Belton Memorial Park.
  39. Catch a game with Kansas City Monarchs at Legends Field - tickets are less than $10/ea to watch from "Homerun Hill."
  40. Play Disc Golf.
  41. Meet big cats at Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary.
  42. Participate in KC Timber Challenge.
  43. Go on an adventure hunting for treasure at new places with geocaching or atlas questing.
  44. Take a float trip and canoe locally.
  45. Visit Fortopia at Powell Gardens and take in one of their summer events (including Festival of Butterflies in late July and early August).
  46. Root, root, root for the Royals!
  47. Tour Shatto Dairy Farm.
  48. Take aim at a local batting cage.
  49. Go for a Hot Air Balloon Ride.
  50. Visit Louisburg Cider Mill (sample Lost Trail Sodas, enjoy a picnic on the porch, and watch as cider and donuts are made).

Food and Shopping

  1. Try one of Kansas City's Best Ice Cream Shops.
  2. Celebrate Taco Tuesday with all the Best Tacos in KC.
  3. Try a Fun Food Experience in KC.
  4. Buy each other gifts at Crown Center, Legends Outlets, Country Club Plaza, or another local shopping district.
  5. Go to a farmers’ market together.
  6. Pick berries or fruit together at U-Pick Farm.
  7. Eat at a Local Food Court.
  8. Share a Skyscraper at Winstead’s.
  9. Try a new food together.
  10. Enjoy dinner and games at Dave & Buster’s at Legends Outlets.
  11. Watch a chocolate or fudge-making demo at Chip’s Chocolate Factory.
  12. Go green and enjoy Farm-To-Table Dining locally.
  13. Take a tour of the Roasterie and learn about coffee.
  14. Satisfy your sweet tooth at one of KC's Candy Shops.
  15. Dine al fresco at one of the many restaurants offering patio seating at the Country Club Plaza, Brookside Shopping District, Briarcliff Village, Park Place, or Prairiefire.
  16. Ride the $1 Ferris wheel at Scheel’s.
  17. Try all the Best BBQ in KC.
  18. Eat at one of KC's Best Burger Restaurants.
  19. Enjoy a breakfast date and try some of KC's Best Pancakes, KC's Best Donuts, KC's Best Waffles, or Best Brunch Spots.
  20. Try food from around the world at a local restaurant.
  21. Savor a slice of the Best Pizza in KC.
  22. Feast on famous food at an As Seen on TV restaurant from KC.
  23. Sample KC's Signature Foods.
  24. Reenact the scene from Lady and the Tramp at one of KC's Best Spaghetti Shops.
  25. Nosh on the Best Popcorn in KC.

Indoor Attractions

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

  1. Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (you can turn this into a double-date writing scavenger hunt. Each couple chooses one floor of the museum to write a hunt for the opposing couple. Set a time limit, then switch floors and lists racing to see who can find items first).
  2. Visit the new Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing Exhibit at Union Station.
  3. Go rollerskating or indoor ice skating.
  4. Participate in an Escape Room.
  5. Do something crafty together at a local DIY Shop (paint, create ceramics, fuse glass, learn a new skill, etc). Learn about our visit to Public Glassworks where you can make beads and marbles.
  6. Go bowling or rockwall climbing.
  7. Participate in hands-on history at the National World War I Museum and Memorial and get a spectacular view of the city atop Liberty Memorial.
  8. Discover a masterpiece at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
  9. Visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and learn about the 33rd President of the United States.
  10. Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, where admission is free.
  11. Watch as marbles are made at Moon Marble.
  12. Visit a local attraction you've never explored before. Use our Going Places guide to find new places to explore in KC.
  13. Visit Sea Life aquarium.
  14. Read the same book.
  15. Tour KC's Wineries.
  16. Learn about Missouri’s real discovered treasure at the Arabia Steamboat Museum.
  17. Take a local factory tour.
  18. Go to a local arcade, virtual reality, or video game center.
  19. Have a couple’s game night at a local game shop.
  20. Make a Day Trip to Atchison and visit Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum to learn about the first lady of flight.
  21. Get free money at the Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum.
  22. Tour the homes of KC’s famous residents at the Alexander Majors House, Wornall House, Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and Truman Home.
  23. Celebrate Black America’s baseball history at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
  24. Hit the bull's eye (or at least attempt to) at a local axe-throwing shop.
  25. Search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.
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