Eco-tourism in KC
Kansas City Is GREEN!
Welcome to eco-friendly Kansas City! Whether you are visiting for the first time or you live here and are looking to explore the area on an environmentally friendly staycation, KC has much to offer!
Where to stay…
The Q Hotel: (Downtown KC)
The Q Hotel is said to be Kansas City’s first “green” hotel. Like many well-known hotels, The Q recycles, conserves water and uses energy efficient appliances and fluorescent light bulbs. The Q, however, takes “going green” to a whole new level.
As a guest, you will enjoy organic food, coffee and wine. The Q also donates all leftover food to local farmers for composting. Your room will be furnished with eco-friendly bathroom amenities and, before your arrival, will be have been cleaned with bio-friendly chemicals. And finally, if you require transportation, a hybrid shuttle will take you to and from your destination, or you even may rent a bicycle from the Q’s concierge.
Speaking of getting around…
A great way to see KC, get exercise and avoid polluting the air is to rent a B Cycle. If you are not familiar with the B Cycle concept, it is simple: Throughout the city there are kiosks with bicycles for rent. Find a kiosk; rent a bike. When finished with the bike, return it to any kiosk. You can choose a variety of payment options, from paying by the hour to purchasing an annual pass. Bonus: The first 30 minutes of usage is free! Visit the link above for kiosk locations and prices.
Things to do…
Eco-friendly activities can be found throughout the Kansas City area, from downtown to the surrounding countryside.
Overland Park Aboretum: (Overland Park, KS, southwest of KC)
The Overland Park Arboretum provides 300 acres of botanical gardens and hiking trails. Upon arrival, grab a visitor’s map to help you navigate the mazes of walkways, vibrant flowerbeds, bridges and waterfalls. If you are visiting with children, make sure you see the children’s garden and train exhibit. Admission is $3 for visitors 13 and older, $1 for ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.
Eighty Acres: (Leavenworth, KS, northwest of KC)
Looking to explore and get some fresh air outside of KC? A 45-minute drive will take you to serene Eighty Acres, where for a $5 day pass, you can hike, fish, canoe and enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors. Eighty Acres is just that—80 acres of natural beauty.
The Berry Patch: (Cleveland, MO, south of KC)
The Berry Patch is open year-round, although its peak season is summer for blueberry and blackberry picking. In fall and spring, however, you can visit and enjoy frozen blueberries! This kid-friendly farm offers rows and rows of berry picking, as well as homemade muffins and pies to snack on. After picking their fruit, kids can enjoy riding the zip line and playing on the playground and Noah’s Feed Lot. The Berry Patch is a must-see for fruit loving families in the KC area.
City Market: (Downtown KC)
Kansas City’s City Market offers rows and rows of locally grown produce, meats, plants and flowers, as well as eclectic boutiques, antique shops and coffee bars. Enjoy ethnic food? At City Market, you can sample delicious Italian, Japanese, Brazilian, Ethiopian and Vietnamese cuisine, among others. And if you enjoy yard sale shopping, every Sunday morning City Market hosts a community yard sale open to all for shopping and selling.
Other places to visit:
Overland Park Farmers Market: (Overland Park, KS, southwest of KC)
Powell Gardens: (Kingsville, MO, east of KC)
Shatto Dairy Farm: (Osborn, MO, north of KC)
Where to eat…
Smokin’ Fresh Streetside BBQ: (mobile restaurant)
In KC? Must eat barbecue! Smokin’ Fresh serves only all-natural, grass-fed, hormone-free meats and organic sides. Almost everything down to the sauce is homemade from scratch. This eatery is mobile, however, so check out their website or contact them to find out where they are when you are in town!
Justus Drugstore: (Smithville, MO, north of KC)
For a fancy night out, try Justus Drugstore. The menu offers three courses of delectable meat, cheese and vegetable combinations to suit any palate, each with its own wine pairing. Made from scratch, every menu item is exclusively created from locally grown meat and produce. Justus Drugstore is definitely worth the half-hour drive from KC.
Other places to eat:
The Farmhouse: (Kansas City, MO, near City Market)
Café Gratitude: (Kansas City, MO)
Renee Kelly’s Harvest: (Shawnee, KS, southwest of KC)
Unforked: (Overland Park, KS, southwest of KC)
Have fun exploring eco-friendly Kansas City!
Karen Johnson is a Kansas City mom with a penchant for eco-friendly living.