Louisburg in the Summer: Big Cats, Stargazing, and Root Beer
Louisburg, Kansas, about twenty minutes south of Kansas City, is home to several one-of-a-kind attractions you won't find in the city limits. For the most fun in the summer, we recommend heading to Louisburg on a late Saturday afternoon. Start at Cedar Cove where you can watch as big cats eat at 4pm, buy some goodies at the Cider Mill, enjoy dinner at Timber Creek Bar-B-Q, and head over to Powell Observatory for amazing stargazing! And, don't forget to bring the camera!
Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary:
Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary
3783 K-68 Hwy, 913.837.5515. Click here for Driving Directions to Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary.
Hours: April-October Sat & Sun 10am-3pm. Nov-Mar Sat & Sun 11am-3pm. Private tours available Mon-Fri, call to schedule.
Admission: $5/ages 4 and older, 3 and under FREE.
Saturday Night Feeder: Every Saturday at 4 pm, through the end of October, Cedar Cove is hosting public feedings of the cats and remaining open until 5pm, weather permitting.
Cedar Cove is an animal refuge for a variety of Big Cats. They preserve endangered Big Cats and rescue them. At Cedar Cove, you will see Leopards, Cougars, Wolves, Bobcats, a White Tiger, Black Leopards, Wolves, and Caracals. The staff know the animals intimately and share detailed information about each one, including the behavior, habits and background of each cat. Note: This outing is best for children in grade school and up. Preschoolers do lose interest after a while (though they enjoy seeing the animals).
Powell Observatory:
Powell Observatory in Lewis-Young Park, 913.438.3825. http://www.askconline.org/powell.htm Open Sunset-Midnight Saturdays May-Oct. Donations requested at $5/adults, $3/child. Public Programs on Saturday evenings. Note: you have to climb a ladder - see image - to peer through the telescope, so the trip is not accessible if you are unable to climb stairs.
I love the city and I love city lights, but there is one major downside... city lights make it very difficult to see the stars at night. Louisburg is just far enough from all the bright lights of the city to facilitate a fantastic stargazing opportunity at the LARGEST publicly available telescope in the five state area. The Powell Observatory is home to a 30-inch telescope, one of the largest available for public viewing in the United States. The Observatory's volunteers present programs every Saturday evening through the end of October. The programs are suited best for Jr & Sr High Students and adults, but even young children learned new things. After the presentation, visitors take turns peering through the telescope to see the night sky. On our visit, we saw Saturn, and my five year old squealed with joy upon seeing the rings around the planet so clearly. As she's learning about the solar system, the nighttime view through the telescope presented a great learning opportunity for her.
Powell Observatory offers programs every 30 minutes until no one comes... sometimes that runs until midnight. You might opt for a later viewing when it is even darker outside. If you own a telescope, you may bring it and use it for stargazing at the park.
Louisburg Cider Mill:
Louisburg Cider Mill 14730 Hwy 68, 913.837.5202. Cider Mill Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6am.
At the mill, you can watch Cider Making and Apple Cider Donut Making in the autumn. However, summer is fun too! In June, bring Dad to visit the Country Store on Father’s Day, June 17th and he'll enjoy a FREE Lost Trail Root Beer. Enjoy fresh peaches from small orchards. Peach Butter and Peach Preserves are also available. Cider, donuts, Lost Trail Sodas, specialty foods, and treats are available for purchase in the Gift Shop.
Antisdel.s Photography:
Antisdel.s Photography 104 W. Amity, 913.837.2737. www.antisdels.com. Antisdel.s is a family of photographers - a mother, daughter, and niece - who work together to create one-of-a-kind opportunities to capture memories. They known for their award winning photography and covers for KC Parent Magazine. Antisdel.s offers traditional portrait packages, but they also host Special Events throughout the year for themed photos. Call 913.837.2737 for information.
Family-Friendly Dining in Louisburg:
Timber Creek Bar-B-Q: 14 E. Amity St. 913.837.2600. The smoked meats and homemade sauces at Timber Creek make for good local Bar-B-Q. Sandwiches range from $4.99 (Daily Specials) to $5.99 with dinners from $7-11. The Kids Menu is $4.99 with a sandwich, side, and drink.
Miss B's Cafe: 1006 Metcalf Rd. 913.837.5974 This is the place for Home Cookin' in Louisburg. Miss B's dishes up burgers, chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, sandwiches, soup, gigantic pancakes and homemade desserts.
Other Choices: You will find chain restaurants and grocery store delis throughout Louisburg. There are also several parks and picnic areas if you bring your own!