Go Enjoy the Outdoors

Meet exotic animals at the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park, where Berlin and Bam Bam the polar bears, the Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Sumatran Tiger Exhibit and the Tropics are favorite attractions. This summer, the new stingray touch pool will be home to docile cownose rays and small bamboo sharks that visitors will have the opportunity to pet and watch in their brand new aquarium. Ride the train, carousel, boat, tram and Sky Safari to enjoy terrific views of the animals. You can enjoy other attractions at Swope Park, including Lakeside Nature Center, Swope Park Soccer Village and the Battle of Westport Museum.

The Overland Park Arboretum is home to a Monet garden, a whimsical train garden and beautiful trails to explore. This summer, enjoy Whirlwind: Art in Motion exhibit featuring kinetic art. This unique art form utilizes the environment to enhance the aesthetic experience for the viewer. Visitors also enjoy the Kauffman Memorial Garden where something new is in bloom all through the spring and summer. Loose Park at 51st and Wornall 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. Antioch Park in Kansas is also home to a rose garden as well as picnic spaces.

We’re proud of our agricultural heritage in Kansas City, and local attractions celebrate that heritage with a dash of education and a lot of fun. Children enjoy the chance to feed baby goats, ride a pedal tractor and learn how to milk a cow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. The farmstead is a top pick for local moms who take their tots to encounter goats, chickens, ponies, cows, bunnies, pigs, horses, bison, prairie dogs and more. Throughout the year, Kansas and Missouri host farm tours where visitors are invited to learn about local farms firsthand. You’ll find more events on the calendar on KCParent.com.