Go Explore the Country

Johnson Farms in Belton, MO, is a beautiful agritourism attraction where you can shop the nursery and pick fresh apples in the late summer and veggies and pumpkins in the fall. Also in Belton, visitors love riding aboard the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad, an excursion train offering a 5-mile, 45-minute round trip ride aboard a 1920s-era passenger coach or open-air excursion car behind a 1950s diesel locomotive through Old Towne Belton on weekends. Throughout the summer they offer theme rides, including hot dog, ice cream and holiday specials. Enjoy lunch at one of the local cafes or restaurants in the historic district.

Sip freshly made cider at Louisburg Cider Mill, where visitors watch as cider is pressed and cider donuts are made. Cedar Cove in Louisburg, KS, is an animal refuge for endangered or rescued big cats, including leopards, cougars, wolves, bobcats, a white tiger, black leopards and caracals. On Saturdays through October, visit Powell Observatory for a public stargazing session through one of the largest telescopes in the region. Every spring Miami County hosts a farm tour (May 11-12) where visitors are invited to tour 14 local farms and agricultural sites. Visit a pecan farm, bison ranch, alpaca farm, Hereford farm, goat farms, wineries and more.

The Overland Park Arboretum is a 300-acre botanical garden offering a beautiful outdoor oasis. Explore the Children’s Garden’s whimsical garden trains, wooded paths and the beloved Monet Garden. This is one of the region’s most scenic and relaxing attractions. Enjoy special events including Enchanted Faire (June 1), Stems: A Garden Soiree (June 22) and Whirlwind: Art in Motion tours throughout the summer. The gardens are always affordable, but admission is free on Tuesdays. A few miles from the gardens, head to Rye Studio in Stilwell, KS, where you can take a photo with the You Have My Heart art wall. This is just one art wall in the metro—you’ll find directions to many more on KCParent.com.

• Belton Grandview and KC Railroad

  Train rides will appeal to the entire family. Some specialty trips include hot dog trains, pumpkin hunt rides, ice cream rides and more.

• Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary and Educational Center

  Cedar Cove is a non-profit organization devoted to the care and preservation of endangered large cats while educating the public on their behavior, physiology, habitats and the threats & dangers of extinction. Keepers at Cedar Cove are educat...

• Downtown Louisburg

  Downtown Louisburg offers small-town charm and many locally owned businesses.

• Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins

  Johnson Farms is a real farm in the country, but very close to your home. You pay one admission and only pay extra for anything you harvest, snack on, or seasonal items in the retail store.

• Louisburg Cider Mill

  A fall trip to the Cider Mill is not complete without a stop at our Family Farm! Venture through our 10-acre corn maze, and search for the perfect pumpkin to carve or for one of our special ones in our 10-acre pumpkin patch.

• Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

  Savor beautiful gardens including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.