Six-Stop Tour: Merriam and Mission

Take time to explore some of Kansas City’s most beloved gems in the spring!

• A Taste of Sweden

  Ikea is famous for its assemble-it-yourself furniture and labyrinth layout, but they also make a mean meatball. The Swedish Market inside the mammoth-sized box store is stocked with Swedish meatballs, vafflor (Swedish waffles), pankkakor (pancakes), cookies and chocolates. You can purchase these items to enjoy at home for a taste of Europe.

• Art Hunt

  Merriam is home to many beautiful murals and sculptures portraying the region’s history. Our favorite piece is Motherhood, a water fountain featuring a mother bear and her cubs. Another favorite sculpture features a caterpillar and butterfly at Merriam's beautiful Waterfall Park. Visit this link to take a tour of the public art on display: ExploreMerriam.com/Visit/Art.

• Bike It

  The trail at Waterfall Park in Merriam, also home to the Merriam Marketplace, is a great place to walk or bike as a family. The accessible trail is scenic and enjoyable for an easy ride. In addition to the artwork, you’ll enjoy the natural landscape and the signature waterfall that are favorite photo ops for locals.

• Fun with Food

  Foggi Ice Cream in Mission is taking the community by storm with hand crafted ice cream made right before your eyes with liquid nitrogen. It isn’t just fun to watch, but it’s fabulously delicious too! The fun hangout also offers classic board games and video games you can enjoy while you savor your sweet treat.

• Indoor Fun

  The Merriam Community Center offers a variety of fitness and event spaces. On Tuesday mornings, preschoolers enjoy the indoor playground. Their indoor aquatics center is a favorite, offering places to swim with four 25-yard lap lanes, slides, lazy river, zero-depth entry and splash and play features.

• Wild, Wild West

  Antioch Park is one of the best-loved parks in the metro. The 44-acre park features two fishing lakes, walking path, tennis courts, picnic shelters, basketball courts, imaginative playgrounds, a rose garden and cookout grills. The trademark that makes it extra worthy of a visit is Dodge Town, a kid-sized village where children can pretend to live as pioneers.