What could possibly taste better than freshly made Apple Cider? Cider Donuts, of course! Watch Apple Cider Making and Apple Cider Donut Making, and then enjoy a tasty treat. Lose your family in a corn maze, visit live Tigers... in Kansas (watch out Jayhawk fans), and wrap it up with an evening of stargazing far from the City Lights! Louisburg is an Autumn Adventure you won't forget!
Louisburg, Kansas, about twenty minutes south of Kansas City, features several unique offerings, from an Astrological Observatory and Feline Sanctuary, to one-of-a-kind photo ops, and Autumn classics from Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes to Apple Cider and Root Beer. This is your guide to a Family Day Trip in Louisburg.
Day Trip Diary:
Louisburg Cider Mill:
Details: 14730 Hwy 68, 913.837.5202. Cider Mill Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6am. At the mill, watch Cider Making and Apple Cider Donut Making. Lost Trail Root Beer and Soda is manufactured there as well. Cider, donuts, pumpkins, Lost Trail Sodas, specialty foods, and fall treats are available for purchase in the Gift Shop. Visit the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze with a Fishing Hole, Farm Animals, Play Area, Picnic Area, Straw Castle, and Hay Rides. Admission for the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is $7.50/ea (children 2 and under Free). The Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch are open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday for Flashlight Fun! Why I Recommend It: When I think of Autumn, pumpkins, apple cider, corn mazes, and hayrides all come to mind... and it's all at the Louisburg Cider Mill! The entire family will love this outing. The kids are fascinated by the Cider Making and machinery; until they discover something even better...the donuts! The Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze (complete with a word puzzle qualifying participants to enter a drawing for Cider Mill goodies) are great fun. My four year old loved leading the way through the maze as she discovered the letters along the way.
A Few Fun Things We Learned: We've been reading about apples and apple cider, thanks to the library, but you simply can't beat the first hand experience. At the Cider Mill, we watched the entire Cider Making Process from washing the apples all the way to bottling, and then we watched staff make Cider Donuts right before our eyes. They sell several varieties of Sparkling Cider and we purchased three for a taste-testing party at home with Dad. The results of our taste testing:- Sparkling Apple Cider: Slight bite from carbonation. Tingly and sweet. Emily (age 4) and Dad's favorite because it's not tart and it's clear and sweet.
- Sparkling Raspberry Apple Cider: Sweeter with clear raspberry flavoring. Mom's favorite because the combination of raspberry and apple gives it a nice sweet twist.
- Sparkling Apple-Cranberry Cider: Apple-Cranberry combination is a bit tart. Kayla's (age 2) favorite because it's purple.
Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory:
Details: 3783 K-68 Hwy, 913.837.5515. Hours: April-October Sat & Sun 10am-3pm. Nov-Mar Sat & Sun 11am-3pm. Private tours available Mon-Fri, call to schedule. Admission: $5/adults, children 5 and under FREE. Why I recommend it: Cedar Cove is an animal refuge for a variety of Big Cats. They preserve endangered Big Cats and rescue them. At the Conservatory, you will see Leopards, Cougars, Wolves, Bobcats, a White Tiger, Black Leopards, Wolves, and Caracals (remember the cats in Egyptian artwork at the Nelson? They were probably caracals). The staff at the Conservatory knows the animals intimately and shares 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 Pumpkin Patch:
Details: 25695 Spring Valley Rd., 913.837.2212. Hours (Opening Sept. 26): Daily 9am-6pm. This patch boasts 35 acres of pumpkins, hayrides and a corn maze. Admission: FREE. Hayrides: FREE. Pay for Pumpkins and fall plants and treats. Note: They only accept Cash & Check (no Credit Cards). Why I recommend it: This Pumpkin Patch is fun for the family. Kids love trekking through the field to select the perfect pumpkin and the entire family can get lost in the corn maze. The prices are affordable and the staff is friendly!
Powell Observatory:
Details: in Lewis-Young Park, 913.438.3825. Open Sunset-Midnight Saturdays May-Oct. Donations requested at $5/adults, $3/child. Public Programs on Saturday evenings at 7pm.Why I recommend it: 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. 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 and visitors get a glimpse of the night sky. Read our tips for a trip to Powell Observatory for more!
Antisdel.s Photography:
Details: 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. Antisdel.s offers traditional portrait packages, but they also host Special Events throughout the year for themed photos.Why I recommend it: We love our family portraits and we love our memorable snapshots, but there is just something fun about themed photos and unique settings. Upcoming events include: Sept. 25th - Christmas in September: Family Christmas Card Special. Sept. 30 - Vintage Field: photos with an old iron bed, old tractors, and golden fields. Oct. 7th - When I Grow Up: Children decked out in clothing and costumes featuring the profession of their dreams. Contact Antisdel.s at 913.837.2737 for information.
Other Attractions:
Overland Park Arboretum:
8909 W. 179th St., OPKS, 913.685.3604. Hours: April 10-Sept. 30 8am-7:30pm, Oct. 1 - April 9 8am-5pm. The Arboretum is "almost in Louisburg" and this free outing is a must-see! The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are breath-taking. The Monet Garden is exquisite. Children love exploring the maze at the Children's Garden. Hike through the woods on paved, chipped, or wooded trails. Enjoy bird-watching, rose sniffing, and fish feeding. Best of all, there is always something in bloom!4-D Acres Emu Farm:
13096 W. 287th St., Louisburg, KS. 877.837.4119 Open to the Public on the 3rd Weekend of October, or call to schedule a tour. 4D Acres is a family-run Emu Farm, where Emus are raised without medication or growth hormones. The family manufactures Emu Oil, skin care products, low fat Emu meat, and free range chickens. Visitors tour the farm to meet the Emus and learn about the farm.
Family-Friendly Dining in Louisburg:There are several great choices for families!
Timber Creek Bar-B-Q: 14 E. Amity St. 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. This is the place for Home Cookin' in Louisburg. Miss B's dishes up burgers, chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, sandwiches, soup, and homemade desserts.
Louisburg's Hometown Pizza: 19 S. Broadway. This locally owned pizza place dishes up pie in a quaint atmosphere.
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!
More MoKan Day Trips & Vacations!
Fall is our favorite season for Day Trips! Many of our favorite destinations are under 2 hours away and feature apple picking, pumpkin patches, historic sites, and hiking trails!- Missouri
- 20-30 Min. East: Independence: Log Cabins & Trails West
- 20-30 Min. East: Downtown Lee's Summit: The Great American Main Street
- 45 Min. Northeast: Sibley: Lewis & Clark Country
- 45-60 Min. Northwest: Parkville: Tea Parties & Shopping
- 45-60 Min. North: Liberty: Jesse James & the Historic Square
- 45-60 Min. North: Weston: Autumn Splendor
- 1 Hour North: St. Joseph: Wild West in our Backyard
- 1 Hour Northeast: Lexington: Civil War in Missouri
- 1-2 Hours North: Jamesport: Amish Country
- 2- 3 Hours South: Carthage: Classic Rt. 66 Road Trip
- 2 1/2 - 3 Hours Southeast: Springfield: Ozark Country
- 4-5 Hours South: Branson: Vacation Capital of the Midwest
- 4-5 Hours East: St. Louis: Gateway to the West Kansas
- 10-20 Min. West: Overland Park: Historic Downtown Overland Park
- 20-30 Min. West: Bonner Springs: Be a Kid for a Day
- 30-60 Min. South: Louisburg: Apple Cider, Star Gazing, and Pumpkins
- 30-45 Min. West: Lawrence: Eclectic College Town & Family Fun
- 30-45 Min. Northwest: Leavenworth: First City of Kansas.... Carousels, Trolleys, and History!
- 45-60 Min. Northwest: Atchison: History & Mystery
- 60-90 Min. West: Topeka: More than a Capital City
- 60-90 Min. South: Fort Scott: National Historic Site
- 3 1/2-4 Hours Southwest: Hutchinson: Soar to Outer Space
Bonus: The Little House Project: MoKan Day Trips for Little House on the Prairie Fans