Experience Kansas City inside and out this summer with some local favorites and hidden gems. Whether it’s kid-friendly you’re seeking or an adults-night out, here are my recommendations for making this your best summer yet!
Family-Friendly Summer Bucket List Activities
Kansas City Current Soccer Match
📍Children’s Mercy Park, KCK
Cheer on Kansas City’s Professional Women's Soccer Club.
Lake Jacomo
makeyourdayhere.com/Parks-Lakes/Lake-Jacomo
📍Fleming Park, Blue Springs
970-acre lake located in one of Jackson County Parks + Rec's premier recreational areas with sailboat regattas, pontoon boats, and additional watercraft rentals.
CraftPutt Indoor Miniature Golf
📍135th and Quivira, Overland Park
10 hole indoor miniature golf serving 24 local KC craft beers, handcrafted cocktails and golf-themed games.
Powell Gardens
📍1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville
Botanical Garden filled with themed display gardens, a three-mile nature trail, seasonal festivals, rotating exhibitions, and exceptional architecture.
Family FunDay Sunday at Kauffman Stadium
mlb.com/royals/tickets/specials/funday-sunday
📍1 Royal Way, KCMO
On Sundays, get 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs, 4 sodas, and a parking pass, choosing either View Reserved for $50 or Field Plaza seating for $100, plus take advantage of all kids’ stadium activities as well as kids 14 and under can run the bases for FREE after the game.
Lake Olathe Park
olatheks.gov/government/parks-recreation/parks-trails-bike-lanes/parks/lake-olathe-park
📍191 N. Ward Cliff Dr., Olathe
170-acre lake surrounded by a 258-acre community park, swim beach, and a floating obstacle course.
The City Market
thecitymarketkc.org/farmers-market
📍20 E. 5th Street, KCMO
KC’s original marketplace connecting local businesses and regional growers to the community with an eclectic mix of shops and boutiques and flavors from around the world.
YaYa’s Alpaca Farm
📍30200 E. 275th St, Garden City
Family farm raising adorable alpacas for sale, show, and for the gorgeous fleece that they produce.
Berkley Riverfront
📍1298 Riverfront Rd KCMO
17-acre park is located on the riverfront near downtown KC featuring biking paths, sand volleyball courts, and scenic landscapes.
KC Starlight Theater
📍4600 Starlight Road, KCMO
KC’s oldest outdoor performing arts organization and home for the best Broadway musicals, concerts and unique theatrical shows.
Shatto Milk Company
📍9406 N. HWY. 33 Osborn
Farm tours showing how the milk gets from farm to table, the bottling process, meet adorable calves, see where the cows eat, sleep and how they’re milked.
Boulevard Drive-In
boulevarddrivein.com/wordpress
📍1051 Merriam Ln, KCK
4k Drive-in Cinema Theater
Zip KC
📍12829 Loring Springs, Bonner Springs
Zip Line Tours: Hike & Zip, Tower Tour, Ultimate Adventure Tour, Date Night Sunset Tour & Glow in the Dark Night Zipping.
Weston Orchard
📍18545 Co Rd H, Weston
U-pick fresh, seasonal fruit including peaches and blackberries in July & August.
National WW1 Museum and Memorial
📍2 Memorial Drive, KCMO
The only museum in America dedicated to sharing the stories of those who served during the Great War: The Liberty Memorial was designated a National Historic Landmark on Sept. 20, 2006, recognizing the monument as a nationally significant historic property.
Adult-Friendly Summer Bucket List Activities
Horsefeather Social
📍Loews Hotel, 1515 Wyandotte St, KCMO
Downtown rooftop bar overlooking The Kauffman Performing Arts Center and Bartle Hall Sky Stations while celebrating local distillers in your craft cocktails and the spirit of the early 1900s.
KC Wine Co
📍13875 S. Gardner Road, Olathe
21+ boutique winery with no shortage of both wine slushies and winery events, including ongoing live music, bingo, trivia, and special events every weekend.
Marina 27 Steak & Seafood
📍22 A Street, Lake Lotawana
Lakeside dining on the shore of beautiful Lake Lotawana.
First Fridays in the West Bottoms
📍1401 W. 13th St., KCMO
Approximately 600 vendors and more than 30 stores and restaurants make up the West Bottoms destination for interior decorators, designers, collectors, and consumers making unique finds for home, décor, style, and gift options.
Electric Garden Bar at J. Rieger & Co
📍2700 Guinotte Ave, KCMO
Outdoor bar experience on the grounds of a historic distillery complete with fire pits, a swing set table, and lounge seating for an unparalleled outdoor patio bar experience. Enjoy playful menus inspired by nostalgic theme parks and soda parlors, including frozen cocktails and delectable food.
The M80s Band
📍Rotating Venues
Midwest's hottest 80s cover band with all your favorite dance hits from pop, rock, funk and new wave.
The Elms Hotel and Spa
📍401 Regent Street, Excelsior Springs
Luxury hotel near Kansas City with unparalleled service, luxurious accommodations, genuine hospitality, and an idyllic setting that are the hallmarks of the resort and spa.
Percheron Rooftop Bar
crossroadshotelkc.com/food-and-drink/percheron-rooftop-bar
📍2101 Central St, KCMO
Seasonal rooftop bar at Crossroads Hotel.
Urban Hikes
📍Multiple Locations
3-6 mile guided urban hiking experiences in Downtown KCK and KCMO.
Old World Balloonery
📍12600 West 142nd Street, Overland Park
Champagne balloon rides in the Kansas City Metro Area - giving you some of the most beautiful views in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.
Green Dirt Farm
📍1099 Welt St, Weston
Farm to Table 5-course Dinners with wine pairings and curated Cheese Tasting Event
The Fontaine Summer Cabanas
thefontainehotel.com/the-hotel/services-and-amenities
📍901 W. 48Tth Place, KCMO
Summer fun in the sun on the rooftop pool deck of The Fontaine with private cabanas.
Art Course 2023 at The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
📍4525 Oak St, KCMO
Nine-hole mini golf course experience located in the exquisite Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.
Saltwell Farm Kitchen
📍214 North 800 Road, Overbook
Three-hour farm-to-table tasting menu featuring eight courses inspired by local ingredients, neighboring farmers and foraged foods, nestled in a shady walnut tree grover surrounded by farm animals.
Prairiefire Summer Music Series
visitprairiefire.com/eventcalendar
📍5661 W. 135th St., Overland Park
Free live music concerts throughout the summer every Thursday from 7-10 pm.
