The Loose Park Rose Garden is named for Laura Conyers Smith, who established the Kansas City Rose Society with a group of women in 1931. | Photo by @slmarcy
Kansas City is a bustling city, but with all of the excitement, it can get pretty noisy. Based on research conducted by Earth.FM, the Paris of the Plains ranked the No. 63 loudest city in the US — but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some peace and quiet.
The study also found places where locals can escape noise pollution by identifying the top quiet places in big cities. To do this, researchers assessed 3,000+ parks and nature spaces across 245 cities with populations over 250,000 and assigned them “Quiet Scores.” The methodology considered:
Reviews of the attractions that include words like “quiet,” “peaceful,” or “tranquil”
The average visitor rating at each location
The attraction’s popularity and how that impacts its peacefulness
So, where can you go in KC to find tranquility? Here are the five best spots to get some peace and quiet, ranked in order of their Quiet Scores.
Minor Park — This farm-turned-park boasts 235 acres of tranquility. Take in all the park has to offer, including a walking trail, golf course, pickleball courts, a playground, and picnic tables.
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site — Visit the former home of this renowned artist and lecturer + let your mind wander free as you explore some of the tools Thomas Hart Benton used to make his masterpieces.
Cave Spring Interpretive Center — Enjoy 4.5 miles of walking trails that meander through this “little hidden forest in the city.”
The Booking Show | Thursday, May 23 | 9:30 p.m. | The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W. 103rd St., KCMO | $10 | Eight comedians compete for a weekend booking spot.
Candlelight Open Air: A Tribute to Coldplay | Friday, May 24 | 7 p.m. + 9 p.m. | Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery & Distillery, 31010 W. 124th St., KCMO | $26+ | Listen to a string quartet perform your favorite Coldplay hits; wine, beer, and sangria can be purchased onsite.
Saturday, May 25
Homegrown Harmony Festival | Saturday, May 25 | 12-8 p.m. | Messner Bee Farm’s The Yellow Rock Barn, 8307 Westridge Rd., KCMO | $12-$15 | Listen to local folk bands perform inside Messner’s stone barn and step outside for artisan vendors, food trucks, and a drink or two at the cocktail trailer.
Dino + Vino | Saturday, May 25 | 12-6 p.m. | KC Wine Co. Vineyard & Winery, 13875 S. Gardner Rd., Olathe, KS | $30 | Pinot grigio and pterodactyls have never paired better at this adults-only event with wine, ciders, and beer alongside prehistoric friends.
Sunday, May 26
Bank of America Celebration at the Station | Sunday, May 26 | 5-10:30 p.m. | Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO | Free entry | Listen to Kansas City Symphony’s special Memorial Day performance and enjoy food from 20+ food trucks.
Let the dog days of summer begin. Kansas City Parks and Recreation will open all of its pools, water parks, and spray grounds on Saturday, May 25. Expect facilities to remain open for the season until Labor Day. Psst — don’t forget sunscreen.
Health
Café Cà Phê and the Kansas City chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals will host a free mental health meeting for “folks of all marginalized communities” on Sunday, June 9. The meeting will connect attendees with mental health providers + offer mental health resources. Get more info.
Closing
After 30 years in business, the Office Depot at 4201 Main St. will close its doors for good on Saturday, June 8. Items in the store are currently discounted by 30% to 60%. For your future office supply needs, head to one of the other Office Depot locations in the area. (The Kansas City Star)
Drink
Cheers to this. Boulevard Brewing Company is buying your first Boulevard brew at all Jack Stack BBQ locations through Friday, June 14. To redeem the offer, visit your closest Jack Stack between Monday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Try This
This is a novel community event. Join Flagship Books today, May 23, at 7 p.m. for its Big Open Book Club. There’s no specific book that participants need to read — all are welcome to come + talk books.
Learn
Registration is now open for The Sourdough Spot’s June bread making classes. The Iron District business will host three classes throughout the month beginning with a Sourdough Starter Workshop on Wednesday, June 5 at 6 p.m. Tickets for each class range from $30 to $60.
Active
Calling all cycling enthusiasts: You’re invited to the Bikes Connect Us community ride on Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. The ride will begin and end at Concourse Park with 5- or 16-mile route options. Afterward, bring your own lunch and hang out with other cyclists at the park.*
Finance
Need a new couch thanks to your dogs? Had an unexpected spring cleaning injury? Said “drinks on me” too loudly in Jim’s Alley Bar? These four credit cards offer 0% intro APR for up to 18 months — aka nearly two years of no interest charges for when life piles up.*
Shop
Stanley is having a Memorial Day sale. Get your summer drinkware, camp mugs, coolers, and tumblers 25% off with code MEMORIAL DAY.*
Travel
🚗 Hit the road
The ultimate road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas
Head down to find out why Fayetteville should be your next weekend getaway. | Photo by KCtoday
Itching to get out of town, Kansas Citians? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Fayetteville, AR instead. From browsing the downtown farmers market to the burgers at Hugo’s — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in Fayetteville.
Experience: Head to Pinpoint to sip on a cocktail (we recommend the espresso whip) while refining your pinball skills. Bonus: they have Skee-Ball too.
Eat + drink: Don’t miss Hugo’s. The local biz dishes out underground vibes paired with high-quality bites and inviting service. It’s one of our favorite eateries in the area.
Stay: We love this quaint artists studio that features gorgeous views of the Fayetteville Square and is just steps away from popular restaurants, bars, and shops.
With so many outdoor events coming up this summer, I decided to invest in an outdoor blanket that I can easily bring everywhere. I like this one because it offers enough room for at least four people, packs nicely into a tote, and is water resistant.
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