Fill your water bottle, lace up your shoes, and get to stepping. | Photo by KCtoday
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, the Kansas City area offers dozens of parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.
Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are 25 of Kansas City’s best:
Sports parks
Macken Park, 1002 Clark Ferguson Dr., NKC
Check out the tennis, racquetball, pickleball, and handball courts. There is also a one-mile asphalt trail and a separate half-mile trail for skating and biking.
Nature parks
Longview Lake Park, 11100 View High Dr., KCMO
Check out the Longview Bike Trail at this ~4,800-acre park, winding along the lakefront and ending at Shelter 9 in O’Donnell Park.
Cedar Lake Park, 15500 S. Lone Elm Rd., Olathe
Get your nature on with the 67-acre lake surrounded by a 57-acre community park, all originally dedicated in 1920. Psst, just beyond the park’s dam is a beautiful waterfall.
Family parks
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Woodland Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, KCMO
In partnership with 15 and the Mahomies, this spot features sensory and physical play modules and an all-weather surface.
Hard Candy Kansas City with Onya Nurve | 7-10 p.m. | Hamburger Mary’s | $27 | Shake up your Monday night with a showstopping performance by this “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner — and don’t forget your dollar bills, y’all.
Tuesday, May 13
“The Survivor Wants to Die at the End” | 6-7 p.m. | Kansas City Public Library | Free, RSVP | NYT bestselling author Adam Silvera discusses his latest YA novel — the third installment in the viral #BookTok “They Both Die at the End” series — with Kansas City author Adib Khorram.
Agave at Risk? A Guided Tasting with Raíces Imports | 6-8 p.m. | Le Lounge | $49 | Sip your way through rare Mezcals, chase with bites from Yoli Tortilleria, and talk agave sustainability issues with Francisco Terrazas, Executive Director of the Tequila Interchange Project.
Wednesday, May 14
The Early Show | 6-8 p.m. | Boulevard Brewing Tours & Recreation Center | Free entry | Grab a drink with friends and enjoy a free, all-ages show while still making it home for your 10 p.m. bedtime.
Thursday, May 15
Tee Up For Tails Golf Tournament | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Sycamore Ridge Golf Club, Spring Hill, KS | $150+ | Hit the green in support of Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary — your registration includes a cart, drink tickets, and two meals.
Night/Shift: Second Nature | 5-9 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Free, RSVP | Guided by local artists, choose your own adventure to explore ideas about place — craft a pocket journal, send locally made postcards, and watch in real time as a new sculpture takes wing.
Herb Garden Workshop | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Creative Culture Westport | $65 | Exercise your green thumb and create your very own herb garden, with carrier included.
Improv 101 Class from the KC Improv Company | 7 -8:45 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company | $200 | Whether you just want to get out of your shell or to see if comedy is your calling, this introductory eight-week class bills confidence, collaboration, and a whole lot of fun.
Meet Kansas City’s new City Manager, Mario Vasquez. After a 11-2 City Council vote, the longtime city staffer — who immigrated from Bolivia as a child and has worked for KC since 1997 — now oversees 4,000+ employees and nearly every city service. (KCUR)
Development
The future of the Plaza Tennis Courts is heating up. Developer SomeraRoad Inc. (behind the West Bottoms overhaul) pitched one of four proposals to replace the 14-court complex: a $239.5 million plan with high-rise apartments, condos, retail, and more. Game, set, match? (KCBJ)
Mansion Monday
Imagine being welcomed home by a picturesque porte-cochère. A 6-bedroom, 10-bathroom waterfront estate is on the market in OP’s Rockwood Falls Estates. Take a tour of the 9,658-sqft custom-built home that is situated on a 2.5-acre lot and features cabinet front appliances, built-in bookshelves, a doggy bathing station, and an elevator.
Eat
Out with the tacos, in with the… elevated tacos? Session Taco’s Park Place spot is transforming into Lapez Mod Mex, a next-level Mexican eatery from the same owners. Get ready for shrimp al pastor, duck confit sopes, chile-braised short ribs with mole negro, and yes — tacos. (Startland News)
Arts
For two weeks in 1978, Loose Park’s sidewalks were blanketed in ~three miles of saffron yellow nylon — now, more than 18 major works from the project’s mastermind, late artist Christo, have been gifted to the Nelson-Atkins. The collection will debut with an exhibit running June 29 through Jan. 18, 2026. (Kansas City Star)
Coming Soon
Did this catch your eye? That’s because locals (like you) are excited about new happenings in the city. Spread the word about your business, services, big news, or event coming soon to Kansas City.
Drink
Maximize hydration and relaxation when you try Antivdote’s THC-infused electrolytes. They’re third party tested + come in three delicious flavors. Use code 6AMCITY20 for 20% off your order.†*
A cotton wrap dress that boasts an elegant halter neckline and chic wrapping at the waist. We love it for summer grill outs, casual afternoons by the beach, and warm weather weekend hangouts.
As a lifelong Kansas Citian (with southwest suburb roots), I can’t help but puff my chest a little when I see Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live” list — with Overland Park landing at No. 6 and Olathe at No. 9. Nodding in approval or couldn’t disagree more? Tell me which KC-area city you’d crown No. 1.
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