Catch the morning light as you tread lightly beneath towering cottonwood and sycamore trees at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. More than 7 miles of trails snake along bluffs, roll past thought-provoking sculptures, and weave through formal gardens. There’s nothing formal about Overland Park’s Harp Barbecue, and that’s part of the appeal. Arrive early for award-winning KC ’cue staples, such as brisket and burnt ends. (They sell out of items daily.) Or broaden your horizons with the Truth Bomb sandwich, made with a tasty blend of chopped beef and sausage.
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Credit: Doug Stremel
Walk off the worth-it food coma at Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center in Olathe. It's 3 miles of trails that cover a biodiversity of Kansas landscapes, with paths tracing a stream, winding through woods, and slicing across open prairie.
Ernie Miller Nature Center - Olathe
Credit: Doug Stremel
Legs need a rest? Hitch a horse-drawn ride at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site. The 1860s farm throws you back in time in the best way, with blacksmithing and baking demonstrations by engaging interpreters.
Mahaffie Stagecoach - Olathe
Credit: ¸£ÀûÉ©
A different kind of time warp awaits at Shawnee’s Wandering Vine, a restaurant housed in a 1907 castle crafted by a local dairy farmer. Remi Caenen hand-quarried the stones that form the exterior. Inside, dine like royalty on roasted lamb, seafood cavatelli, and dry-aged ribeye.
Wandering Vine Winery - Shawnee
Credit: Doug Stremel
Jay Sanders, another Shawnee visionary, was a 2025 James Beard Awards semifinalist for outstanding professional in cocktail service at . His creativity manifests itself in drinks like the Midori Sour, with basil leaf-infused vodka, honeydew powder and a mountain of shaved ice.
Wild Child Libations - Shawnee
Credit: Doug Stremel
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