Need a family-friendly getaway with suburban charm and cultural flair? Head to Overland Park! Just south of Kansas City, Overland Park blends parks, museums, local dining, and one of the region’s best botanical gardens. Whether you're taking the kids to a farmstead, exploring art galleries, or walking nature trails, this Kansas suburb makes for a relaxed and rewarding escape.
Overland Park, KS Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike or bike the Indian Creek Trail – This scenic greenway stretches for miles through parks, creeks, and shaded paths.
- For History Buffs: Step back in time at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead – Experience 1900s farm life with animals, gardens, and historic buildings.
- For Shoppers: Spend the day at Oak Park Mall – A spacious shopping destination with major retailers, eateries, and kid-friendly spaces.
- For Couples: Stroll the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens – Wander peaceful trails, floral gardens, and romantic woodland paths.
- For Families: Discover Science City at Union Station (nearby) – Just a short drive to Kansas City for hands-on exhibits and planetarium shows.
Best Time to Visit Overland Park, KS
The best time to visit Overland Park is from April through October, when warm temperatures and seasonal events fill the calendar. Spring and fall are particularly beautiful with colorful gardens and mild weather, while summer is ideal for outdoor concerts and family festivals.
How to Get to Overland Park, KS
- If you are traveling by car: Overland Park is located along I-435 and US-69, about 20 minutes south of downtown Kansas City, MO.
- By Air: Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is about 40–45 minutes away by car, offering flights nationwide.
- By Bus: RideKC regional buses and Johnson County transit provide local transportation options into the area.
Where to Stay in Overland Park, KS
- Recommended for Families: Embassy Suites Kansas City – Overland Park – Spacious suites with breakfast, pool, and easy highway access.
- For Couples: The Inn at Meadowbrook – A boutique lakeside hotel nestled in a park, perfect for romantic getaways.
- For a Budget Stay: Holiday Inn & Suites Overland Park – West – Clean, convenient option with friendly service and a good location.
Best Things to Do in Overland Park, KS
1. Q39 South
Rating: ★★★★★
Upon entering Q39 South, guests are not only welcomed to the restaurant by friendly hosts, but also by the smoky-sweet smell of the authentic Kansas City-style barbecue wafting through the space from the open kitchen. A skilled team busily prepare chef-inspired favorites in the state-of-the-art kitchen, such as the Mr. Burns sandwich and the brisket plate served with burnt ends. Whether gathering with family or friends for dinner in the dining area of sitting at the bar with one of the local brews, the open and rustic space of Q39 is designed to be welcoming and comfortable.
11051 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210, Phone: 913-951-4500
2. Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is an ideal place for learning and having fun. Designed to transport guests back to the era of westward expansion and frontier farm living, this unique attraction offers children an opportunity to visit with over 250 animals, walk through the Main Street towards a fishing pond, experience a one-room schoolhouse and a Kanza Indian encampment, learn about growing vegetables and flowers, and more. The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is open 0:00am until 5:00pm daily from the beginning of April through the end of October, with extended hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
13800 Switzer Rd, Overland Park, KS 66221, Phone: 913-897-2360
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
3. Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens encompasses approximately three hundred acres of nature and beauty, home to over eight hundred plant species thriving one of many themed gardens. The Monet Garden is one of the park’s most popular gardens and is designed after the famous garden of Monet in Giverny, France, including a gracefully arched bridge. For families, there’s also the Children’s Discovery Garden where children learn and explore by navigating a maze, discovering Frog Pond, wandering through the garden’s Shrinking Tunnel, and climbing the Sky Watch. There are also several other themed gardens and miles of hiking trails.
8909 W 179th St, Bucyrus, KS 66013, Phone: 913-685-3604
4. Oak Park Mall
The Oak Park Mall is a two-story mall with an array of services, shops, entertainment, and dining options. Anchor stores include Nordstrom, Macy’s Dillard’s, and JCPenny for department store shopping, while other retailers include Sephora, LOFT, Coach, and Aldo. For kids, there’s the LEGO Store, Build-A-Bear Workshops, as well as a large carousel and a play area. When shoppers get hungry, there are many choices for dining, ranging from Subway, Panda Express, and Chipotle to Five Guys, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
11149 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66214, Phone: 913-888-4400
5. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
One of Overland Park’s gems, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art presents more than a dozen exhibitions every year, highlighting works by regional, national, and international artists. The museum features an architecturally powerful, yet understated design that captivates visitors upon entering the building. The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is open to the public free of charge every day except for Monday. Located on the Johnson County Community College campus, the college has been named one of the “Top 10 College/University Campuses for Public Art in America,” citing works on paper, photography, ceramics, paintings, and sculptures throughout the grounds.
12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210, Phone: 913-469-3000
Where to Eat:
6. McLain’s Market
McLain’s Market in Overland Park, Kansas is a sister store to McLain’s Bakery in Kansas City. The name McLain’s “Market” means the local establishment is more than simply baked goods and sweets, instead offering food options for any hour of the day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Along with the food options at the market, a small assortment of beer and wine is offered that pair well with the appetizers and flatbread. In addition to the indoor area, McLain’s also includes a large patio space and a drive-thru that’s open seven days a week in the mornings and afternoons.
10695 Roe Ave, Overland Park, KS 66207, Phone: 913-242-8222
7. Garozzo's Ristorante
Garozzo's Ristorante is owned and operated by Michael Garozzo and his family and is one of the most popular and awarded Italian restaurants in the greater Kansas City area. The restaurant is known for serving moderately-priced fine dining cuisine within a family-oriented atmosphere. Garozzo's Ristorante has been a dining tradition in Overland Park and Kansas City for more than twenty years and has long been one of the country’s top Italian eateries as rated by Zagat. The signature Chicken Spiedini dish, which is now imitated at other places in town, was first created at Garozzo’s, which now includes multiple locations.
9950 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210, Phone: 913-491-8300
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