Kansas City is full of beautiful and enchanting places, but did you know there's a special park that's the most enchanting place around? It's worthy of a spot on your bucket list, and you can visit in every season for different experiences each time! It truly is a one-of-a-kind feature to have around.
The scenic Overland Park Arboretum features plenty of events to participate in, as well as much to see every visit, no matter what time of year.
Life in Kansas City can become overwhelming sometimes, especially around holidays or in traffic. The metro area holds about 2 million people, so we aren't surprised to see hustle and bustle everywhere we go. However, these spots found in and around the city are the perfect hidden oases to find peace and quiet.
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1. Cave Spring - 8701 E. Gregory, Kansas City, Missouri
Not only does this quiet little trail have ruins from homes that once stood here, there's also a cave and a pond here for you to discover, all on your own.
2. Cliff Drive - 59 Chestnut Trafficway Kansas City, Missouri
Cliff Drive is a Scenic Byway that's half for cars and half for bikes and pedestrians. It's a peaceful walk, ride, or drive no matter which way you use it, and only open during daylight hours on weekdays. However, it's easy to take time for yourself and sit for a while if you're on foot or bike. Maybe read a book and take a few deep breaths while you're here.
3. Amity Woods Nature Park - MO-152 & North Amity Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
If you're looking for a quiet place that doesn't require going off the path or walking for a long time, here's your park. The trail that runs through it is well kept and a great place for a relaxing stroll.
4. Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden - 4800 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, Missouri
This memorial garden isn't too well-known to most of us. It's a little out-of-the-way from our more popular green spots, but that's just how we like it. It's quiet, full of florals, and the perfect place to take a break.
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5. Burr Oak Woods Nature Center - 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, Missouri
It's a natural preserve of all sorts of features such as forest, native grass, prairie, and ponds. It's great for those of us who like to bird watch, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature to relax.
6. Kessler Park - Chestnut Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri
This park is elegant, and a great public gathering place, but when it's not in use, it's pretty quiet. There's four memorials, beautiful columns, and full of stunning areas to watch the sunset. Or, set up a picnic for one and enjoy it underneath the shade of the tree.
7. Winterset Park Nature Area - 700 SW Pryor Rd., Lees Summit, Missouri
This 10-acre park is full of diverse wildlife as well as a trail including bridges and waterfalls. It's a gorgeous place to find a corner to yourself for a day relaxing outdoors. You can learn more on the Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation website.
8. Waterwell Park - MO-9, North Kansas City, Missouri
This less-popular KC park is the perfect location for hanging out without a crowd. It's never as busy as Swope, and there's plenty of paths to calm your mind on. For more info, check out the KC Parks website.
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9. Tryst Falls Park - Excelsior Springs, Missouri
This helpful video posted by YouTuber Brian D really highlights the tranquility of this waterfall. Can't you imagine sitting here, listening to trickling or rushing water, and just clearing your mind of troubles? I sure can.
If you're looking for another great place to visit that's quiet except for the roars of big cats, then this amazing animal sanctuary is perfect for you.
Winter and its holidays are a time where many people start cooking meals for armies, hoarding evergreens, and stalking their friends and family for the perfect gifts. The Kansas City Metro Area has many holiday traditions you won't find elsewhere, like our preference for the Fairy Princess over a classic Santa. However, there's one strange tradition that's been happening for years that is still a mystery.
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Every year, Parkville decorates its downtown with lights, trees, wreaths, and everything holiday related.
It brings many visitors into the scenic area to view the lights and enjoy the spirit of the holidays before the weather gets nasty. They've honored this annual tradition for years, and show no sign of changing it or stopping anytime soon.
The whole town lights up at night, with lights trailing to the edge of town. You can imagine just how beautiful they look once the first white snow blankets the ground.
The holiday spirit is hardly strange, however there's a mystery behind some of the decorations...
An unknown person has been decorating the evergreens on Highway 9 for years. For the most part, locals think of it as adding a little more holiday magic to the regular drive.
However, when someone decided to call the authorities to point out the lack of permit, it threatened the decorations - they were taken down immediately, surprising many locals who love the playful mystery behind the festive ornamentations.
Parkville citizens stepped up to help keep this unique tradition alive, supporting each other and ensuring everything was planned for.
Residents rallied together and successfully acquired a permit to decorate the trees each year for the holiday season, though the identity of the mysterious original decorator remains unknown.
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Maybe someday the original decorators will step forward to claim the start, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
