If you haven’t spent much time in Overland Park before, this Kansas gem needs to be added to your must visit list ASAP. There is so much to do and see in this Kansas City suburb that it definitely deserves a trip of its own. It’s such a kid friendly town with so many things to do, which make it the perfect weekend getaway for families with little ones. We spent 2 whole days exploring and still have things we had to save for another visit! If you are looking for the perfect family friendly weekend in Overland Park, keep reading for our full itinerary.
Start your weekend in Overland Park by exploring the farmers market. Open from 7:30am-1pm on Saturday’s, it’s such a fun way to explore some of the local vendors and shops. We grabbed lunch from McGregor’s Butcher & Bistro (the BLT and Italian were both fantastic, plus they had $5 kids meals), and sampled raspberry cinnamon rolls, chocolate coffee cake, and homemade chocolate chip cookies from various vendors. There are tons of fresh produce, soaps, flower bouquets, and other specialty items to shop from. I highly recommend coming hungry and sampling from several of the local vendors.
There was live music on the day we visited, so we enjoyed our lunch on a shady bench while listening to the band play. There was sidewalk chalk and bubbles, and my kids loved listening to the music and dancing around while they enjoyed their lunch.
Next, head to the Johnson County Museum to check out their Kidscape exhibit. Open from 9-4:30 on Saturday’s (closed on Sunday), admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 17.
Kidscape is an fun, interactive exhibit that takes kids back in time to learn a little bit about history through play. They can serve up hamburgers at the vintage diner, take care of sick patients in the hospital, teach lessons in an old schoolhouse, tend to the farm animals, shop in the 1900’s market, put on a play in the theater, and more. The exhibits here are very well done, and so immersive, that your kids will NOT want to leave this adorable spot! This is truly a spot where their imagination gets to run wild. Plus, there is tons of seating so parents don’t have to sit on the floor!
When you finally pry your kiddos out of Kidscape, don’t miss a walk through the rest of the museum to learn about the history of Johnson County.
Check out this Instagram worthy, premier bakery right on main street in downtown Overland Park. Choose from two display cases stuffed full of baked goods and confections, as well as coffee and monthly specialty drinks. We sampled the cake pops, cupcakes, macaroons and cookie bars, and let me tell you- it tastes as good as it looks! Don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the adorable flower wall!
No visit to Overland Park would be complete without a stop at the one-of-a-kind Museum at Prairiefire. The museum’s exhibits blend science, natural history and nature in a way that captivates curious minds, from life-size dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric fossils, to virtual reality activities. Don’t forget to pose for a picture by the breathtaking exterior on your way into the museum.
The Discovery Room on the upper level is the perfect place to spend the afternoon with your kiddos, filled with interactive displays that engage kids in subjects like paleontology, space exploration, and wildlife conservation. Here they can complete a life-sized dinosaur fossil puzzle, watch a box turtle catch her lunch, and engineer a tower to withstand the force of an earthquake. It’s the ultimate place where nature, learning and hands-on exploration come together.
Admission to the museum is $5.00 for everyone 3 and older.
Right next door to the Museum at Prairiefire is the Oak Park mall. Scheels is a fun, quick and inexpensive stop that your kids will love! We took a ride on the Ferris wheel, which only cost $1 per ticket, and then wandered around to see the fish tank and check out the candy store. There is also a bowling alley and some cool wildlife displays.
For dinner, I highly recommend checking out the local restaurant Serv. With seating both indoors and outdoors, it is the perfect place for families with little ones who can be extra wiggly at mealtimes.
With several different types of food, a full bar, and a nice sized kids menu, you won’t have any problem finding something for everyone to eat. Play a game of chess, ping pong, or cornhole while you wait for your food to arrive. After dinner, relax and enjoy a drink on the incredible patio while your kids enjoy the space.
We stayed at the Marriott on Metcalf Ave during our visit to Overland Park. Centrally located to everything, it was the perfect place for our family. The rooms are spacious and updated, and there is both an indoor and outdoor pool. There is a breakfast buffet that you can purchase, and a Starbuck located in the lobby for that early morning pick-me-up.
We started our second day in Overland Park hungry, so we decided to check out this local coffee shop and market. They offer a full breakfast menu, as well as grab and go items and a huge variety of freshly baked goods. There are plenty of donuts, cinnamon rolls, and pastries to please even your pickiest eaters. I highly recommend the chocolate croissant and chai latte, and my 5-year-old said the chocolate Long John was the best one he’s had in his entire life.
With inside seating, a covered patio, and a drive through, you can grab and go or sit down and enjoy the atmosphere. If you are looking for a local coffee shop during your time in Overland Park, I highly recommend checking out McLain’s Market.
Alright, if you only have time to do ONE thing in Overland Park, this right here is what you should choose. Deanna Rose is an absolute gem, and is truly a one of a kind place. Take a peek into pioneer life by visiting this nostalgic farm. Take a horse drawn wagon ride, bottle feed a baby goat, go cane pole fishing, watch a live cow milking demonstration, explore a one-room schoolhouse, and watch a real life blacksmith hard at work.
Plan to spend the whole morning (and some of the afternoon!) exploring this unique farm. There are some incredible playgrounds that your kids will not want to miss, and plenty of shady benches for you to sit down and relax.
Pack your lunch and have a picnic, or order from one of the onsite concession stands. I highly recommend ordering a scoop (or two) from the ice cream parlor, then heading next door to the Blacksmith’s shop, where you can sit in the shade and watch her work while enjoying your treat.
Admission to the farm is $5 for everyone 3 years and older. You can purchase additional activities, such as horse drawn wagon rides ($3), a bucket of worms for fishing ($3), and milk bottles to feed the baby goats ($1). Make sure to bring some quarters to feed the sheep and goats!
This fun little candy shop is a great place to stop if you are in need of a nostalgic treat. Not much beats a kid in a candy shop, and this is the perfect place. Choose from a variety of ice cream and sherbet flavors, homemade fudge, truffles and a wall of candy that you can scoop yourself.
A stop at the Overland Park Arboretum was the perfect end to our fantastic weekend. This 300-acre garden is absolutely stunning, and the perfect spot for littles to run around and explore. My kiddos loved exploring the old train car and watching the model trains in the children’s garden. And there is an adorable adventure playground that is the perfect spot for kids to burn some energy and use their imagination!
I hope this helps you in your planning for your next visit to Overland Park. We had such an amazing time, and will definitely be back!