Get up close to the mighty Missouri River at Berkley Riverfront Park, which runs along the river’s south bank. This 17-acre park was once a landfill. Where garbage and debris used to stand, you can now find an abundance of trees, picnic tables, jogging and biking paths, and a small natural amphitheater. You can also experience great views of Kansas City's sights and attractions from the one-mile long esplanade as well.
Get in touch with Mother Nature’s wild side at the Byron Shutz Nature Trail in Powell Gardens. This 3.25-mile nature and recreational trail winds underneath a wooded canopy filled with native plant life, past lotus and frog-filled ponds, through a wild meadow filled with flowers and up the Powell Garden’s north and eastern ridges. See all sorts of wildlife, horticulture and waterscapes as you follow this trail.
Be enchanted at the CoCo Key Water Resort. This tropical themed oasis offers a heated indoor water park for Kansas City residents and visitors year-round. Ride down a waterslide, relax at the spa and whirlpool, play at one of the interactive rivers or let the kids loose in the specially-designed Kiddie Pool. Here you can experience water recreation, no matter the weather!
Escape outdoors to the Kauffman Memorial Garden for a bit of greenery mixed in with the urban landscape. This 2-acre garden features brick pathways that wind through the beds of more than 350 seasonal varieties of perennials and annuals, playful fountains, bronze statues and majestic horticultural designs.
If you head 15 miles away from Kansas City, you will encounter Fleming Park. The largest park complex in Jackson County, Fleming Park draws in over one million visitors annually. So, if you are interested in fishing, boating or swimming at the lakes, roughing it at one of the campgrounds, taking advantage of top-notch outdoor facilities or seeing what life was like in 1855, make sure to make a stop at this popular nature destination.
Stop by Kansas City’s green gem. The Jacob Loose Memorial Park is Kansas City’s third largest park and is overflowing with outdoor activities for people of all ages. Take a leisurely stroll through the gorgeous rose garden, let the children burn off their extra energy at the state-of-the-art playground, visit historical markers or take advantage of the nice weather and enjoy a picnic.
Get close to nature through the floral attractions at the Powell Gardens, where the whole family can get active as well as educated. Learn about the different plants, trees, vegetables, fruits and herbs as you walk through the gatehouse, perennial garden, harvest garden and more. Sneak in some exercise along the scenic Nature Trail or relax as the kids play in the interactive Fountain Garden.
See some of the best architecture and historical sites of the bi-state Kansas City as you walk, jog or bike along the Riverfront Heritage Trail. This fully accessible 10-mile recreational trail system is open to pedestrians and bicyclists looking for a fun way to exercise in the heart of downtown KC. Riverfront Heritage Trail snakes through and connects many communities, parks and exciting urban destinations.
Whether you want to swim, splash or just doze by the poolside, the Springs Aquatic Center is the perfect place for single people or entire families to have some fun in the sun. This aquatic recreation hot spot holds almost one million gallons of water in its pools, slides and playgrounds.
Visit Swope Park, the 29th largest municipal park in the US and crown jewel of Kansas City, for some of the best outdoor activities in two states! Visit the zoo, catch a theater performance or learn at the Nature Center. Get active on one of the many biking and hiking trails, pack up your clubs for a round of golf or try your hand at Frisbee golf, and much, much more.
Stroll through the Kauffman Memorial Garden when you need a piece of nature in the midst of the bustling cityscape. Located in the heart of Kansas City, this 2-acre garden features meandering brick pathways, tranquil water displays and fountains, bronze sculptures mixed in amongst the lush and colorful floral life and more than 300 varieties of plant life.
Walkers, runners and cyclists unite! The historic Trolley Track Trail was built on the site of Kansas City’s last streetcar line. Paved with crushed, compacted limestone, this recreational trail runs for six miles straight from Volker to 85th & Prospect with a streetcar right of way for an additional seven miles from Westport Road to 85th Street.
Children and their families will adore Antioch Park. The oldest park in Johnson County, this lovely outdoor complex houses the Old Dodge Town playground (complete with a pint-sized hotel and general store modeled after the Wild West), a cool playground, dozens of nature trails and plenty of areas for picnic and barbeques in this wetland environment.
Discover why Shawnee Mission Park is the most visited park in the state of Kansas. This enormous 1,250-acre park is filled with outdoor amenities, including a scenic lake (perfect for boating and fishing), a 53-acre dog park, a performing theater, an archery range and numerous picnic areas, camping grounds, shelters, nature trails and play areas.