20 Things To Do In Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park is a vibrant in Kansas that shares a border with Kansas City in Missouri. After Wichita, it is the state’s second-most populous city, with a population of around 197,000. It’s also the birthplace of celebrities like Sarah Lancaster, who played Rachel Meyers in Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Daphne Blunt, who appeared as Jayell in The Young & The Restless. As a city, Overland Park is packed with enough interesting attractions that you could easily spend a week there and only really scratch the surface. Here are 20 things to do in Overland Park for your itinerary.

20 Things To Do In Overland Park

1- Check Out The Overland Park Farmers’ Market

One of the best ways to introduce yourself to the city is to visit the Overland Park Farmers’ Market on Marty Street.

It’s a terrific place to mingle with or people-watch the locals, while also buying a terrific selection of fresh produce.

You’ll find an excellent range of fruit and veg, as well as plants and flowers, direct from farms in the surrounding areas to the city.

In addition, you can also try artisanal baked goods and candy, or purchase other handmade items in a warm and friendly environment.

Typically, the market runs from 8am to midday every Saturday.

2- Shop At The Oak Park Mall

If you are in need of some retail therapy, the Oak Park Mall is the place to go.

Covering an area of 1,607,803 sq ft, it is the largest mall in Kansas, accommodating over 180 retail outlets and stores, including five department stores.

The mall is split into two levels and boasts a range of big-name shops, including Macy’s, Nordstrom, Forever 21 and outlets selling everything from clothes and books to jewellery and beauty products.

There are also plenty of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants covering a wide range of food options including Mexican and Japanese.

3- Stroll Around Foxhill South Park

Should shopping not be your thing, you might prefer some fresh air and a good place to get this is at the Foxhill South Park.

This beautiful six-acre greenway park offers picturesque walking and biking trails that will lead you through bosky forests where you can really connect with nature.

For those who are feeling more adventurous, you can even access a portion of the Indian Creek Hiking and Biking Trail from here.

However, should you prefer to just sit, there are plenty of benches around, while picnic tables and barbecues also enable you to enjoy an al fresco meal with family or friends.

4- Try New Wines At The Aubrey Vineyards

If you enjoy a nice drop of wine, the Aubrey Vineyards is worth stopping by.

Situated within the southern part of the city, this was the first vineyard and winery to establish themselves in Overland Park.

The winery offers a Napa Valley style-wine tasting experience with a diverse selection of varietals, including some labels that are aged in bourbon barrels.

You can try a nice range of reds, whites, roses and dessert wines at the cellar door and also enjoy a charcuterie board on their scenic patio.

5- Visit The Overland Park Arboretum And Botanical Gardens

The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is another beautiful outdoor space you can visit during your time at Overland Park.

Spread across 300 acres, this popular attraction is a family friendly spot that features manicured gardens, open prairie, ponds, sculptures, trails and a kid’s play areas.

Overall, there are more than 1,700 plant species here within eight different ecosystems, which are perhaps best explored on a guided tour.

Pro Tip! If you come here on a Tuesday, entry is free.

6- Check Out An Event At Overland Park Convention Center

Over at College Boulevard, this convention center is a place where over 330 events take place every year.

Typically, these events range from wedding shows and travel exhibitions to leadership summits and themed conference.

So, it is worth popping in there when you are in town to see what’s on and even if you don’t come here to see an event, it is a great place in which to dine.

There are just under 30 restaurants here serving up everything from steak and sushi to pizza and yum cha, most of which have stylish decor and excellent drinks lists.

7- Have A Hit At TopGolf

Love golf? Then you’ll want to have a hit at TopGolf.

This awesome entertainment venue features a state-of-the-art driving range and other high-tech golf games that can sharpen up your driving, chipping and putting game.

Even if you don’t know a 3-iron from a 5-wood, don’t be put off.

There’s a swanky lounge where you can buy a fantastic range of beers and cocktails and a food menu that includes burgers, pretzel bites and tacos.

8- Feast At Taco Naco

If you fancy a slap-up Mexican feast, head to Taco Naco.

This an award-winning joint on Metcalf Avenue offers an exceptional range of Latino delights including their signature tacos which come with various meat, fish and vegan fillings.

Their birria-style tacos are especially good, while they also do fantastic tostadas, quesadillas and burritos.

Don’t forget about their sides also, which include Mexican rice, street corn and nachos.

If you are able to, try to save some room for dessert.

Their churros are sensational! Also, pair your meal choice with one of their margaritas, which comes in several different flavours.

9- Take In A Show At The White Theatre at The J

Want to check out a show while you are in Overland Park? Then head on over to The White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center.

This non-profit organisation performs their take on various Broadway shows, ballets and classical music concerts, which you can enjoy in a charming, 500-seat theatre which is full of character.

The productions are of a very high quality and the shows are usually sold out.

Therefore, it is worth making a booking well in advance of your attendance.

10- Step Back In Time At The Johnson County Museum

For those wanting to learn more about the history of Overland Park, consider paying a visit to the Johnson County Museum.

This attraction showcases exhibits that portray what life was like for locals who lived here in the early to mid-part of the 20th century.

As you explore it, you will see various photographs, artifacts, and other displays including a replica of a 1950s house, vehicles and clothes, which point to the history of the area.

11- Enjoy A Balloon Ride Over The City

One of the coolest ways to explore the city of Overland Park is to do so from the air in a hot air balloon ride.

Old World Balloonery will take you up to the skies at sunrise or sunset.

You’ll be able to take in extraordinary views of both Overland Park and neighbouring Kansas City.

Once the ride has finished, celebrate what you have seen with a nice, chilled glass of champagne.

12- Tackle The Indian Creek Bike And Hike Trail

I briefly touched upon the Indian Creek Hike and Bike Trail earlier as it can be accessed from Foxhill South Park but it can also be accessed from various parts of the city.

Stretching for almost 17 miles, this scenic trail is perfect for running, biking, dog-walking and hiking.

Along the way you will see a stunning landscape that accompanies creeks, forests and small waterfalls.

Best of all, as it is flat, paved and generally level, so it is accessible for everyone, whatever their level of physical ability.

13- Photograph The Museum At Prairiefire

Another fascinating museum to visit during your time in Overland Park is the Museum at Prairiefire.

The museum is in one of the most visually stunning buildings in the city, with an eye-catching colourful glass design that is extremely Insta-worthy.

Inside, there are several natural history and science exhibits that showcase animals which inhabited the region millions of years ago.

14- Cook Up A Storm At The Culinary Center Of Kansas City

If you consider yourself a budding Thomas Keller or Giada De Laurentiis you should enrol in a cooking class offered by the Culinary Center of Kansas City.

They run a huge range of classes which include everything from classic Midwestern barbeque and international favourites like Japanese, Mexican and Indian to pastry making and baking.

Run by experienced chefs and culinary experts, you’ll discover lots of tips and tricks to take your cooking to another level.

15- Check Out The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

If you happen to be travelling with kids head on over to this fantastic farmstead.

There, they will be able to see up to 250 animals including the likes of chicken, sheep and goats.

As well as the animals, children will be able to play in a lovely playground and explore a series of living history exhibits that include a blacksmith shop and an old schoolhouse.

16- Experience The Thrill Of IFly Indoor Skydiving

Looking for something to give you an adrenaline rush? Try skydiving.

This state-of-the-art venue offers you a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the rush of skydiving in a setting that is a lot less heady than jumping out of a plane.

During your time here, you will be able to do several 60-second dives in their wind tunnel, after first been shown the ropes by an instructor.

Overall, it is a fun, less time consuming, but no less exhilarating way to embrace the sensation of skydiving without taking any of the risks.

17- Visit The Nerman Museum Of Contemporary Art

This is another terrific museum to visit during your time in Overland Park.

It features a fascinating gallery of photographs, painting, sculptures and other mediums that incorporate my different genres and movements.

One of its most notable collections is its displays of Latin and Native American art, which you could peruse as part of a guided or self-guided tour.

18- Indulge Your Sweet Tooth At Tous Les Jours

Got a sweet tooth?

Then this fantastic French-style bakery is the perfect place to indulge it.

You will need to make your way over to the Indian Creek Shopping Center to find it, but once you are there, you can choose from a wide variety of sweet treats like madeleines, macarons, cream cakes and pastries that are freshly baked every day.

19- Pop Across To Kansas City

As Kansas City in Missouri is just a 20-minute drive over the border, you should take the opportunity to check out the sites there.

The likes of the Kansas City Ballet and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art are two of its major highlights.

While if you are lucky enough to get a ticket, you can go watch the Kansas City Chiefs play at the Arrowhead Stadium.

Alternatively, drop by the Up-Down Arcade Bar to play retro games and enjoy a great selection of drinks or check out the city’s famous zoo and aquarium.

20- Marvel At The Arabia Steamboat Museum

Should you decide to make the trek to Kansas City, it is worth taking the time to visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum.

The fascinating history museum displays artifacts and exhibits that relate to the Arabia – a historic steamboat that was built in 1853 but unfortunately sank three years later in the Missouri River.

Remarkably, the boat lay undiscovered for 132 years and was finally excavated in 1988.

During your visit to the museum, you can find out more about the boat’s story, including how it was made, where it voyaged too and what cause it to sink.

You can also see cargo like clothes, fine China and children’s toys that were recovered from it.