From the Oak Park Mall to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, there is a lot to do in this second most populous city in the state. If a move to Overland Park is on your radar in the coming months, you understandably want to know what you can do there for fun. Home to 191,000 people, Overland Park KS was ranked #7 on the list of “Best Places to Live” in the nation by Money Magazine back. This largest suburb in the Kansas City metro area is a city that just keeps growing.
Back in 1990, just 111,000 people lived here. Today, that number has bloomed to 191,000, coupled with a major expansion of land. In 1960, Overland Park totaled just 13 square miles; now it has grown to 75 square miles.
Trust our experienced movers to get you to Overland Park. You can take over from there, scoping out the best way to let off a little steam. We can understand why you moved here in the first place, from the quaint neighborhoods and top-notch schools to lots of recreational activities and green spaces.
Here’s an overview of what there is to do in Overland Park KS.
Overview
CNN Money ranks Overland Park ranks in the top 10 on the “100 Best Places to Live in the United States” list. There are many reasons why this city made the list. For example, the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a must-see for nature lovers, featuring more than 300 acres. And if you have kids, you have to check out the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, one of the most popular tourist attractions for families in the region.
Oak Park Mall is the place to be if you love to shop. But if you’re more into art and history, head to the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. And parks and farmer’s markets abound in the historic Downtown Overland Park area.
Let’s go over a few specific things to try out.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Bring the whole family to this popular place, where you can see more than 250 animals and birds, check out a Kanza Indian encampment or one-room school house, learn about how to grow flowers and veggies, or stroll down main street to the fishing pond. You’ll soon be transported back to the days of westward expansion and frontier farm living.
Most attractions are included with the cost of admission at Deana Rose Children’s Farmstead. Some of the activities and attractions include:
- Fishing shack
- Dairy barn
- General store
- Master gardens
- Birds of prey and bobcat area
- Mining exhibit
- Helen’s schoolhouse
- Georgia’s chicken coop
- Prairie pavilion
- Grandpa Bob’s dock
- Pygmy goat bottle feeding
- Megan’s windmill
- Morgan’s playground and Logan’s landing
- Ice cream parlor
- Ben’s bank
- Ray’s barbershop
- So much more
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Spanning 300 acres, this educational, recreational and cultural resource has beautiful gardens with more than 1,700 species of plants within many landscapes, including hiking trails, open prairie lands, and educational opportunities. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is chock full of activities and amenities for all guests, including:
- Children’s Discovery Garden
- Education programs
- Hiking trails
- Sculptures
- Environmental Education Visitors Center
- Legacy Garden
- Prairie
- Erickson Water Garden
- Margaret’s Pond
- Byrd’s Grove
- Marder Woodland Garden
- Cohen Iris Garden
- Train Garden
They also sponsor many events throughout the year, such as Yoga in the Gardens, Wine Tasting on the Terrace, Nature Story Time, and Free Admission Days.
Johnson County Museum
Featuring award-winning long-term and rotating exhibitions, along with public and school education programs, the Johnson County Museum is the ideal place to spend the whole day with the family learning about the nation’s history and checking out hands-on exhibits. Located inside the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, the museum presents innovative, engaging exhibitions inspiring learners of all ages to discover history through:
- Long-term and temporary exhibits
- Children’s history experience KidScape
- Birthday party packages
- Field trips
- Summer camps
- Lectures
- Youth and scout programs
- Special events
- Event spaces
- Home school
- Online research tools
Within the museum, you will find collections of more than one million photographs, 300 cf of archival material and 20,000 3D artifacts.
Oak Park Mall
Eat, shop, hang out. You can do all this and more at the Oak Park Mall. No great city would be complete without an awesome mall. Do all your shopping and dining here at the location at 11149 West 95th Street in Overland Park. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., this mall has all the stores you know and love, from Nordstrom’s to Bath and Body Works, and everything in between.
Indian Creek Greenway
This scenic and quiet park features 13 miles of paved and wooded trails for walkers, runners and joggers. Indian Creek Greenway is located at State Line Road and W 103rd Street, with a distance of just over four miles. If you love to be out in nature, this is the place for you.
Why Move to Overland Park?
You may be wondering what other reasons there are to move to Overland Park, besides all the fun stuff to do. Here you go:
The Weather is Diverse
Kansas has 230 sunny days a year, and the highest average temp is 92 degrees; the lowest is 18 degrees (January). The climate ranges between humid subtropical climate and humid continental climate, which means you get hot and muggy summers and dry, cold winters.
The Neighborhoods are Quaint
Overland Park is located in northeastern Kansas, at the conversion of Interstate 435 and U.S. Route 69. It’s 13 miles from Kansas City, so you can easily commute into the metro area for work, while being nestled in the suburb of Overland Park. There are many eclectic neighborhoods here, including Prairie Village, Merriam, Mission, Olathe, Shawnee, and Lenexa.
Contact Moving Proz
If you need to hire professionals you can trust for your move to Overland Park, KS, contact us at 913-251-9037 for a free quote.