Part of Johnson County in Kansas, Leawood is a suburb of Kansas City. The family-friendly city has lots of green spaces and activities for all ages, making it one of the best places to live in or visit in Kansas. From wandering on the alleys of I-Lan Park and picnicking in Gezer Park to hiking in Tomahawk Park and playing sports in Leawood City Park, the options for time spent outdoors are plentiful. There’s also lots to do for fun, from going to an escape room, trying axe throwing, or even joining a paint and sip class. Read on as we explore the best things to do in Leawood, Kansas, for the entire family.
1. Take the kids to Prairie Oak Nature Center
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one." C.S....
Posted by Rooted Wilderness KC on Thursday, 7 December 2017
Prairie Oak Nature Center is a fabulous destination for people of all ages, so if you’re traveling with the entire family, take the kids to explore the fun environmental education programs going on here. It’s also an excellent place for organizing your kid’s birthday party, as it includes activities from outdoor adventures and animal presentations to nature crafts and games.
Prairie Oak Nature Center
Address: 3640 Ironwoods Ct, Leawood, KS 66224
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
2. Go for a shopping session at Town Center Plaza
It wouldn’t be a vacation without a shopping session, right? When in Leawood, make sure you check out Town Center Plaza. The open-air shopping center, located nearby Town Center Crossing features a variety of stores, restaurants to enjoy a good meal, and lots of entertainment. It’s a great place to take the entire family, go souvenir shopping, or go watch a movie on a rainy afternoon.
Town Center Plaza
Address: 5000 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209
Website: Town Center Plaza
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
3. Take a stroll in I-Lan Park
I-Lan Park in Leawood is located at 126th Street and Nall Avenue, north of Tomahawk Creek, and spreads over 10 acres (4 hectares) of land. The park is home to several pavilions, either with restrooms or barbecue grill facilities, but also to a plethora of alleys and trails that make it ideal for a relaxed stroll in nature, away from the city’s buzz. Its most impressive feature is its iconic garden, a must-see when in Leawood.
I-Lan Park
Address: 12601 Nall Ave, Leawood, KS 66209
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
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4. Catch a movie at AMC Town Center 20
Located near Town Center Plaza & Crossing and across Nall Avenue from Satchel Paige Field and Dick’s Sporting Goods, AMC Town Center 20 is the go-to movie theater in town. Whether you’re looking for activities with the family on a rainy day, want to relax, or you’re a movie buff and don’t want the vacation to stand between you and the latest blockbusters, catch the movies of the moment here. AMC Town Center 20 features a Dolby Cinema, IMAX, and ReadD 3D, a MacGuffins Bar, and recliner seating. Food and drinks online ordering is also available if you want to skip the lines.
AMC Town Center 20
Address: 11701 Nall Ave, Leawood, KS 66211
Website: AMC Town Center 20
5. Marvel at the scenic views from Gezer Park
Located at 133rd Street and Mission Road, Gezer Park spreads over 10 acres (4 hectares) of land. The charming park is excellent for kids as it boasts a playground, but also for dogs, as it’s sprinkled with alleys and walkways. There is a walking trail around the park, a vast green space for kite flying, picnic tables, as well as a small pond with a ladder in the middle. Spend an afternoon here, marveling at the views, enjoying a picnic, and taking a stroll.
Gezer Park
Address: 13251 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66209
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
6. Dine and shop at Mission Farms
Nestled in the heart of Leawood, Mission Farms is a place like no other. Home to a united community, and more than a vibrant shopping and dining scene, the region is home to historic architecture, green spaces, an exquisite collection of locally-owned restaurants and boutique shops – all set in a rustic setting and a relaxing and refreshing atmosphere. Spend a day at Mission Farms, enjoying the slow-paced life through activities like horseback riding, hiking, sipping locally brewed craft beer, and attending the different community events organized here.
Mission Farms
Address: 106th Street & Mission Rd, Leawood
Website: Mission Farms
7. Spend an evening throwing axes at Blade & Timber Axe Throwing - KC
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
There are many activities people choose to blow off steam. Some prefer hitting the gym, others prefer going bowling or enjoying a pint of beer at the local pub. But there’s a new activity in town that’s much more interesting – axe throwing. Just like Greeks prefer to break plates, Leawood locals have found their own unusual, but fun and casual stress-releasing activity. Axe throwing at Blade & Timber is a fun activity for families, friends, work teams, and any occasion from a special birthday or a date night to regular Friday evening. You can rent a private axe-throwing lane for up to six people, choose a shared one for a budget-friendly alternative, or even rent the whole facility for larger groups.
Blade & Timber Axe Throwing - KC
Address: 5203 W 117th St, Leawood, KS 66211
Website: Blade & Timber Axe Throwing - KC
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 10am - 9pm; Wed - Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
8. Go hiking in Tomahawk Park
Tomahawk Creek Park - Leawood, KS.
Posted by Ronnie Faisst on Monday, 19 June 2017
Tomahawk Park is one of Leawood’s smaller parks, spreading over just 4 acres (1.6 hectares), but equally beautiful and worth a visit. Tomahawk Park is connected to Leawood City Park through the Tomahawk Creek Trail, a 12-mile (20 kilometers) trail that’s ideal for walking, biking, jogging, and inline skating. Along its way, the trail offers access to two golf courses, several parks and fields, as well as commercial centers, and residential areas.
Tomahawk Park
Address: 3951 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209
Website: Tomahawk Park
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
9. Join a painting class at Pinot's Palette
Part of a national paint and sip franchise with over 140 locations, Leawood’s Pinot’s Palette is an excellent option for a fun evening of painting and wine tasting. Just like the name suggests, Pinot’s Palette organizes classes where adults can combine two very pleasant and relaxing activities – painting and drinking fine wine. Ideal for date night or girls’ night out, professional or newbie painters, these classes have something for everybody. You’ll get to have fun and enjoy yourself, while also learning something new.
Pinot's Palette
Address: 5235 W 116th Pl, Leawood, KS 66211
Website: Pinot’s Palette
Opening hours: Mon: 11am - 5pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 5pm; 6:30pm - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 5pm; 6:30pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 2:30pm - 5pm
10. Play tennis at Leawood City Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
As you’ve probably noticed by now, Leawood is full of parks and green spaces, and the best part is, each of them has something special and unique – some great for picnicking, others great for a long walk, hiking, or dog walking. Leawood City Park is the largest park in the city, spreading over 66 acres (26 hectares), and is perfect for playing sports, from tennis and volleyball to soccer and basketball. The park features 11 soccer fields, 6 lighted tennis courts, 2 sand volleyball courts, 2 baseball fields, and 3 basketball courts. There’s also a large playground for younger kids to enjoy their time in the outdoors.
Leawood City Park
Address: 10601 Lee Blvd, Leawood, KS 66206
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
11. Relax and de-stress at Tao Reflexology
After so many outdoor activities in and around Leawood, it’s time for some well-deserved relaxation, and what better place to go to than TAO Reflexology? Located in the heart of Leawood, in Town Center Plaza & Crossing, TAO Reflexology offers traditional foot reflexology foot massages performed by trained professionals. A great place to go by yourself, with your partner, or the entire family, where you’ll sit back, relax, and enjoy trained experts work on your feet to increase peripheral circulation, help the lymphatic system, and enhance your overall health and well being.
Tao Reflexology
Address: 11804 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66211
Website: Tao Reflexology
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm
12. Have fun escaping from Breakout KC Escape Room
Breakout KC Escape Room in Leawood is the go-to place for friends, families, corporate teams, tourists, and travelers too. The Leawood location has four rooms with different themes and different difficulty levels. Each of the rooms can host a maximum of 8 players at once, and their difficulty ranges between 7 and 9 out of 10. There’s the National Security Room, the Undercover Room, the Y2K, and the Civil War one.
Breakout KC Escape Room
Address: 114 W 3rd St #102, Kansas City, MO 64105
Website: Breakout KC Escape Room
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 3pm - 10pm; Fri: 1pm - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 7pm
13. Take the kids to Brook Beatty Park
Located on Lee Boulevard, Brook Beatty Park may not be a big park, but it surely is a very nice and well-preserved one. The park features several picnic tables and benches, as well as a children’s playground, so you can take the kids to the park, while you prepare a picnic, or just sit back and relax, enjoying watching the kids play. The park has gotten its name after Brook Beatty, the first fire chief in Leawood.
Brook Beatty Park
Address: 8646 Lee Blvd, Leawood, KS 66206
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
14. Enjoy the scenery at Ironhorse Golf Club
Ironhorse Golf Club is home to acres of greenery and golf courses, right off Mission Road, in Leawood. Its location is ideal for people living in both the states of Missouri and Kansas, as the golf course sits right off the state line between the two. Named one of the best public golf courses in Kansas City, Ironhorse Golf Club features championship golf courses and facilities, as well as stunning views. Spend a day here playing golf on the hilled terrain and take breaks to enjoy the rest of the club’s facilities, including dining at Grill, the onsite restaurant.
Ironhorse Golf Club
Address: 15400 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66224
Website: Ironhorse Golf Club
Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)
15. Try seafood at Bonefish Grill
When it comes to dining in Leawood, Bonefish Grill is an excellent choice. The contemporary seafood restaurant has a menu focused mostly on seafood but also serves steaks and cocktails. They’re open for Happy Hour, dinner, and brunch, but also have to-go options for those in a rush. They serve a variety of seafood starters like Thai Coconut Shrimp and Calamari, soups, salads, as well as grilled fish, seafood specialties, bowls, premium sides, and desserts. Jen’s Jamaican Coconut Pie and their seasonal Crème Brulee are absolutely delicious.
Bonefish Grill
Address: 5021 W 135th St, Leawood, KS 66224
Website: Bonefish Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10pm; Fri: 4pm - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm
16. Enjoy sipping cocktails at Rye Leawood
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Rye Leawood on Monday, May 3, 2021
Rye Leawood, an American farm-to-table restaurant, is perfect for a night out in the city. The restaurant is famous for its urban farmhouse setting as well as for the tasty cocktails they serve. They serve lunch, brunch, dinner, and have a kids’ menu, happy hour, drinks, and desserts. Some of the most popular Rye cocktails include Dealer’s Choice, Gazpacho Martini, Black Manhattan, and New York Sour, but they also serve draft and bottled beers, a long list of wines, and spirits.
Rye Leawood
Address: 10551 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206
Website: Rye Leawood
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 9:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 9:30am - 11pm
Other nearby attractions
17. Admire the stunning architecture of Museum at Prairiefire
Although two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Leawood, Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park is definitely worth the trip. With impressive architecture and colorful exterior, Museum at Prairiefire is home to displays created by other museums, including the iconic American Museum of Natural History. The museum includes the Discovery Room, where kids can embark on a hands-on journey through scientific research, including anthropology and zoology. Other experiences available include a trip to Stonehenge with the aid of virtual reality, the Great Hall, where visitors can find the Tyrannosaurus rex, as well as the Liberty Bell 7, iconic for the American history.
Museum at Prairiefire
Address: 5801 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66223
Website: Museum at Prairiefire
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 10 USD
Leawood, Kansas: a family-friendly destination
As it’s probably clear by now, Leawood, Kansas, is an excellent vacation destination for the entire family. From a variety of parks and green spaces to movie theaters, escape rooms, and great places to eat, there’s plenty to do and experience in Leawood. Make sure you check out our comprehensive list of the best things to do in Leawood, Kansas.
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