With a population of 197,000 people, Overland Park, Kansas
is the heart of Johnson County - the engine of progress that drives the
diverse Kansas City economy. Overland Park has more than 250 restaurants
and several of the most interesting tourist attractions in the states of
Kansas and Missouri.
This visitor's guide has my candid comments and recommendations
for attractions and museums to visit in Overland Park. I am a 36 year resident
of Johnson County, 6 of those years in Overland Park.
This page devoted to Overland Park, Kansas attractions
is a work in progress. Please
email
your suggestions for more Overland Park attractions to be included. Be
sure to tell me what you like best about them.
For additional nearby Johnson County tourist attractions
and restaurants, also check the guide to Olathe Tourust
Attractions.
Overland
Park Tourist Attractions & Museums
Canstruction
Kansas City is an annual event to benefit Harvesters - The Community
Food Bank in Kansas City. Teams create art from nonperishable food
and the art is displayed at Oak Park Mall. When the exhibit closes,
the cans, bottles and boxes are donated to Harvesters. Each
year, Canstruction teams use 40-50,000 pounds of food.
Oak Park Mall 11149 West 95th
Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66214 (913) 888-4400 |
A 14 foot girder stands
sentinel near the entrance to to the Overland Park, Kansas Fire Training
Center. The 2 1/2 ton artifact which was recovered from the World Trade
Center is the focal point of this 9/11 Memorial,
which is is a tribute to the those who parished on September 11, 2001 which
tells the stories of the heroism, sacrifice and tragedy of that day.
Oak Park Mall 11149 West 95th
Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66214 (913) 888-4400 |
Deanna
Rose Children's Farmstead is a 12 acre park with farm animals,
birds of prey, show gardens, butterfly gardens, nature trail, Kanza Indian
display, one room country schoolhouse, play grounds, fishing pond, horse
drawn wagon rides, and pony rides. One of the most popular children's attractions
in the Kansas City area, Deanna Rose is open 7 days a week April - October.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
13800 Switzer, Overland Park, Kansas (913) 897-2360 |
Oak
Park Mall is one of the most successful indoor shopping
malls in the United States. At a time when most indoor shopping centers
are dying, Oak Park Mall keeps changing and expanding. It is a safe place
to shop with a wide variety of interesting stores. The mall hosts events
such as Canstruction, which benefits
Harvesters.
Oak Park Mall 11149 West 95th
Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66214 (913) 888-4400 |
Indian
Creek Hike/Bike Trail is almost 17 miles long, with about 10 miles
in Overland Park, Kansas. The bike path is generally level and flat,
but often beautiful as it follows Indian Creek through various parks. Indian
Creek trail connects to other hiking and bicycle trails in Kansas City,
Missouri and Johnson County, Kansas.
Indian Creek Hike/Bike Trail
- Multiple Trail Heads between 105th and 119th Streets (913) 327-6630 |
Overland
Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is one of the best kept secrets
in metropolitan Kansas City. Still under development, the 300 acre park
currently has 10 gardens and 8 arboretum ecosystems with 5 miles of trails.
Some trails are paved and wheel chair friendly. Closed Tuesdays. $3 admission.
There are seasonal events such as the December Luminary Walk.
Overland Park Arboretum &
Botanical Gardens 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park 66013 (913) 685-3604 |
The
Johnson
County Museum tells the story of the development of suburban America.
The centerpiece of the Johnson County Museum is the 1950's All Electric
House which was relocated to the center of the museum's main hall. Local
visitors particularly enjoy the way is is depicted through photos, models
and samples of advertising.
Johnson County Museum 8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas
66212 (913) 826-2787 |
Overland
Park Farmers Market in old downtown Overland Park, Kansas is a
fun place to purchase produce, live plants, homemade preserves and fine
baked goods. Plus free live music from 10 AM until noon, each market day.
Wednesdays and Saturdays from April through October.
Overland Park Farmers Market
8101 Marty, Overland Park, Kansas 66204 (913) 642-1410 |
Nerman
Museum of Contemporary Art on the campus of Johnson County Community
College (JCCC) opened in 2007. The largest museum of contemporary art in
the region, the Nerman Museum 3 permanent galleries, and 6 galleries for
temporary exhibits. The Nerman Museum collection includes about 700 works,
many by artists with ties to the Kansas City area.
Nerman Museum of Contemporary
Art 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 (913) 469-3000 |
Rio
Theater in downtown Overland Park, Kansas is an art deco theater that
was restored by the Fine Arts Group. The Rio was added to the National
Register of Historic Places in February of 2005, and features foreign language
and independent movies. The 281 seat single screen movie theater has digital
sound.
Rio Theater 7204 West 80th
Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204 (913) 383-8500 |
New Theatre Restaurant
is a 600 seat dinner theater that regularly features shows including such
performers as Jamie Farr and Marion Ross. Although they work hard on the
buffet dinner, the New Theater Restaurant is more about the show than the
food. Tickets run from $32 to $55, and do not include dessert or beverages.
New Theatre Restaurant 9229
Foster Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212 (913) 649-0103 |
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