11 outdoorsy things to do in Johnson County this summer. (Yes, pickleball included)

Jenna Thompson
·6 min read

Things are heating up in the Kansas City area — literally.

After months of sheltering away from the cold, it’s finally time to soak up the sun again.

To help you make the most of the season, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to do outside in Johnson County. Did we miss your favorite activity? Email jthompson@kcstar.com.

Stop and smell the roses

Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at 8909 W. 179th St. features floral gardens, sculptures, an educational center and hiking trails.

Whether you’re hoping to get your steps in or simply sit and reflect on the beauty of nature, the 300-acre park always has something new to discover.

The $22.7 million LongHouse Visitor Center is scheduled to open later this year west of the park’s entrance and will feature a pond and wedding lawn and will double as an event space.

De-stress with free outdoor yoga

What’s a more relaxing way to start your morning than stretching and deep breathing while birds chirp nearby? Yoga on the Lawn at Strang Hall offers a free one-hour class at 10 a.m. Saturdays twice a month, including June 9.

Participants meet at the turf outside Strang Hall at 7313 W. 80th St. in downtown Overland Park.

Take a lake day

There are plenty of great places to canoe, kayak, splash and tan in Johnson County. Popular spots include:

Shawnee Mission Lake: Shawnee Mission Park Beach, south of 79th Street and Beach Road, allows visitors to swim and play sand volleyball. The marina, which once rented canoes and paddle boards, is temporarily closed for renovations with a projected opening date sometime this year.

Kayakers enjoy the lake at Shawnee Mission Park, which is in the Shawnee/Lenexa area.
Kayakers enjoy the lake at Shawnee Mission Park, which is in the Shawnee/Lenexa area.

Kill Creek Park Beach and Marina: The Olathe spot at 11670 Homestead Lane has a spacious swim beach and marina. Boat, canoe and kayak rentals are offered, with discounts for Johnson County residents.

Lake Olathe: The park’s entrance is at 191 N. Ward Cliff Drive, and its swim beach is down the way at 445 S. Ward Cliff Drive. In addition to its “spray ground” play area and water park, visitors can enjoy its nature playground with a splash creek.

Find fresh goods at a farmers market

Several Johnson County cities offer shoppers a chance to buy from local farmers and vendors:

Overland Park Farmers’ Market: The popular market at 7950 Marty St. runs Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the same hours on Wednesdays starting June 7.

Vendors at the Overland Park Farmers Market offer a wide variety of produce and other goods.
Vendors at the Overland Park Farmers Market offer a wide variety of produce and other goods.

Olathe Farmers’ Market: This market operates out of two spots, Stagecoach Park and Black Bob Park, and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to noon until Oct. 21.

Lenexa Farmers’ Market: Near the Lenexa Public Market and Lenexa Civic Center parking garage at 17201 W. 87th St. Parkway, vendors sell goods on Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. After Aug. 29, the market will only run on Saturdays.

Merriam Farmers Market: Downtown Merriam’s market at 5740 Merriam Drive is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.

Mission Farmers Market: Open every Thursday from 4:30 to 8 p.m., the market at 5635 Johnson Drive runs through the end of August.

Shawnee Farmers Market: The market at 11110 Johnson Drive in the Shawnee City Hall parking lot is open from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October.

Sip and stroll and a winery

KC Wine Co.: This vineyard and barrel room at 13875 S. Gardner Road in Olathe promises palate-pleasing drinks with plenty to do — including live music and trivia nights. KC Wine Co. also offers hard cider, wine slushies and even dog-themed drinks during their pup-friendly days. The venue is open Fridays 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m.

Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery: The 12-acre space at 11000 S. Woodland St. in Olathe hosts yoga classes, Friday night concerts and other events. Stone Pillar is open Tuesdays to Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m., Fridays 1 to 10 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Around 20 wines are produced from grapes grown at Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery in Olathe.
Around 20 wines are produced from grapes grown at Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery in Olathe.

Catch a show

Theatre in the Park: The summer show season kicks off Friday at 8:30 p.m. at the Shawnee Mission Park amphitheater on 7710 Renner Road with “Freaky Friday.” For a full list of shows, visit theatreinthepark.org.

Go berry picking

Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm: With strawberry season winding down, blueberry and blackberry season is just around the corner. Enjoy the fruits of your labor at 39345 W. 183rd St. in Edgerton. Gieringer’s berry picking hours vary, with updates given through its Facebook page.

Check Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm’s Facebook page for updates on hours and availability.
Check Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm’s Facebook page for updates on hours and availability.

Play pickleball

Johnson County is a destination for pickleball players, with Overland Park being named the No. 1 city in the country for the sport. The area is filled with outdoor spaces to play, including:

Antioch Acres Park, 8202 W. 74th St., Overland Park

Young’s Park, 7701 Antioch Road, Overland Park

Switzer Park, 13700 Switzer Road, Overland Park

Meadowbrook Park, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village

Bois D’Arc Park, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa

Jam out at an outdoor concert

Johnson County’s music scene is coming alive, with plenty of outdoor options, some even free. Here’s a sampling of venues to enjoy tunes:

Lenexa’s Outdoor Concert Series at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park: Running from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 14915 W. 87th St. Parkway on some Sundays, a full schedule can be found at lenexa.com by selecting “Departments,” “Parks and Recreation,” then “Events.”

Friday Night Sound Bites at Lenexa Public Market: Musicians play on Friday nights, 7 to 10 p.m. at 8750 Penrose Lane.

Olathe Live! at Stagecoach Park: Kicking off June 9, shows begin at 7 p.m. A full schedule can be found at olatheks.gov by clicking on “Government,” “Parks and Recreation,” then “Special Events.”

Olathe Live at Stagecoach Park begins June 9. Its full list of shows can be found online.
Olathe Live at Stagecoach Park begins June 9. Its full list of shows can be found online.

Take the kids to a petting zoo

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead: The Overland Park attraction at 13800 Switzer Road is the perfect place to learn about farm critters up close. Kids can fish, bottle feed animals and pet goats. Tickets can be purchased on site or on the farmstead’s website at opkansas.org (click on the “Recreation + Fun” dropdown).

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead gives kids a chance to feed and pet farm animals.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead gives kids a chance to feed and pet farm animals.

Test your putting skills at these courses

Mini golf is a favorite activity of first dates and family outings. Check out these Johnson County spots to (hopefully) score a hole-in-one.

Smiley’s Golf Complex at 10195 Monticello Terrace in Lenexa contains both an 18-hole executive golf course and putt putt area. Its hours are listed as 8 a.m. to sunset.

Black Bob Batting Cages and Hall of Fame Putt Putt, 14570 W. 151st St in Olathe, inside Black Bob Park is open Mondays to Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.