Oh, summer. We welcome your sun-drenched days with excitement each year. As Midwesterners, we love your long days filled with things to do and places to visit. Summer is the best time to take a road trip to visit the communities and people who make Kansas unique. In the evenings, there’s nothing we love more than tending a bonfire as we watch the sunset paint the sky the most amazing colors of pink and orange across our landscape. Take advantage of all the opportunities for exploration this summer; we’ve put together a list of places to visit and activities to discover to make the most of your summer days!
Atchison – Sunflower Summer Attractions
As the days grow longer and the sun shines bright, Atchison beckons with its warm hospitality and timeless charm. Whether you're exploring historic landmarks, communing with nature, or embarking on a ghostly adventure, summer in Atchison offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and let the magic of summer unfold in this hidden gem of the Midwest. Your unforgettable adventure awaits in Atchison, where every moment is a memory in the making. Atchison has many museums participating in Sunflower Summer!
Join us in Atchison for fun-filled days:
· July 19-20- Amelia Earhart Festival
· August 5-9- Atchison County Fair
· September 20-21- International Forest of Friendship Annual Celebration
· September 21- Muddy River Music Festival
For more information on Atchison, visit the website.
Basehor – Summer Reading and Jazz
Adventure begins at your library! Join the Basehor Community Library for their annual summer reading program. It is a program for ALL ages and the kickoff is June 3! There will be fun events throughout June and July. Visit www.basehorlibrary.org for more information and to register! If you prefer music over reading, Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery's 2024 Summer Time Music Series kicks off May 17 and is every Friday through August 9. Enjoy the relaxing outdoor venue with great wine, live music, and delicious food from the food trucks!!
Bonner Springs – Awesome Open-Air Music Moments
Azura Amphitheater is one of Kansas’ treasured outdoor music venues and has been part of the collective Kansas City music scene for 40 years! This year, Azura welcomes back Kelce Fest on May 18 and is the new location for Country Stampede in June 2024. More great acts are ready to take the stage this summer including Green Day, Turnpike Troubadours, Glass Animals, and Foreigner.
Gardner – Water Park Play All Season Long
Gardner has the perfect place for some fun in the sun this summer! Bring the whole family and enjoy a day at the Gardner Aquatic Center. Kids and parents alike can enjoy the splash area, water slides, relax in the lazy river or get some exercise in the lap pool. The aquatic center is open daily from 12:30 to 7:00 p.m. starting May 25th through September 2nd. Take advantage of one of the many special events held each year:
• Night Waves Pool Party (June 13 and 27)• Father’s Day Celebration (June 16)• Summer Splash (June 22)• Flick ‘N Float (July 11)• July 4th Celebration (July 4)• Duck Races (July 12)• And more!
Season passes are available and on sale now. Or daily admission tickets can be purchased at the door. Visit our website for additional information!
Hiawatha – Summer Splash
Come and shop downtown Hiawatha during the Summer Splash, June 3-14. Shops will have special events and sales going on. Complete your card to be in the drawing for prizes! While here, enjoy one of our many restaurants or ice cream shops! For more information on Hiawatha, visit our website.
Kansas City – Family Fun at Its Finest
Kansa City, KS is your summer catch for family friendly events! Opening Day for the Kansas City Monarchs is Thursday, May 16 at Legends Field, when the team goes head-to-head with the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Each home game includes in-between inning fun, special promotions, theme nights and more! While you’ve got the family together, make sure to check out a movie under the stars at Boulevard Drive-In Theatre, or get creative with your nights out at a Third Friday Artwalk. Check out this season’s events in KCK here.
Lawrence – Summer Fun Pass
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? Look no further than the Summer of Fun Pass! The best part - it's free! Check in, earn points, and redeem awesome prizes! This summer's prizes are mystery totes, created by local artists. Try and collect all 3! Get all the details online!
Leavenworth – Bravery, Bouquets, Bees and Buckaroos!
· Bring the kiddos and build a bouquet for mom on Saturday, May 11, 10 am to 4 pm in historic downtown Leavenworth. Purchase a vase for $10 and spend the day picking up flowers from participating businesses all over downtown. You and the kids will have fun building a beautiful flower bouquet together.
· You should’ve been a cowboy! Saturday, May 11, Watkins “C” Ranch will be hosting horseback rides, yard games, ranch tours, local vendors, speakers and concessions. Just $10 per family and you will learn all about being a cowboy!
· Bee-to-bottle tours will be taking place at Next to Nature Farm on May 18, June 22 and July 27, noon to 2 pm and again from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. You will learn all about the wonderful life cycle of bees, from collecting nectar to producing honey! Cost is $15 and includes an 8-ounce honey bottle to take home with you.
· May 27 is Memorial Day and Leavenworth has two National Cemeteries, both of which hold ceremonies to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. These ceremonies are open to the public.
For more information on these events and more go to www.VisitLeavenworthKS.com
Merriam – #FeeltheLove in Merriam, Kansas!
Get ready to embark on an art journey across Merriam this summer! Start your adventure by immersing yourself in the beauty and creativity at two Parade of Hearts sculptures --"Stitched Together" by Leah Dwyer, located at Merriam Historic Plaza (6304 E. Frontage Road), and "My Heart Resides in Strawberry Hill" by Kate Burke located at the Merriam Marketplace, (5040 Merriam Drive). With over 100 hearts adorning various locations across Kansas City, don't miss the opportunity to witness these stunning displays of community love. Download the Parade of Hearts app to uncover them all, or visit exploremerriam.com/art for a deeper dive into the vibrant art scene in Merriam.
Olathe – Fourth Fridays Fun
As the summer sun brightens the sky, Downtown Olathe comes alive with a series of unforgettable events, with Fourth Fridays leading the charge. Every fourth Friday of May, June, and August, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the streets pulse with excitement as locals and visitors gather to enjoy food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities. From delectable bites to toe-tapping tunes, Fourth Fridays offer the perfect recipe for a summer evening filled with fun and community spirit. Join us as we make memories under the stars at Downtown Olathe's signature summer event! More details available online.
· May 24: Bob Jovi
· June 28: The Stolen Winnebagos
· August 23: JAM: Jackson and Mars
Overland Park – Best Farmers’ Market in the Nation
The Overland Park Farmers’ Market, named the Best Farmers' Market in the Nation, continues to bring the farm to your family table in Downtown Overland Park. Shop a wide variety of products including seasonal produce, hot food trucks, the best-picked flowers, and unique specialty items such as soaps, breads, wine, and pastas. Chat up the vendors, too! They are full of feel-good family stories and will educate you about their products. The OP Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And every Wednesday mornings beginning June 1.
Seneca – Museum Fest Offers Exploration for All
Seneca's Museum Fest beckons visitors to explore all five of Seneca's museums, welcoming them with free admission from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enthusiasts can enrich their experience by collecting passport stamps from three of the five museums, earning them entry into thrilling prize drawings. Moreover, the downtown area of Seneca will come alive with a craft fair, featuring local vendors and demonstrations, running concurrently from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Amidst this excitement, patrons can also indulge in leisurely strolls through the downtown shops. Adding to the festivities, live music by John Depew will serenade the streets from 1 pm to 3 pm. Seneca's Museum Fest promises a delightful immersion into Seneca's storied history and quaint charm, complemented by the vibrancy of its downtown. For more details, visit comeseeseneca.com/museumfest.
Topeka – Summer Adventures and Festivals
Topeka - Try one of these great summer adventures in Topeka! For more information on events and travel ideas, check out www.visittopeka.com.
· Old Fashioned Fun - Hop aboard the mini train for a mile-long scenic tour through Gage Park and ride a vintage 1908 carousel. Stroll through the Topeka Zoo and step back in time at Old Prairie Town.
· Hands-on Play - Explore the world of fun and learning at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center's indoor and outdoor play exhibits.
· Trains, Planes & Motorcycles - Tour Great Overland Station for a look at Topeka's railroad heritage, through exhibits and model train displays. At the Combat Air Museum, you can see more than 30 military aircraft from WWI to the present day. Venture downstairs at the Topeka Harley-Davidson and discover Yesterday's Motorcycle Museum filled with rare Harley's, tools and collectibles, and explore the incredible Evel Knievel Museum before it moves to Las Vegas later this year!
Summer Festivals –
• Mulvane Art Fair - June 1-2, 2024
• Sunflower Music Festival - June 21-29, 2024
• Fiesta Topeka – July 16-20, 2024
• For the Culture KS - July 25-28, 2024
• Kansas Book Festival - Sept. 28, 2024
• Aaron Douglas Art Fair - late September or early October
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