Leawood is a charming city in Johnson County, Kansas. There are plenty of activities to enjoy indoors here come wintertime, but what happens once the cabin fever sets in?
Winter weather doesn’t mean outdoor activities come to a halt. Leawood sees 14 inches of snowfall every winter, but the community offers various activities to entice cooped-up locals out of their homes to enjoy the winter wonderland.
Here are some great suggestions to get you and your loved ones out and about this winter.
Winter weather doesn’t mean outdoor activities come to a halt. Leawood sees 14 inches of snowfall every winter, but the community offers various activities to entice cooped-up locals out of their homes to enjoy the winter wonderland.
Here are some great suggestions to get you and your loved ones out and about this winter.
Choosing and Chopping Down Your Christmas Tree
There are few greater delights for kids than finding and helping chop down a Christmas tree for Santa to put gifts underneath. One favorite holiday activity in Johnson County is visiting a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm. Bring a huge, bright smile to your children’s faces by visiting Wilderson Tree Farm, Midland Holiday Pines, or Hessacres.
Ice at Park Place
The Ice at Park Place is Leawood’s only outdoor ice skating rink. It is open every day (weather permitting) from mid-November through February 27. The rink is the perfect location for winter birthday bashes, field trips, and special events and offers group discounts and charitable fundraising opportunities. The Ice is surrounded by seasonal festivities, terrific restaurants, and local specialty boutiques. Don’t miss special events like Skating with Santa, Royalty Skate, and Valentine’s Day Skate.
Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt
The neighborhood scoop is that Santa hides hundreds of candy canes around Cornerstone Park! Grab your kids and a flashlight and head to Cornerstone Park in neighboring Gardner on Thursday, December 16 to search for hidden candy canes. Registration for the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt is $3 for kids ages 2-10. Make sure you register ahead of time, as there will be no walk-up registrations.
Luminary Walk
Begin the holiday season with the festive family-friendly Luminary Walk. During the four weekends following Thanksgiving, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens transform into a winter wonderland.
Wander along the pathways to experience the magical Gnome and Fairy Villages, tranquil winter woods by candlelight, and the colorful Children’s Garden. There will be musical performances in four different locations and a special appearance by Santa in his Woodland Depot. The gardens are vibrant, while the quiet woods boast walkways lit with candles.
The event is spread across several dates to ensure you and your family won’t miss out! All proceeds from the event benefit the Arboretum.
Candlelight Stroll
Leave the kids at home, call the babysitter, and head to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for the adults-only Candlelight Stroll. This event is perfect for those looking for a quieter Luminary Walk that still features the glow of candles through the woods, glimmering light displays, live musical performances, and enchanting gnome cottages.
This kid-free version of the event is excellent for a wintry date night or outing with friends. In addition to the typical festivities, Embrace the Grape will sell wine and hot adult beverages to enhance your stroll through the mystical gardens. When you want to experience the beauty of winter without the kids in tow, add Candlelight Stroll to your calendar.
This kid-free version of the event is excellent for a wintry date night or outing with friends. In addition to the typical festivities, Embrace the Grape will sell wine and hot adult beverages to enhance your stroll through the mystical gardens. When you want to experience the beauty of winter without the kids in tow, add Candlelight Stroll to your calendar.
Christmas Card Lane
Drive to the neighboring town of Olathe for a free, front-row preview of Christmas Card Lane. Every night after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day, a subdivision of 200 homes in Olathe presents an extravagant Christmas decoration display tied together by giant Christmas cards with greetings from each family.
For 23 years, Christmas Card Lane has been a premier holiday destination for tourists and families looking for spectacular holiday lights. As visitors make their way into the Mission Ridge subdivision, they turn off their headlights and slowly drive down the streets, reveling in the festive display. Spectators can sometimes hear carolers singing tunes of holiday cheer.
Don’t forget to check out Paulie's Penguin Playground while you’re in town!
For 23 years, Christmas Card Lane has been a premier holiday destination for tourists and families looking for spectacular holiday lights. As visitors make their way into the Mission Ridge subdivision, they turn off their headlights and slowly drive down the streets, reveling in the festive display. Spectators can sometimes hear carolers singing tunes of holiday cheer.
Don’t forget to check out Paulie's Penguin Playground while you’re in town!
Kansas City Zoo
Take your kids to the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park this winter. With over 1,700 animals on a whopping 202 acres, the zoo is the most affordable family fun in town. Embark upon a journey around the world without ever leaving the zoo!
Your kids will love riding the Endangered Species Carousel before you take the tram to the award-winning Africa exhibit. Soar overhead to get a bird’s-eye view of hippos, giraffes, zebras, and more on the Sky Safari, landing at “one of America’s best chimpanzee exhibits” as proclaimed by world-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall.
Visit the Discovery Barn and Stingray Bay. Glimpse snow-loving creatures at Polar Bear Passage and Helzberg Penguin Plaza. Get up close and personal with orangutans, tigers, primates, and more as you stroll down Tiger Trail. Once your cubs have romped around the Tropics, catch the Sea Lion Splash and Wings of Wonder shows.
With so many animals to see and secrets to discover, you’re sure to create lasting family memories this winter when you visit the Kansas City Zoo.
Van Gogh Alive at Starlight Theatre
Starlight Theater is a nearly 8,000-seat outdoor theater in Kansas City that presents Broadway shows, concerts, and unique theatrical productions. It is one of the two major remaining self-producing outdoor theaters in the United States.
Presented by Starlight and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Van Gogh Alive is running now through the end of December. This sensational exhibition is the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. Created by Grand Experiences, this large-scale, immersive event is suitable for the whole family. Van Gogh’s work has been displayed and enjoyed worldwide for over a century, but never like this.
There is nothing typical or ordinary about this exhibition. Traditions of wandering through silent galleries and viewing fine art from afar are long forgotten as visitors find themselves enveloped by this brand-new and innovative way to appreciate artwork.
From beginning to end, visitors will be surrounded by a vibrant medley of light, color, sound, and fragrance. Van Gogh’s masterpieces take on a new life, giving visitors the sensation of walking right into his paintings, a feeling that overtakes them with magic, mystery, and discovery. People of all ages love attending this larger-than-life exhibit to view their favorite art from new angles and discover unique perspectives.
Mark your calendar now to ensure you don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Van Gogh‘s art in an incomparable fashion.
Presented by Starlight and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Van Gogh Alive is running now through the end of December. This sensational exhibition is the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. Created by Grand Experiences, this large-scale, immersive event is suitable for the whole family. Van Gogh’s work has been displayed and enjoyed worldwide for over a century, but never like this.
There is nothing typical or ordinary about this exhibition. Traditions of wandering through silent galleries and viewing fine art from afar are long forgotten as visitors find themselves enveloped by this brand-new and innovative way to appreciate artwork.
From beginning to end, visitors will be surrounded by a vibrant medley of light, color, sound, and fragrance. Van Gogh’s masterpieces take on a new life, giving visitors the sensation of walking right into his paintings, a feeling that overtakes them with magic, mystery, and discovery. People of all ages love attending this larger-than-life exhibit to view their favorite art from new angles and discover unique perspectives.
Mark your calendar now to ensure you don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Van Gogh‘s art in an incomparable fashion.
Considering this list of fantastic holiday activities in Johnson County, it’s easy to see why Leawood real estate is in high demand. Trent Gallagher is a driven and passionate real estate professional who works in the #1 office in the heart of Leawood.
If you’re looking for Leawood, Kansas real estate, and an unmatched home-buying experience, contact Trent today. His clients receive undivided attention and personalized service, guaranteeing an optimal real estate transaction.
If you’re looking for Leawood, Kansas real estate, and an unmatched home-buying experience, contact Trent today. His clients receive undivided attention and personalized service, guaranteeing an optimal real estate transaction.
*Header Image Credit: themunicipal.com
