Summary
This suburban city in the Kansas City area is situated along the border between Kansas and Missouri.
In Prairie Village, visitors can immerse themselves in Kansas City culture, sampling the renowned local barbecue and enjoying Kansas City jazz at the summer Jazz Festival.
Prairie Village boasts an upscale ambiance, evident in shopping and lifestyle destinations like Corinth Square and The Shops of Prairie Village. Both areas are outdoor centers adorned with public art that can be appreciated through a newly introduced Art Walk.
The community spirit is prominently displayed through Prairie Village’s numerous festivals, many of which take place at Harmon Park, a lush area teeming with amenities and connected to the Municipal Campus.
1. Johnson County Museum
This museum, located just moments away in Overland Park, provides entertainment and education for both adults and children, chronicling the history of Johnson County.
The centerpiece exhibition, Becoming Johnson County, narrates the journey of the last 200 years through the lenses of land, policy, and regionalism.
An impressive feature is the 1950s All-Electric House, which revives the wonder of the post-war era when a new lifestyle became accessible to suburban residents.
Moreover, the KidsScape area offers a hands-on glimpse into Johnson County’s past, transporting children back to a farmstead in the 1870s, a market in 1900, and a new suburb in the 1950s.
2. Harmon Park
Harmon Park serves as the premier outdoor venue in Prairie Village for events and family-friendly activities, conveniently located adjacent to the Municipal Campus at Mission Rd & W 77th St.
The Prairie Village Pool, operational from Memorial Day weekend, features a 50-meter lap pool, a leisure pool, a zero-depth wading pool, a diving pool, and two water slides. The Parks Department consistently enhances the amenities, with the recent addition of a skate park, attracting visitors from the entire metro area.
Facilities include ten tennis courts, play equipment for children, a disc golf course, and a lighted pavilion equipped with six grills.
3. VillageFest
Celebrated on July 4, VillageFest is a delightful community gathering at the Municipal Campus near Harmon Park.
The annual agenda includes a pancake breakfast, the Community Spirit award presentation, a pie-baking competition, and complimentary swimming at the Prairie Village Swimming Pool until 6 PM.
Children enjoy an array of activities at the Municipal Campus, featuring face painting, bounce houses, kiddie rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, and much more.
4. The Shops of Prairie Village
This outdoor shopping center exemplifies the ideal shopping experience, featuring over 50 stores, eateries, and services within a quaint town-like layout.
The Shops of Prairie Village are characterized by shaded walkways, fountains, ornamental shrubs, seating areas, and contemporary art installations, all of which encourage longer visits.
The retail options here cater to an upscale market, offering a variety of items from designer housewares to women’s apparel, specialty foods, floral arrangements, pet supplies, children’s clothing, and luggage.
This variety extends to the dining selections, which include Southern specialties, sushi, ice cream, fresh subs, macarons, pizza, French bistro dishes, bagels, and much more.
5. Corinth Square
Located along 83rd Street at Mission Road, Corinth Square is another fashionable open-air shopping hub. Established in the 1950s by developer J.C. Nichols, it transformed farmland into suburban development for veterans returning from World War II.
Within a few blocks, more than 50 diverse businesses can be found, including unique boutiques, a beloved independent toy store (Learning Tree), contemporary home goods shops, a day spa, yoga studio, and a broad selection of dining options, many featuring outdoor seating on communal patios.
In addition, Corinth Square often hosts various events, from seasonal festivities to store promotions.
6. Meadowbrook Park
This 136-acre park, established in 2019 in the southern part of Prairie Village, has undergone extensive improvements totaling several million dollars. A modern 10,000 square-foot clubhouse welcomes visitors and hosts various programs and events.
Meadowbrook Park includes three miles of trails that connect to the city’s larger trail system and feature low-impact exercise equipment.
Additional facilities encompass eight lighted pickleball courts, fishing ponds, three shelters, a natural playground, and an exceptional playground designed to attract families from far and wide.
7. Jack Stack Barbecue
For meat lovers visiting the Kansas City area, experiencing genuine Kansas City-style barbecue is a must. The essence of barbecue in this region is the method of slow smoking, utilizing various types of wood, predominantly hickory, along with a dry rub.
The resultant barbecued meats, such as brisket, pulled pork, beef ribs, burnt ends, or pork ribs, are served with a rich tomato-based sauce and traditional sides. Located within close proximity to Prairie Village is a branch of the renowned KC chain, Jack Stack Barbecue.
This establishment represents the second location of a chain founded by Jack and Delores Fiorella in 1974, which diverged from the family enterprise, Smoke Stack Barbecue, originally established by Jack’s father, Russ Fiorella, in 1957.
For those dining in groups wishing to savor multiple famous items, the Roundup platter, which includes brisket, pork spare ribs, pulled pork, and turkey, is highly recommended.
8. Lawrin Gravesite
For those near Corinth Square with an interest in horse racing history, a significant site is located just a few minutes away in a residential cul-de-sac.
At 59 Le Mans Court lies the final resting place of Lawrin (1935-1955), the winner of the 1938 Kentucky Derby, and notably the only horse to win this race that was bred in Kansas.
Lawrin was buried alongside his sire, Insco (1928-1939), on the very land where they were conceived. Woolford Farm, encompassing 200 acres, was a specialized thoroughbred breeding farm operated in the early 20th century.
The owner, Herbert Wolf, was heir to a chain of clothing stores, and his cousin was married to the renowned author Virginia Woolf.
9. R. G. Endres Gallery
The Prairie Village Arts Council oversees a vibrant local arts community, responsible for the R. G. Endres Gallery, located within the Prairie Village Municipal Offices.
This gallery serves as an exciting art space with bi-monthly exhibitions featuring regional artists. Additionally, it hosts four annual juried exhibitions: Future of the Arts (January), Art Of Photography (March), State of Senior Art (July), and State of the Arts (October). The gallery’s popular art receptions are typically held on the second Friday of the month at 6 PM.
10. Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
The holiday season in Prairie Village officially commences with a tree lighting ceremony at Corinth Square.
This annual event has been a tradition for over 30 years, fostering community spirit for a noble cause.
Typically, attendees can expect the presence of Santa Claus and K.C. Wolf, in addition to open houses in Corinth Square, carolers dressed in Victorian attire, a children’s choir, a drumline, cheerleaders, delicious treats, and hot chocolate.
The ceremony raises funds for the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Fund, supporting disadvantaged residents in need of assistance with maintenance, food, and utilities.
11. Art Walk
Initiated in 2021, the Prairie Village Art Walk is a summer endeavor led by the local arts council to showcase the city’s extensive array of public art.
One of the prominent advocates for this initiative was Jessie Cartwright, daughter of Anna Belle Campbell, the artist behind the iconic Homesteaders sculpture created in the 1950s.
This trail extends for 3.6 miles, from the Homesteaders sculpture to Corinth Square, with each artwork accompanied by an informative placard. An app is also available for an interactive guide throughout the walk.
12. Franklin Park
Franklin Park, named in honor of a former mayor, is a delightful green area located in the southern part of the city. A connecting trail facilitates access between Franklin Park and Meadowbrook Park, meandering through grassy spaces shaded by hardwood trees.
The pavilion can be reserved either in its entirety or for just the north or south segments. Facilities include grills located at both ends, alongside four electrical outlets and conveniently located restrooms.
Visitors can find tables scattered throughout Franklin Park for casual picnics, while recreational facilities include baseball and soccer fields, playground equipment, a sandbox, and a water play area ideal for children’s enjoyment.
13. Overland Park Farmers’ Market
Recognized as one of the best in the state, the Overland Park Farmers’ Market is located just a short distance away and should be included in summer itineraries.
Conducted on Saturdays and Wednesdays, this large-scale market features over 70 vendors, attracting shoppers from throughout the Kansas City area.
The market operates in a newly expanded plaza, featuring a striking steel-framed pavilion where visitors can discover a plethora of fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbs, cheeses, free-range eggs, spice rubs, flowers, nuts, cookies, olive oil, prepared foods, herbal skincare products, wine, candles, seasonal decorations, and much more can be found.
Every year, a vendor map is published, and a significant portion of the vendors are local businesses operating within a 50-mile radius of Overland Park.
14. Jazz Festival
The hill in Harmon Park transforms into a vibrant setting for a one-day jazz festival in early September, drawing music enthusiasts from far and wide.
Jazz aficionados recognize Kansas City as a significant birthplace of the genre, with its unique style developing in the 1920s and 1930s, bridging the gap between big band and bebop.
This annual celebration pays homage to a century-old musical legacy, paired with delightful food and beverages.
Typically, the venue opens its gates in the afternoon, inviting attendees to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an evening filled with entertainment until after dusk.
15. John Wornall House Museum
Just across the state line, visitors can explore one of the five surviving antebellum homes in Kansas City.
This Greek Revival mansion was constructed in 1858 by John B. Wornall, a member of a farming family who ventured into real estate, banking, and politics throughout the 19th century.
The Wornall family relocated from Kentucky to Kansas City, and notably, five individuals enslaved were reported on the property as late as 1860. Much of the house is believed to have been constructed by enslaved labor.
After the Battle of Westport in 1864, the property served as a field hospital for both Union and Confederate forces.
Renovated by the Jackson County Historical Society in 1967, the house now operates as a museum showcasing the domestic life of a prosperous family prior to the Civil War.
