Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Leawood, Kansas

This prosperous suburban city is adjacent to the Kansas – Missouri state line, situated a short distance southwest of downtown Kansas City.

Continuously evolving, Leawood has seen its population more than double since the 1980s and is recognized as a prominent shopping destination within the metropolitan area.

This reputation is significantly attributed to Town Center Plaza, an outdoor mall that hosts numerous retail chains not found elsewhere in the Kansas City region.

Families will appreciate the recently opened parks, a splendid summer water park, and convenient access to notable nearby attractions such as the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, the Museum at Prairiefire, and The Regnier Family Wonderscope.

1. Town Center Plaza

Designed for the affluent community, Town Center Plaza serves as an upscale open-air mall in Leawood, featuring over 90 stores, dining establishments, and entertainment options.

Established in 1996, this mall includes several retail chains with no other locations in the Kansas City area.

Some of the prominent brands include Bonobos, L.L. Bean, Barnes & Noble, Loft, Macy’s, Pottery Barn, Gap, Sephora, and Banana Republic.

Your shopping experience can also transform into a full day of enjoyment, thanks to the AMC Town Center 20 and a variety of restaurants, ranging from Shake Shack to Cold Stone Creamery.

2. Park Place

This premium mixed-use development located on the north side of Town Center Plaza features various cafes, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.

Distinct from many developments of its type, Park Place creates the ambiance of a picturesque urban district with tree-lined sidewalks, street furniture, and the spacious Barkley Square, a central plaza.

This plaza hosts a farmers’ market on Saturday mornings from May to mid-October and features a charming ice skating rink during the winter months.

3. A Taste of Leawood

In September, Town Center Plaza hosts a food and drink festival showcasing the top restaurants from the Leawood Chamber.

Since its inception in 1998, A Taste of Leawood has grown in scale, featuring over 30 participants.

Guests can enjoy unlimited small tastings from numerous locally-owned establishments, offering a diverse array of choices from Kansas City-style BBQ to pizza, Thai cuisine, and French bistro specialties.

Admission includes four complimentary beverages, and there is often live entertainment to enhance the celebratory atmosphere.

4. Museum at Prairiefire

This museum, part of a mixed-use development from the 2010s, boasts a striking architectural design and is located in nearby Overland Park.

Since its opening in 2014, the Museum at Prairiefire has been acclaimed for its diverse exhibits covering natural history, art, culture, and science.

It also serves as a venue for traveling exhibitions from renowned national institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History.

Children will be particularly enthralled by the Dinosaur Exhibit, featuring complete fossils, skeleton models, and interactive activities like a fossil dig and a station for designing custom dinosaurs that come to life on a large screen.

Another fantastic resource for children is the interactive STEAM-oriented Discovery Room, which includes puzzles, live animals, and various science experiments.

5. Johnson County Museum

For a profound understanding of the history of Leawood and its neighboring areas, the Johnson County Museum is conveniently located in Overland Park. The exhibition titled “Becoming Johnson County” offers an intriguing narrative of 19th-century settlement and the evolution of lifestyles over time.

Visitors will learn about the histories of the Kansas, Missouri, and Osage peoples, dairy farming, suburban development, and the transformation of segregated communities into diverse populations.

The 1950s All-Electric House provides a nostalgic glimpse into the modern conveniences available post-WWII. Additionally, children can experience historical life through an 1870s farmstead, a market from the early 1900s, and a suburban community from the 1950s.

6. Leawood City Park

Enhanced with public art, this urban park is situated at the confluence of Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek.

Both creeks flow through unspoiled green corridors and feature trails along their banks. The Indian Creek Trail is discussed below, while the Tomahawk Greenway Trail extends south from Leawood City Park for 2.5 miles.

As a recreational hub in Leawood, the park encompasses 11 soccer fields, 6 lighted tennis courts, two baseball fields, two sand volleyball courts, and three basketball hoops.

The playground is a remarkable feature for families, equipped with brand new, accessible equipment. Leawood City Park also hosts seasonal celebrations during the summer, featuring a variety of activities and festivities for Independence Day.

7. Indian Creek Trail

Leawood City Park serves as an excellent entry point for this network of hiking and biking trails that traverse the southern Kansas City area along a serene green corridor.

The Indian Creek Trail closely follows the watercourse’s path, originating at its intersection with the Blue River in Kansas City, MO, where it connects with the Blue River Greenway Trail.

The trail winds through Leawood, linking several parks, and intersects with the Tomahawk Greenway Trail at Leawood City Park.

From Leawood, the trail continues through Overland Park, ultimately leading to its western terminus in Olathe, covering a total distance of 26 miles.

8. Leawood Aquatic Center

Open from Memorial Day weekend through mid-August, the Leawood Aquatic Center is a delightful public water park situated within Leawood City Park and adorned with trees.

The main swimming pool is Olympic-sized (50 meters), complemented by a zero-depth pool for younger or less experienced swimmers, a baby pool, slides, a diving area, a splash pad, and ample seating to relax.

Established in the 1970s, the pool has undergone several updates since its inception, becoming a cherished location for generations of Leawood residents to learn swimming.

9. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

This delightful summer destination located in Overland Park offers various fun and educational activities for children.

Founded in 1978, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead emulates a Kansas farm from the early 20th century.

This venue features flower and vegetable gardens, a one-room schoolhouse, and a picturesque fishing pond, along with nearly 250 animals, including birds of prey.

From April through October, a diverse schedule of educational programs, along with pond rides and horse-drawn wagon rides, is available.

10. Gezer Park

Gezer Park, inaugurated in 2009, honors Leawood’s connection with the Gezer Regional Council in Israel’s Central District, spanning over 10 acres.

Here, visitors can explore various intriguing features, including a wadi (seasonal riverbed), a Havdalah garden, and a replica archaeological dig site based on Tel Gezer, a location with historical remnants dating back 3,000 years and designated as an Israeli National Park.

These elements are complemented by interpretive signage, and there are two public artworks to appreciate: Harvest Tablet and Stones and Steps. The park is equipped with two shelters, as well as amenities such as a picnic area, BBQ grills, and restrooms.

11. Ironwoods Park

This expansive 115-acre park located in southern Leawood offers more than one might typically expect from a community park. A large facility here is the Lodge at Ironwoods, which can accommodate up to 500 guests for events.

The park also features the Prairie Oak Nature Center, which conducts a variety of educational programs, alongside the historic one-room Oxford School House, which has been reconstructed here.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy a challenge course that includes a rock wall, giant swing, and an alpine tower.

Other amenities include a large children’s playground, a multi-use trail, a pond, and an amphitheater for summer outdoor events.

12. Breakout KC Escape Rooms

Breakout KC at the Park Place shopping center is the highest-rated escape room attraction in the Kansas City area. For newcomers to escape rooms, teamwork (2-8 participants) is essential as you utilize various skills to solve puzzles within a themed room in a one-hour time frame.

At Park Place, Breakout KC features four unique rooms with difficulty levels ranging from 7/10 to 9/10, with captivating themes such as National Security, Undercover, Y2K, and Civil War.

These challenges are designed to be both entertaining and stimulating, ensuring participants feel engaged while offering the option to seek hints from staff if they’re struggling.

13. The Regnier Family Wonderscope

Another child-centric destination conveniently situated near Leawood, The Regnier Family Wonderscope is a children’s museum focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).

Targeted at children under eight years old, the museum features ten interactive indoor exhibits, including the towering Wonder Climber, KC’s small grocery store at WonderMart, a role-playing area at Kansas City Café, and the Creation Station that merges design and technology with arts and crafts.

During summer, an outdoor area that reflects varied landscapes of the Kansas City region, including urban, suburban, rural, agricultural, and natural environments, is available for exploration.

14. Blade & Timber Axe Throwing

In addition to escape rooms, the trend of axe throwing has gained popularity across the country, and it can be experienced at Blade & Timber located at Town Center Plaza near Macy’s.

Prior to participating, guests are required to sign a waiver and will undergo a brief yet comprehensive training session covering essential safety practices and throwing techniques.

Blade & Timber offers 12 lanes reminiscent of a bowling alley, but tailored for axe throwing, complete with targets, protective cages, and a whiteboard for scorekeeping. A full menu is available, with a focus on craft beer and BBQ, though there is a limit of three alcoholic drinks per person.

15. Ironhorse Golf Club

Ranked among the premier public golf courses in the Kansas City area, Ironhorse Golf Club has received a four-star rating from Golf Digest.

This links-style course is well-regarded for its meticulous maintenance, boasting pristine tee boxes, well-cared-for zoysia fairways, and soft but challenging greens.

The course design features subtle elevation changes on rolling terrain, making for a visually appealing experience. Modern amenities include GPS-equipped golf carts and multiple refreshment stations.

For practice, facilities include a driving range, a chipping green, and a dedicated putting green.