When it’s time to spend your summer outside, there’s not often a lot you can do near where you live. Beating the heat while still having fun in the summer sun is as easy as visiting any of these 15 attractions that are perfect in this weather! Why don’t you add some of these to your summer list and enjoy this year to the fullest?
- Take a refreshing swim at Glen Elder Reservoir.
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr Glen Elder Reservoir is home to some of Kansas’ whitest sands. It’s the next best thing, when you don’t have easy access to a beach! Click here for more information on this destination.
- Zipline through the trees with Zip KC.
Zip KC Facebook Nothing’s more energizing than zipping through the treetops by the seat of your pants! They have couples zips, sunset, and even glowstick ziplining. What a blast! Click here for more information on this destination.
- Discover the magic at Overland Park’s Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Yelp From their nighttime walks to the array of different trees, this place is full of wonders. There’s also quite a few bronze statues that make the walk through this garden a lot more interesting. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Go glamping with Hoot Owl Hill.
Hoot Owl Hill Facebook “Glamping” is that word you might not have heard before, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Glamping is camping in style and comfort, and at Hoot Owl Hill, they know what’s best when you only want to be outside a little bit. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Discover natural Kansas wildlife at Cimarron National Grassland.
Kansas Tourism/Flickr My favorite place to sleep outside for a week is by far this location. It’s softer than your average lakeside campground, and the soothing sounds of wind blown grass are nature’s lullaby. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Support some of the world’s larger feline friends at Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory.
Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Education Center Facebook This curious kitty and its other, larger, friends are kept safe and healthy at this conservatory, which you can visit! They do live feedings, and if you’ve ever wanted to see a big cat up close, here’s your chance! Click here for more information on this destination.
- Take a walk through a fairytale garden at Bartlett Arboretum.
Bartlett Arboretum Facebook Bartlett Arboretum is my favorite place to sit and enjoy lush nature from the comfort of a bench and groomed pathway. 15 acres of land, filled with beauty from all over the world! (In tree form, that is.) Click here for more information on this destination.
- Gaze across the rocky waters of Webster State Park.
Webster State Park - Kansas Wildlife, Park, & Tourism Facebook Webster state park, and the lake that’s part of it, are one of my favorite places to hike, camp, and fish. It’s also a great spot for photographing eagles and other birds of prey, if you can spot them! Click here for more information on this destination.
- Visit the ancient bed of Kansas’ lost ocean at Monument Rocks.
Vincent Parsons/Flickr Also known as the Chalk Pyramids, this rock formation is the largest in Kansas of its kind. If you look closely, you’ll find tiny fossils from when Kansas was covered by an ocean. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Take a trip back in time at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.
Yelp This place is fantastic for families with younger kids, as it has a great petting zoo, and also teaches them about what life was like around 1900. The kids will be talking about it for weeks to come, for sure! Click here for more information on this destination.
- Adventure with friends and family at TimberRidge Adventure Center.
TimberRidge Adventure Center Facebook From teambuilding to family outings, you’re bound to have fun with the plethora of activities you can participate in here at TimberRidge! Archery, shooting, kayaking, there’s something for everyone here at this adventure park. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Make your camping weekend extra special at Milford Lake.
Acorns Resort At Milford Lake/Flickr Whether you stay at Acorns Resort or not, the views at this lake are nothing less than gorgeous. Anything you’d want to do at a lake, you’ll have fun doing here at one of Kansas’ prettiest lakes. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Slide your way into summer at Long Branch Lagoon Water Park.
Long Branch Lagoon Water Park Facebook Though this place was recently mentioned, I can’t express just how much fun I had at this water park after discovering it hiding in Dodge City this summer. Click here for more information on this destination.
- Grab your hiking shoes, and explore the wonders of “Little Jerusalem”.
The Wichita Eagle/YouTube This natural wonder of Kansas is truly wonderful, and also going to be open to the public soon for viewing. I’m so excited! Click here for more information on this destination.
- Find your inner nature lover at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Miguel Vieira/Flickr If sparse trees and swaying grasses are totally your thing, you’ll want to check out Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and it’s lush Kansas ecosystem. It’s a great place for hiking and photography, especially in the mornings! Click here for more information on this destination.
What are your summer plans? Let us know!
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
Glen Elder Reservoir is home to some of Kansas’ whitest sands. It’s the next best thing, when you don’t have easy access to a beach! Click here for more information on this destination.
Zip KC Facebook
Nothing’s more energizing than zipping through the treetops by the seat of your pants! They have couples zips, sunset, and even glowstick ziplining. What a blast! Click here for more information on this destination.
Yelp
From their nighttime walks to the array of different trees, this place is full of wonders. There’s also quite a few bronze statues that make the walk through this garden a lot more interesting. Click here for more information on this destination.
Hoot Owl Hill Facebook
“Glamping” is that word you might not have heard before, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Glamping is camping in style and comfort, and at Hoot Owl Hill, they know what’s best when you only want to be outside a little bit. Click here for more information on this destination.
Kansas Tourism/Flickr
My favorite place to sleep outside for a week is by far this location. It’s softer than your average lakeside campground, and the soothing sounds of wind blown grass are nature’s lullaby. Click here for more information on this destination.
Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Education Center Facebook
This curious kitty and its other, larger, friends are kept safe and healthy at this conservatory, which you can visit! They do live feedings, and if you’ve ever wanted to see a big cat up close, here’s your chance! Click here for more information on this destination.
Bartlett Arboretum Facebook
Bartlett Arboretum is my favorite place to sit and enjoy lush nature from the comfort of a bench and groomed pathway. 15 acres of land, filled with beauty from all over the world! (In tree form, that is.) Click here for more information on this destination.
Webster State Park - Kansas Wildlife, Park, & Tourism Facebook
Webster state park, and the lake that’s part of it, are one of my favorite places to hike, camp, and fish. It’s also a great spot for photographing eagles and other birds of prey, if you can spot them! Click here for more information on this destination.
Vincent Parsons/Flickr
Also known as the Chalk Pyramids, this rock formation is the largest in Kansas of its kind. If you look closely, you’ll find tiny fossils from when Kansas was covered by an ocean. Click here for more information on this destination.
This place is fantastic for families with younger kids, as it has a great petting zoo, and also teaches them about what life was like around 1900. The kids will be talking about it for weeks to come, for sure! Click here for more information on this destination.
TimberRidge Adventure Center Facebook
From teambuilding to family outings, you’re bound to have fun with the plethora of activities you can participate in here at TimberRidge! Archery, shooting, kayaking, there’s something for everyone here at this adventure park. Click here for more information on this destination.
Acorns Resort At Milford Lake/Flickr
Whether you stay at Acorns Resort or not, the views at this lake are nothing less than gorgeous. Anything you’d want to do at a lake, you’ll have fun doing here at one of Kansas’ prettiest lakes. Click here for more information on this destination.
Long Branch Lagoon Water Park Facebook
Though this place was recently mentioned, I can’t express just how much fun I had at this water park after discovering it hiding in Dodge City this summer. Click here for more information on this destination.
The Wichita Eagle/YouTube
This natural wonder of Kansas is truly wonderful, and also going to be open to the public soon for viewing. I’m so excited! Click here for more information on this destination.
Miguel Vieira/Flickr
If sparse trees and swaying grasses are totally your thing, you’ll want to check out Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and it’s lush Kansas ecosystem. It’s a great place for hiking and photography, especially in the mornings! Click here for more information on this destination.
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