Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods Road Trip: Fall Fun in Kansas City
September 22, 2020
If your family is looking for a fun, relatively close-to-home getaway this fall, you probably want to put Kansas City on your list of prospects.
Apple Picking
A big favorite for locals and KC visitors alike entails visits to one of the many U-Pick farms and orchards in the Kansas City area. Almost all of these spots offer delicious cider to drink, some also offer outdoor activities like hayrides and such diverse products as other fruits (including berries), pumpkins, corn, donuts, cider, jams, jellies, and wine tasting.
These orchards have varied hours, depending on demand, so it’s always wise to call ahead before visiting to make sure they’ll be open when you plan to visit. Also, there is a wide variety of apples out there and some orchards specialize in one or two specific types. So if you and your family are partial to one particular type of apple, you’ll probably want to make sure that type is available at the orchard you’ll be visiting.
Pumpkin Patches
Although many KC-area pumpkin patches offer U-Pick options, they also often offer already-picked pumpkins available for purchase. Plus, pumpkin picking isn’t the only activity available in most of these patches—in fact, far from it.
The fun to be had in some of these spots includes everything from train rides, carousel rides, a pumpkin jumping pad, petting farm, pony rides, hayrides, corn mazes, hay mazes, bounce houses, pedal karts, duck races, zip line, photo opportunities and believe it or not, even more.
Take a Hike
Kansas City has some beautiful foliage that is particularly amazing to see in the fall, with all the changing colors. It also has a large number of parks and trails to choose from if you’d like to take a hike and immerse yourself in all that outdoor beauty.
Amenities in some of these spots include everything from fishing lakes, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking and biking trails, paddle boats, canoes, picnic shelters, and—you guessed it—more.
Renaissance Festival
Open weekends (except Columbus Day) through Oct. 14th, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival is a long-standing KC fall tradition. It offers live shows and tournaments, unique arts and crafts, authentic Renaissance-era rides, and some delicious food and drink. Giant turkey leg, anyone?
Parking is free and pets are welcome, but at a $10 charge per pet, which must be made in cash. There is a charge to attend, but tickets are $2 to $3 cheaper if ordered online or by calling. Most kid activities, of which there are many, are included in the price of admission. Artists and craftsmen abound – demonstrating period-authentic activities like jewelry making, cooking, chain-mail making, leather works, and blacksmithing.
Apple Picking
A big favorite for locals and KC visitors alike entails visits to one of the many U-Pick farms and orchards in the Kansas City area. Almost all of these spots offer delicious cider to drink, some also offer outdoor activities like hayrides and such diverse products as other fruits (including berries), pumpkins, corn, donuts, cider, jams, jellies, and wine tasting.
These orchards have varied hours, depending on demand, so it’s always wise to call ahead before visiting to make sure they’ll be open when you plan to visit. Also, there is a wide variety of apples out there and some orchards specialize in one or two specific types. So if you and your family are partial to one particular type of apple, you’ll probably want to make sure that type is available at the orchard you’ll be visiting.
Typically just a five-hour drive from most Ideal Homes & Neighborhoods, Kansas City offers many and varied fall delights for the family to enjoy.
Pumpkin Patches
Although many KC-area pumpkin patches offer U-Pick options, they also often offer already-picked pumpkins available for purchase. Plus, pumpkin picking isn’t the only activity available in most of these patches—in fact, far from it.
The fun to be had in some of these spots includes everything from train rides, carousel rides, a pumpkin jumping pad, petting farm, pony rides, hayrides, corn mazes, hay mazes, bounce houses, pedal karts, duck races, zip line, photo opportunities and believe it or not, even more.
Take a Hike
Kansas City has some beautiful foliage that is particularly amazing to see in the fall, with all the changing colors. It also has a large number of parks and trails to choose from if you’d like to take a hike and immerse yourself in all that outdoor beauty.
Amenities in some of these spots include everything from fishing lakes, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking and biking trails, paddle boats, canoes, picnic shelters, and—you guessed it—more.
Renaissance Festival
Open weekends (except Columbus Day) through Oct. 14th, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival is a long-standing KC fall tradition. It offers live shows and tournaments, unique arts and crafts, authentic Renaissance-era rides, and some delicious food and drink. Giant turkey leg, anyone?
Parking is free and pets are welcome, but at a $10 charge per pet, which must be made in cash. There is a charge to attend, but tickets are $2 to $3 cheaper if ordered online or by calling. Most kid activities, of which there are many, are included in the price of admission. Artists and craftsmen abound – demonstrating period-authentic activities like jewelry making, cooking, chain-mail making, leather works, and blacksmithing.