These three Kansas communities offer a welcoming mix of outdoor adventure, top restaurants and popular attractions, all with easy access to Kansas City.

From Lenexa’s bustling City Center and trails, to Shawnee’s revitalized downtown and living history, to Merriam’s convenient shopping and unique art, each city delivers its own personality. Together, they create the perfect destination for a day trip filled with great food, local culture and memorable experiences.

Lenexa

Known as the City of Festivals, Lenexa, Kansas, knows how to heat things up with family-friendly events like the Chili Challenge, Great BBQ Battle and Spinach Festival. But no matter what day you’re visiting, the Lenexa City Center is packed with dining options, local shops and community spaces. 

DÎNER :

Start your morning at Lenexa Public Market, a food hall filled with international flavors and local favorites. Grab coffee and doughnuts at Mr. D’s or fresh pastries and breakfast sandwiches at Homestead Kitchen + Bakery.

Eight restaurant stands offer everything from Thai noodles to African cuisine, made-to-order pizza and more. Lenexa Public Market also hosts regular events like Family Nights and Friday Night Sound Bites.

Looking for more Lenexa dining ideas? Find traditional Algerian pastries, cakes and cookies at Algerian Delights or cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls and other healthy options at Enjoy Pure Food + Drink.

GO :

Lenexa is home to over 30 parks with sports fields, pools and miles of trails.

Get moving at one of the city’s most popular parks, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. With over 50 acres, visitors can walk around the scenic Rose’s Pond, start a game of sand volleyball or play on the nine-hole disc golf course.

Not far from Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, another local favorite is the 1,655-acre Shawnee Mission Park. This massive park includes a lake and marina, multiple hiking and mountain biking trails, an archery range, off-leash dog park, two disc golf courses and an outdoor theater.

APPRENDRE :

Next up, immerse yourself in Lenexa’s history, on display at the Legler Barn Museum & Depot in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The barn was built over 160 years ago in 1864 on the Santa Fe Trail and reconstructed in its current location in 1983. At that time, it was made into Lenexa’s heritage museum. 

The property also features several other historical structures worth exploring, including a restored Lenexa train depot with transportation artifacts and a replica bandstand.

BONUS:

What better time to attend a barbecue competition than while you’re in the Barbecue Capital of the World? Each year, Lenexa hosts the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, which was officially declared the Kansas State Championship in 1984. 

On Friday night, June 26, hundreds of pitmasters celebrate before the big competition. Guests can soak in the smoky atmosphere, enjoy live music, check out kids’ activities, and grab food and drinks from the concession area. Experience the energy of the event at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park before the focus turns to barbecue judging on Saturday. 

  • When: 4:30 to 11:30 p.m., June 26, 2026
  • Where: Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa

Merriam

Just a short drive away, local flavor, creativity and history blend together in Merriam, Kansas, to create an itinerary worth exploring. Easy to navigate and full of personality, Merriam is the kind of place where a great meal, a unique shop or a local park can become an unexpected highlight of your visit.

EXPLORE:

Art and history are sprinkled into Merriam’s everyday spaces, with murals and sculptures, plus historic stops and stories, across the city.

Inside the Merriam Community Center, the Tim Murphy Art Gallery features rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists and is always free to visit. Discover community-driven art initiatives, playful sculptures, murals and public art pieces across Merriam. Check out the newest installation, Growing Together and Seasons Steps by Milagros Collective, also located at the community center.

To step back in time, take a walk on the outdoor path of Merriam Historic Plaza, where interpretive panels share the story of the city’s heritage and progress.

Then see where desegregation began at the Walker School (now the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church). Learn about Black history in Merriam and the legacy that shaped inclusion in Kansas schools, five years ahead of the landmark Brown v. Topeka Board of Education case.

SHOP:

Merriam’s shops are full of personality and surprises, perfect for grabbing a quick souvenir or a custom gem to take back home and admire. Here are just a few recommendations:

  • Slater Street Antiques: Explore vintage-inspired finds inside a charming historic home.
  • KC Strings Violin Shop: This internationally respected specialty shop creates string instruments and serves musicians from around the world.
  • Treats Unleashed: It’s a favorite for those who unapologetically spoil their pets, offering healthy, gourmet treats, unique toys and all the things your furry friends will love.
  • The Sunflower Market: Find themed and trendy apparel, gifts and souvenirs with a nod to the local KC scene. Stop by to choose a custom tee or hoodie, made while you shop in-store.

For well-known retailers and easy browsing, shopping districts like Merriam Town Center, Merriam Village, Merriam Grand Station and nearby IKEA are all close-by for aisles of options.

DÎNER :

Merriam delivers big taste in a relaxed setting, perfect for a casual lunch.

El Pulgarcito is a must-visit for authentic Salvadoran cuisine, known for handmade pupusas, tacos and comforting, flavorful dishes. Find flavors for everyone at the new 30hop in Merriam that features an extensive selection of local craft beers, or for classic American favorites, stop by Hurricane Allie’s Bar & Grill, a longtime local hangout near the scenic Turkey Creek Streamway Trail.

Bonus: Nearby Hurricane Allie’s, check out the Kansas City sports-themed mural, a fun photo opportunity perfect for social media.

Shawnee

Musée de la ville de Shawnee 1929

Local entrepreneurs and local history thrive in Shawnee, Kansas. With global cuisines, live entertainment and historic spaces, the walkable downtown neighborhood blends small-town charm with modern experiences.

APPRENDRE :

Take step back in time at Shawnee Town 1929. At this living history museum, visitors can experience a typical day in and around the Shawnee farm community in the 1920s with authentic exhibits, collections and events. 

Shawnee Town 1929 features a recreated Main Street with local businesses like a car dealership, gas station, barber shop, and original schoolhouse. Then head to the farm where you’ll find an 1878 farmhouse, barn, chicken coop and more fun to explore. 

DÎNER :

In Downtown Shawnee, visitors can dine in a host of unique spaces including an old auto repair shop, a 120-year-old castle and a former bank.

Make dinner plans at one of these local favorites:

Then whether it’s happy hour or late-night revelry, grab a drink at one of Shawnee’s many craft breweries and cocktail bars. Favorites like Transport Brewery and Servaes Brewing Company, plus the innovative Drastic Measures and Wild Child, are all within walking distance in Downtown Shawnee.

GO :

Experience live music the way it was meant to be heard at the historic and intimate Aztec Shawnee Theater.

Originally opened in 1927, this former movie theater has been fully restored with its coral exterior, neon lights and marquee sign still a fundamental piece of Downtown Shawnee nearly a century later.

The theater now showcases local and regional musicians every weekend, plus comedy shows and movie nights. With throwback hits and up-close views, the Aztec offers an unforgettable experience for a night out.

BONUS:

Shawnee leaders are planning a special Americana & Ales Festival in 2026, featuring Grammy Award winners, a FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch party and craft brews. 

The festival will be split into two segments: a craft beer session for those 21 and older and a live music session that will be free for everyone. Americana and Ales will welcome Grammy-winning Bluegrass fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Grammy-nominated local rock band Making Movies, among many other acts.

  • When: 12 to 11 p.m., June 20, 2026
  • Where: Shawnee City Hall

Your Day Trip Itinerary

Here’s how to spend a day exploring Lenexa, Shawnee and Merriam, Kansas.

Some destinations on this route are not easily accessible via public transportation. If you plan to follow this itinerary, a rental car, rideshare or private vehicle is recommended.

Morning: Lenexa
  • Travel to the Lenexa City Center and have breakfast at the Lenexa Public Market.
  • Visit Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park and the Legler Barn.
Afternoon: Merriam
  • Drive to Merriam and have lunch at El Pulgarcito, 30hop or Hurricane Allie’s.
  • Browse some of the shops in nearby Downtown Merriam or Merriam Grand Station.
  • Take a short drive to the Merriam Community Center or Merriam Historic Plaza for local art.
Evening: Shawnee
  • Travel to Shawnee and visit Shawnee Town 1929.
  • Take a short walk or drive to Downtown Shawnee for dinner and drinks.
  • End the night with live music at Aztec Shawnee Theater.