Loose Park

Tucked away in the heart of Kansas City lies Loose Park, a sprawling 75-acre. Meander through its lush greenery and discover the enchanting rose garden, home to over “3,000 roses of nearly 130 varieties.” Best of all, admission is free, making it an accessible retreat for all to enjoy.

Kansas City Ferris Wheel

For a unique perspective of the city, head to the Kansas City Ferris Wheel at Union Station. Climb aboard a private gondola, accommodating up to six people, and ascend to new heights as you marvel at panoramic views of the skyline. Tickets are $16.50 for adults. 

Tulip Festival

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on a countryside adventure at Fun Farm in nearby Kearney. There awaits the annual Tulip Festival from Apr. 5 to Apr. 28, a celebration of spring’s vibrant colors and natural beauty. With over 1.5 million tulips in full bloom, it’s a sight to behold and a photographer’s dream come true. Wander through endless fields of blossoms and pick your favorites to take home. Tickets are $21.95, offering access to a floral paradise.

Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden

Step into a peaceful world at the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, where art and nature intertwine in perfect harmony. Adorned with bronze sculptures by Tom Corbin, this tranquil garden boasts lush foliage, colorful blooms and playful fountains. With its free admission, it’s the ideal destination for those seeking serene moments amidst the beauty of spring.

River Market

Nestled just South of the Missouri River lies the historic River Market. Gather your friends and family at the heart of the region’s vibrant culture at The City Market, home to the area’s largest farmers market. Every Saturday and Sunday, year-round, over 140 stalls offer a cornucopia of fresh produce, flowers, delectable baked goods and an array of locally crafted treasures. 

First Fridays

Experience the pulse of creativity during First Fridays, a beloved tradition where, on the first Friday of every month, residents and visitors converge upon the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City. Immerse yourself in the city’s artistic essence as galleries, studios and businesses showcase the works of local, regional, national and international artists. 

Pickleball

Dive into the vibrant world of pickleball, an outdoor sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious beginner, Kansas City offers several pickleball courts waiting to be explored. From community parks to recreational centers, you’ll find diverse venues catering to players of all skill levels. There are websites to discover the perfect court for your next match. 

Monarchs Baseball Game

Step into the exhilarating atmosphere of minor league baseball at a Monarchs game in Kansas City. Root for the home team as they battle it out on the diamond. Tickets have a large price range, so attending a Monarchs game is an accessible and enjoyable outing for individuals and groups alike.

Hiking at Burr Oak Woods

Embark on a journey of exploration and discovery amidst the natural splendor of Burr Oak Woods, full of rolling hillsides, lush woodlands and meandering trails. This nature reserve offers a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness. Whether you’re an avid hiker or prefer a casual stroll, Burr Oak Woods is a great option with its scenic beauty and diverse ecosystems. 

Kansas City is home to a handful of truly amazing plant shops. The two I visited this weekend were Virgil’s Plant shop on Cherry Street and Verdant which is in the Crossroads. Both shops offered gorgeous plants and surroundings.  

Virgil’s offers a wide variety of plants, as well as plant care tools and merchandise. They have just about any house plant you can imagine. These plants all seemed high quality and well taken after. Virgil’s Plant Shop caters to a wide audience. They have both cheap plants for the average plant parent as well as rare and expensive plants for the plant connoisseur. Notably, they had an Albino Monstera plant that caught my eye. While it was a beautiful plant, it was far out of my price range. I focused more on the large variety of cute and affordable succulents. Something else that makes Virgil’s unique is the potting station. For a small fee, the lovely employees at Virgil’s will pot your new plant for you. In the front right corner of the store, they also have a neon sign which is perfect for people to use for photos. Something that I believe gave Virgil’s a lot of charm was the polaroids they had up around the shop of past customers sitting in that space. Another thing I appreciated about the shop was its well-designed merchandise. Their tanks and t-shirts reading “Loosen your Roots” among other sayings are also available online at the store’s website. I really enjoyed visiting this shop for the first time and certainly plan on returning. 

Verdant also offers a large variety of plants and flowers. In addition, this plant shop also offers small home furnishings such as handmade ceramics and candles. Their candles are made by Convivial, another local business located in Kansas City. My favorite scent at Verdant was Lavender Seed. Something that I thought was really cool is that once you burn through your candle and bring it back to Verdant, they will give you 50% off your next candle purchase. Another thing that makes Verdant different is that they also offer flowers. The flower bouquets they had in the fridge within their shop were beautiful and well-balanced. The bouquets I enjoyed the most were the mini bouquets on the top shelf. I also appreciated the dried flowers they had for sale. This is a great alternative for someone who enjoys plants and flowers but has a hard time keeping them alive. Generally, the shop, its plants and its employees were very welcoming and I enjoyed my time there. They had a lot of small details throughout the shop that made the environment warm and inviting. Many of their ceramics and various other products are available on their website. 

Sunny spring days call for a closet refresh to experiment with new style trends and plan the perfect outfit. Spring is the ideal opportunity to transition into a lighter, more carefree wardrobe for summer. To most people’s surprise, the 2000s are back in full effect with fun colors, mini everything and sheer styles. Ditch the winter coat and try adding a couple of these styles to elevate your spring closet. 

Anything grass green or neon pink

Grass green, a bright shade of green, and neon pink are going to be everywhere this summer. Green made a resurgence last year with the popularity of sage green and is back in a brighter shade. Neon pink is ever-popular with the Y2K movement and adds vibrancy to any outfit. The resurgence of bright colors is visible on your favorite celebrities and in stores. Try adding a pop of color with shoes, handbags or clothing this season.

Low-rise waists

Love them or hate them, low-rise waists in pants and skirts are back in style this spring. This trend is heavily reminiscent of the 2000s when low-rise jeans were everywhere. Brands like Zara and Free People carry slouchy low-waisted chinos, pleated trousers and jeans in a variety of colors. These pieces can be styled in a variety of ways: with a baby tee, sweater or even sports bra to create your preferred look.

Trench coats and blazers

Trench coats and blazers are classic closet staples that have regained popularity this season. They’re the perfect transition piece to add to an outfit during a chilly spring morning and remove in the afternoon. Blazers are now popular for casual wear, not just for the office. Opt for a white, tan or pastel color to add a brightening touch to your outfit. 

Exercise dresses

Wearing a dress to work out may seem strange but exercise dresses are part of the popular athleisure movement. Most are made of lightweight and sweat-wicking material, making them perfect for warm weather. They’re super comfortable and stylish for everyday wear, to run errands or go on a hike. You can add a light jacket for more coverage and warmth. A variety of retailers sell them, including Outdoor Voices, Nike and Aerie.

Oversized bags

Another throwback from the 2000s is back for this spring season. 2020 was the year of the micro bag trend and now big handbags are back in style. A bonus of these bags is the storage capacity. Oversized leather and canvas tote bags are popular this season and designer brands like Marc Jacobs have taken note.

Bermuda shorts

In the past few years, short shorts have been popular in women’s fashion. Bermuda shorts have made a comeback with celebrities such as Bella Hadid. They can add a more sophisticated look to your outfit and can be styled with a variety of tops. 

Platform shoes

Platform and chunky shoes have been popular for the entirety of 2022 and are here to stay. You can add them to a variety of spring outfits as sandals, sneakers, mules or heels. Platform shoes are very versatile so you can add them to a cute or sporty look easily. They add lots of personality and fun to your look. 

While rainy days may complicate outdoor plans, don’t cry about it. Some things are simply better on rainy days. April showers are common but don’t have to ruin your day. Here are my recommendations on how to spend your rainy spring days for the best results. 

Find your way to a coffee shop in downtown Kansas City. It is imperative that you find a coffee shop with – and this is very crucial – large windows. Do your homework, read a book and sip a latte all while watching the rain fall outside. 

Here are my favorite coffee shops with excellent windows for your rain-watching endeavors:  

• The Filling Station Coffee
• Vested Coffee 
• Opera House Coffee 
• Banksia

Make a moody rainy day playlist. This activity is best paired with the previous activity. Are you listening to moody music in a coffee shop while it’s raining? You are basically the star of a romantic comedy. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. If you do not want to make a rainy day playlist, you are more than welcome to use mine. 

Go to a bookstore. Nothing – and I mean nothing – makes me want to find a new book to read than a good rainy day. Kansas City has a lovely selection of bookstores to choose from. 

• Prospero’s Books – Located along W 39^th street, Prospero’s has three floors of used books to choose from. Your options for affordable books are endless. 
• Rainy Day Books – The name is appropriate and this little bookstore in Fairway, Kansas, is an ideal choice for a rainy day. 
• Afterward – If you want a cocktail to go along with your book perusing, Afterward is the place for you. This bookstore and bar in the crossroads is one of my favorite places to go, rain or shine. 

Wander around the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art or The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Both museums are free and easily accessible options for the perfect rainy afternoon.

Go for a walk or run. I realize people usually try to avoid going outside on a rainy day, but I find a walk in the rain rather refreshing. With the right music, I am – once again – convinced that I am the star in a romantic comedy. 

Find some comfort food. Rainy days always warrant something warm and comforting. I’d recommend Pho from the Vietnam Café, dumplings from Blue Koi, or the French onion soup from Aixois Bistro.

Watch “The Office,” season 8, episode 21. This is the episode where “The Office” tries to get Phyllis to say all of her rainy-day clichés by noon so Jim will buy them all hot chocolate. For obvious reasons, this is the perfect episode for a rainy day. You could watch the office or simply just burrow into your couch and re-watch the entirety of “New Girl” or “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”