Here we go, another month of pandemic weirdness. Infection rates seem to be rising, we’re still wearing masks, many events are canceled, and travel is awkward, if not hazardous. Plus, it’s insanely hot out there! So what’s a Kansas Citian to do? Is it possible to have fun in this town while social distancing? We don’t even have a beach! Well, the answer is yes. There’s plenty to do! Here are some of the coolest things to do in town this summer.
Landmark bingo
Make a list of famous KC landmarks and randomly—roll a dice, pull cards from a hat—place them on Bingo cards. Throw your family into the car and compete against another family. Time-stamped pictures to prove you at least drove by each locale are a must! Consider some fountains, the WWI memorial, Union Station, Boulevard Brewery, and anything else that comes to mind when you think Kansas City!
Express yourself
You’ve always wanted to check out your artistic side, but you’re always bogged down with life, working your 9 to 5 or whatever. Well, this is your chance to tackle some other hobbies. If music is your thing, check out classes at The School of Rock in Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, or Parkville. And the Kansas City Symphony has regular weekend streaming concerts for your listening pleasure. You’ve also got options at Crane Yard Clay if you’re more into the visual arts—they’ll even fire your piece once you’ve finished painting. They also have kid-friendly projects so you can keep the whole family busy. And though the Nelson-Atkins doesn’t have a lot to offer, there are a few virtual events that are worth checking out.
Cook a little more
And there’s always the hobby that keeps on giving and giving and giving. And that’s cooking! Whether you’re just perfecting the skill to cook for yourself or trying to become an expert so you can become everyone’s favorite host or hostess, cooking is a very valuable skill. The Culinary Center of Kansas City has online classes that send you an ingredients list before the event so you can prep ahead of time. So many options, from beginner’s fundamentals to more advanced holiday and regional favorites.
Get a food truck
Food trucks thrive at crowded events, like parades, concerts, festivals, and sporting events. And since nearly all of those have been canceled, they’re looking for other opportunities to make some money. So hire one for your block! Or your neighborhood. Invite friends and family and tell them to bring lawn chairs and picnic blanket. And if you really want to splurge, hire a local band or some friends with some musical talent. At the very least, get some Spotify and some speakers going. Try Melt Box KC, Taco Republic, The Waffler, or Cheesy Street.
Visit a farm
If you’re not already sick of Zoom at this point, use it to go visit a local farm! Storm Dancer Farm in Smithville is offering virtual Zoom calls to meet the cows, get a tour of the farm, or get a lesson in a variety of topics. They can host up to 100 participants, so gather your friends and family and get your questions ready. And the best part is that you won’t smell of manure when you leave!
Tour the gardens
A little fresh air and some vitamin D are good for the immune system! And during these trying, unprecedented times, Powell Gardens and the Overland Park Arboretum are both open to visitors. Powell is offering advanced timed tickets to ensure it doesn’t get too crowded. Meanwhile OP Arboretum has more than six miles of paved and wood-chipped trails through their gardens.
Go for a hike
Get out of your house and get a change of scenery. A good hike is a great opportunity for some safe exercise away from people and away from your precious couch. And believe it or not, there’s actually plenty of hiking and biking trails in and around the metro. If you’re out south, try Cedar Lake Park or Mill Creek Streamway Park. On the Missouri side of life is Little Blue Trace Nature Preserve, a 10-mile hiking trail and biking trail that circles the park.
There are also five different trails in Fleming Park and the Clermont Trail, which is near Missouri Town 1855, a living history museum of houses, barns, blacksmith shop, church, and more from the 1850’s. And if you’re interested in traveling to the northland, Parkville Nature Sanctuary, located 20 minutes north of downtown has three trails, each with varying levels of accessibility and difficulty.
A change of pace from your daily quarantine routine can be a very good thing! It’ll do wonders for your mental health, your perspective on your career and your motivation. For more help with finding the right job opportunity for you, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh