Bonner Springs

The city of Bonner Springs, near the eastern edge of Kansas, has a small historic downtown area that looks a little tired around the edges, with several empty storefronts. However, new-looking streetlights, multiple awnings and updated trash receptacles suggest local interest in sprucing things up. Without a doubt, the big draws to Bonner Springs are the Kansas City Renaissance Festival and the outdoor entertainment venue Sandstone. The only other significant attraction is the National Agriculture Hall of Fame, which is surprisingly interesting but struggles to draw visitors beyond school trips and farming buffs. Stops might include the specialty toy and marble shop Moon Marble, the new Lotus Blossom Day Spa, the arty gift store Magnum Opus and the Roving Imp improv theater. Though Bonner Springs isn't really a dining destination, downtown offers a few restaurants, including Red Fortune Chinese and Fresero's Mexican, as well as the newer wine bar Bottle 12.