Top 10 Things to Do for Active Travelers in Kansas City, Missouri
1. Tour the City on a Ride KC Bike
Pedal as long as you want with Ride KC's rental program. Check the website for details on classic bike and e-bike rides.
2. Go to New Heights with RoKC
RoKC, a locally owned and community-focused indoor climbing facility, is your destination for tall climbing, bouldering, youth climbing, yoga and more.
3. Explore Swope Park
At 1,805 acres, Swope Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. You'll find two golf courses, a nature center, fishing, hiking and biking trails, and the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, as well as fountains, community gardens and an outdoor amphitheater.
Related: Top Things to Do in Kansas City
4. Take a Lunch Break at The Russell
This flower-shop-turned-bistro serves up hearty yet healthy food. The day's menu might include grilled shrimp, a roasted root bowl and salmon avocado toast. Look for soup-and-sandwich specials.
5. Shop at City Market
Historic City Market (founded in 1857) sells everything from natural lip balm to chocolate croissants in the downtown River Market neighborhood. More than 40 shops and restaurants are open daily; on weekends year-round, a farmers market complements the mix.
6. Stay (and Play) at Crossroads Hotel
Crossroads might be Kansas City's most active hotel. A robust activities calendar includes rooftop yoga, boot camps, cycling meetups, a running club, urban hikes and more.
7. Check Out Bar K With Your Pup
You'll be drooling like a pup over Bar K, Kansas City's sprawling, tricked-out watering hole for dogs and their humans. Bar K is a fast-casual restaurant, bar and coffee shop with a 2-acre, off-leash dog park. Indoors and out, the entire place is dog-friendly. Visitors can lounge in Adirondack chairs, dine on healthy bites or catch live music in the beer garden while their four-legged friends chase tennis balls or sample a treat flight.
8. See Cliff Drive on a Car-Free Day
An innovative Kessler Park program promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging visitors to swap their four wheels for two. This is a designated State Scenic Byway, guaranteeing you'll see some beautiful natural features like woods and limestone bluffs as you hike, walk or bike. Check website for current care-free schedule.
9. Hit the Links at Shoal Creek Golf Club
Play on a nearly 7,000-yard course with varying elevations and a 25-station driving range/putting green. Golf carts are equipped with GPS to let you see exactly how far you'll need to hit the ball. After your round, relax on the outdoor patio at the 11,000-square-foot clubhouse and refuel with a beer and a burger at the Players Grill.
10. Skate at Crown Center Ice Terrace
For many Kansas City families, seasonal ice skating at this outdoor public rink is an annual wintertime tradition. The rink attracts skaters of all skill levels, and looks beautiful dressed in Christmas lights during the holidays. Rental skates available.