According to Midwest Living, here are the top 10 ways to get active in Kansas City, Missouri!
Biking, disc golf, hiking—there’s no shortage of fun ways to get your blood pumping in Kansas City. And, you’ll find healthy eateries where you can fuel up for your active Midwest weekend getaway. Writer: Amy Lynch
1) Swope Park This scenic, sprawling 1,800-acre park has a swimming pool, golf course, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails—even a fishing pond. Even if you don’t have kids in tow, stop in the Lakeside Nature Center to learn about local wildlife and wildflowers. Then grab a map for a self-guided scavenger hunt.
2) 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. (816) 407-7242
3) Kessler Park Disc Golf Course Get a workout—as well as some great views—as you make your way around this rolling course that threads through wooded terrain and around an old municipal reservoir. Because Kessler Park is one of the highest points in Kansas City, you’ll catch some stunning overlooks.
4) Cafe Gratitude All organic, all the time. This vegan cafe in the Crossroads Arts District serves fresh flavors with fun names; try the I Am Comforted roasted sweet potatoes in mint coconut chutney or the I Am Transformed corn tacos with black beans, brown rice and guacamole. (816) 474-5683; cafegratitudekc.com
5) Car-Free Weekends on Cliff Drive An innovative Kessler Park program promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging visitors to swap their four wheels for two. The Cliff Drive gates close to cars at 2 p.m. on Friday and stay shut until 8 a.m. Monday. 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.
6) Mill Creek Park Fitness Trail Test your strength and stamina at 10 fresh-air fitness stations along a 1-mile path through Mill Creek Park. Each exercise works a different muscle group, and walking or running between stations provides a little cardio boost.
7) Blue Bird Bistro This cheerful Crossroads District cafe puts locally sourced organic ingredients to tasty use, and even grows herbs and produce in a garden across the street. At dinner, we enjoyed a hummus and spinach salad topped with Granny Smith apples and pecans, as well as an organic risotto with broccoli, tomatoes and portobellos. (816) 221-7559; bluebirdbistro.com
8) Kansas City B-cycle Rent a bike for an hour or a day from any of the dozen B-stations scattered throughout downtown, saddle up for a DIY tour, then drop your wheels back ato any station when you’re done. Six organized tour options center around themes like spa, coffee, veggies and art; pick up a free mapped route card at local shops and hotels or download and print all six from the website. (816) 205-7056; kansascity.bcycle.com
9) The Mixx Build a salad with your choice of greens, dressing and customized Mixx-ins that include fruit, herbs, veggies, nuts, seeds, proteins and grains. You can also create a sandwich or order tempting menu items such as a Mediterranean veggie wrap or Thai salmon salad. Two locations; mixxingitup.com
10) The Q Hotel + Spa Kansas City’s first green hotel promotes earth-friendly policies, such as conserving water, recycling, composting and using alternative transportation. Take advantage of free shuttle service to area attractions, or in warm weather, borrow a bike. The Q also offers day passes to Gold’s Gym. If you happen to overdo it, soothe your aching muscles with a Swedish or hot-stone massage in the on-site Q Spa. (816) 931-0001; theqhotel.com