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    Swope Park

    3.6 (18 reviews)

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    Holly P.

    Swope Park is the greater park beyond the Kansas City Zoo. The best time to visit zoos is the off season. We went on an unseasonably warm day in December while in town for a wedding, and ALL the animals were out. The zoo has a lot of high key animals that you expect at a zoo. The penguin exhibit is not to be missed. Depending on the weather, they have a penguin walk where you can meet some of the penguins in person. The penguin exhibit also offers many different views above and below the water. The Africa exhibit involves a bit of a walk, but there are also modes of transportation that you can use for a little extra money. If you are able and the weather is okay, the walk is nice.

    JJ W.

    Swope is the 29th largest municipal park in the U.S. and could probably be considered one, if not the most beautiful park KC has to offer. The park houses Starlight Theatre, the Lakeside Nature Center, Equestrian Stables, Kansas City Zoo, the Blue River & Swope Memorial golf courses, 10 shelter houses, a number of picnic areas. Ok, so this sounds more like a city project that seems completely lacking in natural wonder, but Swope does have some great trails and a real sense of "untouched" landscape once you get down into the deeper areas of its 1,769 acreage. As I hiked through the trails, I was dodging spiders like crazy, destroying spiderwebs left and right. Be on the lookout for those booby-traps spread across the brush!

    Torn apart playground
    MB W.

    This park was one of the best back in its hey day but the park much like the surrounding area has gone way down. The parts of the park accessible by foot are the most ran down. Trash everywhere. Trash cans are running over. And its just not pleasing at all. I found a rubber next to the kiddie slides at the playground. We wont be back.

    Here for Ethnic Festival 2015.

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    3 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    15 years ago

    They have a decent disc golf coarse here in addition to the things JJ W listed

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    13 years ago

    I'm a senior citizen and have been coming to the zoo since I was a kid! Cool place!

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    Ask the Community - Swope Park

    Does Swope park offer rv camping? If so how do you make reservations?

    No not a safe place to try to camp

    Are there any trails i can run while visiting Kansas City, MO for thanksgiving?

    There are some trails in Swope Park. If you want to go.a little outside town, there is Tryst Falls in Kearney.

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    Review Highlights - Swope Park

    Swope Park and the Kansas City Zoo are a nice surprise in the center of Kansas City surrounded by homes, businesses and the city.

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    Jacob Loose Memorial Park - Loose Park- one of the main attractions- Rose Garden

    Jacob Loose Memorial Park

    4.7(122 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Great place to meet somebody and walk around…read more.. Very central location if you're coming from the south or from the north Biggest recommendation is figure out where you're gonna meet ahead of time so you're not driving around going as it near the tennis courts or the front or the rose garden that type of thing because it is about a mile around so there's lots of different areas to park

    If I were recommending a place to visit on a beautiful Kansas City day, then Loose Park would be at…read morethe top of my list. The open greenspace, the beauty of the paths, or even the rose garden in season makes for a sensational day at the park. There are photo op spots at virtually every corner of the park. If the fountain is going in the rose garden, then it is a popular place for a bushel of pics. The swale in the middle of the park, lined with bald cypress trees, offers many shady, comfortable spots for a picnic or just a rest. String yourself up your own hammock between trees and catch a cozy nap or a comfortable spot to read. Check out the raised placards for a memorial of the Battle of Westport, emphasizing Kansas City's part during the Civil War. Everyone loves a little history, and to do so looking to the west and learning about that conflict 160+ years ago, you can actually see it in your mind's eye. To place that memorial with beautiful green space is a nod to how Kansas City makes the most of its public real estate. Park in any number of lots or even find a spot on one of the side streets. Restrooms are open in nice weather, and there's plenty of spots in which to reserve a pavilion. Outstanding Kansas City landmark!

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    Jacob Loose Memorial Park
    Jacob Loose Memorial Park - Can you spot the tiny chipmunk peeking out?

    Can you spot the tiny chipmunk peeking out?

    Jacob Loose Memorial Park

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    The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden - The Buddha's Hand, a curious citrus fruit.

    The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden

    4.6(81 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Kauffman Gardens is such a peaceful gem in the city. I visited just after a heavy rainstorm the…read morenight before, and the whole place felt fresh, calm, and extra lush. The fountains were flowing beautifully, adding to the already relaxed vibe. I took my time walking through the gardens, viewing everything from different angles. There's something grounding about being surrounded by flowers, greenery, and the soft sound of water. It is the perfect stop to slow down and unwind after a busy morning and/or afternoon. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quiet, beautiful spot to clear your head, or just sit and be still.

    If you were looking for a place that can express the persona of Kansas City, then Kauffman Gardens…read moremight just be that place. The Gardens are relaxing, beautiful, exquisitely maintained, and open to all. Tucked in between the front lawn of the Nelson and the grounds of UMKC, this is a botanist's dream. Annuals and perennials alike are meticulously planted and cared for and the grounds are kept immaculate. Relax on a wooden bench near the reflecting pool and listen to the gurgle of the fountain or the splash of the jetted water. Enjoy the birds and the scents of spring or summer, tour the paths, and maybe take a photo or two. It is simply spectacular. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman were as close to Kansas City royalty as any couple in my lifetime. But they would *never* accept a title like that as their legacy of philanthropy lives on in our fair city. Both are interred here and maybe this is as beautiful of an eternal resting spot as they could have chosen. The Gardens, along with dozens of their other civic donations, live on in their memory. Parking is easy and access is open to all. Just know that pets are not allowed and photo shoots/ops are discouraged as well. You want a few snaps of the foliage or your loved ones? Sure, that can happen, but please don't bring a tripod and changes of clothing thinking this will be the backdrop. The Gardens are special and quiet and meant to be the serene enclave that encapsulates our city.

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    The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
    The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden - Loving the beautiful fall leaves

    Loving the beautiful fall leaves

    The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden - Fountain looking back towards entrance

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    Fountain looking back towards entrance

    Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park

    Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park

    4.0(3 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    Such a COOL playground in the heart of KC! The perfect…read moreplace for an after Science City/Crown Center/Union Station picnic and some more fun.

    It was a rainy day and our pool plans had been dashed. We ended up moving our play date to crown…read morecenter where the kids could explore their free fairytale land exhibit. After running amok with all the other children of KC indoors and having lunch, the rain had let up and we thought it might be good to get some more energy out before heading home. My cousin recommended we stop by this park, which she remembered was close by. To be fair, I had pretty low expectations but I was so pleasantly surprised by this cool spot. First of all, it's not a generic park at all. You've got a giant sea monster made out of concrete and play structure that is made have the look and feel of a pirate ship - it's so fun for pretend play, and such a unique concept for a public park. My kiddo LOVED the sea monster and got such a kick out of it. Aside from that the park is a really good size and you've got a pretty standard playset next to the pirate ship, some swings, and loads of things to climb on, including some play rocks, which I think is a nice touch and sort of compliments the unique nature of this park. 4/5 stars simply because there is some room for improvement - mostly in the restroom area, as they did not look clean/safe, so we used the good ole travel potty for our toddler and made our way home after playing. Overall if you're in the area this is a really fun park for kids and it's worth exploring!

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    Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park
    Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park
    Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park - Getting ready to eat lunch under one of the 2 or 3 picnic pavilions

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    Getting ready to eat lunch under one of the 2 or 3 picnic pavilions

    Swope Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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