Overland Park

Overland Park is a city in northeastern Kansas within the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is a melting-pot of both urban and suburban living. With 197,000 residents (2020), it is one of the most affluent cities in the U.S. == Understand == Overland Park is the largest community in Johnson County. == Get in == === By plane === Kansas City International Airport is about 45 minutes away and is the primary airport for the entire Kansas City metro area. === By bus === There is a bus to the overland park campus from Lawrence k-10-connector. === By car === Interstates 35, 435, and 635 with U.S. 69 pass through Overland Park. Roads are generally uncongested and nearly all parking in the entire city is free. == Get around == North and South streets are named while East and West streets are numbered. Metcalf Ave will take you just about anywhere, although at parts, it has many lanes and is a bit confusing. Before driving on this street, make sure you know where you're going and don't drive on it during rush hour (5PM-7PM), or expect to be sitting there at least an hour. State Line is the street directly between Kansas and Missouri, thus the name. One strange road name is College Blvd, but is mainly due to Johnson County Community College in western Overland Park. College Blvd is 111th Street, despite the confusing name. Also, 135th St turns into Santa Fe as you're heading West. If you happen to be on Santa Fe, that means you're no longer in Overland Park, you are in Olathe. Overland Park lies between I-35 (north) and 199th St (south) and State Line (east) and Quivira (west). === By bus === The RideKC from Kansas City also runs in Overland Park, read more there Kansas City#Bus service. The transit stops are on google transit and searchable there, except for the k-10 connector. == See == Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, ☏ +1 913 897-2360. The Deanna Rose Farmstead is basically a farm petting zoo for kids, which they get a large kick out of. There are ducks to feed, sheep to pet, playgrounds to climb on and hay rides to take. It's a great place to bring kids for a picnic or an outing. 1 Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179th St, ☏ +1 913 685-3604. Lots of trails both mulch and paved through the woods. Lovely wooden areas, gardens, and a large pond. You can even bring your dog, but it's only allowed on certain trails and you should clean up after it. $13, child (6-12) $1, under 6 free. (updated Feb 2021) == Do == Kansas City Curling Club, 12140 West 135th St. Corporate Woods Jazz Festival. Farmers' Market, 7950 Marty St (between 79th and 80th Streets, under the Farmers Market Pavilion). Sa & W, closed winter. The downtown Overland Park Farmers' Market is a thriving open air market offering produce, flowers, specialty foods and entertainment for the entire family. Kansas International Film Festival (KIFF), Glenwood Arts Theatre, 9575 Metcalf Ave (on the east side of Metcalf South Shopping Center), ☏ +1 913-642-4404. == Learn == Johnson County Community College is located at the intersection of College Blvd. and Quivira Rd. With 35,000 students, JCCC offers both 2-year and 4-year programs. Also, the campus is host to the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as an on-site food court and several coffee-shops. == Work == Sprint World Headquarters, near 119th Street and Nall Ave. Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd near Nall Ave. == Buy == There are two main shopping districts within Overland Park. If you want to venture north to Kansas City there is also the famous Crowne Center and Country Club Plaza which are especially beautiful around Christmas time when they are lit up with thousands of Christmas lights. 1 Oak Park Mall, 11149 W 95th St, ☏ +1 913 888-4400. With 1.6 million square ft of retail, it features JC Penny's, Nordstom's, Macy's, Barnes & Noble, and Dillards and many many more smaller shops. It also features great play areas for kids. (updated Sep 2020) 2 Town Center Plaza. This open-air mall is great. It features many high end shops, and a 20-screen movie theater. A nice place to spend some time. Scheels. Sporting goods shopping center with many goods and pieces of equipment for sale. == Eat == Garozzo's Ristorante. Mouthwatering spiedini and decadent tiramisu. Ruchi Indian Restaurant. BD's Mongolian BBQ. YaYas Euro Bistro in Overland Park, 7021 W 135th St, ☏ +1 913-345-1111. J. Gilbert's Steakhouse. Johnny Cascone's. Good Italian style food. They often bring in jazz singers and bands to play in the middle of the restaurant. J Alexander's. Taco Via, 8615 W 95th St, ☏ +1 913 649-3885. Mexican fast food. Wyandot Barbeque, 7215 W 75th St, ☏ +1 913 341-0609. Barbecue. Jack Stack Barbecue, 9520 Metcalf Ave, ☏ +1 913 385-7427. Barbecue. Crumbl Cookies, 6780 W 135th St. (updated Aug 2021) == Drink == The Peanut. Very smokey, but great hot chicken wings. == Sleep == Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park/Convention Center, 5001 W. 110th St, ☏ +1 913 491-9002. Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park/Metcalf, 6801 W 112th St, ☏ +1 913 451-2553. Mainstay Suites, 11001 Oakmont, ☏ +1 913 469-5557. Courtyard Kansas City Overland Park/Convention Center, 11001 Woodson St, ☏ +1 913 317-8500, fax: +1 913 317-8585. Courtyard Kansas City Overland Park/Metcalf, South of College Blvd., 11301 Metcalf Ave, ☏ +1 913 339-9900, fax: +1 913 339-6091. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 8787 Reeder Rd, ☏ +1 913 888-8440. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 10920 Nall Ave, ☏ +1 913 312-0900. Overland Park Marriott, 10800 Metcalf Avenue, ☏ +1 913 451-8000, fax: +1 913 451-5914. Residence Inn Kansas City Overland Park, 12010 Blue Valley Pkwy, ☏ +1 913 491-4444, fax: +1 913 345-0644. SpringHill Suites Kansas City Overland Park, 12000 Blue Valley Parkway, ☏ +1 913 491-0010, fax: +1 913 491-9242. Sonesta Essentials Overland Park, 7200 W 107th St (I-435 & Metcalf), ☏ +1 913-648-7858. Check-in: noon, check-out: 3PM. Breakfast, outdoor pool. $80-130. Embassy Suites Overland Park, 10601 Metcalf Ave (I-435 & Metcalf), ☏ +1 913-649-7060. Check-in: noon, check-out: 3PM. Free breakfast, evening Manager's Reception, two-room suite, refrigerator and microwave in room, free 24 hour fitness center, indoor pool, meeting rooms from $99. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Overland Park, 10100 College Blvd (I-435 & Metcalf), ☏ +1 913-451-6100. Check-in: noon, check-out: 3PM. Restaurant, guest rooms, free 24 hour fitness center, indoor pool, meeting rooms from $99. == Connect == == Cope == There are many churches in the area with many different denominations, although unity churches are very prominent. You can look in the local section of the Kansas City Star to find the location of one near you. == Go next ==