Leisure and Travel Blog

Summer is right around the corner - time to celebrate the warmth, the outdoors and the culture! We've rounded up top cultural events from the region for you to celebrate all summer long.

This true Japanese cultural event brings industry experts, voice actors, musicians, artists and more to the largest cosplay event in the region. For three days, attendees immerse themselves in the culture with panels about the language to cultural festivals and saké tastings to, of course, cosplay! We've rounded up Instagram photos from this past weekend to showcase the best of Naka-Kon 2017:  

This Spring Break, immerse yourself in the area's rich art and culture scene! Here are five destinations to add to your must-do list:

 

A post shared by Denisha Jennings (@americanbetty) on Nov 8, 2016 at 6:10pm PST

Perched on the southern edge of downtown Kansas City, the towering Liberty Memorial has stood for decades in memory of World War I. With the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial , Kansas City is home to an internationally renowned museum and memorial that includes a comprehensive history of the First World War, complete with original objects, documents, video and more. When you enter the museum, you'll cross over the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge, suspended over a symbolic poppy field that includes 9,000 flowers, each representing 1,000 deaths in tribute to the 9 million who died as a direct result of the war. In the heart of Kansas City's historic 18th and Jazz Vine District is the American Jazz Museum, a delightful and interactive space that pays tribute to the city's jazz history. Transport yourself back to the heyday of jazz with listening stations and then browse collections of photos, sheet music and posters. In the adjoining Blue Room, which resembles a 1930's-era nightclub, you'll enjoy jazz performances several nights a week. Note the nine tables on the venue's lower lever, which serve as display cases for Kansas City jazz artifacts like tickets stubs, musician contracts and more.

From homemade pies to Swiss chocolate to one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors, here are 5 sweet spots you need to make on your next visit to Overland Park.

 

A photo posted by Glace Ice Cream (@glaceicecream) on Dec 15, 2016 at 10:57am PST

Part small town main street, part Park Avenue, Park Place offers a compelling mix of retail, restaurants and entertainment. In the middle of it all is Barkley Square, a community green space that hosts activities and performances year-round, including Johnson County's only outdoor skating rink, open

There's no better feeling than uncorking a bottle of wine at the end of a day, sipping a big Cabarnet Sauvignon with a wedge of aged Gouda or sharp cheddar or savoring a Merlot with a perfectly cooked steak. And the pleasures of wine are perhaps intensified when you're on vacation, visiting a

Downtown Overland Park is an eclectic shopping district full of personality, multi-cultural restaurants, and locally-owned shops. Get your taste buds ready and your curiosity heightened as you explore Santa Fe Drive. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you in Downtown Overland Park:

The

The American Girl store inside Oak Park Mall is a little girl's dream! From the moment she walks in, she's surrounded by the iconic dolls: The Girl of the Year, BeForever, Truly Me, WellieWishers and many more. One of the best features in the store is the doll hair salon. She can pamper her doll

We've rounded up the best barbecue joints in town! So, work up your appetite and get ready to join the the great local debate - about which is the best sauce and who has the best ribs, burnt ends and sides. And be prepared to get messy. If your fingers aren't covered in sauce by the end of your meal, you haven't mastered the art of the 'cue.