We live in the age of hustle culture – often prioritizing productivity, ambition and success over rest, self-care and work-life balance. But this is the only body we’ll ever have, so it’s time we flip the script and purposefully invest in wellness. Thankfully, healthy living is both good for us and fun, and there are so many options for activity, relaxation and nourishment in Overland Park! Read on for my personalized recommendations for staying healthy while visiting OP!
Relax While You’re Here
This is your vacation, after all, right? Isn’t that what vacation is for? So take a stroll through Overland Park’s most beautiful garden, sign up for a yoga class or book a treatment at one of our award-winning spas.
One of my favorite ways to de-stress on a weekly basis is hot yoga, sculpt and barre classes at my local studio. But I think one of the most fun things about travel is to try new workout formats and instructors and new-to-you studios. Find your zen through meditation and movement at Very Well, Darling Yoga, The Yoga Gallery and Fit Form Pilates.
If hot yoga sounds like a little too much exertion for vacation, maybe basking in the heat is more your speed. Whether you like it hot or cold, there are multiple options for cryogenic and infrared therapy in Overland Park, including In the Zone Cryo + Health Upgrades, Infrared Oasis, Restore Hyper Wellness or Sunlighten Day Spa. Or allow your cares to float away with salt, float and massage therapy at Salinity or KS Float Spa.
When it’s time for vacation pampering, treat yourself to the ultimate in relaxation with pampering spa services at Sunlighten Day Spa, Milagro Midwestern Spa and Collective or Salon Mission & Day Spa. Book a luxurious manicure or pedicure at Paint Nail Bar at Hawthorne Plaza. Pick your color and relax in their soothing fume-free environment. Gel manicures last up to three weeks, so you’ll look polished long after your return home!
To unwind in the evening, enjoy moonlight music at the Overland Park Concert in the Park series at Thompson Park or at the Summer Music Series at Prairie Fire.
It’s Easy To Stay Active in OP
Are you one of those hardcore people who sticks to working out specific muscle groups even on vacation? Well good for you … get those gains! Sign up for a drop-in training class at F45 or Overland Park Crossfit or use Classpass to try out participating local member gyms.
Or maybe your vacation calls for a workout that doesn’t necessarily feel like work. Well then you’re in luck, because there are plenty of options for active outdoor fun. In Overland Park, it’s easy to hop on a trail, pick up a pickleball racquet and get those steps in without noticing that you’re breaking a sweat.
Did you know? Overland Park is the number one pickleball-obsessed city in the U.S! Pickleball is easy to learn, fun to play and affordable. Take your racket for a ride at Chicken N Pickle, SERV and a variety of free public courts.
Stroll the nearly six miles of paved and wood chip hiking trails winding their way through the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Hike, bike, walk or run the 10 best trails in Overland Park here, rated by your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Not traveling with your bike? Your first ride is free with a Ride KC rental with bike pickup at a variety of locations. For a more technical ride, wheel into Erik’s Bike Shop to shop one of the largest selections of bikes in the US.
Eat Well Through OP
Indulge in a rainbow of flavors as you dine your way through Overland Park at all the healthy restaurant options and shop local markets. Mix things up and create your own salad, cool off with a smoothie bowl or indulge in vegan baked goods with your dairy-free latte.
On Saturdays, one of my favorite things to do is grab breakfast from a food truck and shop for local produce at the Downtown Overland Park Farmers Market, consistently ranked as one of the best markets in the country. Not sure what to do with your bounty of fresh produce? Sign up for a cooking class at the Culinary Center of Kansas City ‘Cooking from the Farmer’s Market’ on July 1 to learn healthy and delicious ways to use your produce.
If you’re working to please the palettes of your entire family while eating healthfully, it can sometimes be a challenge. If I were to pick, for example, a purely vegan restaurant, the smaller people in my family would revolt. But these local OP eateries are acceptable to all, offer options for all dietary styles and definitely lean healthier (and you don’t have to tell your kids.) You’ll find something for everyone at Strang Hall chef collective. In particular, Solstice by Chef Tim Healy features a seasonally fresh menu of minimally cooked and processed superfoods. The Mixx fresh-casual menu features salads, bowls, soups and wraps and emphasizes whole, real foods, local sourcing and from-scratch ingredients. The menu is easy to navigate by dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free.
McLain’s Market may be best known for their sweeter side, home to the cup cookie, but if you’re eating healthy in Overland Park you’ll want to try their seasonal quinoa and cauliflower rice bowls, salads and wraps and avocado toast. The Market Wrap is a delicious vegetarian lunch option and for a meat-free breakfast option, try the Veggie Burrito.
The Mediterranean diet is touted for its health benefits, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious! Delight your taste buds with local favorites like Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine, the Basha Cuisine and Yafa Cafe.
If you’re trying to hit your macros while traveling, Protein House is a health-food restaurant offering unprocessed, fresh meals ranging from shakes to lean bowls, all designed with your nutrition in mind. Vegan, vegetarian and quick-serve options are available. When I travel, I tend to indulge and enjoy my meals out, but sometimes I feel like I don’t want to eat out for every meal. Protein House, Lean Kitchen, Kitch, IO Nutrition and Eat, Fit Go all offer balanced grab-and-go meal options (some with free delivery) to help you stay on track without the hassle of meal prepping for vacation.
Not up for a full meal? Quench your thirst with fresh-pressed juices or nourish yourself with a smoothie, functional or protein power bowl at Nekter Juice Bar. Treat yourself to 100 percent plant-based baked goods alongside your dairy-free latte at Mud Pie Vegan Bakery. Gluten-free options are also available.
