Kansas City Archives - Chrysalosity

Fall is finally in the air, and it's the perfect time to head out for some outdoor activities!

This week I took an impromptu trip to Louisburg, Kansas in search of fall fun! Living in Kansas City has been good for us, but my husband and I both grew up in small farm towns just like Louisburg. It was a treat for me to drive down a gravel road and get the old "one-finger-wave" again from other drivers out in the country!

I'm sure Louisburg is beautiful any time of year, but I can see why fall is a special season for this community. With towering trees and beautiful rolling hills, mid-October is the perfect time to take a day trip to the country.

First Stop: Louisburg Cider Mill

The Louisburg Cider Mill was such a fun experience and would be perfect for a fun weekend day trip with the family. Here you'll find a sizeable petting zoo, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and of course, the Cider Mill where all the apple goodness is processed!

You're in luck! The Cider Mill is hosting its 41st Annual CiderFest THIS weekend, October 5 & 6, so head on down to the cider mill for some yummy cider, donuts, sodas, and other treats. You can even buy some to take home at the Country Store, open year-round. Check out what I found!

Next Stop: Sunflower Orchards

I found Sunflower Orchards by total serendipity. I was navigating away from the Cider Mill when my GPS lost signal, and I ended up passing a road sign advertising for U-Pick apples! It turns out that you can't pick apples at the Cider Mill, but you can pick them at Sunflower Orchards, only 4 miles from the Cider Mill in Paola, KS.

Lance was very kind in showing me around the orchard and letting me try some of the apples while I was there. It turns out that the orchard also grows peaches in the summer months, so I guess I'll have to come back next summer for that! In the meantime, I enjoyed picking a variety of apples while I was there, despite the fact that it was 90 degrees!

Sunflower Orchards will be featured on the 2019 Fall Farm Tour, so make sure you check that out on October 19-20! You can also find them at the Overland Park Farmer's Market.

Last Stop: Powell Pumpkin Patch

For a wide variety of pumpkins and a fun corn maze, head over to Powell Pumpkin Patch for an afternoon of family fun! It's a short country drive from the Cider Mill, and it's definitely worth the stop. Their pumpkins are very reasonably priced at 45 cents per pound, and you can find other decorative items like corn stalks and gourds as well. Your kiddos can pick out their ideal carving pumpkin while you pick some colorful options for your decor!

This pumpkin patch only accepts cash or check as of now, so plan accordingly! They are open all October long, so head over while you can!

Weekends are Market Days in Kansas City!

The Kansas City River Market hosts over 140 vendors on Saturdays and Sundays all year round. It boasts the best produce and goods from local artisans, farmers and vendors from all over the Kansas City area. It's been operating in this area for over 150 years, from the very beginnings of Kansas City's roots.

Today I enjoyed a Saturday morning visit to the City Market, and it was an absolute must see! If you're planning a weekend visit to Kansas City, make sure the River Market is on your list. You'll find good coffee and restaurants in a vibrant local community, as well as unique finds you won't get anywhere else.