25 Best Things to Do in Lee’s Summit, MO

With a land area of 65 square miles, Lee’s Summit is one of the many exciting cities in Missouri.  

This beautiful city has a strong bond with the railroad, allowing visitors to board a passenger train at the downtown Amtrak station.

You’ll get good buys from the several retail shops that sell pieces of jewelry, clothing, home decor, fresh vegetables and produce, and more!

You’ll love wandering nature parks and trails and experiencing different cuisines.

According to World Population Review, the place's current population is 104,030, making it the sixth largest city in Missouri and the center of the community.

Whether you’re a foodie, a sports enthusiast, an adventurer, a nature lover, or want to have fun, this captivating city will keep everyone busy.

With 32 parks, 90 miles of trails, and numerous regional lakes, you and your family or friends will surely enjoy the best things to do in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Shop Till You Drop at Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street

Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street will take you to beautiful, temporary, and permanent public art such as Silica Rose, Sun to Moon Rotation, Raptor, Great Neighborhood Mural, and Wired.

You’ll find a colorful mix of unique housing options, businesses, inclusive public spaces, and cultural and family-friendly affairs at SE 3rd Street.

At Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market, you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, produce, flowers, baked goodies, meat, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Buy what you need or want at Arcade Alley, Bricks Pub, Calaveras, Cookie Jar Bakery, Dairy Queen Brazier, and Downtown Deli & Market by Flavor.

Don't leave Lee's Summit without a shopping day!

Ride a Horse at Sunset Trails Stables

Riding a horse is so much fun, so why not try and ride one at Sunset Trails Stables?

Here, you’ll learn how to ride a horse, celebrate birthdays, or even do company team building.

You and your kids will love and enjoy our mobile petting zoo & pony rides, or allow your kids to join the camp.

Take a hike at Sunset Trail and see spectacular views of other suburban Kansas City.

Sunset Trails Stables offers each visitor all-year-round trail riding with various options to suit your needs.

Enjoy Indoor and Outdoor Activities at Legacy Park

Whether you like indoor or outdoor activities, this community park has your back.

Located at 901 NE Bluestem Drive, Legacy Park extends to 700 acres and is exclusive to various sports and activities.

This incredible park features a gymnasium, cardio aerobics, cycle rooms, raised walking tracks, and community rooms, to name a few.

There’s also a 22-acre lake where you may rent kayaks, canoes, and bicycles at no charge.

Legacy Park also features an extravagant indoor pool with four 20-yard lap lanes, a hot tub, a 141-foot water slide, and numerous children's spray toys.

Sip Fine Wine at Stonehaus Farms Vineyard and Winery

If you want to taste the finest wine in Lee’s Summit, don’t forget to visit the Stonehaus Farms Vineyard and Winery.

It’s a family-owned and -operated business, which started in 1996 and continues its love for viticulture and the art of winemaking.

They offer the finest choice of wine.

You’ll love Abbecore, a dessert wine made from 100% Missouri-grown Vignoles grapes, and Chambourcin, a medium-sized French-American hybrid berry known as Joannes Seyve 26205.

Stonehaus Farms Vineyard and Winery also offer Apple Cranberry, Port, Moscato, Rose Red, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Vivant, and dry wine made from Cynthiana grapes, Missouri’s state grape.

Chill at the Diametric Brewing Company

Lee’s Summit’s Diametric Brewing Company is a relatively new brewery founded in the middle of 2018.

However, its fine beer craftsmanship has been renowned by many because of its exquisitely delicious craft beer.

Plus, it has a collection of fine bottles of wines and other alcoholic beverages as good as their craft beer.

They uniquely offer fruit-flavored beer ranging from apple, cranberry, maple, passionfruit, blueberry, and avocado.

If you are feeling mundane, refresh yourself with a mug of Diametric Brewing Company’s craft beer.

This place is where most locals catch up with each other, so it’s also your perfect chance to meet some of them.

The Diametric Brewing Company is at 949 NE Columbus, Lee’s Summit, to chill at this place.

They start serving beer from 4 pm to 10 pm.

Visit the Bryan C. Pottberg Park

Bryan C. Pottberg Park is unique from other parks in Lee’s Summit because of its inspiring story.

The Lee’s Summit city government developed a park to pay tribute to their son, Bryan C. Pottberg, a 25-year-old firefighter who lost his life during a rescue training exercise.

There, you will be greeted by a memorial statue of Pottberg.

The entire park spans across 25-acre land filled with a playground, swings, paved trails, greenery, benches, and picnic tables.

The park is a perfect place for an afternoon stroll with your loved ones or travel buddies.

The Bryan C. Pottberg Park opens to the public from 6 am to 10 pm.

To reach this park in Lee’s Summit, it is at 5200 NE Campground Rd.

Explore Nature at Winterset Nature Area

David Gale of FEL Lands donated this beautiful 10.2-acre park skirting Charles David Hartman Park.

Located on SW Pryor Road, Winterset Nature Area consists of a 0.95-mile woodchip trail that weaves through different kinds of wildflowers and trees, waterfalls, and wood bridges.

All year round, you’ll see some wildlife and several different Missouri native flowers, such as Rose turtlehead, Yellow coneflower, Cardinal flower, and Purple beardtongue, to name a few.

Don’t forget to try the 1.6-kilometer loop trail, generally considered an easy route that takes about 21 minutes to complete.

Winterset Nature Area is a friendly park allowing you to have great hiking, running, and walking experience, not to mention walking, hiking, birdwatching, and much more!

Explore the City’s History at the Lee’s Summit History Museum

Lee’s Summit History Museum, established in 1991, boasts a local history exhibit that tells you Lee’s Summit’s story.

It’s a highly recommended place to visit in Lee’s Summit for its unique historical city tour.

You’ll see artifacts, wares, old photographs, paintings, maps, keepsakes, and old garments from Lee’s Summit’s old times in this museum.

Touring around Lee's Summit History Museum usually lasts an hour or two, but it’s filled with a lot of fun and interaction.

Plus, it has a gift shop that offers unique souvenirs.

The Lee's Summit History Museum is at 220 SW Main St.

The museum opens every Thursday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Roam Around the Charles David Hartman Memorial Park

Lee’s Summit’s locals love to visit this place that’s been compared to the Missouri Ozarks.

In the park, you’ll get mesmerized by the 50-feet tall limestone bluffs carved into cliffs, boulders, and a majestic waterfall.

A trail that follows the stream will be your guide in exploring the entire park.

The park’s northern portion gives you a calming excursion through its forested groves and grasslands.

The Charles David Hartman Memorial Park stretches 17 miles long, including heading to Rock Island Rail Trail outside of Lee’s Summit.

Locals love to hike here because of its calming scenery with nature.

To hike at the park, it is at 700 SW Pryor Rd, Lee’s Summit.

The park is open from 5 am to 11 pm daily.

Score Great Discounts at the Summitwoods Crossing Shopping Center

Lee’s Summit is home to numerous shopping centers, some of them just a few meters away from each other.

The US 50 Highway is what that only separates Summitwoods Crossing and Summit Fair.

The Summitwoods Crossing is a lively open-air shopping center and dining destination in Lee’s Summit.

The shopping center offers everything you want and need.

Mainstream brands like Best Buy, Bath & Body Works, Lowes, TJ Maxx, Target, Ulta Beauty, On the Border, and Bloom Nails & Spa are found in this shopping center.

To visit this shopping center, it’s at 1700 NW Chipman Rd, Lee’s Summit.

The shopping center is open from 10 am to 9 pm.

Shop for Great Finds at the Summit Fair Shopping Mall

Lee’s Summit has several shopping centers aside from its downtown area.

One of them is the Summit Fair Shopping Mall.

Touted as a world-class shopping center, the Summit Fair occupies a huge space of about 500,000 square feet.

If part of your itinerary is to shop for great finds that aren’t found in your hometown, Summit Fair is your place to go.

Aside from specialty shops, it also has mainstream brands such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW, JCPenney, and Macy’s.

After your shopping spree, unwind at the mall’s spa or massage parlors;

There are also more than a dozen restaurants, cafes, and bars that you can choose from.

To get to Summit Fair shopping mall, it is at 840 NW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit.

This mall in Lee’s Summit opens from 10 am to 9 pm daily.

Breathe Fresh Air at the Blue Springs Lake Campground

Blue Springs Lake Campground covers about 720 acres of protected land and reservoir, which offers you limitless outdoor activities and relaxation together with nature.

If you’re looking for a place in Lee’s Summit to enjoy dozens of outdoor recreational activities with your loved ones, the Blue Springs Lake is your go-to place.

It has several amenities, such as campgrounds, fire pit, barbeque pit, benches, picnic tables, boat rentals, and many more.

The place is also one of the ideal destinations in the city to engage in water and land sports.

It’s more than just a typical campground, but a perfect outdoor destination you shouldn’t miss visiting in Lee’s Summit.

To visit the Blue Springs Lake Campground, it is at 5400 NE Campground Rd, Lee’s Summit.

The campgrounds are open from 9 am to 9 pm daily.

Take a Hike at Rock Island Trailhead Hartman Park

Until 1980, Rock Island Trailhead Hartman Park was a rail line that forged ahead of Cedar Creek, preceding rolling hills and straight a century-old tunnel.

The trail's surface consists of crushed rock, which becomes saturated when wet.

The trail starts on SW Jefferson Street in Lee’s Summit and ends 13.5 miles north at the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Missouri.

This rail line in Rock Island Trailhead Hartman Park is a foot and bicycle path.

It passes by proliferating suburbs and parkland.

Spend Your Afternoon at Miller J. Fields Park

To cap off your Lee’s Summit travel adventure, head to the Miller J. Fields Park for an afternoon relaxation.

The park was named after Lee’s Summit’s city employee Miller J. Fields, who contributes to the community’s development.

This family-friendly park is teeming with activities and fun without removing its tranquil vibes.

It’s considered one of the city’s best tourist spots because of its water splash park packed with locals and visitors every summer.

Plus, there are several playgrounds, sports facilities, and a zipline that you’ll find in the park.

Lastly, it has several well-maintained trails.

An afternoon hike or just simply sitting down at its bench will relax your mind and body.

To reach the park, it’s at 1301 SE 3rd Terrace, Lee’s Summit.

The Miller J. Fields Park opens from 5 am to 11 pm daily.

Cool Down at the Fringe Beerworks

Several breweries and wineries are found in Lee’s Summit.

One of the trendiest of these breweries is Fringe Beerworks.

Founded in 2016, the company is a small-scale brewery that operates in the downtown area.

It’s very popular because of its proximity to Lee’s Summit’s best tourist spots.

However, its craft beer speaks for itself.

They offer different types of craft beer, including their seasonal beer, which you should try out.

Plus, the brewery’s bar itself has a laid-back and cozy atmosphere that complements what they offer.

On special days, they hold various activities which add fun to their place.

To visit the brewery, it is at 224 SE Douglas St, Lee’s Summit.

They serve beer from 12 noon to 10 pm daily.

Eat Delicious Food at Third Street Social

In Lee’s Summit, the Third Street Social is popularly known as one of the top American-style restaurants that serve brunch, snacks, and dinner.

The restaurant owner aims to provide the locals with what the big city loves to eat.

They serve all-time American classics like meatloaf, burgers, steaks, fish n’ chips, pasta, pizza, etc.

In addition, they serve mouthwatering sides like the classic mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cheesy grits.

Ultimately, the restaurant is one of the most favorite hangout places in the city.

To dine at this famous Lee’s Summit restaurant, it is at 123 SE Third Street.

The Third Street Social starts to serve food from 11 am to 10 pm.

Contemplate at the Lowenstein Park

The Lowenstein Park is just a stone’s throw away from the Summitwoods Crossing Shopping Center.

It covers a total of 18 acres of open space, perfect for relaxing morning or afternoon walks.

Or perhaps, take a rest at the park after a whole day shopping at Summitwoods Crossing.

It’s a must-visit place in the city like most of its parks since it has well-maintained greeneries, picnic shelters, tables, and a playground.

Plus, it has a walking trail that stretches a mile with a scenic waterfall backdrop and rolling hills.

Lastly, Lowenstein Park is where you’ll find the Children’s Memorial Butterfly Garden that houses dozens of butterfly species.

To visit Lowenstein Park, it is at 25 NW Lowenstein Dr, Lee’s Summit.

The Lowenstein Park opens from 5 am to 11 pm daily.

Play and Relax at Longview Lake

Play and relax at the same time at Longview Lake.

Since it opened to the public in 1996, over a million visitors have visited the site each year.

It also hosts events and activities, including the famous Christmas in The Park holiday display.

This park used to be a part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Blue River Project to control floods, recreation, and other water resources expansion.

Recreational features include a four-mile nature trail, a six-mile bicycle trail, a balloon port, a beach, and corporate picnic shelters.

Longview Lake also has a family picnic area, fishing docks, a horse park, and a public campground.

Watch the Latest Movies at the B&B Theatres Lee’s Summit New Longview 7

If you want to take your Lee’s Summit travel adventure with a little detour, head to the B&B Theatres Lee’s Summit New Longview 7 and watch movies.

The theater is a local favorite to watch movies, so you might want to consider visiting this theater to experience how locals watch the latest Hollywood flicks.

It has an intimate atmosphere and a state-of-the-art surround sound system for an immersive movie-watching experience.

The theater doesn’t just feature movies but also hosts musical concerts and stage plays.

To watch movies at this theater, it is at 3241 SW Fascination Dr, Lee’s Summit.

Try Various Activities at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

Does the word "hunting" make your heart race with excitement?

You may go hunting for various animals, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, doves, and more, at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area.

This vast, 2,603-acre (1054-hectare) park features lakes, grass, crop fields, shrub plantings, forests, a picnic area, and a shooting range.

It is open year-round and is appropriate for people of all ages.

You may go out on the water, ride horses, or sit back and watch the birds.

There is also a lake designed for children's recreation.

In addition, there is a designated route for those with mobility issues.

Take advantage of the marvelous paths and trails and get some exercise.

Fishing is fantastic in the area's many lakes since they are home to many species like rainbow trout, bluegill, and bullheads.

Visit the Missouri Town Living History Museum

Located on East Park Road is Missouri Town Living History Museum, which depicts the events before and after the Civil War began.

Over 25 buildings dating from 1822 to 1860 stand on nearly 30 scenic acres.

The original towers from seven western Missouri counties are brimming with furnishings and historic tools illustrating the local lifestyle during the 1800s.

The self-guided tour also allows you to understand the story of the place through its heirloom crops and heritage breed livestock.

Visit Missouri Town Living History Museum and experience antebellum living.

Splash at Summit Waves

Everyone in your group will have a wonderful time at this magnificent water park and entertainment complex.

The Action River stretches for 904 feet (276 meters) and is a popular tourist destination.

You may choose to relax in one of the lazy rivers or challenge yourself in the six-lane lap pool, which is a fantastic alternative.

Put the youngsters to use at the water slides, playground, or zero-depth pool.

The park ensures it's always in immaculate condition, and the abundance of lifeguards ensures the safety of parkgoers.

Have some great refreshments in between.

This venue also plays home to occasional events such as family evenings and teen nights.

Roll a Strike at Summit Lanes

Challenge your friends or loved ones to a friendly game and roll a strike at Summit Lanes.

This fantastic bowling lane at SW Oldham Parkway offers more bowling tournaments than many other local bowling centers.

It’s a family-owned business operating for over half a century, offering beautiful activities.

You can choose between two great packages and celebrate your birthday in this great facility.

If you go hungry after an excellent game, you can grab a bite at the snack bar in Summit Lanes.

Express Your Creativity at Potter's Haven Art Workshop

At Potter's Haven Art Workshop, you can pick a ceramic item from the studio’s massive collection of pots, with items available regardless of age.

After you glaze it with paint, they will bake your masterpiece in their kiln and be ready for pick up the following Tuesday.

Creating your art is a unique option for regular family or friend entertainment.

Additionally, they offer a party function room at no additional charge.

Unleash your creativity and imagination at Potter's Haven Art Workshop on SW Blue Parkway.

Spice up Your Kitchen with Heavenly Olive Oils & Vinegars

You don’t need to become a gourmet chef to please your family’s appetite.

At Heavenly Olive Oils & Vinegars, you can choose from various olive oils and bottles of vinegar they sell on NW Blue Pkwy Suite A.

Buy extra virgin olive oil for its versatility, rich flavor, and health benefits; their balsamic vinegar also makes your dishes unique.

They sell more than 50 flavors of both, which you can pair up to make hundreds of combinations for cooking and salad dressings.

Heavenly Olive Oils & Vinegars also offers a wide range of gourmet foods, including spreads, salsas, handmade chocolate, seasonings, olives, bread dipping, pickles, and more.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’re done reading the 15 best things to do in Lee’s Summit, you might probably think twice that it’s not your typical suburban city.

For sure, you’ve read several posts and watched videos about this city, but there is so much to it than meets the eye.

To discover all the great things there, you should start packing your bag, wear your walk boots and bring that spirit of adventure with you!

This small city charm is waiting for you to give you a memorable travel adventure.