I recently went on a trip to Denver, Colorado and was able to take in some of the best views I’ve seen in my life, including Red Rocks, Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. These were scenic gems to see and experience, and all views I’ll most definitely remember that will stick with me. But those feelings quickly vanished on the drive back home when I remembered what I was coming back to. The mental whiplash of going from mountain ranges, colorful scenery and daily drives that guaranteed a beautiful view, to the eternal flatlands and farms that is Kansas was strong. That feeling sparked newfound motivation to find the scenic views that we do have in Kansas, and to appreciate those views for what they are. 

My search started off fantastically, with the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. This place was beautiful, and the prices are graciously reasonable, maxing at seven dollars. This place fulfilled the need for scenery and calming nature I adored from Colorado, from the hiking trails, gardens and prairie. It was filled with natural beauty and colorful varieties of plants and flowers, making it incredibly peaceful. This garden was a fantastic find, and it truly is a lovely place to take in the views and allows you to be at peace effortlessly. I cannot recommend it enough for any occasion, and it’s a spot I will absolutely be returning to. 

What I also appreciated in my search for these scenic views near us is the variety in which they can be found. The Botanical Gardens provided the beautiful natural scenery I sought out, but places like the Country Club Plaza provide more cityscape scenery and also provide that scenic view and atmosphere I was looking for. The Country Club Plaza is one of my favorite atmospheres and locations to visit for any occasion during any season. The architecture of the buildings in this area is unique compared to the rest of Kansas City, with a nice walkable layout and plenty of restaurants, shopping centers and locations for pictures. This all comes together to provide a delightful atmosphere and experience. It’s a favorite spot among my friends and I, and visiting during the wintertime is a massive bonus when you can view the unique lightwork displayed.

The process of exploring and finding these views began as an overwhelming success, and my opinion of the scenery here grew positively; however, there were still some disappointments. While researching to find locations to explore, I stumbled across Waterfall Park. I was caught off guard when I learned that we had a waterfall here and believed it too good to be true, but I was unbelievably excited. To my disappointment, it was too good to be true. What I saw was hardly a waterfall and more of a creek with the slightest decrease of elevation, with little to nothing to explore or take in. It felt more like a waste of time to see something I can find on a daily basis. I expected there to be disappointments in my search for views here, but the waterfall was exceptionally disappointing.

Another key factor in this journey was the distance required to see these sights. One of the best experiences I had was at Shawnee Mission Park with friends, but the distance makes it a rare experience. Shawnee Mission Park consists of a vast, gorgeous forest with a massive lake at the end of a beautiful creek. The experience of driving there and exploring this huge area not only brought beautiful sights but also a memorable experience for my friends and I. It’s worth the visit at least once to take in the vast view in Shawnee Mission. 

I found a variety of beautiful views in Kansas and places I wish to consistently visit more in the future to escape the otherwise barren everyday views. They obviously aren’t on the same tier as those exciting mountain peaks, ranges and natural marvels that I visited in Colorado, but there’s still plenty of sights to be seen here. They may take some distance and further exploration, but it absolutely pays off, and I appreciate what we have here in Kansas much more than I did before.