Outdoor Staycation in the Eastern Jackson County

Adventure is calling….right here in Kansas City!

All of our travel adventures are still mostly on the back burner as we begin 2021. But our wanderlust is still strong. As we look forward to the days where travel is safe and our favorite places open back up we stayed close to home and had the best staycation.

I surprised the kids with this new to them travel concept, let them each pack their backpacks and off we went!

It’s always exciting to check into a hotel and walking into Stoney Creek is pretty great when you’re greeted by a buffalo staring down at you! The masked and socially distant staff welcomed us and we were checked into our beautiful room quickly. After deciding who would get the top bunk we changed into our adventure gear and headed outside. The weather has finally warmed up and we wanted all the sunshine we could get.

Here’s how we spent our staycation exploring the outdoors!

Day 1

Bass Pro Shops

Located next door to the hotel we started with a walk around to see the indoor ponds and fish tanks. We were satisfied with the mask requirements and social distancing. The kids loved seeing and learning about the animals and watching the ducks. This is also a great spot to use the restroom before starting your walk around the lake!

Waterfall Park Trail
This is such a beautiful paved walk! One big loop around the lake, stroller friendly and the perfect length to get some fresh air without pushing anyone too hard. We began our walk out of Bass Pro parking lot and went clockwise. As you cross the bridge you can “lock in your love” and add your padlock to the many others for a special memory. As you circle around you approach the waterfall! Make sure you bring your cameras for all the photo opportunities. After making it around you can stop and play on the playground located in a forest setting. Don’t forget to walk down to the overlook to enjoy the views. We spent about two hours enjoying this walk and playing, which was the perfect way to kick off our staycation.

Swimming
One of the best parts of staying at Stoney Creek is access to their pool! They are taking cleaning very seriously and everything is sanitized regularly. The shallow end of the pool is indoors and the temperature is perfect! The kids were getting so much of that pent up energy out! To get to the deep end, swim under the wall and you’ll be outside!! Such a fun feature that the kids thought was so cool. The hot tub is currently closed, but there are plenty of lounge chairs to relax on while the kids swim.

Dinner on the Patio
Los Cabos restaurant is also located within walking distance and after our walk and swim we were SO hungry!! The outdoor dining felt very safe with spaced out tables and masked servers. Enjoy a margarita and some sunshine! Our server packed us up extra chips and salsa to make sure we had a snack for later! We also enjoyed being the entertainment for the night and dancing on the empty stage.There are lots of other great food options in the area if Mexican food isn’t your favorite.

The Suite Life
We love staying in hotels. We wanted to make sure we had enough time to enjoy our room while also getting in as many adventures as possible. We went down to the lobby and got movie treats from their pantry store (vending machine type choices). The rooms have mini fridge/microwaves so plan ahead and bring food. We all slept comfortably in the comfy beds.

If you wanted to enjoy a night out Main Event is so close, too. Their bowling has spaced out lanes, masked servers, and socially distant. Fun place for all ages to play, eat, and grab drinks.

Day 2

Breakfast. Stoney Creek offers a COVID friendly continental breakfast. Right now they have someone packaging your food so you can take it back to your room. We loved doing this and getting to eat comfortably and in our own space while watching morning cartoons and drinking coffee. This option is definitely one of those I hope it stays this way. We had plenty of time to hit up the pool before checking out too. Again, it was all to ourselves and so clean!

Fleming Park
Before you embark on this adventure, double check Jackson County Parks and Rec for updated hours and seasonal openings. There are so many fun options within the park.

  • Find a park shelter (we like Lake Jacomo, Shelter A) for a picnic!
  • Visit Missouri Tour 1855 for a peek into the past
  • See elk and bison up close (feeding is currently closed) at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure
  • Check out Sailboat Cove
  • Visit the Kemper Outdoor Education Center
  • Take a hike! So many family friendly trails to choose from. We enjoy the Larry Mattenon Memorial Trail.
  • Play and walk a paved trail at the Bryan C Pottberg Park

Make sure to pack lots of snacks, water, and good walking shoes! If you’re bringing babies, I would choose a carrier over a stroller for this adventure. The park has windy roads so if you have anyone who gets car sick, be ready! Bug spray, sunscreen and plenty of memory for all the pictures. This is a beautiful place to spend the entire day.

This outdoor adventure and Stoney Creek staycation experience was such good medicine to our wanderlust. We felt so safe with all the precautions put in place. We were able to enjoy this time during the week so the indoor activities, playgrounds, and trails were essentially empty. If your schedule allows it, I recommend visiting on a slower weekday versus a weekend.

I highly recommend planning a staycation this year! If an outdoors adventure isn’t your style check out these other Kansas City staycation guides.

Jess Rodenburg
I am a KC implant but couldn’t imagine ever leaving the Midwest. I grew up in Colorado, moved to the Caribbean in my 20’s, and landed here in KC. I have always had a case of wanderlust and travel as much as possible. Experiencing new cultures, meeting different types of people, and trying new food has been life changing for me and I want my kids to have that experience now instead of waiting until they are adults. Right now we are focused on US road-trips to see National Parks and all The World's Largest along the way. We are a homeschooling family! I like to over share on the internet about divorce, sobriety, therapy, and single mom life. If we are not on the road you’ll find me working on my social media management business, watching Grey’s Anatomy, or painting a mural.