Explore the Prairie
Just south of the Kansas City metro, Miami County invites you to slow down, wander backroads, and discover the quiet beauty of wide skies and small-town charm.
From lakes and wineries to historic sites, local boutiques, and prairie trails, there’s more to explore here than you might expect.
For a full county tourism map, visit:
👉 http://www.miamicountyks.org/676/Things-To-Do
🌊 Lakes, Trails & Outdoor Adventures
🛶 Hillsdale Lake & Surrounding Recreation
A favorite destination for boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching.
Swimming areas and hiking trails
Jayhawk Marina with watercraft rentals
Campgrounds and scenic overlooks
Additional nearby options include:
Miami County State Fishing Lake and Middle Creek Lake — stocked with bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish
Lake Miola (Paola) — peaceful park setting with paved walking and biking trails
🌊 KC Watersports
A lively cable-waterski park offering wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and sand volleyball. A fun warm-weather destination for adventurous guests.
🍎 Seasonal Favorites
🍏 Louisburg Cider Mill
A beloved local tradition. Open year-round with fresh cider, a country store, and viewing windows into the mill’s operations.
Fall brings festivals, donuts, and family-friendly activities.
🍷 Wineries & Distilleries
Miami County has a proud winemaking history and a vibrant modern revival. Many wineries host live music, food trucks, and relaxed weekend gatherings.
🍇 NightHawk Vineyard & Winery — Paola
Artisan wines ranging from sweet to bold reds with a cozy tasting room and shaded patio.
🍷 Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery — Paola
Known for sustainable practices and hand-harvested grapes. Live music Saturdays.
🍓 Fossil Springs Elderberry Farm & Winery — Paola
Unique elderberry wines with farm-based tastings.
🍷 Isinglass Estate — LaCygne
Kansas’s largest vineyard featuring slushies, yard games, and family-friendly grounds.
🍷 Bourgmont Vineyard & Winery — Bucyrus
Indoor and outdoor seating with tastings, live music, and food trucks.
🍷 Unique Experiences
& Evening Stops
🏫 Somerset Schoolhouse — Paola
A beautifully restored historic schoolhouse turned gathering place featuring:
a speakeasy-style basement bar
home décor boutique
relaxed back patio with drinks, cigars, and yard games
A favorite for date nights and girls’ weekends.
Website: https://www.somersetschoolhouse.com/
🛍️ Small-Town Shopping & Local Finds (Paola + Louisburg)
Both Paola and nearby Louisburg offer charming downtown areas filled with boutiques, antiques, and locally owned shops worth wandering through at an unhurried pace.
🌿 Paola Favorites
Bella B Decor
A curated home décor shop filled with vintage-inspired pieces, gifts, and seasonal treasures. Perfect for browsing and discovering something unexpected.
Fire Lake Soapery
Handcrafted soaps and body products made with care. A lovely stop for locally made gifts and self-care essentials.
🛍️ Louisburg Finds
Louisburg Market Street
Antiques, boutiques, and seasonal events make for a fun afternoon of treasure hunting.
Simply Selah
A thoughtfully curated shop featuring home décor, gifts, and unique finds.
Captain Cook’s Treasure Chest
A favorite for vintage lovers and collectors searching for hidden gems.
🐾 Wildlife & Night Skies
🐆 Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Nature Center
Rescue and education center for big cats and exotic animals.
🔭 Powell Observatory
Explore galaxies through a powerful telescope under Miami County’s dark skies.
🌿 Nature & History
🦆 Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
More than 5,000 acres of wetlands, prairie, and river-bottom forest.
Perfect for:
birdwatching
quiet walks
nature photography
fishing
peaceful reflection
Learn more:
👉 https://www.fws.gov/refuge/marais-des-cygnes
🌱 Wildwood Outdoor Education Center — La Cygne
Hands-on outdoor and STEM learning with trails, lakes, and seasonal programming.
🚴 Trails & Local History
Flint Hills Nature Trail
One of the longest rail trails in the country, stretching 117 miles through tallgrass prairie. Great for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Mile 0 starts the trail in nearby Osawatomie.
Local Museums
Miami County Historical Museum
John Brown Museum State Historic Site — Osawatomie
Osawatomie History & Missouri Pacific Depot Museum
🚜 Farms, Orchards & Local Agriculture
(Always check hours before visiting.)
Sunflower Orchards — seasonal fruit
Prothes Pecans — local pecans
Five Mile Farms — regenerative meats
Rocky Suns Farm — vegetables and poultry
Hill Arius Acres — goat milk, honey, eggs
Kansas Buffalo Company — bison products
PRO TIP: The spring and fall Miami County Farm Tours are always a hit!
🚋 Miami County Trolley
Spend a day wine tasting or exploring without worrying about driving. A fun option for groups and weekend outings. And they will pick you up right at the Schoolhouse door!
🌅 Slow Moments at the Schoolhouse
Some of the best memories aren’t found on a map.
Take a walk along the prairie paths, watch the sky change colors at sunset, or gather around the fire ring under café lights.
The prairie has a way of reminding you that slowing down is part of the adventure.