Explore the Prairie
Things to Do Nearby
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:
👉 The Miami County Website Here
🌊 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.