The leaves are starting to turn, and so are the flavors, scents, and events all around us. This month, our staff weighed in on its favorite fall experiences in the Kansas City metro.
Something about fall consumes me—the crisp air, the vibrant leaves, the cozy sweaters. But my true autumn obsession? A carrot cake cupcake from Housewife in Grandview!
These wonderful baked goods just rolled out on the menu, and you better bet I was there on day one to grab one. It’s like all the warmth and comfort of the season wrapped in a little paper cup. The spices, the sweet cream-cheese frosting, and that perfect moist crumb. Every bite feels like a love letter to fall itself, and I can never get enough. Stop by, support local, and enjoy a little piece of fall heaven while it lasts!
For me, autumn is the start of soup season. French Market‘s Grab & Go case is always stocked with a rotating selection of soups that are perfect for when I’m craving a bowl of yummy goodness but don’t have time to cook. I recently tried their carrot curry soup. I just heated it up, put it in a bowl, and swirled in a bit of crème fraîche (just ’cause it looked pretty). Delicious!
I love a fall day trip up to Lawrence! You can’t beat the beauty of the KU campus and all the great shops and restaurants on Mass Street. 715 is my favorite restaurant on Mass. I much prefer when football games are being played at KU, but I will have to wait until the new stadium is completed.
The Fruit Stand on the corner of Holmes and East Blue Ridge is my pumpkin place. It’s a great produce stand from late spring through fall—my wife and I about shout with glee when we see the signs for Black Diamond watermelons—but it’s extra special during pumpkin-buying season. Maybe it’s the backdrop of changing trees or the cool wind off the gravel lot, or maybe it’s just the diverse selection and kind staff. In any case, it makes me enjoy buying my pumpkins even more than carving them.
From pumpkin spice to pumpkin patches and everything in between, fall is my favorite season. And what is fall without a little spooky experience? I love going to Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt no matter how old I am! Plus, they do cater to the more mature audiences with their blood bag cocktails and syringe shooters. They have some new experiences for this year that I can’t wait to try. Maybe someday I’ll work my way up to The Beast and The Edge of Hell, but for now, I’ll enjoy my milder frights at Worlds of Fun.
For my family, the fall season doesn’t start until we make a trip to Weston Red Barn Farm. I’ve gone there ever since I was a kid, so it is very nostalgic for me. There is something there for everyone, with tractor rides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and a wide range of farm animals to see. My favorite thing to do there is grab an apple cider slush, order some warm apple donuts, and sit amongst the pumpkins.
