Explore Merriam

05/29/2026

The big tournament is almost here — and we are READY. Here's a full-day's itinerary for fans and locals looking to explore Merriam! ⚽

☕ 8am — Fuel up at HomeGrown Kansas City Fresh, local, delicious.
🏃 9:30am — Hit the Turkey Creek Trail. Paved, and scenic with creekside views.
👕 10:30am — Step into The Sunflower Market and make a KC custom tee. Leave with a souvenir worth keeping.
🌮 Noon — Lunch at Tarahumaras Mexican Restaurant #3. Quesa birria tacos. You're welcome.
🎨 1pm — Peep local art at Tim Murphy Gallery inside the Merriam Community Center.
🏊 2pm — While you're there, grab a day pass to cool off at the indoor or outdoor pools. Sun. Vibes. Relaxing.
🍦 4pm — Grab a scoop at Betty Rae's Ice Cream. Ask about the new flavors just in time for soccer season.
🍺 6pm — Wings for dinner while watching a match at Hurricane Allie's Bar & Grill. TVs everywhere. Outdoor patio. The perfect ending to a great day! (KC match dates: June 16, 20,25, 27 and July 3 and 11).

📍 Merriam, KS — next door neighbor to KC!

👉 Plan your stay: exploremerriam.com/game-on

05/28/2026

😎 School is out, the temps are rising, and the kids will be restless before you know it. Be the cool parent on the block with these Top 5 Summer Activities...Merriam Kids' Edition! ⬇️

1️⃣Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark
2️⃣Pool Days at the Merriam Community Center
3️⃣Family Fun Fridays
4️⃣Betty Rae's Ice Cream Treats
5️⃣Kick it at Waterfall Park

🔗 Find more summer fun at exploremerriam.com

05/26/2026

☀️🚗 SHOP MERRIAM FEATURE: Kansas City AutoSport, Inc.

Summer road trips, rising temperatures, and busy travel schedules make this the perfect time to give your vehicle a little extra care! Family owned and operated in Merriam for more than 35 years, Kansas City Autosport is your trusted local alternative to the dealership for repairs and maintenance.

New customers can enjoy:
🔧 1/2 off an Oil Change Service
🔧 OR 15% off parts and labor services/repairs
(Max savings up to $250)

Kansas City Autosport specializes in European vehicles like BMW, MINI, Volvo, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, while also servicing all makes and models.

📍 6420 Carter Ave.
📞 Call or text 913-677-0707
📧 [email protected]

Be sure to mention “Shop Merriam” when scheduling! Learn more and explore additional offers at exploremerriam.com/shopmerriam.

05/22/2026

🍴 One thing's for sure...visitors won’t go hungry in Merriam.

From breakfast to dessert, Merriam is full of local favorites ready to welcome hungry travelers during soccer season in Kansas City.⚽

☀️ Start the morning at HomeGrown Kansas City with the seasonal Piña Colada Pancakes
🌮 Grab delicious pupusas for lunch at El Pulgarcito Salvadorean Restaurant
🍹 Enjoy happy hour bites and drinks at Hurricane Allie's Bar & Grill
🍔 Sit down for dinner at 30hop
🍦 And end the night with a sweet treat from Betty Rae's Ice Cream -- there's even a special flavor for each team coming to KC this summer!

With so many places to dine, visitors will find plenty of flavors to explore across Merriam.

👇 Tag your favorite Merriam spot to grab a bite in the comments, and help us welcome the world with great local food!

05/19/2026

➡️ Explore the newest art gallery located inside IKEA Merriam, open through July 19th! Heart of the Nation is a powerful celebration of culture, creativity, and community. In partnership with the African American Artists Collective KC, this exhibition is a must-see while in Merriam! 💙 💛

05/14/2026

⚽🎨 World-class soccer is coming to Kansas City — and so is world-class creativity.

Stop by IKEA Merriam to experience Heart of the Nation, a dynamic new art exhibition celebrating culture, creativity, and community just in time for the global spotlight on KC in 2026.

➡️ Friday, May 15 // Opening Reception // 6-8 p.m.
📍 IKEA Merriam, 6000 IKEA Way, 2nd Floor

🎷 Live jazz performances from Grammy Award recipient Everett Freeman, Blair Bryant, and Houston Smith
🖼️ Featured artwork including Heartland Rising: Golden Goal 2026 by Jeremy G. Bell
🎀 The official ribbon cutting of IKEA Merriam’s new gallery space by Mayor Bob Pape

On display May 15 through July 19, the exhibit features three rotating artist residencies each showcasing 14 artists whose work explores art, design, identity, and everyday living.

Whether you're a soccer fan, art lover, or simply looking for something unique to experience close to home, this is a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity and culture shaping our region.

African American Artists Collective KC
Kansas City World Cup 2026

05/13/2026

✈️Taking a summer trip this year? Don’t forget to pack a little piece of Merriam with you!

We'd like to see just how far the 2026 Merriam Visitor Guide can travel this summer. Heading to Fiji? Bring Merriam along. Road tripping across Kansas? Merriam’s in. Weekend at the lake? Perfect. ☀️

Snap a photo of the Merriam Visitor Guide at your destination and share it in the comments. Or, tag with your location and the number of miles you traveled from Merriam so we can follow along on the adventure!

From bucket-list vacations to metro staycations, let’s see where Merriam shows up this summer. 📸

05/12/2026

Merriam Park: Festivals, Then and Now

Spring in Merriam means one thing—Turkey Creek Festival is almost here! As thousands gather at beautiful Antioch Park this weekend, the community fun actually began more than a century ago as historic Merriam Park greeted thousands of visitors each day!

Back in the late 1800s, Merriam Park was the place to be. Once praised by former President Ulysses S. Grant as the “grandest amusement west of the Mississippi,” it drew more than 20,000 visitors a day with its beautiful lagoon, lively dance pavilion, zoo, horse-powered carousel, and lush landscapes crafted by famed architect George Kessler. Today, we honor that legacy with the charming Motherhood sculpture at Merriam Historic Plaza —a reminder of the park’s beloved zoo and its watchful mother bear and her playful cubs.

Just as thousands of people flocked to Merriam generations ago, we invite you to be part of Merriam’s ongoing story. Come celebrate the start to festival season at Turkey Creek Festival on Saturday, May 16 at Antioch Park--just a stones throw away from the former Merriam Park!

Let’s make new memories where history and fun live on.

05/12/2026

✅ Merriam businesses! Registration closes TODAY at 2:00 p.m. 🕑

Grab your seat for a FREE one-hour class on how to navigate the library's business database, DataAxle, on Wednesday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. at the Merriam Plaza Library! You'll learn to identify the ideal geography of potential new customers, find key contacts, and how to research local businesses and their competitors.

Register at the 🔗 ⬇️

Join us for a tutorial on how to navigate the library's business database, Data Axle Reference Solutions. Attendees will learn how to identify the ideal geography of potential new customers, learn key contacts, and how to research local businesses and their competitors. Great for small businesses or...

05/12/2026

Ready, get set, GO! 🎉 Our latest blog breaks down Hour-by-Hour Fun at Merriam's Turkey Creek Festival happening this Saturday at Antioch Park. Check out what’s in store and plan your perfect festival day! 🔗 👇

There’s no better way to experience one of Merriam’s favorite festivals than by planning your day from start to finish with this hour-by-hour guide to all the fun!