Everything You Need to Know About Shawnee, Kansas
Shawnee, Kansas is an affordable and beautiful suburb of the Kansas City metropolitan area. With a population of 65,000 and covering 43 square miles, a highlight is 1,600-acre Shawnee Mission Park that includes a 120-acre lake. There is occasionally confusion over Shawnee and Shawnee Mission. To clarify, Shawnee Mission, Kansas is a name created by the United States Postal Service to denote an area of Johnson County, Kansas that contains numerous towns, including Shawnee.
Blake’s Favorite Things About Shawnee
About Shawnee
Shawnee offers affordable housing, great restaurants and shopping, easy access to downtown, and fantastic outdoor activities at Shawnee Mission Park
Distance to Downtown
10 miles / 15 minutes
Outdoor Spaces
1,010 acres of city parks, Shawnee Mission Park with Shawnee Mission Lake, Tomahawk Hills Golf Course, Shawnee Golf and Country Club
Distance to Airport
25 miles / 27 minutes
School District
Shawnee Mission, De Soto
Amenities
Wonderscope, Theatre in the Park, Shawnee Town 1929 living history museum, Civic Center, two state of the art aquatic facilities
Walk Score
24
Gym
EverFit, Sweat KC, Snap Fitness, 9 Round, Planet Fitness
Bar
Bilski's Bar and Grill, Betty C's, Sharks Restaurant & Billiards
Closest Hospital
Advent Health Shawnee Mission, Shawnee VA Clinic, St. Luke's Shawnee
Shopping
Shawnee Station, Shawnee Village, Millcreek, Trailridge
Events
Scarecrow Festival, Third Thursdays, Tour de Shawnee
Fun Facts About Shawnee
Several notable figures coming from Shawnee are comedian Chris Porter, professional golfer Gary Woodland, and Julie Myers, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Best Restaurants in Shawnee
Café Equinox
Café Equinox – Coffee and Chlorophyll is a botanically inspired café nestled in Family Tree Nursery’s Shawnee location. Enjoy a wide range of coffee drinks, local KC pastries and more while sitting amongst a tropical paradise. Enjoy cozy indoor or greenhouse seating.
Country Club Café
Famous for their breakfast Rollover sandwiches, Country Club Café is a favorite of locals. What is a Rollover? Honey baked ham, egg salad, Colby jack cheese, chipotle mayo on toasted asiago bagel.
Old Shawnee Pizza
Since 1969 Old Shawnee Pizza has been dishing out a variety of menu options besides just pizza! You will find pasta, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. You will need to go back several times to try the specialty pizzas such as Mac and Cheese, Crab Rangoon, and Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
Kansas City families have been making memories at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant for decades. Order your food by table telephone and it is brought to you by an overhead train.
Bates City BBQ
Since 2000, Bates City BBQ of Shawnee, a father and sons crew, have been serving a variety of barbecue such as Hickory Smoked Ribs, Burnt Ends Sandwich, Combo Platters, and Chicken Strips.
The Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 1010 acres of city parks, Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, the Civic Centre and the City’s two state-of-the-art aquatic facilities. Over 500 classes, programs, and special events are offered for youth, adults, and seniors.
Tomahawk Hills Golf Course
Tomahawk Hills Golf Course, built in 1910, is the oldest golf course in the metropolitan area and ranks as one of the area’s most challenging public courses. Shawnee Golf and Country Club is Kansas City’s most affordable 27-hole Championship Golf Course, designed by Lyndy Lindsey.
Wonderscope
Wonderscope provides fun, dynamic exhibits and programs that integrate the arts, sciences, and literature for children 10 and under, their parents, and teachers from across the Kansas City area. LEARN PLAY GROW communicates the museum’s belief that children learn best through play and that through fun, imaginative, hands-on learning, they can grow to their fullest potential.
Shawnee Mission Park
Shawnee Mission Park is a multi-use, 1,600-acre park is located at 79th and Renner Road in Shawnee. It is the largest park in Johnson County and the most visited park in the entire state of Kansas. The park is home to numerous amenities as well as a beautiful 120-acre lake which is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and sailboarding with canoes, pedal boats, and fishing boats available for rent at the marina. The park has 11 spacious shelters, picnic areas, nature trails, play areas, an archery range, a 53-acre dog off-leash area, a disc golf course, and a place to enjoy mountain biking and horseback riding. A summer tradition that keeps audiences entertained year after year is The Theatre in the Park. It is tucked away on 10 beautiful acres in the park. This outdoor amphitheater presents Broadway musicals, concerts, and a variety of events.
Shawnee Town 1929
Shawnee Town 1929 is a living history museum that is a division of the City of Shawnee’s Parks and Recreation department. Visitors can experience a typical day in and around the 1920s farm community of Shawnee through authentic collections, exhibits, programs, and events. From March through October visitors can stroll through buildings and grounds featuring a farmstead, barbershop, typewriter repair shop, grocery store, funeral home, and cabinet maker. Costumed interpreters bring the era to life through a variety of programs and activities during special events and school group visits. Shawnee Town’s Visitors Center features a permanent exhibit on display, “Old Town, New City.”
In 2010, Shawnee was recognized by Money Magazine in its annual “Best Places To Live” survey, placing 17th in the United States. Shawnee was recognized for its affordable housing and median commute time. Whether it is a leisurely stroll on a walking trail, sailing on Shawnee Mission Park Lake, eating at the numerous restaurants, these resources play a major role in making Shawnee one of the most “liveable” communities nationwide.
