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J U LY 2 02 5
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
A Summer for Exploring
July 2025 PUBLISHER
Natalia Kreinbring Natalia.Kreinbring@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R
Katie Currid | katie.currid@citylifestyle.com
It’s the heat of summer, and time for our “explore” issue! This month, we’ve got lots of places for you to explore, whether you want to stay inside the 435 loop or hop on the interstate and get out of town. If you’re looking to hit the road, Diana Lambdin Meyer brings us a story about Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas. The national park features beautiful views and an abundance of wildlife, plus it’s surrounded by quaint small towns to pop into — just a two-hour drive from Kansas City! If you’re willing to stretch your drive just a bit further, Patrick Mulvihill brings us a travel story about the artsy city of Bentonville, Arkansas, filled to the brim with recommendations on hot spots to hit. I didn’t have any trips before I edited this issue, but I’ve added both spots to my list! We did a story a few years ago about ice cream spots in the Northland, and there are so many new places in town that I thought we were due for a new list! This time, I worked in an “adventure” angle, finding some of the more wacky and interesting ice cream, frozen yogurt or snow cone flavors at spots throughout the Northland. I don’t know about you, but an ice cream run is at least a weekly treat in our household, but you may need to double that to get through this list before summer is over. I hope wherever the summer takes you, that you have fun, relax a bit and have some sort of adventure. Until next month,
AC C O U N T M AN AG E R
Jessica Whitner | jessica.whitner@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Diana Lambdin Meyer, Patrick Mulvihill C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S
Risa Canseco, Bruce N. Meyer, Anna Petrow, Hannah Schreiner
Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt COO Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
K AT I E C U R R I D , E D I T O R @NORTHLANDCITYLIFESTYLE
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Northland City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Northland area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle
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Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Northland City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
Candi c: 816-591-5590 Ashley c: 816-728-2253 SweeneyTeamKC@ReeceNichols.com
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inside the issue JU LY 2 0 2 5 | EX P LO R E
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Featured
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20 24 32 6
Where the Bison Roam
A two-hour drive from Kansas City leads you to untouched tall grass prairie and adventure
24 On the Cover
Departments
Kids enjoy adventurous ice cream flavors from Melt Box Ice Cream in North Kansas City.
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Lifestyle Letter
8
City Scene
10
Business Monthly
14
Off Road TRAVEL
20
Home Update HOME + DESIGN
24
Travel Journal ARTS + CULTURE
32
Hot Spot FOOD + BEVERAGE
40
Events
Backyard Magic
A Liberty family business brings backyard visions to life
Bentonville
The Northwest Arkansas city is more than Walmart's birthplace
Scoop, There It Is
Take an adventure with Northland ice cream flavors this summer
Photography: Hannah Schreiner
816-599-3610
100 W. KANSAS ST.,
TIGERPOOLANDPATIO.COM
LIBERTY, MO 64068
VTIGERPOOLANDPATIO
Kansas City’s Premier Custom Pool Contractor At Tiger Pool and Patio, we’re dedicated to turning your everyday spaces into extraordinary retreats. Our mission is to offer a VIP customer experience that makes your journey with us exceptional from start to finish. We recognize that your outdoor area is an extension of your lifestyle, and we’re here to help you craft a personalized oasis that mirrors your distinctive style and preferences. Partner with us to create a space that truly reflects your dream backyard oasis.
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J U LY 2 0 2 5
city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
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BRUCE N. MEYER BRUCE N. MEYER
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BRUCE N. MEYER
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RISA CANSECO
RISA CANSECO
BRUCE N. MEYER
1: Parkville Parks and Recreation director Brittanie Propes speaks during the opening of Gateway Park. 2: Celeste Lupercio, Ron Canseco and Janet Canseco cut the ribbon for Gateway Park. 3: Pinecrest Neighborhood Leader Janet Canseco speaks during the new Gateway Park ribbon-cutting ceremony. 4: Parkville mayor Dean Katerndahl speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Gateway Park. 5: The land for Parkville's Gateway Park was donated by Kevin and Sandra Green in 2005. 6: People gathered on Friday, May 16th for the ribbon cutting ceremony of Gatway Park. 7: Flamingoes decorated the new Gateway Park during its ribbon-cutting ceremony for Pinecrest Flamingo Friday.
Want to be seen in the magazine? TA G Y O U R I N S TA G R A M P H O T O S W I T H @ N O R T H L A N D C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E
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C I T Y SC E N E
Not Every Kid Joins a Team.
Some Join a Studio. AT ORANGE EASEL, KIDS WHO LOVE MAKING ART
FIND THEIR PLACE AND THEIR PEOPLE . Some children love basketball. Or dance. Or soccer. Some children love making art. For those kiddos, there’s Orange Easel. Founded in 2014, Orange Easel offers weekly, age-appropriate art classes to help young artists hone their skills, explore new media, build confidence, and develop their unique artistic voice. Classes are small and there are no cookiecutter craft projects here! Artists apply their skills to the compositions they choose, celebrating each child's creativity and individuality.
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249 W Mill St Ste 107 LIBERTY MO 64068 816-407-9266
www.OrangeEaselArt.com JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D
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J U LY 2 0 2 5
s i d l i h c y r e v e e r e Wh d n i k a f one-o
business monthly A ROUNDUP OF NEWS F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S
Row House-Parkville is not just for rowing
New Hope
Montessori School Love · Learn · Grow
This spring, Row House introduced a new strength and recovery program. These classes together will improve performance, prevent injury, and promote long term health. Strength training builds muscle, increases metabolism, improves bone density, boosts athletic performance and prevents injury. Recovery training allows the body to repair and grow stronger, reduces burnout, supports mental health and improves mobility and flexibility. Row House is excited to be evolving to enhance the health and wellness of our members.
Scan to read more
We provide a positive & nurturing environment for children from birth to third grade. Now Accepting Teaching Applications 816.326.8878 | NewHopeMontessoriSchool.com 4166 NW Barry Rd, KCMO 64154 CONTINUED >
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Explore Oakhill, an independent private school in Northland Kansas City, where students thrive and potential unfolds. From Pretoddler (18-months) through Grade 12, our community empowers growth, values uniqueness, and inspires excellence in every student.
Now enrolling students in Grades Pretoddler (age 18-months) - 12th Grade
From Learners to Leaders Your Story Unfolds at Oakhill
Kansas City Northern Railroad in need of donations for expansion The Kansas City Northern Railroad is raising money to expand the train tracks at Line Creek and is looking for donations. Construction has begun, with over 1500 ft of new track laid. The KCNR is currently just $20k away from receiving a $125k matching grant. Because of the grant, any donation you make is essentially doubled! For more information on their expansion, visit kcnrr.com/ expansion-and-donations. Photography courtesy of the KCNR
Find us on Facebook facebook.com/oakhilldayschool
Oakhill Day School will seek diversity in its student body and welcome enrollment by students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, and any other characteristic protected under applicable law. It prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of any protected category under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), specifically, but not limited to, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation, gender or sex, race or ethnicity, ethnic group identification, ancestry, nationality, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability, age, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in Oakhill Day School’s educational programs or activities.
Tour one or both of our campuses located in the heart of Gladstone, Missouri. Learn more at oakhilldayschool.org/admissions | 816.436.6228
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Embrace the Climb. DO WHAT OTHERS WON’T, SO YOU CAN DO WHAT OTHERS CAN’T. We embrace expectations, we embrace accountability, but above all we embrace the “athletic climb” to become the best version of ourselves!
Art That Blows Fundraiser by Band of Angels Band of Angels is a Kansas City nonprofit that provides instruments and scholarships to children in need. They are hosting a fundraiser on July 11 at The Abbott for a night of art, music, and philanthropy. Help them continue to make a difference in the lives of young music students in need by donating and bidding on one-of-a-kind art pieces made from nonfunctional musical instruments. For more info, visit bandofangels.org/artthatblows. Photography courtesy of Band of Angels
Serving the Youth & Adults. Join us! 6014 N HWY 9. Parkville | 816-863-4111 | altsportsperformance@gmail.com portal.iclasspro.com/arcsouth | Valtsportsperformance
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Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
W HE R E T HE
B I S ON R OA M 14
O FF R OA D | TRAVEL
A TWO-HOUR DRIVE FROM KANSAS CITY LEADS YOU TO UNTOUCHED TALL GRASS PRAIRIE AND ADVENTURE ARTICLE BY DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER “Where are the bison today?” That’s usually the first question park rangers receive as guests arrive at the visitors’ center at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County Kansas. As big as they are, an average of 2,400 pounds, you would think a herd of 110 American bison would be visible from anywhere. But here’s the thing: Kansas is not as flat as its reputation would have it. And those big fluffy “cows” have a lot of acreage where they can roam. CONTINUED >
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUCE N. MEYER
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The Tallgrass Prairie is 11,000 acres, the largest contiguous acreage of tall grass prairie in North America. No plow has ever broken it; no bulldozer has ever moved it. It’s “the prairie as it came from the hand of God.” That’s the quote you’ll see inside the visitors’ center, referencing words of writer D.W. Wilder who, in 1884, was already concerned about the loss of prairie. It was once 170 million acres. This is a place, just two hours from Kansas City, where you can escape the noise of modern human beings with just a brief hike over a hillside. The prairie literally plays a symphony from the call
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of more than 200 species of birds. The insects create a susurrant of their own, a rhythm that runs as deep as the blue stem roots of the grassland. This year, 23 calves have joined the bison herd and they alone are reason enough to explore this special part of Mother Earth. But the bison babies have plenty of playmates. Red fox, bobcats, coyote and deer, along with jackrabbit, snakes and mice and more. It’s the prairie as Mother Nature created it. One thing that the park service has done is create nearly 40 miles of hiking trails where you can see these animals, hear their sounds and smell the freshness of
IT'S “THE PRAIRIE AS IT CAME FROM THE HAND OF GOD.” Mother Nature. The Bottomland Nature Trail is paved with concrete, the Scenic Overlook Trail (where you can usually see the bison) is gravel, but all other trails are simply mowed grassland. Important note: you’re on the prairie, so there are deer ticks, snakes and more that you should be alert to during your exploration. Bring bug spray and use it, and check yourself for ticks often. Bring a hat, sun screen and water if you plan on going very far on the trails. In addition to the trails, which are open 24 hours a day, explore the home and outbuildings built by Stephen and Louisa Jones, who lived here in the 1880s
and beyond. Over Labor Day weekend, the big barn is filled with historic and beautiful handmade quilts of the era. Take a break from exploring the prairie and check out two of the cutest little towns in Kansas. Strong City is the closest and there you’ll find Ad Astra, a lively little bar that, on weekends, opens the kitchen to serve some of the best steaks you’ll find. Try the bison burger for a low-cholesterol option. Ever so slightly out of the way, but offering a unique dining experience is a little place called Chef Stan’s Place located off of Church Street. Some locals insist this was once a church; others insist it was
built as a schoolhouse, but it’s a cute old building with original wooden floors and sparse furnishings. Chef Stan is currently busy renovating some old buildings in nearby Florence. Thus, for the coming months, he is open only on Sundays from roughly 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. You better call in advance, just in case. (213-400-4559) Cottonwood Falls, the county seat, is just across the Little Fox Creek. The park that features the little waterfall is a nice place to cool off from hiking the prairie. Stick your toes in the fresh water and wiggle them around. The Chase County Courthouse anchors one end of Broadway and makes you ask, why don’t we build great buildings like this any longer? Opened in 1873, this is the oldest operating courthouse in Kansas. Open the door and walk around on a weekday. It’s just beautiful. The business district may be small, but it is packed with reasons to open your wallet. An art gallery, an antique shop, a home décor store and day spa fill the historic buildings. One of the more celebrated businesses in Chase County is the Grand Central Hotel. Built in 1884, the building has seen several owners, but has always been a hotel for these 140+ years. The 10 guest rooms are identified by a cattle brand from various ranches. The dining room, open for lunch and dinner, is a gathering space for locals and visitors. While many from Kansas City have probably visited Chase County to experience the Symphony in the Flint Hills some time in the past 20 years, here’s another musical CONTINUED > JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D
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Lower Fox Creek School
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Chase County Courthouse
Jones Mansion
Grand Central Hotel
draw to the prairie. The first and third Fridays of the month feature local musicians just jamming in the street. Anyone with a voice or an instrument is welcome to participate. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/tapr or www.grandcentralhotel.com. Getting There Under normal circumstances, we would advise you to take I-70 west to exit 313 and Highway 177. This roadway south is one of Kansas’ 12 Scenic Highways. However, this summer, a big construction project on Highway 177 has created a lengthy detour just north of the Tallgrass Prairie. To avoid it, consider taking I-35 south to the Cassoday exit and then turn north.
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BAC K YA R D MAGIC A LIBERTY FAMILY BUSINESS BRINGS BACKYARD VISIONS TO LIFE
ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
When Jennifer Shreckengost left her career in education after 20 years, she didn’t imagine she’d end up back in the family business. But it’s exactly where she was meant to be. Jennifer and her husband officially bought Tiger Pool & Patio from her dad in 2021, though the family legacy started with her father much earlier in 1981. And while Jennifer didn’t grow up in the trenches of the business, her husband, Mike Shrekengost, had been working alongside her father since 2011.
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Today, Tiger Pool & Patio operates out of Liberty, Missouri, and is still very much a family affair. Half of their staff is family, and all of Jennifer and Mike’s kids work with the business in some way. But it’s not just the family element that sets Tiger apart — it’s their custom, start-to-finish approach to creating backyard spaces that feel like an escape. Tiger Pool & Patio offers both fiberglass and vinyl inground pools. Fiberglass options are popular for their quick installation timeline and ease of maintenance, and the company offers three different fiberglass lines to suit different styles and needs. Vinyl pools, however, are where Tiger’s custom approach really shines. Unlike companies that rely on pre-fab kits, Tiger builds their vinyl pools using poured concrete wall systems. These custom builds allow for tailored features like sundecks, built-in seating, and personalized shapes that go far beyond the standard lagoon or freeform. For homeowners looking to elevate their outdoor space, Tiger also offers design features like water elements, fire bowls, slides, and even full outdoor kitchens. While they general contract the pool installation, they work with a trusted network of subcontractors for hardscaping and landscaping—or collaborate with contractors the client brings in. A major differentiator for Tiger is how they communicate with clients. Homeowners are assigned a dedicated pool specialist, and every project is managed through a customer portal that outlines timelines, milestones, and updates along the way. It’s part of a larger effort to address one of the biggest pain points in the industry: lack of communication. Jennifer says that this is something that really sets them apart in the industry and truly makes a difference from the client perspective, and it helps ease the stress that a construction project can bring by laying out clear communication and expectations.
Their 3D design process also helps clients visualize the finished space before construction begins, ensuring every detail is just right before breaking ground. Tiger Pool & Patio also offers financing options, making backyard transformations more accessible for families throughout the Northland. CONTINUED >
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With a family legacy that spans decades and a modern, client-centered approach, Tiger continues to build more than just pools—they build places where families make memories. Tiger Pool & Patio (816) 599-3610 tigerpoolandpatio.com 100 W Kansas St, Liberty, MO @tigerpoolandpatio
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ARTICLE BY PATRICK MULVIHILL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA PETROW
BENTONVILLE The Northwest Arkansas city is more than Walmart's birthplace
Skyspace at sunset
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The Meteor coffee shop
An exhibit inside 21c Hotel's lobby
Summertime is already halfway through, and if you haven’t piled into the family van and hit the open road, all hope is not lost. The great American road trip doesn’t have to take you to another time zone, after all—it could just take you south of the (Missouri) border to our neighbors in the Natural State. Just a three-hour drive from Kansas City, Bentonville in northwest Arkansas is a perfect weekend getaway for couples, families, and friend groups alike. From expansive art museums to world-renowned mountain biking trails to shopping and dining options for all budgets, the city dubbed as “the new capital of cool” by the Wall Street Journal in 2023 is so much more than the birthplace of Walmart. That said, it’s impossible not to associate Bentonville with the famed big box store. Founder Sam Walton owned and operated Walton’s Five and Dime on the Bentonville Town Square about a decade before opening the first Walmart, after all. Today, the town is the home to Walmart’s headquarters, The Walmart Museum, and a handful of Walmart Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets,
Loveless Cocktail Club
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Walmart Museum
gas stations, and other offshoots of the brand. The benefits of being the multinational retail chain’s hometown can be seen throughout Bentonville — from community centers to music amphitheaters to museum galleries, you can’t go far without spotting the Walmart and Walton names. Before you start planning your itinerary, you have to figure out accommodations. If you want to stay close to the action, 21C Museum and Hotel is the spot to be. Just a block off of the town square, this 104-room boutique hotel is also the first of many art museums you can visit in town, with an extensive art gallery winding from the lobby throughout the first floor. Its restaurant — The Hive — seemingly combines art with locally sourced ingredients
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to showcase the town’s culinary and creative capabilities, and is worthy of a visit from a morning pick-me-up to a nightcap. Once you’ve settled into your centrally located homebase, Bentonville is walkable and bikeable. With the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway, a 36-mile-long paved trail stretching from Bella Vista through Fayetteville, it’s no wonder why the metro area is one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. In fact, many consider Bentonville to be the mountain biking capital of the world — it alone boasts 140 miles of trails, with hundreds more throughout the broader region. Whether you’re walking, biking, or driving, the town itself seems like an art gallery, with massive outdoor art installations,
“In a town where creativity flows as freely as the bike trails that wind through its Ozark foothills, you’ll find yourself seamlessly connected to the people and the land from the moment you arrive.” 21c's restaurant, The Hive
locally owned retail galleries, and the celebrated Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art all within reach. If Walmart put Bentonville on the map, then Crystal Bridges has kept it there. The 200,000-square-foot museum — built on 134 acres of pristine Ozark nature — is home to a rotating collection spanning 500 years of American history, and admission is always free. The grounds themselves also boast waterfalls, outdoor installations, a quartz crystal grotto, lush gardens and more, making it easy to enjoy the great outdoors between meals and museum visits. The 10-minute walk from 21C to Crystal Bridges along the Art Trail will take you past three must-visit attractions. First, the Compton Gardens & Arboretum is a seven-acre garden where
Sculpture by Yayoi Kusama at Crystal Bridges CONTINUED >
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21c Museum Hotel
The Meteor
you’ll find dozens of the Ozarks’ native flowers, grasses, and shrubs. Next, James Turrell’s The Way of Color Skyspace is best visited during sunset when the circular room and its ocular skylight is illuminated by colored LED lights for a breathtaking experience. Finally, the Bachman-Wilson House showcases Frank Lloyd Wright’s sleek yet functional mid-century modern design. While Crystal Bridges alone is worth your visit, the town itself has plenty to offer, including coffee shops, cocktail bars, and eateries that will have you planning your next trip back before you’ve even left. Every day should start at Onyx Coffee Lab, perhaps the biggest name in Arkansas coffee. Flying Fish is a local lunchtime favorite, serving huge portions of catfish, crawfish, and calamari, plus Southern favorites like po’ boys, gumbo, jambalaya, and more. The recently opened Loveless Cocktail Club is a bar and lounge where you’ll find a casual hot dog menu paired with memorable drinks and a tailored hi-fi listening experience. Finally, you can catch higher end dinners at Preacher’s Son, featuring sustainably-sourced ingredients in a refurbished church, or at Conifer, a farm-to-table, gluten-free restaurant on the edge of downtown—named James Beard Semi Finalist for Best Southern Chef in both 2024 and 2025.
Onyx Coffee Lab
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Crystal Bridges Museum
Just a short walk from the town square, The Momentary — Crystal Bridges’ 63,000-squarefoot satellite space dedicated to contemporary art — is located in a decommissioned cheese factory, with dramatic vertical spaces, immersive galleries, and a line-up of events year-round to inspire creativity and build community. The Momentary is home to a year-round calendar of events spanning from musical guests to performance art to a rotating collection of food trucks — plus another Onyx Coffee Lab location, if you need a quick caffeine fix. The nearby 8th Street Market is a great pitstop before or after the museum. Visit HomeGrown for a morning meal, Markham & Fitz for some show-stopping chocolate, Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico for some of the best tacos in town, or Bike Rack Brewing for a post-museum beer. Bentonville isn’t a sprawling metropolis — nor is it a remote, off-grid getaway — but it provides a healthy dose of nature and city living simultaneously. In a town where creativity flows as freely as the bike trails that wind through its Ozark foothills, you’ll find yourself seamlessly connected to the people and the land from the moment you arrive. With world-class art, inventive Southern cuisine, and serene woodland escapes, expect to be pleasantly surprised at every turn. Whether you’re pedaling beneath a canopy of trees, savoring a locally-sourced meal, or contemplating a masterpiece, Bentonville offers a rich, immersive experience that will linger long after you leave.
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Bike Rack Brewing
21c Museum Hotel
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21c Museum Hotel
Narcissus Garden by Yayoi Kusama at Crystal Bridges
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Raspberry lemon and party animal ice cream from Melt Box
TAKE AN ADVENTURE WITH NORTHLAND ICE CREAM FLAVORS THIS SUMMER ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER
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We rounded up some of our favorite wild and adventurous flavors from these homemade ice cream and sweet treat spots all over the Northland. It’s July, and if you’re going to beat the heat, there better be a pool or some cold treats involved. We love a standard vanilla cone as much as anyone, but sometimes it’s fun to get out of your comfort zone and try something a little more adventurous. Good news is you don’t have to plan a whole trip to have an adventure — you can just try something new! And during the summer, what’s better to experiment with than ice cream? We rounded up some of our favorite wild and adventurous flavors from these homemade ice cream and sweet treat spots all over the Northland. Dubai Chocolate Strawberries at Vivi’s Paleteria 1303 Platte Falls Road C, Platte City facebook.com/vivipaleteria If you’ve been searching for Dubai chocolate, the viral milk chocolate sensation filled with pistachio cream, shredded phyllo dough and tahini, look no further than this Mexican ice cream spot in
Platte City. But if you come for the trendy flavors, you’ll stay for the amazing assortment of Mexican offerings on top of their standard ice cream fare, from flavors like Gansito (Mexican Twinkie) and Churro to Butterbeer and Horchata. They have a rotating assortment of flavors that’s always changing, so you can always find something new to try here. Ube Toasted Coconut from Alice Scooper’s 10207 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City alicescooperskc.com This cute little shop off of North Oak Trafficway has ice cream f lavors with names that are all musically inspired. Ube, a bright purple yam, is having a moment, so we love that you can find it in a f lavor at Alice Scooper’s, mixed with toasted coconut for a really tropical feel. Another favorite at the shop is Sea & Sand, a vanilla ice cream made with pink Himalayan sea salt, chunks of CONTINUED >
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It’s July, and if you’re going to beat the heat, there better be a pool or some cold treats involved.
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white chocolate macadamia nut cookies & a crunchy brown sugar swirl. This summer, they’ll also have Blueberry Lavender and Lemon Bar — f lavors that just scream summer! The Exhausted Parent from Meltbox Ice Cream 1599 Iron Street, North Kansas City meltboxkc.com This bright purple shop, located in the Iron District, has some wild and fun flavors to try. Our top pick is the Exhausted Parent flavor, which features bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream swirled with bittersweet chocolate chunks. They have other crazy flavors, like This $&@! Just Got Serious, an award-winning smooth salted caramel ice cream brimming with rich sea salt fudge and salted cashews, or the Yippee Skippee, creamy peanut butter ice cream loaded with salted caramel ripples, soft brownie chunks and crispy chocolate-covered pretzels. If you’re a fan of ice cream loaded with things, this is the place for you — but if you don’t think it’s loaded with enough, they also feature many fun toppings, like Cap’N Crunch cereal, Lucky Charms marshmallows or animal crackers. If you’re a vanilla ice cream kind of person, we encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone here! Sweet Corn Ice Cream at One More Scoop 3522 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City onemorescoopicecream.com One More Scoop is a homemade ice cream shop located just down the street from Penguin Park. Their shop is known for their waffle cones, which must be why one entire wall is textured just like one, and people are big fans of their ice cream flights. We’re fascinated by the Sweet Corn ice cream flavor, which contains actual sweet corn. It’s described as the “best buttered corn on the cob you’ve ever had, just in the form of ice cream,” and was actually their monthly flavor for June. If that doesn’t butter your biscuit, we also think their Mama’s Texas Sheet Cake flavor and Lavender Honey sound interesting, too!
Li Hing Mui from Lilo’s Shaved Ice 8690 N Flintlock Road, Kansas City or 6282 N Chatham Avenue, Kansas City lilosshavedice.com Sometimes, it’s a snow cone that hits the spot rather than ice cream, and Lilo’s is always our Northland go-to. While their most popular flavors are Blue Raspberry and Tiger’s Blood, Tara Painter, one of the owners, likes Li Hing Mui with li hing mui powder sprinkled on top. It’s a sweet, sour and salty flavor that’s popular in Hawaii, though it originates from a plum in China. She also recommends Creme de Menthe (a surprising topping for shaved ice paired with chocolate ice cream and chocolate cream syrup), Tamarind or Papaya. The snow cone shack also celebrates Christmas in July this month, with Ginger Snap and Eggnog flavors, and currently, they’re testing out a Dill Pickle flavor, which customers often request. Pomegranate Razz and Cotton Candy Twist at Fifth and Emery 8375 N Booth Ave, Kansas City and 8671 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City fifthandemery.com While the Fifth and Emery name might be new to you, it’s actually a rebranding of the beloved Yogurtini frozen yogurt shops! Owner Isaac Lee Collins recently left the franchising branding behind to create something completely his own. On top of the existing Shoal Creek location, they recently opened an additional location at Zona Rosa across from Barnes and Noble. If you stop inside, you can load up your froyo with fun toppings — which is always the adventurous part of frozen yogurt! We love the fact that you can get multiple flavors, but on top of the ability to just get one flavor, Fifth and Emery has side-by-side pairings that you can get in a “twist,” which takes the guesswork out of finding two flavors that are a perfect combination. We especially love the Pomegranate Razz with Cotton Candy twist, though we also often have our eye on their Cold Brew flavor. Go crazy with the toppings, like shark gummies or boba, and don’t forget to grab some housemade chocolate on your way out, which the shop offers in addition to cold treats! CONTINUED > JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D
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Cheesecake In Paradise ice cream from Alice Scooper's
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Green Day ice cream from Alice Scooper's JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D
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events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S
WE D N E S DAYS A N D SATURDAYS
Parkville Farmers' Market 127 South Main Street, Parkville | 7:00 AM Shop local from local farmers and businesses at the Parkville Farmers' Market from 7 am to noon every Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. every Wednesday. EVE RY T H URS DAY
Coffee Club at Central Park Zona Rosa Central Park Take a relaxing break at Central Park every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In partnership with presenting sponsor Macaroni Kid Kansas City, the Coffee Club offers a perfect opportunity to sip specialty coffees, while the kids play in the Central Park splash fountain and playground. For more information, visit zonarosa.com EVE RY F RIDAY
Friday in the Park Macken Park, North Kansas City | 11:30 AM Enjoy a Friday afternoon in the park listening to local musicians in cooperation with the Music Performance Trust Fund, Local 34-627. Free and open to public. Fridays, June 6 through September 26 at the Festival Shelter in Macken Park from 11:30 am to 1 pm. More info at nkc.org EVE RY SAT U RDAY
Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers' Market Historic Downtown Liberty | 8:00 AM Spend your Saturday mornings shopping local at the Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers' Market! The market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, flowers, meat, eggs, baked goods, ready-to-eat foods, local honey, and more. Open from 8 to noon, rain or shine. JU LY 1 2 T H
Thrive Nutrition Workshop Row House - Parkville, 6264 Lewis St Suite 107A | 12:00 PM Attend a FREE workshop with Cameron Motte, a registered dietitian with experience in weight management, sports nutrition, muscle gain, and general well-being. For more information, email parkville@therowhouse.com JU LY 1 2 T H
Dog Days of Zona Shop & Pup Crawl Zona Rosa | 3:00 PM Shop participating local businesses at Zona with your furry friend from 3 pm to 7 pm. Enjoy complimentary sips (21+), treats for your pup & special activities throughout including free dog caricatures, pet portraits & discounts. This is a free event, but we ask that you bring a pet supply donation for KC Pet Project. More info at zonarosa.com
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Ready to row with us? Let’s Pull together!
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Movies in the Park: Wicked Macken Park, North Kansas City | 8:30 PM A fun time for the whole family! Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and enjoy some fresh air with a movie in the park. Movie will start at dusk east of the Festival Shelter in Macken Park. Free and open to the public. More info at nkc.org JU LY 1 9 T H
Summer Fest North Park + The Bridge at Zona Rosa | 11:00 AM The ultimate summer block party meets pop-up shopping event. The fun-filled event will feature a kids' dance party with DJ miles from 11-1, a foam party from 1-4, food trucks, yard games and the Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair at The Bridge. More info at zonarosa.com. JU LY 1 9 T H
Christmas in July Beer Crawl Historic Downtown Liberty | 1:00 PM Join us in downtown Liberty for the 14th annual beer crawl. Experience the magic of Christmas in July while sipping from 25+ beers at your favorite downtown spots. Get tickets at historicdowntownliberty.org JU LY 2 6T H
Kite Festival Platte Ridge Park | 17130 MO Highway 371, Platte City | 11:00 AM Come enjoy gigantic kites during this festival! Great American Kites will have a display of gigantic kites and there will also be classic Volkswagens in the parking lot. If you're hungry, enjoy food from one of the many food trucks on site. More information at platteparks.com JU LY 2 6T H
Fascial Stretch Workshop Row House - Parkville, 6264 Lewis St Suite 107A | 12:00 PM Attend a FREE workshop with James Regina of Stay Ready Performance and Recovery, a certified Fascial Stretch Therapist. FST is a table-based assisted stretching system that targets not just muscles, but the fascia or connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, nerves and joints. For more information, email parkville@therowhouse.com
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C U S T O M H O M E S A N D R E N O VA T I O N S owenhomeskc.com • 816.343.6065 •
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