Things to Do in East Independence

Powell Gardens is Kansas City's botanical garden, just east of KC on Hwy 50. With two cafes, a chapel, the nation's largest edible landscape + acres and acres of gorgeous gardens, it's an outing the entire family will enjoy.

Among the world's first underground paintball arenas, Jaegers Paintball Complex spans six subterranean fields, all housed within one of Kansas City's oldest limestone mines. Holding at 56 degrees year round, these cave-like playing fields give marksmen cover in the form of limestone columns, stacks of barrels, and upturned cable spools. When the weather warms, Jaegers' team ventures above ground to supervise four outdoor fields, where plywood structures and tree-cast shade present obstacles and cover for weekend games of hyperpipe, woodsball, and speedball. Back underground, experienced gunsmiths man a pro shop, where they dispense advice and repair gear. A refreshment area provides respite between games—players may bring their own food or order delivery from a nearby Pizza Hut. Further amenities include soda machines, WiFi, and free views of coffee-table books depicting historic paintball battles.

Prompted by the nod of the lifeguard’s head, the intrepid swimmer takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and bravely flings his body into the dark confines of the Barracuda Blast. The slide’s gushing flume speeds its intrepid passenger down covered loops and twists until it spits him out unceremoniously into the warm waters of the pool below.

Boasting a host of aquatic activities, along with nearly 1,000 feet of water slides including the fearsome Barracuda, CoCo Key unleashes the inner merpeople of guests of all ages. Stationed along the pool and at each attraction, licensed lifeguards keep their eagle eyes peeled to ensure the safety of their guests as they play water basketball or engage in leisurely floats down Adventure River. Nearby, a zero-depth-entry kiddie pool serves as a merrymaking haven for children or recently unbottled miniature ships less than 48 inches tall, and a sun-drenched outdoor tanning deck enables visitors to bask in skin-browning rays. To prevent growling stomachs from interrupting watery romps, crews of chefs bustle about CoCo Key’s dining facilities, whipping up culinary sustenance for hungry swimmers.

Founders Mika and Jeremy Fue have packed Kidzone's indoor facility with a 20-foot single slide, an 18-foot double slide, and an obstacle course that stretches more than 30 feet long through which youngsters can maneuver under their parents' supervision. Three trampolines and roomy bounce houses accommodate bounding tykes and double as landing zones for confused flying squirrels; an interactive area supplies toddlers aged 2 and younger with age-appropriate games. Parents can drop off their kids every Friday night for three supervised hours of pizza, games, and inflatable play, or host their child's birthday celebration with an open or private party package.:

In 2005, the racehorse known as St. Croix was crowned Ohio's Horse of the Year, completing the season with one third-place, one second-place, and five first-place finishes. None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of Saddle Creek Stables' trainers, who saved St. Croix from his early vacation plans to horse heaven. After the equine instructors retrained and bonded with him, St. Croix returned the favor with an awe-inspiring racing career. Now enjoying his retirement, St. Croix carries guests on leisurely trail rides across 160 acres of forest trails, outcroppings, cliffs, and flowing streams.

Saddle Creek Stables is a premier racehorse facility operated by trainers dedicated to making their thoroughbreds happy and healthy. The team leads trail rides for all ages and organizes parties with hayrides and bonfires for children. Their forested ranch also provides an excellent venue for hikers, campers, anglers, and deprived houseplants looking to reconnect with their natural habitat.