The Elevate Guide to Feeling Connected in Kansas City

Local Parks, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, and Hidden Gems That Help Us Feel at Home

What if feeling connected wasn’t about going somewhere new, but about returning to the places that make you feel most at home?

At Elevate Organic Hair Salon + Spa, we believe connections can be found in the little things: a favorite coffee shop, a neighborhood park, a local restaurant, a farmers market, or even your own front yard.

Kansas City is full of places that help us slow down, reconnect, and remember what a community feels like.

So, we asked our team one simple question:

"What place in Kansas City makes you feel connected, and why?"

Here are their answers.

Jenn's Favorite Places in Kansas City

Favorite Local Bookstore

Prospero's Used Books (Midtown)

"I love looking for little gems and chatting with the shop owner. There are also some great places around to grab a coffee and something yummy to eat."

Favorite Farmers Market

City Market (River Market)

"The City Market at the River Market is a great place for people to watch and explore all the different vendors. When it isn’t so hot, I love grabbing food there and taking the streetcar to Riverfront for a picnic. There are always so many people out and about, and everyone seems to be in a good mood."

Favorite Park

Loose Park

"Lots of shade, walking paths, trees for hammocking, and playground equipment. I also love the historic homes in the surrounding neighborhood."

Favorite Coffee Shop

Goat Hill Coffee (Westside)

"The staff is always welcoming. Whether I’m grabbing a coffee alone or with a friend, it always feels like community. The customers are also willing to chat, and the neighborhood is rich with culture and history."

Favorite Walking Trail

Unity Village (Lee's Summit)

"There are always friendly people on campus, and you can walk the labyrinth while enjoying the beautiful fountains throughout the grounds."

Favorite Local Nonprofit

Scraps KC

"Scraps KC not only diverts waste from our landfills by collecting crafting supply scraps, but they also create an impact in our unhoused community while helping supply local teachers with classroom materials."

Amanda's Favorite Place in Kansas City

Favorite Park

Loose Park

"Loose Park is beautiful and has my favorite area to hang a hammock."

Carley's Favorite Places in Kansas City

Favorite Local Bookstore 

Monstera’s Books 

"They have an incredible selection of thoughtfully curated books, and I always love browsing the plants while I’m there. It’s one of those places that invites you to slow down, explore, and leave feeling inspired.”

Favorite Farmers Market 

Downtown Overland Park Farmers Market

“I love supporting local farms and makers while seeing what each season has to offer. It always feels like a celebration of our local community.”

Favorite Park 

Shawnee Mission Park 

“I love being surrounded by the trees, and I appreciate how welcoming the park feels with its inclusive playgrounds. It’s one of my favorite places to spend time outdoors.”

Favorite Coffee

Shop Café Equinox 

“Hanging out inside the greenhouse always feels cozy. Whether I’m meeting a friend or enjoying a quiet moment with a coffee, it’s a space that helps me slow down and reconnect.”

Favorite Local Nonprofit 

Operation Breakthrough 

“I admire the incredible work they do to support children and families in our community. They’re creating opportunities that have a lasting impact for generations to come.”

Favorite Walking Trail 

Shawnee Mission Park 

“The trails are easy to access, peaceful, and surrounded by nature. It’s one of my favorite places to clear my mind and enjoy a walk.”

Favorite Locally Owned Restaurant 

Thai Orchid 

“The food is always incredibly fresh and full of flavor. It’s one of my favorite local spots whenever I’m craving a great meal.”

Favorite Place to Recharge 

Sav’s Facials 

“A facial or massage is one of my favorite ways to recharge. Taking time for self-care helps me slow down, reset, and leave feeling refreshed.”

Kolika's Favorite Places in Kansas City

Favorite Local Bookstore

Rainy Day Books (Fairway)

"It’s a place that always has lots of employees, has weekly story time for kids, and will always order you something if it’s not in stock for no extra charge. A first-class place! They always remember who I am and remember the kind of books I like. It truly is the definition of a neighborhood bookshop."

Favorite Farmers Market

KC Farm School

"I don’t go to farmers markets anymore, but when I do, I prefer KC Farm School. It’s a nonprofit teaching farm that hosts farmers markets with a 'pay as you please' model. If you want to stock up on groceries but only have ten dollars, you can do just that. It's a fantastic place that also has day camps called Young Ag Explorers, where kids learn all about agriculture. There’s also a teaching program for those who want to break into agriculture but don’t have the resources."

Favorite Parks

Meadowbrook Park, Loose Park, and Shawnee Mission Park Beach

"I like Meadowbrook Park for the playground, Loose Park for the Rose Garden, but I have to say that Shawnee Mission Park Beach has—well—the beach! There’s something to love about every park in Kansas City, and it’s impossible to choose just one. Each one has a tiny piece of the heartbeat of the land, and I can’t turn my face away from that."

Favorite Coffee Shop

Café Cà Phê

"This Vietnamese coffee shop in Columbus Park has become an important gathering place in Kansas City. Owner Jackie Nguyen has helped unite the AAPI community through events including the AAPI Pride Festival and Lunar Festivals, as well as through Hella Good Deeds, a nonprofit that boosts AAPI voices and artists throughout the city.The flavors of the coffee are unapologetically Asian, and I absolutely love the seasonal menu."

Favorite Local Nonprofit

KC Farm School

"I’ve worked with them for years. I’ve been part of Let’s Grow Wyandotte for years as well. It’s an initiative in Wyandotte County that gives away free plants to people who want to grow their own food. We also help people set up gardens and hold workshops on cooking and food access."

Favorite Walking Trail

Rosedale

"I don’t walk much nowadays, but there’s a lovely walking trail in Rosedale. It’s a bit advanced and heavily wooded, but it’s a decently short walk and makes you feel like you’re deep in the woods. I love it because it’s so secluded. It feels like you’re the only person in the world."

Favorite Locally Owned Restaurant

Restaurant at 1900

"I used to work for the chef-owner, and it’s my favorite place for a date. The way Chef Linda prepares pasta is life-changing, and her seafood is always incredible. Every dish looks like a work of art, and there’s so much respect for each ingredient. Everything in that restaurant is extremely intentional, and I truly respect that."

Favorite Place to Buy Flowers

Greg's Fine Florals

"I have my own flower garden, so I seldom buy flowers, but when I do, my favorite place to buy flowers has become Greg's Fine Florals right next door to Elevate. I simply love the people."

Peyton's Favorite Places in Kansas City

Favorite Local Bookstore

Monstera's Books

"This place makes me feel connected because they always have an incredible collection, and they are women-owned."

Favorite Park

Loose Park

"Because of how serene it always feels, and the people are always so nice too."

Favorite Locally Owned Restaurant

Winstead's

"It’s so comfortable, and who doesn’t love a classic burger and shake?"

Favorite Place to Recharge

Meadowbrook Park

"I love to recharge at Meadowbrook Park with a really good book."

A Few Favorite Kansas City Places That Feel Like Home

From peaceful parks and neighborhood bookstores to locally owned restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and community-centered nonprofits, these are the places our team returns to time and time again.

Some favorites are shared, while others are uniquely personal. Together, they reflect what we love most about Kansas City: welcoming people, meaningful experiences, and everyday moments that help us slow down and reconnect.

As a locally owned salon and spa serving Prairie Village and the greater Kansas City community, we believe these moments of connection matter. Community isn't something you find once—it's something you practice through the places, people, and rituals that bring you back to yourself.

We hope our team's favorite places inspire you to explore somewhere new, revisit an old favorite, or simply take a moment to appreciate the places that make you feel most at home.

And the next time you're in the salon, we'd love to know:

What place makes you feel connected?