Kansas's second-largest city — and one of the best places to live in America. Discover what makes OP the heart of Johnson County.
Overland Park hasn't been anyone's sleepy suburb in a long time. With nearly 200,000 residents, over 80 parks, a food scene that stretches from world-class barbecue to the best dim sum in the Midwest, and a downtown packed with nearly 300 locally owned businesses, OP (as locals call it) is very much its own thing.
It's also the hometown of Jason Sudeikis, Paul Rudd, and Rob Riggle — all of whom grew up here, attended local schools, and still come back every year to host Big Slick, a celebrity charity weekend that raises millions for Children's Mercy Hospital. Big enough to produce Hollywood talent, rooted enough to keep pulling them home.
The city traces its roots to 1905, when railroad entrepreneur William B. Strang Jr. envisioned a "park-like" community connected to downtown KC by an interurban trolley — the Strang Line. Today, OP spans 75 square miles in Johnson County, bordering Leawood to the east and Lenexa to the west. Come see what more than a century of that vision has built.
The OP Lifestyle
Overland Park has a way of surprising people. It's big enough to have everything you need, small-town enough that you'll run into your neighbor at the farmers' market, and interesting enough that you'll never run out of things to do on a Saturday.
Shopping & Strolling
Start in Downtown Overland Park, where walkable streets are home to locally owned shops, galleries, and spots like Monstera Books (where you leave with a novel and a houseplant). The iconic Clock Tower Plaza is undergoing a $34 million transformation into Clock Tower Landing — a reimagined gathering space with a new farmers' market pavilion opening in 2026. The Overland Park Farmers' Market has been running for over 40 years. Locals guard their favorite vendors like state secrets.
Beyond downtown, Prairiefire pairs boutiques like Tomboy and Made in KC with the Museum at Prairiefire and an AMC theater. Corbin Park, Hawthorne Plaza, and the new 277-acre Bluhawk district round things out. And Oak Park Mall — the largest in Kansas, 180+ stores — is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's, and Dillard's.
Food & Drink
This is where OP really flexes. You'll find world-class barbecue (this is KC), but the food scene runs far deeper. Thai, Indian, Korean, Ethiopian, Chinese, and classic American — all within a few miles of each other. Here are some favorites:
Jack Stack Barbecue: A KC institution on Metcalf. The cheesy corn bake alone is worth the trip.
Q39 South: Chef Rob Magee's award-winning, modern take on KC barbecue. The burnt ends are legendary.
J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks: Consistently voted #1 steakhouse in KC. Mesquite-grilled prime beef, no-pretense setting.
YaYa's Euro Bistro: Mediterranean-inspired dining since 1994 — oak-fired pizza, seafood, and a wine list to match.
Nick & Jake's: A neighborhood favorite for chef-driven comfort food, burgers, and a lively bar.
ABC Cafe: The best dim sum in the metro. Bilingual menu. Call ahead on weekends.
Brass Onion: Lowcountry-inspired comfort food at Prairiefire — Mr. B's Fried Chicken is the move.
KC Craft Ramen: Scratch-made ramen with weekend pop-up takeovers by visiting Japanese chefs.
And that's before you get to Burnt End BBQ, Louie's Wine Dive, Minsky's Pizza, The Mixx, The Peanut (two OP locations!), the six-restaurant food hall at Strang Hall, or the pies at Upper Crust — so popular they sometimes sell out. Check their Instagram before you go.
Outdoor Recreation
Overland Park maintains more than 80 parks and open spaces. The Indian Creek Trail stretches 25+ miles, connecting parks, neighborhoods, and rec centers — it's part of the American Discovery Trail with historical panels along the route. The Tomahawk Creek Trail offers a more wooded, secluded feel.
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens spans 300 acres with 1,700+ plant species, the Cohen Iris Garden, and 10 miles of trails. Kids will lose their minds at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead — baby goats, pedal tractors, fishing, and ice cream at Alex & Emily's Parlor.
OP is also a serious sports destination. The Scheels Soccer Complex ($36M, 12 fields, 1.2 million visitors a year) is rated among the top in the nation. And pickleball is everywhere: Chicken N Pickle, SERV, and the new AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk all combine courts with food and entertainment.
Arts & Culture
The Museum at Prairiefire — the only building in the U.S. with NASA-developed dichroic glass on its exterior — houses a full-scale T. rex, rotating exhibits, a Discovery Room for kids, and VR experiences. On the JCCC campus, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is free and outstanding. The Johnson County Museum features a 1950s All-Electric House and interactive KidScape.
Downtown hosts Third Friday Art Nights monthly. The calendar fills out with the Fall Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Margarita Wars in Thompson Park (15+ restaurants compete — you be the judge).
Education
Families move to Overland Park for the schools, and for good reason. The city is served by Blue Valley (#1 in Kansas by Niche, 18 National Blue Ribbon awards), Shawnee Mission (SM East rated A+), and Olathe. Graduation rates top 95%, student-teacher ratios run 14–16:1, and the extracurriculars — robotics, debate, nationally competitive athletics — are staggering.
For higher ed, JCCC is the largest institution of higher learning in Kansas (18,000+ students). KU Edwards Campus offers graduate programs locally, and KU, K-State, and UMKC are all within commuting distance (or do-your-laundry-at-home-on-the-weekend distance).
Homes and Real Estate
With all of the above, it's no wonder Overland Park is consistently ranked among the best places to live in America. The city offers everything from mid-century homes on tree-lined streets in the historic north end to newer estates near Prairiefire and the Blue Valley corridor. You'll also find apartments and condos with resort-style amenities, many within walking distance of parks and shopping.
And who knows? Given OP's track record, the kid on the swingset in your new neighborhood might just be the next Jason Sudeikis.
Ready to explore? Contact us today or browse Overland Park homes for sale at wemovekansascity.com.
