top of page

Top 10: Beat The Heat

Writer's picture: CTC OlatheCTC Olathe

Updated: Jul 17, 2023

Welcome to Top Ten! A new series on our website where each month we will drop a new blog surrounding the top ten of different areas and events in Olathe. This month it only felt appropriate to begin with the Top Ten Ways to Beat the Heat.


  1. Olathe pools, who’s surprised?

Olathe pools may seem like low hanging fruit when it comes to a solution to beating the heat, but that’s because it’s such a great option. Olathe is home to 5 public pools which have a range of features such as diving boards, lazy rivers and waterslides. Plus, did you know Olathe Public Library & Johnson County Library Card Holders can get into Frontier Pool, Mill Creek Pool and Oregon Trail Pool for only $5.



2. Looking to really beat the heat, check out the Olathe Community Center Indoor Pool.

The pool is decked out with a lazy river, hot tub, rock climbing walls with waterfalls and diving platforms, two water slides and more. The community center is also home to group fitness, walking and jogging tracks, fitness studios and weight rooms if you are looking to get your physical fitness fill. Day passes for the community center are available to Olathe Residents for $9 (and $10 for Non-Residents).



3. What’s a better place to beat the heat than one of Olathe’s two destination libraries?

If you have been looking for an excuse to check out the new downtown library, here’s your chance. Walk through the four floors of Olathe’s new library equipped with a café, teen and kid sections where you can play video games in The Zone, check out the outdoor patio on the 3rd floor, rent ukuleles and more.

Feeling creative? Reserve a time in the makerspace lab at the Olathe Indian Creek Library which includes 3D printing, embroidery, large format printing, engraving, sewing and recording studio just to name a few.

The libraries also offer a series of events whether its cooking classes or movies. For a full list of all events visit the library calendar to find what interests you.



4. Truly in a category of its own is Lake Olathe Beach & Marina.

You can easily spend a whole day here taking in all this space has to offer. Open everyday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. my suggestion is to start with land activities and then move to the water as it starts to heat up.

Begin with walking the scenic park trails, play with the interactive art sculptures and take a stop at the nature playground shelter at Beaver Shelter. Still not ready for a swim in Lake Olathe? You can play disc golf or take a picnic in the gorgeous grassy amphitheater and then stop at one of three different spray areas.

Once you’re ready to get into Lake Olathe itself there is no shortage of activities. The 170 acre lake is the perfect spot for boating, kayaking, fishing and more. Lake Olathe has canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and petal boats all available to rent. You can also buy a pass to play on the aqua park where you can jump, slide and swing on the floating obstacle course. Want something more chill? You can go for a swim at Lake Olathe Beach.



5. One thing Olathe has no shortage of is parks.

Typical amenities include shelters, trails, playgrounds and more. If you are looking to beat the heat I suggest Black Bob Park where you can walk the trails, fish, play on the playground or fields, sit under a shelter and then hop over to Black Bob Bay to go for a swim. Or you could journey to Cedar Lake Park and explore the waterfall to cool off. Want to get a pickleball match in? Check out the courts at Two Trails Park (and maybe get there before or after the midday sun).

Check out the Olathe Parks and Recreation website to get a full list of parks and their amenities.



6. Looking for a sweet treat to cool you off? Check out one of Olathe’s local ice cream and snow cone shops.

There’s Sweet Thang & Cafe which hosts 32 flavors of Ice Cream including Sherbet, Sorbet, Non-dairy and No Sugar Added options. Another Olathe Classic is Sylas & Maddy’s which has called Olathe home since 1999 and is family owned and operated; ice cream and waffle cones made fresh daily. Want to switch it up? Try La Tabasqueña’s Nieve De Elote (Corn Ice Cream) , a common dessert in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. Or head over to Hokulia Shave Ice to take in the sweet tastes of Hawaii with their expansive flavor options.



7. A perfect way to end a hot summer Olathe day is with live music of course!

Upcoming is Olathe Live! With Almost Kiss and Brody Buster on July 21st from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Stagecoach Park. The show is free and guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, food and non-alcoholic beverages. The following week visit Downtown Olathe on July 28th from 6 - 9 p.m. for Fourth Fridays to hear music from the Stolen Winnebagos along with food trucks, face painters and other activities. During Fourth Fridays you can even head to the downtown library where crafts and gaming will be available on the 2nd floor.



8. Mahaffie is a gem of history to the Olathe Community.

Mahaffie is the only working stagecoach stop left on the Santa Fe Trail and it allows visitors the ability to see what life was like on the 1860s Kansas Frontier. At Mahaffie you can ride a stagecoach, visit a blacksmith in action, visit the Mahaffie residence and more. You can even check out their calendar of events for special activities.



9. The Olathe Farmers’ Market provides the perfect opportunity to get out early and buy fresh produce, plants, and flowers.

The Farmers’ is open at two locations, both Stagecoach Park and Black Bob Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. through when all items are sold.


10. Head indoors and visit a museum. Olathe is home to multiple museums including the Kansas City Automotive Museum which celebrates the culture and innovation of the automobile. You can view vintage vehicles on display and learn about Kansas City’s automotive history. Not your speed? Olathe also has the Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture. You can learn about the history of Deaf Culture and view the Chuck Baird Art gallery which conveys the Deaf experience. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.


Stay cool, Olathe!


59 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


bottom of page