Recreation and Leisure
Olathe Prairie Center
Imagine that you’re a pioneer facing the vast territory of the Western expansion and all you can see is tallgrass and wildflowers in every direction. Now imagine that you’re only five minutes from downtown Olathe. Experience the core of Kansas at The Olathe Prairie Center where the natural environment is preserved along with history and wildlife in this rare expanse of land. The center’s main mission is the preservation of the integrity of its 300 acres so visitor access is directed to designated spots for picnicking and hiking. Educational programs are available and the center welcomes requests for specialized interests.
Kansas City Chiefs Football Team
The NFL football team, the Kansas City Chiefs is the undisputed favorites in this part of the country. Just follow the crowd to Arrowhead Stadium in downtown Kansas City and watch the pride of Kansas City in action.
Kansas City Royals Baseball Team
Major league baseball is well represented in the winning Kansas City Royals Baseball Team. The Royals are at home at Kaufmann Stadium, recognized as one of the most beautiful ball parks in the professional league.
Ernie Miller Nature Center and Park
The first nature center to open in Johnson County, the Ernie Miller Nature Center and Park continues its mission of providing a natural environment for visitors to learn, understand and admire the wonders of our natural environment. The center serves as an important part of Kansas environmental education while providing recreational opportunities via its outdoor amphitheatre and hiking trails spread over 113 acres.
Golf Courses
The Olathe area is home to many fine golf courses designed to test skills and provide the best in the great Kansas outdoors. Some of the finest courses include Heritage Golf Course, Prairie Highlands, Deer Creek, Shadow Glen and Sycamore Ridge. Driving and putting ranges are located at Family Golf Center and Smiley’s Golf Complex.
World of Fun Amusement Park & Oceans of Fun Water Park
More than 50 rides and attractions beckon visitors to this amusement park themed after the Jules Verne book, “Around the World in 80 Days.” This traditional theme park has some very untraditional rides including the 12-story Boomerang roller coaster and the six-story Thunder Hawk spinning ride. Adjacent to the theme park sits Oceans of Fun, one of the largest water parks in the Midwest. Water is the name of the game with water slides, a giant wave pool and Hurricane Falls, a water slide and raft ride.
The completion of Interstate 35 in 1957 provided a better link to Kansas City and significantly altered the city’s growth with this new method of accessibility. Today, Interstate 35 is supplemented by Interstate 435, U.S. Highways 56 and 169; and State Highways K-7, K-10, and K-150 to create a network of transportation options.
Amtrak rail service is available from nearby Kansas City to St. Louis where it connects to other lines. Greyhound Bus Lines also operates from Kansas City to points within Kansas and other points within the U.S.
Air travel for Olathe is available from two regional airports: Johnson County Executive Airport and New Century Air Center. Major airports in the area include Mid Continent Airport in Wichita and Kansas City International Airport, both of which are served by major domestic airlines.
Population: 115,000
Median Household Income: $61,111
Median Family Income: $68,498
Per Capita Income: $24,498
Latitude: 38.881N
Longitude: 94.818W
Climate: Average temperature in January is 30.4 degrees and July is 79.1 degrees. Average rainfall is 36 inches including snowfall.
Olathe is on the Central Standard Time Zone and observes Daylight Savings Time.