A tunnel of trees bows in greeting as my husband and I enter the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden in Kansas City, Missouri. Locals conversing with friends or with noses buried in novels perch on wooden benches tucked between painstakingly cultivated beds. This October mid-morning visit is our first, yet something feels sentimental about the spheres of yellow and fuchsia mums, meandering brick paths, and graceful fountains. A few beats pass, and then we smile at each other in a cheesy, light bulb moment of recognition: This regal oasis down the road from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art reminds us of the Sunken and Italian gardens at Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, which we visited on our honeymoon almost four years ago to the day.
The memorial garden's design was inspired by the parks the Kauffmans, notable Kansas City philanthropists, encountered on their world travels. Today, KCMO's warmth and worldly influences can be felt through its burgeoning global restaurant scene and history-steeped neighborhoods that host more activities than we can fit into our weekend stay.
Droves of visitors are in town for a marathon, the Chiefs game, a Lizzo concert and fall festivals. At Cornucopia, a family-friendly carnival in the Power and Light District, parents bounce babies on hips to the rhythm of oldies, and the air smells like funnel cakes and barbecue. A crowd reverently gathers around a stage where an artist leans over a pumpkin as tall as my torso. I, too, fall under his spell and watch a row of jagged teeth emerge as it transforms into a monster.
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Esta historia es de la edición Fall 2023 de Midwest Living.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
SPRING AWAKENING
Brown County: You might know the southern Indiana region for its namesake state park or shop-packed main street in tiny Nashville. Or maybe you know it as the muse of Impressionist painter T.C. Steele. But do you know the people who call it home? Those producing sweet mash whiskey, farming sustainably or running an artsy inn that stands out among chockablock cabins? Meet three entrepreneurs and the creative pursuits they're bringing to this popular area.
Pats of gold
The first thing to know about Royal Guernsey The first Creamery butter is that the sticks are round.
FEEL the RHYTHM
WITH HER HEART KEEPING TIME, INTERIOR DESIGNER CANDACE GRIFFIN CRAFTED A WARM, PERSONAL HOME THAT'S PERFECTLY ON BEAT WITH HER FAMILY.
Not about to join the 210-mile club?
HERE ARE A FEW FUN WALKS I’?D RECOMMEND ALONG THE OUTERBELT.
I set out to walk 210 miles around Chicago Here's how it went.
I STEP INTO THE WOODS, take a big breath in, let out a heavy sigh, and feel tensions drain.
IRIS OF MY EYE
ONCE SPRING HAS SETTLED IN TO STAY, BEARDED IRISES STAND UP TALL, SHAKE OUT THEIR SKIRTS AND PUT ON A SHOW IN A CLOUD OF NOSTALGIC PERFUME.
YES, TOP CHEF
THIS SPRING, TV’S BIGGEST COOKING COMPETITION RETURNS TO THE MIDWEST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2008.
SONG OF THE PRAIRIE
SMOKE AND SYMPHONY HERALD THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS IN THE KANSAS FLINT HILLS, WHERE FLAMES RENEW THE LAND, AND MUSIC CONNECTS US TO IT.
STUDIO SESSION STYLE ON REPEAT
WHICH COMES FIRST: THE COLOR OR THE PATTERN? CHRISTIANA COOP AND AIMEE LAGOS, THE DUO BEHIND WALLPAPER COMPANY HYGGE AND WEST, SAY THE QUALITIES NEED TO BE IN PERFECT SYNCJUST LIKE THEIR PARTNERSHIP.
Real Talk
Through colorful collage, Detroit artist Judy Bowman tells vibrant stories of the Black experience.