Why go there

Shawnee is between the Kansas City area’s most popular attractions and boasts a few must-sees of its own. The city was founded in 1856, and though its population has now grown to more than 61,000, it is known for its small-town community feel. The city is known best for its annual community festival, Old Shawnee Days. Other summer community events include the Summer Concert Series, free concerts in city parks July 9, July 23 and Aug. 6, and the Shawnee Great Grillers Blues & Barbeque contest, Sept. 24-25.

What to do there

Shawnee boasts several recreational opportunities. The city has sports facilities such as the Mid-America West Sports complex, Ice Sports of Kansas City and Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball. About half of Johnson County’s 1,250-acre Shawnee Mission Park is within the city’s borders, as are the northern 7.5 miles of the 15-mile Mill Creek Streamway Trail, which runs from a small island in the Kansas River in Shawnee south to the city of Olathe. For indoor fun, there’s Park Lanes and Power Play Family Entertainment Center.

Must see

Shawnee Town, 11501 W. 57th St. Originally created by a group of volunteers, the now city-run outdoor museum is undergoing an expansion that will allow visitors to experience a typical day around the 1920s farm community of Shawnee through authentic collections, exhibits, programs and events. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from March to October; self-guided tours are $2 per adult, $1 per child.

For the kids

Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City, 5700 King Ave., (913) 287-8888, wonderscope.org. Children learn through the power of play with the hands-on arts and sciences exhibits at this museum. Admission $7 for ages 3 and up, $6 for seniors, $4 for toddlers.

Pocketbook friendly

The Johnson County Museum of History, 6305 Lackman Road, (913) 715-2550, jocomuseum.org. Admission is free. Visitors can explore the growth of Johnson County and suburbia. For $2 admission fee, they also can tour the 1950s All-Electric House.

Online/Twitter/Facebook

goodstartshere.org; shawneekscvb.com; cityofshawnee.org Twitter: twitter.com/CityofShawneeks Facebook: City of Shawnee, Kansas

Save this date

Old Shawnee Days, June 3-6, Shawnee Town grounds. This annual festival offers an array of free weekend-long entertainment. Music features nationally known recording artists and great local bands; plus there’s entertainment for kids, crafts and vendors, a carnival and parade, games, contests and more.

How to get there

Just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City, Mo., Shawnee offers easy access from I-70, K-7, K-10 and I-35, with I-435 and Shawnee Mission Parkway bisecting the city.￿