Stagecoach rides, wine and great BBQ highlight visit to Olathe, Kansas

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Stagecoach ride
A father and daughter enjoy a stagecoach ride during their visit to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm in Olathe, Kansas.

From the days of yesteryear to impressive public art, Olathe shows why it’s a popular area to visit on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area. Toss in unique coffee shops, wineries and restaurants, and you have the makings of a perfect weekend getaway.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Visit Olathe for hosting our stay and providing complimentary meals, admissions and accommodations. However, all opinions and views are ours.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Visit Olathe for hosting our stay and providing complimentary meals, admissions and accommodations. However, all opinions and views are ours.

 

Olathe has an interesting public art scene. Located downtown, near the city hall, several sculptures highlight a small plaza area that features water display and plaques recognizing locals who have served as governors of several states.

A sculpture design featuring orange slices.
This orange sculpture may make you salivate a bit.

Olathe is home to the Kansas School for the Deaf. The campus is home to beautiful buildings, as well as a visitors center that hosts a small museum detailing the history of the school.

The Kansas School for the Deaf's visitors center features the alphabet in sign language.
The Kansas School for the Deaf’s visitors center features the alphabet in sign language.

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop

Serving as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop today serves as a living history museum. A working farm, staff members dress in authentic 1800s garb and work jobs as they would have when the stagecoach came through, such as a blacksmith, cook and farmhands. Two women worked in the livery stable, preparing horses to lead the stagecoach. Mahaffie is the only attraction along the Santa Fe Trail with a working stagecoach. Visitors can take a nearly mile-long ride as part of their visit.

A farmhand cuts wood
A farmhand cuts wood to be used as part of the farm’s daily operations.

As you arrive at the farm, the visitors center houses a museum with exhibits showcasing the farm’s history. James B. and Lucinda Mahaffie bought the farm shortly after arriving from Indiana. They ran the stagecoach stop and farm for five years beginning in 1865.

Pieces of china and other artifacts that were discovered during an excavation of the farm by archaeologists.
Pieces of china and other artifacts that were discovered during an excavation of the farm by archaeologists.

Stone Pillar Winery

A short drive from the farm is Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery. A family farm from the days before the Civil War, the Hoff family decided to transition to a winery in 2007. Stone Pillar opened in 2010 offering the vineyard’s first harvest. With more than 20 varieties of wine available, Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery offers guests reds such as a semi-sweet Joceaux and whites such as a sauvignon blanc, with a hint of peach and lime. The winery also hosts outdoor concerts throughout the year.

Glass of wine at Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery
A sweet white wine was one of our favorites during our sampling of a flight.

Food and treats

If you’re looking for an excellent place for dinner, of course you need to try Kansas City barbecue. One of our favorite BBQ places is Joe’s Kansas City Barbeque. The nice thing is you don’t have to travel to the original location in Kansas City (Kansas) to try the BBQ. Olathe is home to one of the expanded sites. The BBQ is just as good as it is at the old gas station at 47th and Mission. You’ll enjoy the barbecue sauce blanketing the perfectly-prepared ribs, while the sides like coleslaw and potato salad add to the meal.

Barbecue ribs, ham and potato salad and coleslaw
Joe’s Kansas City is one of our favorite BBQ joints anywhere.

As you travel around Olathe, you’ll need to take a break and enjoy a snack or two. Maybe a cup of coffee is on your radar. You can’t go wrong with a stop at Pour Coffee. We actually started one of our mornings off there, enjoying a latte while taking in the views of the treats.

Coffee cup next to window
Pour Coffee offers outstanding lattes and coffee, as well as a menu featuring several pastries.

While touring downtown, we stopped at Park Street Pastry, where we sampled a cookie or two. The bakery also offers homemade breakfasts on the weekends.

A chocolate chip cookie at Park Street Pastry.
A chocolate chip cookie at Park Street Pastry.

During our visit to Olathe, we enjoyed a hosted stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites. Since we’ve stayed at a Hampton hotel in other cities, we knew to expect a quality stay, comfortable bed and great customer service.

Hotel room with bed and desk at Hampton Inn and Suites
We enjoy staying at Hampton Inn and Suites.

We enjoyed our weekend in Olathe, and recommend visiting the city as a separate trip from Kansas City. While we love Kansas City (Missouri) a lot, we enjoyed checking out a new area of the metro. For more information on Olathe and what it may offer you, please visit the Olathe visitors bureau.