Welcome Group Tour Planners!

Group Itineraries | Request More Information

Located just 10 miles south of Kansas City, Merriam offers many affordable, convenient and motor-coach friendly properties for your group's visit. Whether you plan to stay overnight or just spend a few hours, the Merriam Visitors Bureau is happy to assist you in planning your tour in our community!

CVB Group Tour Services include:

• Step-on greeting
• Discounts on hotel properties
• Providing goodie bags (overnight groups only)
• Complete planning assistance

Group Itineraries: please click here for a printable itinerary listing

                 ROCK-N-ROLL / LOFTY LIVING
Think that cool lofts are only found in urban downtown areas?  Think again and come “jam” at one of Merriam’s coolest addresses in town.  Follow owner Dan Leap as he takes your group on a 30-minute guided tour of his shop where he crafts the famous “guitar lamp” featured on MTV Cribs and found in celebrity and rock-star homes across the world including Ted Nugent, Jesse James, and Poison’s Bret Michaels.

Dan will also share his loft living quarters featuring a flaming kitchen, autographed memorabilia, classic car couch and other cool stuff.  If you want to go “Back to the Future”, you can enjoy a photo session in Dan’s personal Delorean…or rock out with your group tour buddies onstage for your very own Karaoke session  (complete with take-home video).  Recently featured in Kansas City’s Home & Garden magazine, the Kansas Travel Guide and Kansas! Magazine, GuitarLamp.com has also been the guest feature on HGTV’s “Offbeat America” and “I Want That.”  For a sneak preview, visit www.guitarlamp.com

Rock Candy Boutique/GuitarLamp.com is located at 5848 Merriam Drive, in downtown Merriam.

Guided Tours are arranged solely through the Merriam Visitors Bureau and must be scheduled by calling 913-403-8999 or via email request at mail@exploremerriam.com – must have a minimum of 10 people to make a tour.

Tour price is $3.00 per person and includes a free guitar pick.  Other merchandise is available in-store and t-shirts are discounted for groups to $4.00 per shirt!

“Look What I Did” and “Offbeat America”.  To see a sneak preview, visit www.guitarlamp.com.

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  MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN DOWNTOWN MERRIAM
K.C. Strings is nationally known for making beautiful string instruments in Merriam, Kansas and wants you to come and share the experience!  Just minutes from downtown Kansas City, they now offer group and individual tours (see pricing below).

K.C. Strings is a full service violin shop serving student to professional string players by offering rentals, repair and sales of string instruments and bows in all price ranges and sizes. With instruments sold world-wide, the team of European and American craftsman at K.C. Strings are sure to impress you with their master craftsmanship and expertise in music! You can learn more information on K.C. Strings by visiting their web site at www.kcstrings.com.

Location: 5842 Merriam Drive (downtown Merriam), Merriam, KS 66203 Please do not call KC Strings for group tour setup. Contact the Visitors Bureau at 913-403-8999 to schedule tours for groups of 10 or more.
Guided Tour Hours: by appointment, call 913-403-8999 to schedule.
(groups must be at least 10 people; tours last approximately 45 minutes to one hour and must be arranged by appointment through the Merriam Visitors Bureau at 913-403-8999.)
Tour Pricing: $3.00 per person / $2.00 per person (children to age 12 / seniors 60+)

Hosting a group of at least 15 people for a tour? You can also schedule an exclusive string quartet performance in the new KC Strings Violin Shop Conservatory on Saturday evenings and Sundays (by appointment only). The instruments played during the concert are made at KC Strings and will feature a unique sound when played together. The cost is $3.00 per person for the violin shop tour and $360 for a one-hour performance. Inquire today…all tours must be scheduled through the Merriam Visitors Bureau at 913-403-8999.

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               OLD FASHIONED SODA SHOP
Craving a REAL old-fashioned soda?  Want to learn about the history of the soda fountain and remaining fountains in Kansas?  Grab a group (5+ please) and schedule a tasty tour of the brand new Georgetown Pharmacy Old-Fashioned Soda & Espresso Shop, located in downtown Merriam. 

Nestled right into the main Pharmacy, just like back in the good ol’ days, this beautiful shop is sure to bring back memories as you sip your way through a true phosphate or other menu treat.

Groups can choose from the following menu items for $3.00 per person: 12 oz. Latte or Mocha, Ice Cream Soda, 16 oz Limeade, 2 Scoop Sundae or any carbonated drink. Group seating is limited to 25. Tours and scheduling must be made through the Merriam Visitors Bureau at 913-403-8999.

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RUSSELL STOVER CANDY KITCHEN TOUR
10100 W. 63rd St.
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 722-2175

Got a sweet tooth? Satisfy that craving by taking a brief tour of the Russell Stover Candy Store on Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam.

Group tour participants can experience the entire candy-making process by watching a video and actual candy makers hard at work in the open candy kitchen! Assorted chocolate candies are available for sampling and groups are welcome to shop as well! Tours lasts approximately 30 minutes! You can learn more information about Russell Stover by visiting their web site at www.russellstover.com. Tours are offered by appointment, call the Merriam Visitors Bureau at 913-403-8999 to schedule.

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AFTERNOON ART STROLL
5701 Merriam Dr.
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 322-5550
Hours: M-TH: 9:00am-9:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Sunday: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Art lovers will enjoy a visit to Merriam’s Irene B. French Community Center for a preview of monthly artist selections on display. A relaxing way to end your tour in Merriam, the art gallery is sure to offer a quiet and enjoyable group tour experience! Art is also available for purchase! (tour dates not available from the last Sunday of each month through the first Friday of each month for changes to monthly art displays). For more information on monthly art exhibits and hours, please click here.

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 HISTORY ABOUNDS
Merriam Historic Plaza
6304 East Frontage Road
Merriam, KS 66202
(913) 403-8999
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, M-F

Take an outdoor walk through Merriam’s history at the newly opened Merriam Historic Plaza. Outdoor path (open dawn to dusk) is paved, lit and handicap accessible. Features 12 historic markers depicting the history of Merriam from pre-settlement to current day. Site also features outdoor rain garden, an eco-friendly feature designed to reduce wastewater runoff and plant and landscaping nourishment. Drive-through parking lot able to accommodate vehicles and motor coaches.

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HISTORIC MERRIAM PREVIEW
Irene B. French Community Center
5701 Merriam Dr.
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 432-3042 - Myra Jenks, coord.
Hours: 9AM - 2:30PM Fridays or by appointment

Visit the Historic Merriam Society’s Museum Room, located on the 3rd floor of the Community Center. This impressive collection includes Merriam memorabilia and a working antique model trail and trolley exhibit, which traces the development of Merriam through the railway system in the 1800’s. To view a list of other historic sites to visit, please click here.

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Need more information? Call (913) 403-8999 or submit your request for information online by clicking here.