Kearney, MO Real Estate, Homes For Sale, School & Area Information

If you’re looking for a cozy spot in Kearney, MO, that serves up delicious, wood-fired pizza and hearty Italian dishes, Giambalvo’s Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta is a must-visit. This local favorite offers an impressive menu of handcrafted pizzas, savory pasta dishes, fresh salads, and mouthwatering desserts. One of the standout features of Giambalvo’s is its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Parents will love the kids’ menu, and little ones will be entertained while they wait—each child gets a ball of pizza dough to play with at the table, making the dining experience fun for the whole family. Of course, the real star here is the food. Their wood-fired pizzas boast a perfect balance of crispy, slightly charred crust and flavorful toppings, while their pasta dishes are rich, comforting, and made with fresh ingredients. And let’s not forget dessert—if you have a sweet tooth, do yourself a favor and try the Gooey Butter Cake. It’s my personal favorite, with its rich, buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re grabbing a casual dinner with family or enjoying a night out with friends, Giambalvo’s delivers quality food and a warm, inviting experience. If you haven’t been yet, it’s time to give this local gem a try!

As winter begins to fade, it’s time to start thinking about your spring garden! If you’re eager to get a head start, beginning your seedlings indoors is the perfect way to ensure a strong, healthy garden when warmer weather arrives. And when it comes to getting all your seed-starting essentials, Penrod’s Greenhouse in Kearney, MO is the go-to local spot!

Why Start Your Seeds Indoors?
Starting seeds indoors allows you to control the growing environment, giving your plants a strong foundation before transplanting them outside. This method is especially helpful for vegetables and flowers that need a longer growing season, like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

What You’ll Need for Indoor Seed Starting
To set yourself up for success, gather the right supplies:

Seedling Trays & Containers – These provide the perfect home for your seeds to sprout.
Quality Soil – A light, well-draining seed-starting mix is key to strong root development.
Grow Lights or Plant Lamps – Since winter daylight can be limited, artificial light ensures your seedlings get the energy they need.
Seedling Heating Pads – These keep the soil warm, which helps with germination, especially for heat-loving plants.
A Gentle Watering Can or Spray Bottle – Seedlings need consistent moisture, but too much water can be harmful.
Plenty of Seeds – Variety is key! Whether you love heirloom tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, or vibrant flowers, having a mix of seeds makes for an exciting garden.

Why Choose Penrod’s?
Penrod’s is more than just a greenhouse – it’s a locally owned business that treats every customer like family. Their knowledgeable team is always ready to help with gardening tips, seed selection, and advice on soil and plant care. Plus, by shopping locally, you’re supporting a small business that truly cares about the Kearney community.

Get Growing with Penrod’s!
If you’re ready to start your garden, stop by Penrod’s Greenhouse to pick up everything you need. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, they have the supplies and expertise to help you grow a thriving spring garden.

Kearney is getting a new splash of life! The iconic water tower along I-35 is being replaced as part of the town’s ongoing growth. Construction on the new tower began in early February 2025, designed to hold more water for both current needs and future development. While there is no set completion date yet, the people of Kearney are excited for the new tower, reflecting the community’s growth and progress.

I recently visited the Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch and had an incredible time. There’s truly something for everyone, from apple picking and the pumpkin patch to a challenging corn maze and fun playhouses. My family especially enjoyed the obstacle course and the petting zoo, both a big hit with the kids! The food was a delicious bonus. The seasonal pumpkin donuts were warm and full of flavor, and the freshly made apple cider was the perfect drink for a crisp fall day. There are also so many great spots for fall-themed photos! Whether you're snapping pictures in the pumpkin patch, among the colorful trees, or with the fun setups around the farm, you'll have no shortage of beautiful backgrounds for your fall memories. Overall, it’s a great place to spend a day enjoying fall activities. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for family-friendly fun, tasty seasonal treats, and perfect photo opportunities!

Come out and support local businesses at the Kearney Farmers Market every Saturday through October. The Farmers Market has a wide variety of fresh produce, flowers, plants, micro greens, meat, handmade crafts and much more. The Market is open from 7am-noon so be sure and check it out.

Come out to Jesse James Park this Saturday, September 16th, and Sunday, September 17th, for the 52nd Annual Jesse James Festival in Kearney. This year's new features include Tumbleweed Crossing Wild West comedy and gunfight show, upgraded carnival rides and games, and the wildly popular giant kite show. Whether you like to dance, enjoy family games and activities, love carnival rides, or want to let out your inner lumberjack by throwing axes, the Jesse James Festival has something for the entire family.

The Jessie James Festival is a beloved tradition in our town, celebrating its 52nd fall season this weekend (Sept 15-17th). This festival is a two-weekend event, typically the second and third weekends of September, with the third weekend in full swing! It features a lively parade, 5 &10K Run/walk, Tractor/motorcycle/car show, and a rodeo. The Jessie James Park grounds become a hub of activity with the carnival on the festival's last weekend. Families can also enjoy activities like a fishing tournament and "the Largest Kite Show." Local musicians and dance troupes provide live entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. The Jessie James Festival is a beloved tradition that brings our town closer each year to celebrate not an outlaw but an era that significantly impacted their community. See you this weekend at Jessie James Park just north of Kearney on Highway 33!

The Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch is Kansas City's newest fall adventure destination. They have activities and games for kids of all ages. Come out, opening September 15th, and enjoy the hayrides, barrel train, pumpkin cannons, and the jumbo jumper. They also have their famous pumpkin patch, and have fun finding your way out of their corn maze. Everyone will also enjoy the barnyard with animals you can pet and feed. Be sure to visit the Fun Farm and enjoy some outdoor fun.

Bring the kids out to the Kearney Crossroads Community Church on Saturday, April 8th, at 1:00 p.m. for the Egg-stravaganza Egg Hunt and activities. Everyone is sure to enjoy this event featuring egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, face painting, bounce houses, snacks, large kite demonstrations, and more. The church is located at 2855 Edgar Petty Road in Kearney. This is a free event so be sure and bring the entire family out and enjoy some Easter fun.

It's been a long time coming and now March 27th, 2023 Starbucks is finally open for business. Many have driven by the new construction building going up right beside Dairy Queen and wondered just what was going in. The speculation was huge and kind of funny for a long time. About six months ago, it was announced that Starbucks had decided to come to Kearney.
The location is right off of I-35 and 92 Hwy, so perfect for the drowsy traveler.to get their cup of joe.
With operating hours that are later than the two local coffee shops, Paisley Perk & Mojo's, Starbucks will also get plenty of local traffic too. This location also features a drive-thru window which is another difference between the national chain and the local coffee shops. Come on up to Kearney and check out all of the coffee shops, and maybe do a little shopping at the local boutiques. The businesses will be glad you stopped in.

A few years ago, the city of Kearney jumped on the pickleball bandwagon and modified the old tennis courts of Kearney High School into three pickleball courts, and a skate park. Wow, the sport of pickleball exploded in this small town north of Kansas City.

Due to the explosion of interest and several national competitors in the sport, the city is redeveloping that area to put in 12 state-of-the-art pickleball courts with lighting and tons of parking and with that redevelopment, the skate park is getting a facelift too. The new courts are scheduled to open at the end of May, and there has been national attention in the pickleball world regarding hosting tournaments.

Get your paddles ready and come to Kearney to check out the new courts. The city is committed to having plenty of open play for residents and guests and not being monopolized by tournaments.

If you enjoy good sushi and good service then you should give the KaJi Japanese Sushi and Grill a try. They have a nice variety of sushi that is made to order and the fried rice and miso soup are delicious. If you don't like sushi, no worries, they have other great entree options. KaJi is located at 751 Watson Drive in Kearney, MO.

Bring the kids out to the Kearney Crossroads Community Church this Saturday, December 3rd, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Parents and kids will enjoy breakfast, photos with Santa, crafts, activities, and other holiday fun. The church is suggesting, if you're able, a donation of $10 per family, with the proceeds going to fund a new playground at Crossroads The Crossroads Church is located at 2855 S Petty Road in Kearney.

Good cheer found here, at Paisley! Come out to Paisley Candle and Home as they kick off the season of decking the halls, entertaining, and gift-giving. Paisley is a small, family-owned candle-making company located at 400 S Jefferson St. in Kearney. The Open House will run from November 3rd at 10:00 a.m. to November 6th at 3:00 p.m.

Grab your costumes and come join the Trunk or Treat located in the Kearney West Shopping Center parking lot. The businesses in the shopping center are hosting the event so stop by for some Halloween fun. The event runs from 3:00-5:00 p.m. this Sunday, October 30th.

The Kearney Fun Farm is open again for another season of fun and the Fun Farm family invites you to spend the perfect fall day out on the farm. There's something for everyone from their 30 attractions and endless photo ops to the delicious food, beer, and wine. Plus don't forget all the yummy desserts. The Fun Farm is open from Wednesday-Mondays thru October 31st and is located at 650 N. Jefferson St.

Be sure and bring your furry friends out to celebrate Barks and Brews in Kearney, MO this Saturday, August 13th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks, drinks, fun contests, and much more. The event is sponsored by the Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation and a portion of the evening sales will benefit the foundation. Check out this event at 400 S Jefferson St. in Kearney.

What says Americana more than fireworks? Kearney MO celebrates Independence Day on the 3rd of July every year. Festivities are located out at Jesse James Park north of town on 33 Hwy. Gates are opened early so come and reserve your place to park, bring your own tent and picnic supplies. Inside the amphitheater grounds, there will be blow-up games for kids, and the music on the stage which will start at 7:00 p.m. is Kansas City's own, Tate Stevens. The fireworks display will start at about 9:15 p.m.and you will have a first-row seat to enjoy the show.

Be sure and come out to the Kearney Crossroads Community Church this Saturday, April 16th, at 1:00 p.m., for the Easter Egg-Stravaganza. There will be outdoor fun for all ages, including egg hunts, face painting, snacks, and loads of family fun. The church is located at 2855 Edgar Petty Road in Kearney.

The 1st annual Tulip Festival is coming to the Fun Farm in Kearney. There will be over 300,000 tulips of 26 varieties that spans 8.5 acres. There will also be 30+ farm attractions. The tentative dates for this festival are April 1- May 8. Ticket prices will be $15.95 online and $24.95 at the gate. What a great opportunity for a photo op!

The First United Methodist Church of Kearney is hosting the Jingle Jam Light Show this Sunday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m. The light show is an event that the whole family can experience together. Activities include singing songs, playing crazy games, and listening to the Christmas Story told in a way that will engage all ages. There is also a cookie party after the show so you don't want to miss this fun family outing.

The City of Kearney will be hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Event on Saturday, November 13th, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Mack Porter Park. Residents can bring paint, old batteries, lawn chemicals, and household cleaners to be picked up for safe disposal. Mack Porter Park is located at 1001 N. MO. HWY 33 in Kearney,

Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site is part of Watkins Mill State Park. Tours of the 19th-century woolen mill and Watkins home are given daily. This is the only 19th-century American woolen mill with its original machinery intact. This beautiful site features a visitor's center, a lake, camping and picnic sites, a swim beach, hiking/biking trails, and much more. The site is located seven miles east of Interstate 35 on Route 92, then one mile north on Route RA.

Be sure and check out the 10th annual Oktoberfest this Saturday, October 2nd from 7:00 a.m-10:00 p.m. in Kearney. Activities include live music, local vendors, kid's carnival, games, and more! All proceeds of the event will go to three local charities, the Kearney Food Pantry, Fulfillment House, and the Kearney Enrichment Council.