Explore the charm of Kansas, recognized as the “Sunflower State” due to its sprawling fields adorned with vibrant blooms. Nestled in the heart of the United States, this region offers captivating vistas of seemingly endless sunflowers. Beyond the Midwest’s reputation, Kansas reveals a tapestry of attractions that extend beyond serene landscapes and pastoral scenes. Dive into our guide to the “Top Places to Visit in Kansas” and uncover the diverse wonders that define this captivating state.
Located in the Great Plains, Kansas is bordered by Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. The western two-thirds of the state are mostly level, featuring lush fields and farms. In contrast, the eastern third is dramatically hilly, with stunning rocky outcroppings, forests, and rivers.
Most of the state’s largest cities are located in the eastern part, while the west remains largely rural. Dodge City is a fascinating monument and museum hub with a rich history as a cattle town in the American West.
Kansas City, an almost identical twin in neighboring Missouri, is where most visitors go, with museums and easy access to see the Kansas City Chiefs play. Topeka and Lawrence are two other Kansas hotspots. Topeka is home to an excellent museum showcasing the state’s Native American history and its involvement in the struggle against slavery, while Lawrence has one of the strongest art, bar, and music scenes in the Midwest.
Hutchinson is another popular destination, with attractions such as the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, the quaint Oz Museum, Monument Rocks, and Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve.
Kansas is known as the “Heart of America” not only because it is geographically located at the country’s midpoint but also because it represents a classic example of the United States, with its Great Plains landscape and rich heritage.
Although many people associate Kansas with Dorothy’s journey to Oz, the state has many other fascinating attractions to offer visitors.
10. Fort Scott National Historic Site
: A view of the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas, USA. Image source: Lindsey Martin Webb/Shutterstock.com
There was a time in the middle of the 19th century when Kansas was considered the frontier. Even though people were still moving in, the United States required a strong military presence to protect its borders. Fort Scott, which was built in 1842, played a major role in the U.S. Civil War and in Bleeding Kansas, a conflict that raised the issue of slavery long before it became a national war.
A guided tour is the best way to see Fort Scott National Historic Site today. There are more than a dozen authentic buildings to explore, housing a total of thirty furnished rooms that will transport you back in time for more than a century and a half.
Top Places to Visit in Kansas: Oz Museum
: A puppet show featuring characters from the Wizard of Oz. Image source: MRIMD/Shutterstock.com
Wamego, a tiny town, is located on the banks of the Kansas River. Despite its small size, Wamego is home to one of the state’s most interesting tourist destinations. The Oz Museum, a shrine to the Wizard of Oz, may be found in Wamego.
Original literature, contemporary items, and cinematic memorabilia from the classic film are all on display here. You can see the original silent films right there at the museum, and there are hundreds of Swarovski crystals adorning the ruby slippers.
8. Monument Rocks
: A scenic view of Monument Rocks in Gove County, Kansas. Image source: MS7503/Shutterstock.com
Northwest Kansas is home to the chalk pyramids, often called Monument Rocks. That rock formation is one of the state’s most impressive geological features. More than 80 million years have passed since the formation of Monument Rocks, according to some estimations.
The must-see 70-foot tall rock formations are Charlie the Dog and Eye of the Needle. Moreover, if you look attentively, you may see complete fossils and shells embedded in the granite.
Top Places to Visit in Kansas: Cosmosphere
A statue and plaque commemorating World War II in the Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas. Image source: DCM Images/Shutterstock.com
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, more often referred to as just the Cosmosphere, is located in the city of Hutchinson. With almost 40,000 square feet of display area, it is the world’s second-largest space museum. Watch films about space travel on a dome screen that’s two stories high at the Carey Digital Dome Theater.
Watching a performance of Dr. Goddard’s Lab will transport you to the 1930s, when rocketry was a relatively new scientific discipline. You may view and touch genuine spacecraft within the Hall of Space Museum at the Cosmosphere, which houses the world’s greatest collection of Russian and American space relics.
6. Lindsborg
A stone castle on a hilltop in Lindsborg, Kansas. Image source: Rexjaymes/Shutterstock.com
Lindsborg, Kansas, is one of the state’s most interesting tourist spots. It was Swedish settlers towards the end of the 19th century that established this little city. Little Sweden is the current name for the area. Several stores and landmarks in the area pay homage to Sweden’s long history in the region.
Wander by the anvils on your way to a cup of freshly roasted coffee at the Blacksmith Shop. An energy drink will get you out and about at the Swedish Pavilion. This historic structure, first built for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair but later relocated to Little Sweden, is now the centre of the arts at Bethany College.
Each of Lindsborg’s many events, both large and small, consistently draws thousands of visitors. The Svensk Hyllmingsfest is perhaps the most well-known, and it features traditional Swedish music, dance, and costume.
Top Places to Visit in Kansas: Dodge City
: façade of the Front Street replica at the Boot Hill historical museum in Dodge City, Kansas. Image source: RaksyBH/Shutterstock.com
The town of Dodge City in western Kansas is often mentioned in the same breath as the Santa Fe Trail. Fort Dodge was constructed in the 19th century to protect pioneers on their way to Kansas or already living there. The phrase “Get the Hell out of Dodge” originated there because the town exemplified the Wild West.
Dodge, on the other hand, is a great area to live and explore right now, and it’s packed with interesting landmarks and historical sites. Fort Dodge tours are still available, as are visits to the Boot Hill Museum. There are reenactments of gunfights and chuckwagon meals, and the museum features a detailed replica of Dodge City as it appeared in 1876.
4. Eisenhower Presidential Library
Eisenhower Presidential Library located next to his boyhood home in Abilene, Kansas. Image source: Chris Haden/Shutterstock.com
Abilene, a tiny city in central Kansas, is home to an amazing and historically important attraction. Abilene is the site of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum, and Eisenhower’s childhood home.
There are millions of books, photographs, and artifacts to peruse at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, making it a first-rate study center. Eisenhower’s biography, his administration, and the history of Kansas are the subjects of the museum’s ever-rotating exhibits.
Top Places to Visit in Kansas: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Lower Fox Creek School located in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas. Image source: Weldon Schloneger/Shutterstock.com
The original tallgrass grasslands in the United States have been reduced to only 4%, but the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is working to preserve what is left. A number of miles of trails may be explored in this area just outside of Strong City. The Spring Hill Ranch House, built in the 1880s, and the Limestone Barn, constructed in the 1890s, are only two of the few historic structures found on the preserve.
Prairies in the springtime are especially beautiful due to the profusion of flowers that grow there. Attempting to return bison to their natural habitat, a herd has been wandering the area freely since 2009.
2. Lawrence
aerial view of Lawrence, Kansas and the State University. Image source: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock.com
Lawrence, one of the best cities in Kansas, is a great place to visit if you’re interested in nightlife, art, and culture. The University of Kansas contributes to the city’s young, progressive population and artistic vibe as its primary employer.
The heart of Lawrence may be found on Massachusetts Street, the city’s main thoroughfare that is home to several art galleries, locally owned restaurants, and unique, often vintage shops. The neighbourhood is rich with excellent local breweries and nightlife locations since it is a college town.
The University of Kansas campus is home to a variety of architectural marvels that should not be missed. The campus’s likeness to Hogwarts, the wizarding institution from the Harry Potter series, is appropriately named. It contributes to the campus’s likeness to Hogwarts.
Top Places to Visit in Kansas: Wichita
aerial view of the population center of Wichita, Kansas. Image source: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock.com
Although it’s not the capital, Wichita is Kansas’s biggest city. Wichita is home to various aerospace industries and the Kansas Aviation Museum, earning it the moniker “Air Capital of the World.” The Sedgwick County Zoo houses over 2,500 animals and is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Do yourself a favor and take a walk around Wichita’s historic Old Town while you’re there. The revitalization of Old Town has resulted in a wonderful array of museums, shops, and eateries that are all easily accessible on foot.
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