Attractions
Santa's Express in Lights at Ag Hall of Fame
The popular annual Santa’s Express at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is being transformed this holiday season into a drive-through wonderland of holiday lights, music and a nativity complete with barnyard animals. Santa’s Express in Lights runs for two weekends from 5:30 to 9 p.m...
Lake Shawnee
With warmer days and flowers blooming, Lake Shawnee is a wonderful place to stretch your legs after bundling up all winter. The park features a campground, golf course, swimming beach, playgrounds, fishing areas, tennis and volleyball courts and softball diamonds. Lake Shawnee Trail offers great...
History on the High Plains
The Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby retains the history of settlers in the northwest region of the state. The main building was designed by George Kuska, son of Joseph and Nellie Kuska. The museum is known for the renowned Kuska Collection, which contains more than 28,000 items...
The Sunflower Capital
“Three Sunflowers in a Vase,” an 80-foot-tall art piece found in Goodland, is part of the Big Easel Project and is based on a painting from Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflower series. Van Gogh originally created the paintings in Aries, France, between 1888 and 1889.
Historic Theaters Near Me In Kansas
Home to renovated theaters, these Kansas towns are committed to entertaining audiences in an unforgettable setting. Cue the show!
Bourbon & Baker
Just a few blocks from the Flint Hills Discovery Center is a restaurant you don’t want to miss. At Bourbon & Baker on Poyntz Avenue, the window to the kitchen says “86 This.” But you won’t want to 86 anything on their menu, which features an eclectic spin on down-home southern cuisine. And don...
K-State Garden Party
Get out those dancing shoes and attend this year’s Kansas State University Garden Party on June 2. The party — themed “Can You Dig It?” — will include the best hits from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
World’s Largest Things in Kansas
Looking for a Kansas road trip? Check out some of these “World’s Largest” attractions worth visiting in Kansas!
Prairie Fire Winery
Bob DesRuisseaux and his wife, Julie, love being able to grow grapes in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Together, they own and operate Prairie Fire Winery, located right off I-70 in Paxico. When they started farming in 2005, the couple knew planning ahead was the first step to becoming successful in the...
Liquid Art Winery and Estate
Drive just a few miles outside of Manhattan on a country road and you’ll be transported to a place that is reminiscent of Italy or France. The Liquid Art Winery and Estate, located at 1745 Wildcat Creek, boasts a beautiful view of the rolling Flint Hills and accompanying vineyards. Visit the...
Coronado Heights Castle
Just northwest of Lindsborg, travel along gravel roads to visit the spectacular Coronado Heights Castle. Atop a hill sits a beautiful castle overlooking the vast Kansas skies.
Flint Hills Discovery Center
The Flint Hills Discovery Center is a dynamic tribute to the last major stand of unbroken tallgrass prairie. This 35,000 square foot must-see attraction includes interactive exhibits highlighting the science, history and culture of the ecoregion from pre-history to present day.
So Long Saloon
If you have a hankerin’ for a burger after checking out the great events happening in Manhattan this summer, be sure to stop by So Long Saloon in the Aggieville district of Manhattan for a one-of-a-kind meal. The restaurant offers signature burgers, spicy coleslaw, a popular raspberry black bean...
3 Family-Friendly Activities for a Spring Outing in Kansas
A sunny spring day in Kansas is made for exploring, and there’s no shortage of family-friendly attractions, from places that promise animal interactions to movie-themed moments.
Discover Salina Naturally
Discover Salina Naturally is a unique event introducing young families to local history, children to nature and educating the community on the value of a responsible and sustainable future. This free event offers more than 70 participating demonstrators, historical reenactors, artists, booths,...
National Festival of Breads
If you love bread and home baking, the National Festival of Breads in Manhattan is the event you’ve been craving.
Hit the Brakes! Picture-Worthy Mural Towns Worth Pulling Over For
Blooming yellow sunflowers. Steam-powered locomotives. Colorful quilt patterns. Several Kansas rural towns are perfecting the art of attracting visitors by launching mural movements to public spaces. The allure of finding each bold design and the appreciation of the visual arts draws people to...
Big Brutus
It’s difficult to grasp the enormity of Big Brutus without visiting the orange and black piece of equipment formerly used for mining in southeast Kansas. (I remember climbing in its bucket when I was in grade school and thinking it was some pre-historic creature, just waiting for everyone to leave...
Imax Theater
If you’re in the mood for a movie, check out Manhattan’s newest theater, located in Town Center Mall. The theater features 13 screens and one IMAX theater, which is equipped with a wall-to-wall screen, digital projection and surround sound — perfect for those must-see movies on the big screen....
3 Ice Cream Parlors in Kansas You Can’t Miss
A homemade ice cream treat or fizzy soft drink on a hot July day is a tasty way to seek relief from the heat. Since the 1920s, soda fountains, often located inside drug stores, have been the go-to summer destination for families. This iconic tradition, deeply rooted in the history of Kansas,...
Monument Rocks and Castle Rock – Grinnell
Rising majestically from the seemingly flat prairie just 25 miles south of Oakley on Highway 83 are the Monument Rocks, or “Pyramids.” Visit the 100-foot-tall rocks for a spectacular family photo opportunity.
Chicken Annie's Dinner
If you have a hankering for some down-home fried chicken, look no further than Chicken Annie’s in Pittsburg. Ask anyone from southeast Kansas where to find the best fried chicken and they’ll respond with a resounding “Chicken Annie’s.” The restaurant grew out of a need to care for family.
2019 Biking Across Kansas
Registration opened Nov. 23 for the 2019 Biking Across Kansas (BAK) bicycle tour. The 45th year of the longest-running bicycling event in Kansas history—a 478-mile ride across the state—begins Sat., June 8. BAK is an eight-day tour originating at the Kansas-Colorado line with up to 900 bicyclists,...
Taste the Season: Shop Kansas Farmers Markets for Fresh Produce and Products
Voices chatter over the sound of an acoustic guitar player. A woman packages a freshly baked loaf of bread for a customer. The smell of grilled meat permeates the air. At more than 100 registered Kansas farmers markets, local growers and artisans stock their booths with products, from in-season...
Fick Fossil Museum – Oakley
The Fick Fossil Museum features fossils found by Ernest and Vi Fick, including a large collection of rocks and minerals from the Oakley area and even remains of ancient tombs. The world’s oldest known mosasaur fossil, a 15-foot Xiphactinus Audax, is a feature at the museum.
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
To some, the story of Martin and Osa Johnson may seem more like a fantasy than reality. Osa, originally from Chanute, and Martin, raised in Lincoln and Independence, were married in 1910. Their love story is unique and involves adventures in Africa, Borneo and the South Pacific. Not only did they...
2018 Symphony in the Flint Hills
“Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie.” — Willa Cather
Lake Scott State Park – Beaver
Hidden in the western Kansas prairie, Lake Scott State Park is a startling oasis of natural springs, deep-wooded canyons and craggy bluffs. Enjoy the 100-acre Scott State Fishing Lake, swimming beach, canoe and paddleboat rentals, and nature trails.
Wilson County Old Iron Days
Wilson County Old Iron Days Show will be held Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 22-25, 2016 at the Rollin “Red” Vandever Memorial Park east of Fredonia, 10392 Jade Road near the intersection of US Highway 400 and Kansas Highway 47. Demonstrations are presented every day of the show and a tractor pull...
Dinosaur reappears after 100 million years
In May of 1955, a Kansas rancher on horseback was checking on cows and calves near a dry pasture ditch that ran through his land in Ottawa County. In a gully, he spotted something strange — fragments of unusual bone embedded in a rock. The rancher, named Warren Condray, recognized this could be...
Tate’s Restaurant – Scott City
A new staple in Scott City is Tate’s Restaurant, located at 405 Main Street, offering made-from-scratch recipes and great variety.
Carry A. Nation Home & Stockade Museum
Carry A. Nation was a formidable woman. Born in Kentucky in 1846, she ventured to Missouri and Texas before eventually making her home in Medicin Lodge in 1890 with her husband, David Nation. In Medicine Lodge, David was a minister while Carry became involved in religious and civic activities.
Fort Wallace Museum
Located just south of the town of Wallace — home to fewer than 50 hearty souls — the Fort Wallace Museum is a sight to behold. Rising up out of the High Plains, the museum is made up of several historic buildings including a church, train depot, the Pond Creek Stage Station and the Sunderland-Poe...
Chef Alli's Friends, Family & Farmers Hawaiian Cruise
Join Chef Alli on her second Friends, Family and Farmers cruise when she travels to Hawaii Aug. 11-19.
Cosmosphere
“Explore. Learn. Grow. Dream.” At the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, learning becomes an adventure as young minds think outside of the globe in fun, inventive ways. With attractions like Dr. Goddard’s Lab, an interactive show that sparks oohs and aahs with live demonstrations of the journey through...
Mt. Sunflower Bed and Breakfast
After exploring Fort Wallace, it’s time to head west to Sharon Springs and a night of peace and quiet at Mt. Sunflower Bed & Breakfast. This B&B rests in the heart of Wallace County just 17 miles from the Colorado border. It’s also centrally located between Mt. Sunflower and the Fort...
Martinelli's – Salina
Located in downtown Salina, Martinelli’s offers authentic and delicious Italian cuisine. Locally owned and operated, all of Martinelli’s sauces are handmade and its dishes are prepared with care.
Smitty's Carry Out
At Smitty's Carry Out in Kingman, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time — when hamburgers were made fresh, the menu was on the wall in marquee lettering and you knew everyone when you stepped inside. Stop by to enjoy their old-fashioned burgers and hand-cut French fries. Carrying out is an...
Prairie Museum of Art and History
Explore life on the High Plains at the Prairie Museum of Art and History, a 24-acre complex with indoor and outdoor exhibits located in Colby. Since it opened in 1988, the Prairie Museum showcases exhibits that reflect the lives of the pioneers who settled in western Kansas in the 1870s.
Homes for the Holidays Tour – Abilene
Tours presented by Heritage Homes Association of Abilene are a treat for all to enjoy.
Hendrick's Exotic Animal Farm
In Nickerson, just west of Hutchinson, you’ll find an interesting sight. At Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm, you’ll enjoy views of zebras, camels, ostriches, giraffes, kangaroos and many more exotic creatures roaming the Kansas prairie. Kids will love to visit the different animals and learn new...
Destination Kitchen
Norton County’s Destination Kitchen will provide you with one of the finest dining experiences in this part of the state. Destination Kitchen opened its doors in October 2008. Current owners Shannon and Scott Esslinger bought the business in January of 2013. While some would say its location in...
Brookville Hotel – Abilene
While you’re in Abilene, make plans to visit the Brookville Hotel, which is famous for its family-style serving of fried chicken.
Nature Walk in Wilson County
Enjoy a nature walk sponsored by the Wilson County Conservation District Auxiliary on June 3, 2017. Meet at the Old Iron Club meeting building in Fredonia at 8 a.m. and tours will begin at 9. There will be walks to identify and discuss native wildflowers and grasses, trees, birds, insects and...
Kansas' Largest Barn Quilt
Teresa Sawyer Arnold, Mary Kaltenbach and Beth Ann DeMont of Ashland are quilters. But not just any quilters – they’re barn quilters and they created the idea of Kansas’ largest barn quilt. The three women started barn quilt classes, which grew in popularity. “People just kept coming back,”...
Oz Museum
“Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!” We all know what film made that phrase famous. The Wizard of Oz is a classic movie with a special place in the heart of Kansans. At the OZ Museum in Wamego, get reacquainted with Dorothy, Toto and friends by viewing memorabilia and life-size displays.
Buffalo Bill Cultural Center
It’s hard to miss. A larger-than-life-sized bronze statue of “Buffalo Bill” on his horse, Brigham, aiming at a buffalo, was sculpted to mark the legendary hunt that took place near Oakley. The legend says that Oakley was where William Frederick Cody gained the renowned title of “Buffalo Bill.”
Pumpkin Patches in Kansas
Pumpkin patches across Kansas are a great way to enjoy time with family while finding that perfect pumpkin to carve or display or eat. Here's a list of some great pumpkin patches for you to enjoy in Kansas. Visit each website for more information about the location and hours. Are we missing any...
C.L. Hoover Opera House
The C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City was constructed in 1882 on a foundation made of native Geary County limestone. Experiencing a fire in 1898, several renovations and a few owners, today the C.L. Hoover Opera House serves as a state-of-the- art performing arts and civic center. The Opera...
Mount Sunflower
At 4,039 feet above sea level, Mount Sunflower stands proud as the highest point in Kansas. Located 15 miles north of Weskan, along the state’s western border, Mount Sunflower is more than 3,300 feet above the state’s topographical low point in southeastern Kansas.
