Fort Scott National Historic Site
In the middle of the 19th century, Kansas could be described as the frontierland. Settlement was ongoing, but a military presence was needed to secure the American borders. Fort Scott was constructed in 1842, and was a significant factor in both the U.S. Civil War and Bleeding Kansas, a dispute that brought up slavery even before it was a national battle.
Today, the Fort Scott National Historic Site can be best explored on a guided tour. You can tour 11 historically accurate buildings that house 30 furnished rooms, each letting you glimpse into life more than 150 years ago.
Dwight D Eisenhower Library And Museum
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, is one of the 13 presidential libraries and tells the story of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the only five-star general to become President of the United States. He was famous for the 1944 Allied invasion of Nazi Europe, the first civil rights legislation, and the Interstate Highway System, not to mention being the first tel-evision president.
The five galleries tell his story from his childhood in Abilene until his retirement and show the house where he lived from 1989 to 1946 as well as his final resting place. The library houses 26 million pages of historical records, 335,000 photographs, 768,000 feet of motion picture film, and 70,000 artifacts.
200 S E 4th St, Abilene, KS 67410, Phone: 785-263-4751
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Kansas Teachers’ Hall Of Fame
Find out about the teachers who have made a lasting impact on the local community. The Kansas Teachersâ Hall of Fame offers this information it was started to honor this noble profession. There are photos of more than 400 teachers as well as their stories. This unique museum also showcases teaching resources used in the past, including desks from early classrooms. If you love books then youâll enjoy poring through the collections found here. The Kansas Teachersâ Hall of Fame is a great place to spend a couple of hours and gain loads of knowledge in the process.
Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame
Address: 603 5th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801, United States
When Dodge City got two black bears and raccoons way back in 1926, the idea was to place them in enclosures within Wright Park to display to the public. This was the birth of the zoo which today boasts a population of about 126 animals that originate from every continent on the planet. Although it is among the smallest zoos in the state, it still welcomes more than 60,000 visitors annually, in part for its history and partly for its animals. It might take you about an hour to explore the entire facility but youâll certainly find something fascinating that will make it worth the visit.
Wright Park Zoo
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm Sun: 1pm – 5pm
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Whats New In Dodge City
The town blends old with new while keeping with the character of its legendary history. Hit up Dodge City Brewing if you prefer beer to whiskey. Dodge City Brewing, the first craft-brewery in western Kansas, opened its doors in 2017 and features brick-oven pizza along with hand-crafted brews.
During the growing season, local farmers sell their wares at the downtown Dodge City Farmers Market. This is a great way to enjoy the fruits of modern farming, homemade baked goods, and handcrafted arts and crafts, all while appreciating the historic town.
When youre ready to enjoy the rolling bluegrass hills, you might want to head out to Mariah Hills Golf Course. Dodge City features a municipal 18-hole golf course thats as challenging as it is enjoyable. Its open throughout the year and offers discounted twilight rates as well as all-day green fees.
In the summer months, cool off at Long Branch Lagoon Water Park. Even this modern marvel retains a western theme with features including Docs Plunge , Gunslinger , Cowboy Creek , Wrangler Rapids , Ol Swimmin Hole , and Fort Splash are fun for kids of all ages.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Explore some of the planets remaining tallgrass prairie and watch for grazing bison on the 40 miles of trails at the almost 11,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. When the bulk of Americas tallgrass prairie disappearedcarved up in the name of progress by plow-wielding pioneers in the 19th centurya small section of it was preserved here. Plan your visit in the fall, when the grass will be over your head.
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Brown V Board Of Education National Historic Site
Exhibits at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Sitein Topeka explore the context and legacy of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to end segregation. You can easily spend an hour or more strolling the building, which once served as Monroe Elementary School, one of the four former African-American elementary schools in Topeka.
Mushroom Rock State Park
You can’t help but to stand and admire the sight of the landmark mushroom rocks. It’s one of the most unique geological formations you’ll see during your trip to Kansas.
Mushroom Rock State Park is the smallest state park in Kansas, but it’s well worth the detour to check it out.
It has a handful of large mushroom-shaped rocks formed by erosion millions of years ago.
You’ll be impressed by the size of the rocks when you stand next to them. The tallest is much larger than an adult.
Visitors can take a hiking trail through the Smoky Hills to reach the park. The rocks are recognized as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.
Address: Ave K, Brookville, KS 67425
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Historic Street Shows And Stagecoach
A fun, free live show on Main St. Watch a shootout. It will lead you to Saloon 10 for the capture of Jack McCall, who shot Wild Bill Hickok while he was playing poker. You will then be led to a building to watch the trial of Jack McCall. There is a charge to watch the trial, so you can decide to bow out at this point if you like. We stayed for the trial. It was fun. Glad we did it. We probably dont need to attend it for another 5-7 years.
Catch A Glimpse Of The Wild West
Dodge City, nicknamed Queen of the Cowtowns, is proud of its Wild West history even if some not-so-seemly shootouts happened here back in the day. The town was once considered the Wickedest Little City in America.
Today the citys pride and heritage bleed into the atmosphere no matter where you go. Fortunately, the hospitality these days is friendlier than it was when gunslingers were frequenting the saloons.
When visitors enter the Boot Hill Museum, they step back into history. Many artifacts from the towns past have been preserved in Boot Hill Museum, which was built on the site of the infamous Boot Hill Cemetery. You can enjoy a drink at the Long Branch Salon and a bite of homemade fudge in the Rath & CO. General Store before venturing through the extensive complex.
Visit during the summer months to watch exhilarating gunfight reenactments, childrens events such as can-can dance lesson and cowboy lessons, and the longest running seasonal theatrical show in the nation, the Long Branch Saloon Variety Show.
Memorialize your visit to Dodge City by stopping by the Old West Photo Parlor located in Boot Hill Museum. Adults and children will love dressing up as prairie women, gunslingers, saloon girls, and gamblers. Theyll leave with a 1800s-style portrait of their western persona.
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Space: The Final Frontier Kansas Style
Liberty Bell 7 Mercury Capsule | Photo by joannapoe
Space, the final frontier, is alive and well at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center which showcases a U.S. space collection second only to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, along with the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. Plan to spend the day discovering artifacts spanning U.S. and Russian Space Exploration including the actual Apollo 13 command module, Liberty Bell 7 Mercury capsule, and a flown Vostok spacecraft.
Kids will enjoy a show at the Hubble IMAX movie theater, watching a live demonstration about rocketry and elementary physics at Dr. Goddards lab, and a planetarium show. Looking for summer camp opportunities? Space camp experiences are available for kids in grades 2-12, as well as intergenerational camp offerings.
Photo by josephleenovak
Hey kids! Grab your boots and hats, don your spurs and holster, and head to the Wild West in Kansas. Dodge City, the wildest, wickedest, and woolliest Queen of the Cowtowns was a buffalo hunter central, a Santa Fe Railroad stop, and a major point along the Western Cattle Trail.
Today, this wicked and wooly town invites families to explore the Wild West while meandering along the Dodge City Trail of Fame, a walking tour of the Dodge City historic district. Relive the old western legends while visiting the Boot Hill Museum, located on the original site of some gunslinger graves at the infamous Boot Hill Cemetery.
Kansas Cosmosphere And Space Center
Did you know that Kansas played a significant role in space exploration? Learn all about it at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. Located in Hutchinson, it’s one of the best things to do in Kansas for all ages.
The Kansas Cosmosphere is an interactive museum experience designed for fun and education. You’ll get to see actual artifacts and objects collected from space.
The exhibition halls showcase space suits, objects from the moon, and a restored Liberty Bell, a part of the Mercury 7 space mission.
Experience what it feels like to lift off in a space shuttle in the shuttle simulator. There is also a dome-shaped theater where you can see space-themed documentaries. Check the screening schedule when you arrive so that you can catch a show during your visit!
Address: 1100 N Plum St, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Wichita is home to one of the most popular attractions in Kansas – Sedgwick County Zoo. It’s an award-winning zoo and ranks as one of the best in the nation. So it’s no wonder why over 500,000 people come to visit the animals every year.
Sedgwick County Zoo has animals from around the world. It designated exhibitions based on continents. You can see more than 3,000 animals from 400 species in a recreated environment.
A few of the top animals are lions, elephants, tigers, bears, African dogs, and bison. Be sure to check out the Tiger Trek, Gorilla Forest, and Penguin Cove special exhibits.
Address: 5555 W Zoo Blvd,Wichita, KS 67212
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The National Museum Of Toys And Miniatures
EQRoy / Shutterstock
This is a piece of Kansas City history that delights visitors of all ages.
There is no collection of toys, in Missouri or otherwise, finer than what you find here.
At this museum, you can see exhibits highlighting accomplishments in the worlds of dollhouses, figurines, and board games.
The miniatures are also rendered with so much loving detail.
Youll be in awe when you see just how much skill has gone into these pieces.
As you would expect from a place like this, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is very family-friendly.
Admission is affordable all-around and children five and younger get in free of charge.
Plan a trip to this museum and get a reminder of how impactful toys have been on society.
Address: 5235 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112, USA
Eisenhower Presidential Library Museum And Boyhood Home Abilene
Even if you know nothing or very little about President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a visit to his boyhood home and Presidential Library in Abilene will make you appreciate his contributions to American politics and society. The complex features five buildings: The Presidential Library with exhibits and research archives a museum a visitor center, which sits on the site of Eisenhower’s former elementary school a meditation building and his boyhood home.
The museum has recently been updated to include the latest interactive exhibits. Now you’ll be able to hear and see Ike and Mamie speak about the causes closest to their hearts. Be sure to look in the gift shop for unique politically themed gifts and some replica “I Like Ike” campaign memorabilia from the 1952 Presidential election.
Address: 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene, Kansas
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Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City
The Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park resort. Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City is lodging with so many family-friendly attractions that you could really just never leave the resort. I mean, seriously, it has so much to do that we couldnt even fit in half of it in during our weekend getaway.
For lodging, the Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City Resort features Northwood-themed suites for groups and families of all sizes. For food, the Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City Resort offers four different dining options so once again, you never have to leave if you dont want too! There is Camp Critter Bar & Grille , Hungry As A Wolf , Buckets Incredible Craveables , and Bear Paw Sweets & Eats .
For fun things to do with kids, Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City offers an indoor water park, seasonal outdoor pool, arcade, Character Appearances, Kids Activities, The Great Clock Tower Show, Howl in One Mini Golf, MagiQuest, Compass Quest, spa for adults and kids, and even an Iron Horse Fitness Center.
To plan your trip check out greatwolf.com
Best Places To Visit In Kansas
Last updated on April 13, 2021 in USA
From a geographic point of view, Kansas is in the center of the United States. Thats just one of the many reasons, however, that Kansas is known as the Heart of America. The state of Kansas is a slice of Americana, boasting the scenery of the Great Plains along with plenty of history.
Thanks to the Wizard of Oz, many people think of it as a place from which to escape, but in fact there are a lot of great places to visit in Kansas.
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Dodge City Trail Of Fame
The Doge City Trail of Fame is very similar to the famous Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. This historic trail is actually small compared to the Hollywood attraction, but it honors famous and infamous people, who at one time resided in Dodge City. TV and movie star Burt Reynolds is one of those people. It is one of the most interesting things to see in Dodge City.
This is a trail worth walking through since there are lots of monuments around. Signs and markers help guide you through the trail and some kids will enjoy searching for the markers. The steam engine and coal car are also nice attractions at this place. People who have visited this place suggest bringing a camera to capture the place where such people as Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Doc Holliday, passed through.
Dodge City Trail of Fame
Address: 100 W Wyatt Earp Blvd, Dodge City, KS 67801
The following content is contributed by Trip101 writer, Barry
World’s Largest Collection Of Smallest Versions Of Largest Things
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One of the weirdest things to see in Kansas is located right in Lucas. It’s one of the must-visit art attractions in the city, and you’re in for a real treat if you’re lucky enough to visit while it’s open.
The museum began as a traveling exhibition by local artist Erika Nelson. She started by driving to quirky roadside attractions around the country and recreating smaller versions of them.
The success of her museum transformed it into a permanent fixture in the Lucas community.
You can see the smallest versions of the largest rubber band ball, ketchup bottle, ball of yarn, and more. There are plenty of photos, sculptures, and scale models to keep you amazed for your entire visit.
Address: 214 S. Main St., Lucas, KS
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Shop Eat And Be Entertained At Historic Union Station
Built in 1914, this architectural gem served as a working railway station until the 1980s, when it closed after years of neglect. In 1999, however, it reopened after a historic renovation that removed more than 10 million pounds of debris and restored the building to its original gloryall 850,000 square feet of it. Today, Union Station still serves Amtrak trains, but it also houses classic restaurants like Pierponts and Harveys, live entertainment at City Stage Theatre, a planetarium, a science center, and more. While visiting, be sure to also check out the massive chandeliers, 95-foot ceiling, and six-foot-wide-clock in the Grand Hall.
Northglen Antiques Hays Kansas
Northglen Antiques offers a Scottish connection in the Midwestern town of Hays, offering a source for collectibles, art, antiques, and more directly from Scotland. Visitors will find high quality furniture and antiques, such as display cases, chairs, tables, sideboard, and wardrobes. The one-of-a-kind antique shop also features stained glass, mirrors, crystal, pottery, china tea sets, glassware, and other small items. Open seven days a week, Northglen Antiques hand picks all of the items it sells and offers several Scottish heritage items, including Clan and Celtic merchandise like Clan Books, Celtic Music, Celtic jewelry, kilts, Tartan wear, and more.
2010 Vine St, Hays, KS 67601, Phone: 785-623-4005
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