Top Things to do in Kansas
Top Hotels in Kansas
- 1. Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita
- 2. Drury Inn & Suites Kansas City Overland Park
- 3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Northeast
- 4. Hotel at Old Town
- 5. Hampton Inn Lawrence
- 6. Best Western Plus Wichita West Airport Inn
- 7. Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown
- 8. Best Western Plus Butterfield Inn
- 9. Hampton Inn Colby
- 10. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Olathe
Countries
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Kansas That You Shouldn't Miss
See a buffalo up close, live like a cowboy for a day on a working cattle ranch or visit a stagecoach stop on the Sante Fe Trail are just a few of the many vacation experiences possible in this state in America’s heartland. You’ll love the wide-open spaces and the opportunities to engage in a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences in this marvelous state, which has the largest segment of true tallgrass prairie remaining in the U.S. Regardless of where you visit: a major metropolitan area like Kansas City, a college town like Manhattan or Lawrence or engaging places like Wichita, Dodge City and Salina, there are a wide array of attractions and sights nearby. If you want to familiarize yourself with cowboy culture, visit the Boot Hills Museum in Dodge City, dine on all-you-can-eat barbeque and hear songs of the American Cowboy at Diamond W Chuckwagon Supper in Wichita or explore the Dickinson County Heritage Center in Abilene, which has dance halls, gaming rooms and 32 saloons.
For outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching and other activities, three of the state’s most popular parks are: Cheney State Park near Wichita; Scott State Park near Scott City and Tuttle Creek State Park near Manhattan.
Restaurants in Kansas
1. Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 851 reviews
Reviewed By homesbyteresa - Overland Park, United States
This is such a family fun place to spend the day. There are sp many things to do and animals to see. My grandkids love feeding and petting the goats, hayride, driving pedal tractors, milking the cows, fishing, exploring and playing at the awesome playgrounds. There are too many fun things to do to mention them all. You will want to spend time checking it out. Bring your lunch and have a picnic.
2. Ellinwood Underground Tunnels
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Chaletriohondo - Taos Ski Valley, United States
When Ellinwood Kansas town was built in 1870’s near the Arkansas River about a mile away it was constructed as a 2-story town, which was common in Germany at the time with the first story being underground. The second story is ground level and all you could see walking about town. The underground first story was not hidden or a secret. It had typical downtown merchants like a barber shop, doc’s office, saddle maker and other shops along the walkways. It was cool and tornado proof and probably less likely to catch on fire. You check-in and pay a small admission fee for a guided (explained) at the old historic Wolf Hotel where your tour begins. If you can stay the night be sure to stay at the Wolf Hotel and better yet if you get a chance to eat a meal there particularly their fried chicken Sunday brunch. Ask for Chris McCord, owner and expert hotelier.
3. Safari Zoological Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 786 reviews
Reviewed By 864cheyennep
This place is awesome the staff gave us such an amazing experience we will definitely be back if you are in the area definitely check it out it’s a very cool place ????
4. Black Hoof Park and Lake Lenexa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By D2567BYkellyb - Lenexa, United States
This park is very close to where I live so I walk there on a regular basis. It’s always fun to see the kids playing on the swings . There is a ramp for small fishing boats and there are always people fishing from the banks also. There is also a shelter for celebrations and parties .
5. Evel Knievel Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 401 reviews
The Evel Knievel Museum showcases an incredible collection of authentic artifacts that belonged to the most legendary, death-defying daredevil of all time! Experience Knievel’s life and journey to record-setting, super-stardom! The 2-story 13,000 sq ft Evel Knievel Museum features: • Evel’s motorcycles – the bikes that launched a legend • Knievel’s genuine leathers and helmets • “Big Red,” Knievel’s fully-restored Mack Truck • Evel’s personal and never-before-seen memorabilia INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS: • Virtual Reality 4-D Jump Experience • Broken Bones Interactive, including Evel’s actual X-rays • “Plan Your Jump” Interactive Challenge • Engine & Suspension Interactive • Snake River Experience Room featuring Knievel’s actual X-2 Sky Cycle
Reviewed By 786clifft
I have to tell you this is an absolute MUST DO. I never knew how much me and Evel had in common. The museum is unbelievable. The layout is perfect. I stumbled across it by way of the BBQ spot that is attached to the Harley dealership the museum is attached to. Well the BBQ was off the hook, the bikes were BA and then we found the museum. WOW. You have got to do the jump. Check it out. Pro tip: Don't lean to far in the turns.... In a word it was awesome. worth every penny!
6. Home of Stone
7. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Established in 1996, the park aims to preserve what little remains of the once vast American tallgrass prairie.
Reviewed By peterda57 - Seattle, United States
Exceptional place to visit and see the prairie as it once was. After a short walk you are deep into nature and rolling hills that stretch out ahead of you for what seems like forever. Went back the next day at dawn and heard the bison calling to each other across the valley. Just lovely. I will just note that if you are traveling in summer- BRING WATER and a hat as it gets super hot. Not an exhausting hike but needs some prep. Looking forward to going back in the Fall. Park staff were very friendly and informative.
8. Botanica: The Wichita Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 722 reviews
Located in Sim Park, this gorgeous patch of cultivated flora offers themed gardens such as the Butterfly Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Rose and Wildflower Garden and the award-winning Sally Stone Sensory Garden, plus special programs for children.
Reviewed By AIbin0 - Tarrant, United States
I was traveling from out of state on a whim and out of all the places I was hoping to see while in Wichita, The Botanical Gardens was at the top of my list. To be frank, I've never actually been to a Botanical Gardens before, but the one here is absolutely gorgeous. I'm no botanist, but there's a wide variety of flora all throughout the gardens in different sections. Beautiful fountains, a butterfly garden, gorgeous floral arrangements, memorial statues, quiet alcoves, lilly ponds, a koi pond, and much more await you here. After a long year of stress and anxiety, being away from everything for a few hours was therapeutic. I'd definitely recommend seeing it for yourself if you're in the area.
9. OZ Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
So how did it all get started? Well, as Dorothy says, “there’s no place like home”. What words could be more appropriate when describing the dream of a small community that literally built a museum out of a rainbow's notion? It took the brains of a small group of leaders, the heart for what L. Frank Baum began in 1900 as a simple children's book, and the courage to take on the task of constructing a home for over 2,000 artifacts dating from 1900 to present day.
Reviewed By WenT777 - Morrison, United States
We enjoyed the museum and learned a lot about the famous movie we never would have known. Fun memorabilia with stories for days to read about, or watch on the TVs throughout. Loved the stories about Baum’s life, munchkins, the actors in Wizard of Oz, the life-size figures, and more. Who knew in Wamego, KS? Super cute swag in the gift shop, and a wind tunnel. If you have little kids, hit the city park and search the town for all the Toto’s. Friendly staff too!
10. International Forest of Friendship
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
The Forest is a 5 acre park honoring more than 1500 people who have contributed to the field of aviation. Winding through the Forest is a wheelchair accessible pathway where visitors can see plaques naming those individuals inducted into the Forest and enjoy trees from all 50 US states and more than 35 countries around the world where the honorees reside. The Forest provides a peaceful natural setting for a stroll and an opportunity to enjoy the unique contributions to aviation and aerospace history made by the honorees.
