Things to do in Kansas, Kansas: The Best Historic Sites

March 21, 2022 Dorsey Hagwood

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. Seelye Mansion

1105 N Buckeye Ave, Abilene, KS 67410-1942 +1 785-263-1084 [email protected] http://www.seelyemansion.org
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 156 reviews

Seelye Mansion

Reviewed By MissySchoenberger - Hays, United States

Impulse stop turned into a delightful step back in history. The tour guides were both informative and we absolutely loved the “non-roped” off areas offered within the mansion. It was a true home town experience. I have a new found appreciation for modern lightning (thank you Mr. Edison) and bowling alleys. We will definitely back at Christmas!

2. Cathedral of Saint Peter

409 N 15th St, Kansas City, KS 66102-4327
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Cathedral of Saint Peter

3. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

1515 SE Monroe St, Topeka, KS 66612-1143 +1 785-354-4273 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/brvb
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 323 reviews

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

The Monroe Elementary School, one of the segregated schools involved in the 1954 Supreme Court decision aimed at ending segregation in public schools, is now a National Historic Site commemorating this landmark ruling.

Reviewed By JennCMorris - Kingwood, United States

It was easy to get to. It was closed when we got her. There are signs ALL over to give you history and information. It is a beautiful building and we loved seeing history. It is in an neighborhood left very unsafe. We LOVED the mural across the street.

4. Home of Stone

112 E Vine St, Dodge City, KS 67801-4912
Excellent
60%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

Home of Stone

Visitors can tour this three-story limestone house, built in 1881, to view period furniture and clothing.

Atchison, KS
Excellent
63%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Muchnic Art Gallery

Reviewed By Footprints207728 - Wichita, United States

Love the wood floors made by hand. Wished we could have seen the spiral staircase but, since someone lives on the other side, I guess this was not possible Bummer!!

6. Old West Lawrence

Tennessee and Indiana streets, Sixth and Eight streets, Lawrence, KS http://oldwestlawrence.net/
Excellent
44%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Old West Lawrence

7. Garden of Eden

Second and Kansas Streets, Lucas, KS +1 785-525-6395 http://www.garden-of-eden-lucas-kansas.com
Excellent
61%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

Garden of Eden

Reviewed By KevinP345

This has to be one of the most interesting places I have ever visited. It would have been fun to have known the guy who created this venue. Learning about his beliefs and political views was a hoot!

8. Old Cowtown Museum

1865 W Museum Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203-3295 +1 316-350-3323 [email protected] http://www.oldcowtown.org
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 434 reviews

Old Cowtown Museum

Be transported back in time at this unique, 23 acre open-air history museum that recreates Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas from 1865 to 1880. Museum staff dress in period costume and demonstrate everyday activities including, gardening, tending livestock and cooking. Historic Wichita Cowtown Inc. works with the City of Wichita to further the Museum and its mission. Established in 1950, Cowtown's unique programming chronicles Wichita's transformation from a frontier settlement to a cattle town to an agricultural and manufacturing area. The Museum has the distinction of being accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition achievable by a museum. Accreditation recognizes high standards in individual museums and ensures they continue to uphold public trust. Only 3 percent of the nation's estimated 34,144 museums are accredited.

Reviewed By luket257

If you're interested in history and how things were in the old west this is a very worthwhile stop. Old town is set up with stores and businesses the way they were back in the day and very informative. If you're lucky you might even get in on some movie shooting.

9. Chase County Courthouse

Pearl and Broadway, Cottonwood Falls, KS +1 620-273-8469 http://chasecountychamber.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 54 reviews

Chase County Courthouse

The oldest operating courthouse west of the Mississippi River is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reviewed By J9450VP

The pictures I’d seen do not give this architectural gem justice! Beautiful building, easy to find in Cottonwood Falls.

10. Ward-Meade Park

124 NW Fillmore St, Topeka, KS 66606-1171 +1 785-251-2989 http://www.kansastravel.org/wardmeadepark.htm
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 104 reviews

Ward-Meade Park

Originally a family farm on the Oregon Trail, this six-acre park features an early 20th-century town, an elegant Southern-style mansion, botanical gardens and original log cabins.

Reviewed By jcrowe630 - Chicago, United States

History buffs will enjoy the building moved here, the drugstore from Potwin, the General store from Mulvane, the Barbarshop, train depot and livery stable. I enjoyed volunteering at the Apple Festival and I enjoyed strolling through the tulips this week.

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