Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Kansas, Kansas

August 27, 2021 Margarita Chappel

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

13800 Switzer Rd, Overland Park, KS 66221-7803 +1 913-897-2360 [email protected] http://www.opkansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/Deanna-Rose-Childrens-Farmstead
Excellent
86%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 851 reviews

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

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. Children's Mercy Park

1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111-1702 +1 913-912-7600 http://www.sportingkc.com/stadium
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 345 reviews

Children's Mercy Park

Reviewed By mattmX4628UL

The two previous games we attended were live action in person, and Sporting won both times. This time was a little different, but still enjoyable. As an affiliate of the MLS team, we were in town for an All-Star weekend and allowed to watch the team's season opener (which was actually in NY) in the stadium on the big screen. The drum team was not present (which would normally create a lot of enthusiasm in the fans) but it was still a fun time. It was actually kind of nice not having the big crowd this time. Kansas City is now 3-0 in the three games we have attended.

3. Booth Family Hall of Athletics

1651 Naismith Dr Allen Fieldhouse‎, Lawrence, KS 66045-4069 +1 785-864-7050 http://www.kuathletics.com/facilities/kan-booth-hall.html
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 106 reviews

Booth Family Hall of Athletics

Reviewed By R9368JBdavidw - Tulsa, United States

It's a must see for Fans of KU Athletics. The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is an exceptional Shrine to KU Athletics and is located on the eastern section of the historic Phog Allen Fieldhouse on the KU Campus. There are many, many display cases filled with memorabilia, photos, and hanging displays that pays homage to the great and storied athletic traditions and major successes that is the University of Kansas. Seeing the KU Basketball National Championship trophies is great as are the stories and history displayed telling about those championships, as well as Olympic World Championships won by KU in basketball, track and field athletes throughout the years. KU Athletes and teams in a myriad of sports and their major successes are also on display. The 2008 Orange Bowl Championship trophy in football is one of my favorites! Seeing the story of one of the greatest milers of all time, Jim Ryun is a must see too. Another of my favorites is the story of Dr James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, bringing the game to KU and being it's first coach, as well as the exploits of his teams, and how he and Phog Allen made KU the dominant power of jntercollegiate basketball in the US, and how their accomplishments have kept KU as a true blue blood even in today's game! The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is very well done. If you want to see the actual and "original" handwritten rules of basketball by Dr. Naismith...they are literally about 100 feet North of the Booth Hall, in a building (attached to Phog Allen Fieldhouse) called the De Bruce Center. You can see and read the rules as well as listen to Dr Naismith give an early radio interview about basketball. The recording is the only known voice recording of Dr. Naismith!

4. Evel Knievel Museum

2047 SW Topeka Blvd At Historic Harley-Davidson, Topeka, KS 66612-1462 +1 785-215-6205 [email protected] http://evelknievelmuseum.org
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 401 reviews

Evel Knievel Museum

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!

5. Boot Hill Museum

500 W Wyatt Earp Blvd, Dodge City, KS 67801-4350 +1 620-227-8188 [email protected] http://www.boothill.org
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,027 reviews

Boot Hill Museum

The exciting and unique story of early Dodge City is told daily along Front Street at Boot Hill Museum. The museum chronicles the establishment of a rough and rowdy cattle town known as Dodge City. The museum is located on the original site of Boot Hill Cemetery and highlights the glory days as Queen of the Cowtowns with creative, lively, interactive displays and activities the entire family will enjoy. Boot Hill Museum is open all year long where you can belly up to the bar for a cold sarsaparilla, enjoy some of grandma’s homemade fudge in the General Store or take home a lasting memento of your old west experience from the Boot Hill gift shop. During the summer months, children’s activities, gunfight reenactments, country-style dinners and the Long Branch Variety Show provides entertainment like none other! Cool off in the Beatty and Kelley Ice Cream Parlor before you become a character of the past in an Old West Photo.

Reviewed By L3037GPheatherm - Hawaii, United States

Well done museum ....we really enjoyed walking around...very informative Great place to learn history of Dodge ..great for all ages We enjoyed the live gunfight show Great gift shop ..something for everyone Don’t miss if you go to Dodge city

6. Exploration Place

300 N McLean Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203-5901 +1 316-660-0600 http://www.exploration.org/
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 397 reviews

Exploration Place

Delve into hundreds of interactive exhibits that stimulate the mind and teach about science, and that's only inside the main building. Outside there's a park where visitors can observe Kansas wildlife in a wetlands habitat and dig for archeological treasures inside a giant sandbox.

Reviewed By hd452016 - Tulsa, United States

Take the time to visit this interesting science center, especially for children in grades 3-12. The Center has several hands-on exhibits the focus on flight. You will also find displays on Kansas geography and medieval life housed in a three-story castle.

7. Botanica: The Wichita Gardens

Wichita, KS 67203 +1 316-264-0448 [email protected] http://www.botanica.org/
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 722 reviews

Botanica: The Wichita Gardens

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.

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. Museum of World Treasures

835 E 1st St N, Wichita, KS 67202-2791 +1 316-263-1311 [email protected] http://www.worldtreasures.org
Excellent
57%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 550 reviews

Museum of World Treasures

Discover the treasures . . . around the world and through the ages. Where can you explore the crusty bones of long-lost creatures, marvel at Egyptian mummies, uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations, travel to the land of Conquistadors. and enter the battlefields of World Wars? The Museum of World Treasures, with more than 3,000 artifacts on three floors. Discover your inner explorer!

Reviewed By ransom007 - Anaheim, United States

There is free parking in front of the museum which is in a building that is behind a plaza so it is not right on the street. It is 3 floors with a natural history section, a modern history section (especially United States wars), and an ancient history section (emphasizing Egypt, Greece, and Rome). There are many artifacts and several timelines, and much other information. The staff is very friendly and there is a gift shop. It is hard to beat for the approximately $10 admission price. COVID-19: The employees were masked and visitors were expected to wear masks and practice social distancing.

10. Sternberg Museum of Natural History

3000 Sternberg Dr, Hays, KS 67601-2006 +1 785-628-4286 http://sternberg.fhsu.edu
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 228 reviews

Sternberg Museum of Natural History

Part of the Fort Hays State University, the museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving plant and animal specimens pertaining to the Great Plains.

Reviewed By naturetack - Dallas, United States

One of the most unique museums I've ever been to. So many cool exhibits, including the life sized prehistoric animal dioramas, the exhibits of fossils with their living relatives for comparison, and so much more! The fossil displays were fascinating and informative, learned a lot about the fishes and other sea creatures found in Kansas, and about Sternberg and other paleontologists. Definitely recommend to anyone passing through the area!

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