Kansas The 10 Must-See Attractions
Did you know that the world’s second largest collection of space artifacts is in Kansas. Or that nearly all the tall grass prairie land that once swept across America, is only found in Kansas. In this state there’s a place called Little Sweden, people with all the charm and character of a Swedish village.
Kansas top destinations include the Historic city of Dodge City, an important frontier town. Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. The towns of Wichita and Lindsborg are great stops to experience the rich history of small-town life throughout the centuries.
Oz Museum
One of Kansas’ most famous moments is immortalized by the Wizard of Oz Museum in Wamego. The museum features a collection of over 2,000 Wizard of Oz Artifacts.
Favorite OZ artifacts and experiences doors and windows from a munchkin house, used on the set of the film. Hand jeweled ruby slippers, covered in over 3,500 Swarovski crystals.
The perfect time to visit is during the Annual OZtoberFEST. This annual event each fall brings together Oz-lovers from around the world. Costume contests, food, arts and crafts, enjoy the small-town aspect of this huge festival.
Strataca
Strataca is a salt mine museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. It was known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. The museum built within one of the world’s largest deposits of rock salt. Provides the opportunity to go 650 feet beneath the Earth’s surface.
Take a 30-minute tour on a tram through an area of the mine that includes lit areas explaining the challenges to keep mines safe and functional. Take a trip back in time when you walk through the mining gallery. Enjoy some of the other attractions at the museum such as the Dark Ride and the Salt Safari Shuttle.
Old Cowtown Museum
One of Wichita’s main attractions is the Old Cowtown Museum a living history museum dedicated to celebrating life in Wichita in the 19th century. There are 54 historic and recreated buildings at Cowtown located along the banks of the Arkansas River.
Historic structures and their furnishings, clothing and domestic textiles, tools and machinery, farming equipment and rolling stock. Collection of photographs, letters, and documents also provide primary source material for historical research.
Visitors to the museum can enjoy learning through hands-on activities. Viewing the costumed actors, live animals and other exhibits.
Sedgwick County Zoo
The Sedgwick County Zoo in northwest Wichita is the largest zoo in Kansas. Known as one of Kansas largest attractions. The Wichita Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals of 400 different species.
Activities include Safari Express Journey an electric train ride around the entire Zoo property. Stingray Cove a hands-on experience with a variety of small sharks and stingrays. Wild Encounters offers several behind the scenes ventures. The Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley is the third-largest elephant habitat in the country, encompassing more than five acres of outdoor space.
Boot Hill Museum
The mission of the Boot Hill Museum is to preserve the history of the Old West with emphasis on Dodge City. More Than 60,000 objects, photographs, and documents. Most of the collection is from the 1870s through the 1920s and actually belonged to original residents of Dodge City.
Besides its historical and educational focus. The museum also provides entertainment for visitors with simulated gunfights and saloon shows. In addition to the nightly Long Branch Variety Show, the Museum also offers its Country Style dinner served in the Occident Saloon.
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is an educational, recreational and cultural resource for the Kansas City region. The gardens include a variety of landscapes, meticulous gardens and wild hiking trails. Explore the Arboretum’s 300 acres and more than 800 plant species, including 45 acres of botanical gardens. Favorites include the award-winning Monet Garden and the Train Garden.
Walk through one of the Arboretum’s themed gardens. Take a brisk walk or hike on one of several winding walking trails. Explore the growing permanent sculpture collection. Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens offers a variety of ways to experience nature.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park has farm animals, birds of prey, butterfly gardens, and a nature trail. Visit more than 250 animals and birds, learn about growing flowers and vegetables, experience a Kanza Indian encampment or a one-room school house.
One of the popular attractions is a large prairie dog display. Take a stroll through main street to the fishing pond. Pat’s Photography Parlor see how photos were taken in the old days. Morgan’s Playground offers a play environment for some of the youngest visitors.
Wilson State Park
Located in the heart of the Smoky Hills, Wilson State Park considered by many to be the most beautiful in the state. Wilson Reservoir features a rugged shoreline punctuated by scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops. The park and surrounding wildlife area offer the opportunity to view and photograph deer, pheasant, waterfowl, songbirds, and furbearers.
The Cedar Trail in the Otoe area is a one-mile loop with a concrete surface and is great for a leisurely, low-stress walk. The 24.5-mile-long Switchgrass Bike Trail is popular with mountain bikers to pursue this challenging activity.
Cosmosphere Kansas
One of Kansas’ top attractions is the Cosmosphere Museum and educational institution in the city of Hutchinson. Which houses the second largest collection of space artifacts in the world. It’s also famous as being one of only three museums which display flown spacecraft from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.
The museum’s venues are the Hall of Space Museum, Justice Planetarium, Carey Digital Dome Theater, CosmoKids and Dr. Goddard’s lab. Famous items on display include the Gemini X space capsule, Apollo 13 command module, and a Lunar Rover.
Exploration Place
Exploration Place is a premier hands-on science center for all ages. Located along the Arkansas River in Wichita’s downtown River district. The interactive museum emphasizes aviation and Kansas geography. Hosts traveling exhibits that showcase the importance of math and science in the world around us.
Permanent exhibits include Bridging Art & Science, Explore Kansas, Design Build Fly, Were Kids Rule and much more. The Dome Theater immerse yourself under the soaring 60-foot screen with a 360-degree view and booming surround sound in the largest dome theater in Kansas.
Things to Do in Kansas
The state of Kansas is the center of America, and many locals and visitors think of it as “the Heart of America,” too. On a trip to Kansas visitors can explore important landmarks of America’s history from the frontier era to today.