3 Iconic Places in Kansas That Look Way Cooler on Instagram

Have you ever noticed how some places don't look like their Instagram photos when you visit them in real life? It may be that the photos just can't capture the scale, show the whole picture, or prepare you for your visit, but it can be a letdown. I'm not saying that a disconnect between online and real-life images means you shouldn't visit a place. I just mean that, in many cases, it's best to approach a destination with an open mind rather than with expectations shaped by online images. Here's a trio of examples of places in Kansas that don't always look the same in real life as they do online.

1. Rock City Park - Minneapolis

You'll find Rock City Park in Minneapolis, Kansas. I discovered it when I, a curious Minnesotan who lives near the other Minneapolis, thought I'd see what the Kansas version had to offer. Of course, I did a little research online before arriving and found these really interesting, cannonball-shaped limestone concretions that looked super cool. The park is a designated National Natural Landmark managed by a nonprofit, so expect to pay a small entrance fee if you're older than 15 (it was $5 when I visited). From a geological perspective, it was super cool, and I enjoyed learning about the boulders and how they were formed. In terms of wow factor, however... eh. They were much smaller than I thought they would be; some were only waist-high on me. So go, but it's not exactly Garden of the Gods, if you know what I mean.

2. Truckhenge - Topeka

One of the quirkiest roadside attractions in Kansas is Truckhenge, a grassroots art installation at the Lessman Farm (and fishing pond) outside of Topeka. Including Truckhenge on this list was kind of a tough call, because many of the online images you'll find depict it like the lawn of somebody's junk house. And, in some ways, it is. In real life, however, you'll also find pockets of inspired art (on a smaller scale than the hoisted and planted vehicles) that I thought were both whimsical and more successful at evoking emotion than the larger-scale pieces. So, depending on which Instagram photos you see, Truckhenge may look way cooler online; but in other cases, an IRL visit definitely wins out. I guess you'll just have to visit this funky spot to find out.

3. World's Largest Ball of Twine - Cawker City

When I was a kid, I used to love the Guinness Book of World Records. I'd try to talk my parents into ordering the new edition any time there was a Scholastic book sale at school, and every copy I ever owned was dog-eared and page-worn. Needless to say, I enjoy a world record. I was surprised, therefore, to learn that the largest ball of twine was no longer, in fact, in Darwin, Minnesota, where it had been during my childhood, but rather had been surpassed by a still-growing ball in Cawker City, Kansas. I, of course, looked up photos online and, on a trip to the Southwest, popped in to have a peek.

In person, it was... fine. Being up close doesn't give you quite the same appreciation for its size as photos do, and frankly, once you've seen it, that's about it. If you're a roadside attractions fan or a world record buff, defintiely stop by. Benches are set up in the pavilion, which protects it from the elements, in case anyone wants to sit and watch it for a while, but I passed on the seats (nobody else was there watching it in earnest, either) and continued on my way.

Have you visited any of the Kansas destinations and found they didn't look the same as their online images? What are some other mismatched overhyped places in Kansas that you know of? Be sure to share them with us on our Nomination page.

If you're ready to head out on your next Kansas adventure, be sure to pay a visit to Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner for some additional inspiration.